m4 - (1/2 anemia overview) blood disorders

relation between hemoglobin and RBC

hemoglobin is found in RBC and contains iron atoms - each iron binds to oxygen to transport it across the body, using RBC as a vessel for it

anemia (definition)

decrease in the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity

2 things that determine oxygen’s carrying capacity

• # of RBC

• amt of hemoglobin in RBC

hypoxemia vs hypoxia

• hypoxemia: a reduction in the blood’s oxygen content

• hypoxia: abnormally low oxygen content in tissues

anemia can produce _____, which then produces _____

[hypoxemia] → [hypoxia]

name 3 most common signs and symptoms of anemia, providing reasoning behind each

1. fatigue: decreased aerobic cell respiration = low ATP

2. dizzy, headaches: decreased ATP in CNS (sensitive nerve tissues)

3. shortness of breath: lack of sufficient O2 to tissues

provide reasoning behind the following anemia symptoms:

1. increased breathing rate, dept

2. rapid, pounding heart beat

3. vasodilation

4. decrease in blood viscosity (thickness)

5. pale lips, nailbeds, mucous membranes

1. respiratory center trying to increase diffusion rate of O2 in lungs

2. cardiac centre trying to increase bloodflow to hypoxic lungs and tissues

3. hypoxia releases nitric oxide signalling mlcs → vasodilation decreasing TPR (total peripheral resistance)

4. decreased RBC count while body maintains blood volume (trying to decrease TPR to increase venous return to the heart)

5. less oxygenated blood = less bright red

when oxygen saturation decreases, blood flow [decreases / increases] due to [vasoconstriction / vasodilation] in the tissues

blood flow [increases] due to [vasodilation]

pernicious anemia (definition)

vitamin b12 deficiency (autoimmune disorder) caused by immune system destroying intrinsic factor, which prevents the body from absorbing vitamin b12

folate anemia (definition)

vitamin b9 deficiency

describe how anemia through blood loss occurs - what type of anemia is it associated with?

slow or chronic blood loss - either secondary to other illness, or through acute bleeding

• associated with iron deficiency anemia due to most iron binding to hemoglobin

true or false:

• hemoglobin production is completely dependent on iron availability

true

% of iron that is bound to hemoglobin in RBC

% of iron bound to ferritin in cells or transferrin in plasma

80% - hemoglobin in RBC

20% - ferritin or transferrin

most common anemia type

iron deficiency anemia

define MCV, MCHC acronyms

mean cell volume

mean cellular hemoglobin content

describe the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia

1. iron stores deplete

2. fewer rbcs = low hematocrit, reduced MCV, reduced MCHC

3. anemic blood cells replace older blood cells

2 terms to describe anemic blood cells in iron deficiency

• microcytic = small

• hypochromic = pale

2 essential functions of B12

• dna synthesis / RBC mitosis

• myelination of nerves / nerve function

______ _____ from the gastric mucosa enables B12 absorption

intrinsic factor

2 terms for appearance of vit B12 deficiency anemia cells

• megaloblastic RBCs

  • macrocytic (large)

  • normochromic (normal colour)

general signs and symptoms of B12 anemia

• low serum b12

• paresthesias in hands, feet

• depression, confusion

2 essential functions of vitamin B9 (folic acid)

• nucleic acid synthesis in RBC

• cell growth, mitosis