The medical history represents an important component in the diagnosis of anemia. Family history Are there individuals in your family with blood disorders? (Southern Europeans, for example, thalassemia or hemoglobinopathy). Are there any hereditary diseases in your family? Social history What is your profession? Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession? Current … Anemia: Medical History
Blood, hematopoietic organs – immune system (D50-D90). Aplastic anemia – failure of hematopoiesis, the cause of which remains unexplained in most cases. Ascorbic acid deficiency (hypovitaminosis C; avitaminosis C); clinical picture: General bleeding tendency, hemorrhages/bleeding of the skin (perifollicular hemorrhages, petechiae (flea-like bleeding), ecchymoses (small-surface skin bleeding)), wound healing disorders, bleeding into joints, gingivitis (inflammation … Anemia: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
Types of anemia (classified by MCH and MCV) Hypochromic anemia (microcytic anemia; MCH ↓ → hypochromic; MCV↓ → microcytic). Iron deficiency anemia [ferritin ↓↓; serum iron ↓↓; transferrin ↑↑] Other hypochromic anemias: [ferritin: normal to ↑] Iron utilization disorders Inflammatory anemia/infectious anemia/tumor anemia [ferritin ↑; serum iron ↓↓; transferrin ↓] Hemoglobinopathies (diseases caused by disorders … Anemia: Classification
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and eyes (conjunctiva/conjunctivae) [skin/mucous membrane pallor, aphthae on oral mucosa, oral rhagades, brittle nails, koilonychia (curvature of fingernails), dry skin, increased hematoma formation/bruise formation?] Abdomen (abdomen): … Anemia: Examination
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count: Hypochromic anemia (microcytic anemia; MCH ↓ → hypochromic; MCV↓ → microcytic). Normochromic anemia (normocytic anemia; MCH normal → normochromic; MCV normal → normocytic). Hyperchromic anemia (macrocytic anemia; MCH ↑ → hyperchromic; MCV ↑ → macrocytic) / megaloblastic anemia. Hemolytic anemia (MCH normal → normochromic; … Anemia: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic target Remediation of the anemia Therapy recommendations Aplastic anemia: see below for the disease of the same name. Iron deficiency anemia: see below of the disease of the same name. Hemolytic anemia: see below of the disease of the same name. Megaloblastic anemia: see below of the disease of the same name. Renal anemia: … Anemia: Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound of the abdominal organs). To exclude sources of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney or liver disease. With the question of splenomegaly (spleen enlargement). Gastroscopy (gastroscopy) … Anemia: Diagnostic Tests
Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen): usually as a longer-planned, elective procedure for the treatment of anemia (see Indications below). Indications Chronic anemia, when the erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the spleen are increasingly degraded. Chronic anemias requiring transfusions (e.g., thalassemias, Diamond-Blackfan anemia) when there is an unexplained increase in red blood cell requirements and … Anemia: Surgical Therapy
In most cases, a mild form of anemia is not detected until a laboratory test is performed. However, the following symptoms and complaints may indicate iron deficiency anemia: Leading symptoms Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes. Exertional dyspnea (shortness of breath under exertion). Exercise tachycardia (rapid heartbeat under stress). Fatigue and lassitude (often mild … Anemia: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
General measures Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on existing disease. Regular check-ups Regular medical checkups Nutritional medicine Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things: A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily … Anemia: Therapy