PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
PREDISPOSING FACTORS:
PRECIPITATING FACTORS:
Age: 13-30 y.o. Gender: Female Conditions:Pregnancy, Conditions:Pregnancy, excessive menstruation, alcoholics Underlying disease conditions: Cancer, Kidney Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus
Dietary intake (Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid), erythropoietin Malabsorption: Lack of intrinsic factor, Inappropriate interventions upon intake of Supplements, Gastrectomy, Inflammatory Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Folic Acid Deficiency
Iron Deficiency
Manifestations:
Smooth sour tongue Diarrhea Paresthesias of hands and feet Impaired coordination and position sense
Lack
Proliferation of large immature d sfunctional RBC
of hemoglobin in the RBC
Alterations of Normal production of RBCs
O2 Carrying Capability
Manifestations:
Hypoxia
Pale skin shortness of breath rapid heartbeat low vitality dizziness
Hypoxemia
Organ Dysfunction
Organ Failure
DEATH
ANEMIA
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
ANEMIA
Anemia, medical condition caused by an abnormally low number of red blood cells. Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, contain hemoglobin, a red, iron-rich protein that carries oxygen in the blood to the bodys tissues. People with anemia develop symptoms caused by the poor delivery of oxygen to their body tissues. These symptoms include pale skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, low vitality, dizziness, and, if left untreated, stroke or heart failure. There are three primary causes of anemia: (1) reduced production of red blood c ells; (2) excessive destruction of red blood cells; and (3) extensive bleeding. Red blood cell production becomes impaired if the body has inadequate amounts of certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, as well as the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys. Chronic illnesses, such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease, may also lead to decreased red blood cell production. Red blood cells normally live for about 120 days before the immune system removes them from the body. The body compensates by producing new red blood cell s. But if the destruction of red blood cells exceeds the bodys ability to produce new red blood cells, anemia results. Abnormal destruction of red blood cells may be caused by an enlarged spleen, an organ that removes worn red blood cells from the body. The larger the spleen grows, the more red blood cells it traps and destroys. In some cases red blood cells are destroyed by a malfunction of the immune system in which antibodies attach to red blood cells, marking them for destruction. Red blood cells may also be destroyed by some genetic conditions, such as thalassemia, that cause defects in the structure or function of red blood cells. E xcessive bleeding can cause dangerously low blood pressure as well as insufficient oxygen delivery to body tissues. Large amounts of blood loss may occur suddenly due to injury or surg ery. In some cases, excessive bleeding may occur over time, such as from bleeding ulcers or tumors of the intestinal tract. Decreased RBCs in the system would lead to hypoxia that would later turn to hypoxemia. If appropriate interventions are not done, it would lead to organ dysfunction and then organ failure thus complications arises during this time and if left untreated, death is inevitable.
