BIOC33H3 Lecture Notes - Watchful Waiting, Hypercalcaemia, Lymph Node
25 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Anemia is a deficiency in the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells [rbcs]), the quantity of hemoglobin, and/or the volume of packed rbcs (hematocrit), which can lead to tissue hypoxia. Hemoglobin (hb) levels are often used to determine the severity of anemia. Correcting the cause of the anemia is ultimately the goal of therapy. Interventions may include blood or blood product transfusions, drug therapy, volume replacement, oxygen therapy, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes. Iron-deficiency anemia may develop from inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, blood loss, or hemolysis. Also, pregnancy contributes to iron deficiency because of the diversion of iron to the fetus for erythropoiesis, blood loss at delivery, and lactation. The main goal of collaborative care for iron-deficiency anemia is to treat the underlying disease causing reduced intake (e. g. , malnutrition, alcoholism) or absorption of iron. In addition, efforts are directed toward replacing iron with dietary changes or supplementation.
