Disease: Anemia

[cobra palden]

Anemia is a condition in which the ability to transport oxygen in the body is diminished. This occurs because there are less red cells or less hemoglobin. There are many types of anemias and they may be caused by a variety of problems.


The causes of the various anemias are listed separately in this index. To further understand them please click on the appropriate type of anemia.


Initially, people seldom have symptoms from anemia. However, as it progresses the symptoms become more severe and more obvious. Most people feel tired and may appear pale. When you attempt to exercise, you rapidly become breathless and develop a much faster heart beat than normal.
Pernicious anemia affects the nervous system. People develop problems with numbness and unsteady gait. Also, loss of appetite, impaired memory, and a sore tongue may develop.
Common symptoms which also occur in folic acid anemia are weight loss and diarrhea.
Sickle cell anemia often is associated with episodes of pain, recurrent infections, and a family history of similar symptoms.
Hemolytic anemia often produces jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes - dark urine, and a tender swollen spleen.
Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with blood loss. This may be due to surgery, to gastrointestinal bleeding, to heavy menstrual bleeding, and to recurrent nose bleeds.
Aplastic anemia is often the result of toxic injury to the bone marrow. There is often a history of antibiotic or medication use.

[Paranoid]

where is the index??

[Anup'da]

yeah cobra ur right in ur part,

but in pernicious anemia , are u sure it does affect nervous system
i suppose it is a autoimmune disease, as far as i know i think folic acid deficiency causes nervous system disorder, lower motor nervous system is involved more than the sensory system , so loss or decrement of movement does occurs,

i'm not sure but i think this is it?
i'll give u right information on this, it's there in basis robins 6th edition

anup'da
kmc 7th batch

[Arjun]

Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder in which the gastric mucosa is atrophic with loss of parietal cells causing intrinsic factor deficiency. Intrinsic factor is required for the absorption of Vitamin B12. So in its absence almost NO vitamin B12 gets absorbed. Anti-parietal cell antibodies are present in about 90% of the cases.

The commonest cause of Vitamin B12 deficieny, rather than being dietary is pernicious anaemia, which implies that individuals with pernicious anaemia ultimately develop Vitamin B12 deficiency. Now the symptoms of this Vit. B12 deficiency which has developed secondary to pernicious anaemia are - mild jaundice, lemon yellow tinge to the skin, tongue may be red, smooth and sore and indigestion may be present. In some cases subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord develops and peripheral neuropathy resulting in an abnormal gait with sensory and motor loss.

The classical description of pernicious anaemia is of an elderly, grey haired, pale person, with lemon yellow skin, a smooth sore tongue and an abnormal gait.

References:
Hutchison's Clinical Methods - Twentieth Edition
Textbook of Pathology by Harsh Mohan

[chetnarayan]

thanx arjun........

[chetnarayan]

Thanx Arjun

[de.malady]

i was confused; -thank ye frnds-..

[unseennude]

thanks Arjun!
you cleared my confusion......
looking forward to getting more from you
have a good day