Anemia Decreases the Number of Red Blood Cells Essay

As a provider, one will care for many patients that have different types of anemia. Anemia is not so much as a disease as a symptom of an underlying issue. Although there can be particular signs and symptoms associated with anemia, the basis of a diagnosis is from laboratory data. For the purpose of this discussion, I will evaluate a case study and give a differential diagnosis. I will also assess how patient history, physical exam, and lab reports support my diagnosis. I will explain the pathophysiology of the type of anemia and give causes and treatment options available.

1. Anemia, pp. 989. Anemia is a areduction in the total number of erythrocytes in the circulating blood or a decrease in the quality or quantity of hemoglobin. Anemias commonly result from (1) impaired erythrocyte production, (2) blood loss (acute or chronic), (3)increase erythrocyte destruction, or (4) a combination of these three. sThe fundamental physiologic manifestation of anemia is a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood resulting in tissue hypoxia.

Ms. A. a 26-year-old white woman had been experiencing increased shortness of breath, low energy levels and these symptoms got worse during her menstruation periods. She had also been experiencing Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal for the last 10-12 years. There is a possibility that Ms. A could be suffering from anemia. Moreover, on the day she was taken to the emergency clinic, she experienced light-headedness the attending physician’s notes indicated a temp of 98 degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. According to a study done by Ilyas , et al. (2012 ), Iron deficiency (ID) is majorly responsible for the cause of nutritional anemia. Specifically Menorrhagia responsible for loss of more than 80 mL during the menstrual periods is the most common cause of anemia in young women. Consequently, anemia commonly causes reduction of oxygen movement in the blood, causing fatigue and a diminished physical capacity. In addition, even moderate anemia can bring about shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness as well headaches.

Ms. A is 26-year-old female with a history of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea since she was 14-16 years old. In addition, she has taken aspirin during menstruation and for preventing and alleviating joint pain during golf season. Her signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy, light headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension. Her laboratory values show low Hemoglobin (HB), Hematocrit (HCT) and Erythrocyte (RBC) but normal in Reticulocyte (REIC) count. According to Chen, Zieve, & Ogilvie (2014, p. 1), the normal value of HB is 12.1 to 15.1g/dl, HCT is 36.1% to 44.3%, RBC count is 4.2 to 5.2 x10/mm and RETIC count is 0.5% to 1.5% in female. The low Hemoglobin and Hematocrit can direct that Ms. A has anemia. The RBC smear can determine her classification of anemia. Her RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells. The evidence can indicate that Ms. A has Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).

The most prominent cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia is bleeding. Blood loss from the Gastrointestinal Tract is a significant cause of anemia for both men and women. When blood is present in excrement, a gastrointestinal problem exists. Many times, people are unaware of these problems with their waste products. When they begin to feel the symptoms of anemia and undergo tests that determine that they are anemic, it begins the process of discovering more health problems. Anemia can serve as the precursor of certain diseases. There are many instances when it is merely a sign of severe disease such as a peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, hemorrhoids, angiodysplasis of the colon, and colonic adenocarcinoma (http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/sep_96/browne.htm).

Hemoglobin is a main part of red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygen. Symptoms of anemia -- like fatigue -- occur because organs aren't getting what they need to function properly, according to the article, "Anemia Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diet, and Treatment." During the civil war more than 150 prisons were established where around 400,000 men had been imprisoned.

* Anemia-related fatigue occurs when there is a decrease in red blood cells (RBCs). This happens when myeloma cells replace RBCs in the bone marrow.

Anemia is a condition in which the concentration of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is below normal. Hemoglobin is a substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. Anemia results in not enough oxygen reaching these tissues.

Anemia is a condition where the number and quality of erythrocytes in the blood decreases. There are several factors that may prompt anemia: blood loss, complications in erythrocyte production, increased erythrocyte destruction, or a combination of these. There are different types of anemia, and they are distinguished by size, shape, or the erythrocyte’s substance.

blood disorders, such as hemolytic anemia (the rupture or destruction of red blood cells that lead to a decreased amount of red blood cells in your circulation, which leads to fatigue and weakness)

Hemoglobin is the red blood cell that carries oxygen. It is used as the standard measurement for assessing anemia.

Anemia is the medical condition that results from blood not carrying enough oxygen to the body through the blood. It is sometimes caused by a loss in the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. While nearly one in five seniors have anemia, the condition is the result of other medical issues and not age. The most common reason for anemia in seniors is a lack of Vitamin B12. Other reasons include a folate deficiency or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Anemia is caused by the bone marrow not being able to replace red blood cells (RBCs) that are either destroyed or are taken out of circulation (Porth, 2011, p. 292).

Anemia is a condition that affects one’s blood where there are not enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs). When there aren’t enough RBCs, the cells in the body will not get enough oxygen. This is the most common blood condition in the US that affects over 3 million Americans. Some forms of anemia are hereditary;

Anemia is a disorder of the blood. It occurs when your body does not produce enough erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBCs). Without the erythrocytes oxygen can not be adequately delivered to the tissues and organs throughout the body. This will cause you to become weak and tired. A person may also experience headaches, skin pallor, and faintness. Your body may attempt to compensate for these symptoms by speeding up the heart rate and respiratory rate. This is the body’s attempt to return oxygen levels to normal(Thibodeau and Patton, 2005).