Anemia

A deficiency in
- Number of erythrocytes (RBCs)
- Quantity of hemoglobin
- Volume of packed RBCs (hematocrit)
RBC function
- Transport oxygen (O2) from lungs to systemic tissues
- Carry carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs
Not a specific disease
Manifestation of a pathologic process
Diagnosed based on
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Reticulocyte count
- Peripheral blood smear

Cause of anemia

Decreased RBC production
- Deficient nutrients
  - Iron
  - Cobalamin
  - Folic acid
- Decreased erythropoietin
- Decreased iron availability
Blood loss
- Chronic
  - Bleeding duodenal ulcer
  - Colorectal cancer
  - Liver disease
- Acute
  - Acute trauma
  - Ruptured aortic aneurysm
  - GI bleeding
Increased RBC destruction
- Hemolysis
  - Abnormal hemoglobin (Sickle cell disease)
  - Medication (e.g., methyldopa [Aldomet]) and chemicals (e.g., chemotherapy, lead)
  - Incompatible blood
    - Antibodies against RBCs
  - Physical destruction
    - Prosthetic heart valves
    - Extracorporeal circulation
    - Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)
    - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
  - Trauma (e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass)
  - Infectious agents (e.g., malaria) and toxins
  - Radiation

Managing High Blood Pressure

For Everyone KEY POINTS Measuring your blood pressure is an important step toward controlling high blood pressure. If you have diabetes, you may also have

Definition & Facts of Bladder Infection in Adults

In this section: What is a bladder infection? Does bladder infection have another name? How common are bladder infections? Who is more likely to develop