red blood cells Flashcards
what is anemia
anemia is the reduction in the haemoglobin concentration of the blood with a decrease in the total number of circulating erythrocytes
when is anemia considered severe
when the haemoglobin level on lab results drop below 70
how does anemia occur
from not making enough red blood cells or destroying them too quickly to be replaced
what is hypoxia
decreased oxygen level in the tissues
what is hypoxemia
decreased oxygen level in blood
why does anaemia relate to hypoxia and hypoxemia
becasue haemaglobin carries oxygen to the cells
what does our body do to compensate for the reduction of oxygen in our tissues
increase in heart rate and stroke volume. respiratory rate increases. kindeys retain more salt and water which increases blood pressure
what are initial symptoms of anaemia
fatigue, pallor, feeling cold, increased resp rate, decreased ability to physically exert ones self
if anaemia progresses what will be the symptoms
fluid overload and heart failure, tachycardia/palpitations, dyspnoea, dizziness
what is the most common form of anaemia
iron deficiency anaemia , common in children and women of child bearing years.
what does iron deficiency anaemia cause
decreased erythropoietin from the kidneys trying to make red blood cells, decreased iron intake, decrease absorption of iron from the small intestine, decreased need for iron, excessive loss of iron, gastrectomy
macrocytic anaemia
macrocytic= large cell. result from vitamin B deficiences.
folate deficiency anaemia
results from vitamin B6 deficiences. folate is needed for red blood cells to fully develop
folate deficiency anaemia causes
alcohol, malnourishment, pregnanc/lactation
symptoms of folate deficiency anaemia
all symotms of anaemia, mouth ulcers, inflammation, fissures, headaches, weight loss, diarrhoea
treatment for folate deficiency anaemia
folate tablets
examples of macrocytic anaemia
folate deficiency and pernicious anaemia
what is pernicious anaemia
vitamin B12 deficiency - lack of intrinsic factor
what causes penicious anaemia
gastrectomy, chronic atropic gastritis, chrohns disease, long term use of protein pumo inhibitors , vegan diets
symptoms of pernicious anaemia
develops over 20-30 years, not caught until severe, mood swings, difficulty walking, sore beefy tongue
treatment for pernicious
injections or oral treatmnet, fatal if not treated
what is disseminated intrvascular coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a thrombohaemorrhagic disorder that involves widespread thrombus formation throughout the microvasculature, followed by hemorrhage.
Triggering events for DIC
sepsis, cancer, pregnancy complications, haemorrhage, hypovolemic shock
what occurs with DIC
blood clots begi to block flow of blood to organs, organs bein to fail in function, so much clotting factors gets used up thaat the patient begins to haemorhage
symptoms of a DIC
Organ dysfunction from the clots, seizure, oliguria, haemturia, hyoxia, tachycardia, hypotension, chest pain, cyanosis to extemities
treatment for DIC
DIC will not stop until the stimukus causing the coagulation is removed or treated, IV fluids are given to help with failure of the heart and kidneys, anticoagulation or plasma,
