Diseases of the Blood Flashcards
(56 cards)
What are the four main components of blood?
- Plasma (carries nutrients, hormones, proteins)
- White blood cells (immune response)
- Red blood cells (oxygen transport via haemoglobin)
- Platelets (blood clotting)
What are the primary functions of blood?
- Transportation (oxygen, nutrients, hormones)
- Clotting
- Immune defense
- Temperature regulation
What does “leuko-“ mean? →
What does “erythro-“ mean? →
What does “thrombocyto-“ mean? →
What does “-cytosis” indicate? →
What does “-penia” indicate? →
What do “microcytic,” “normocytic,” and “macrocytic” mean?→
What does “leuko-“ mean? → White blood cell
What does “erythro-“ mean? → Red blood cell
What does “thrombocyto-“ mean? → Platelet
What does “-cytosis” indicate? → Excess of a type of cell
What does “-penia” indicate? → Lack of a type of cell
What do “microcytic,” “normocytic,” and “macrocytic” mean?
Microcytic → Small RBCs
Normocytic → Normal-sized RBCs
Macrocytic → Large RBCs
What is anaemia?
Low haemoglobin in blood, leading to reduced oxygen transport
What are common symptoms of anaemia?
Tiredness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Palpitations
What are common signs of anaemia?
Pale skin
Conjunctival pallor
What are “classical signs” of anaemia?
Angular cheilitis
Koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)
What is the cause of iron deficiency anaemia?
Impaired haemoglobin production due to low iron
What are common causes of iron deficiency?
- Poor dietary intake
- Malabsorption (e.g., coeliac disease)
- Increased loss (e.g., menstrual bleeding, GI bleeding)
- Increased demand (e.g., pregnancy, growth)
How is iron deficiency anaemia managed?
Oral or IV iron supplementation
What are the causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
- Poor intake (e.g., vegan diet)
- Malabsorption (pernicious anaemia, gastrectomy, Crohn’s disease)
- Medication side effects (e.g., metformin)
What are key symptoms of B12 deficiency?
- Anaemia symptoms
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Visual disturbances
How is Vitamin B12 deficiency managed?
Oral or intramuscular B12 supplementation
What are common causes of folic acid deficiency?
- Poor dietary intake (low leafy vegetables)
- Medication (e.g., methotrexate, phenytoin)
- Alcohol excess
- Bowel disease
What is a key risk of folic acid deficiency in pregnancy?
Increased risk of neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida)
What is thalassaemia?
Genetic defect in haemoglobin production (autosomal recessive)
What are the two types of Thalassaemia ?
Alpha-thalassaemia
Beta-thalassaemia
What are the management options?
- Monitoring
- Blood transfusions
- Splenectomy
- Bone marrow transplant
What is sickle cell anaemia?
Genetic condition causing crescent-shaped RBCs (autosomal recessive)
What triggers sickle cell crises?
- Dehydration
- Infection
- Stress
- Cold weather
How is sickle cell anaemia managed?
- Avoid triggers
- Prophylactic antibiotics
- Specialist medications
- Blood transfusions
- Bone marrow transplant
What oral signs may indicate anaemia?
- Angular cheilitis
- Atrophic glossitis (smooth, red tongue)
- Recurrent candidiasis
What is the most commonly given blood product?
Packed red cells
What are indications for blood transfusion?
- Anaemia
- Acute blood loss
- Surgery
- Complex haematological conditions