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Is there a history of chronic blood loss? A history of peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, or other causes of chronic GI bleeding would indicate the anemia is most likely due to iron deficiency. Likewise, ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is there weight loss? If there is weight loss, one must consider a neoplasm, endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus, malnutrition or malabsorption, and chronic infectious ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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... Anemia is defined as a hemoglobin <13.5 g/dL in men or <12.0 g/dL in women. Etiologies are categorized by decreased RBC production, increased RBC destruction, and/or blood loss. Evaluation of anemia begins with an assessment of the MCV to distinguish microcytic (MCV <80),>>>... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Fatigue is a very common, although nonspecific, presenting symptom that refers to the sensation of exhaustion during or after usual activities, or a feeling of inadequate energy to begin these activities. Fatigue is a difficult clinical complaint because there are many... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Anemia is decreased concentration of red cells or hemoglobin in the peripheral blood, resulting in decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. It results from blood loss, decreased or failed production of red blood cells, or increased destruction/utilization in the peripheral blood. The... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Complaints of fatigue indicate a general state of decreased endurance for, or interest in, activities. It is typically associated with tiredness and sleepiness. Depression as a cause of fatigue in adolescents frequently goes undiagnosed.
Differential Diagnosis
... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Pallor describes reduced coloring of the skin and/or mucous membranes and is very subjective. How easily pallor is diagnosed varies with skin color and the thickness and vascularity of the subcutaneous tissue. Sometimes it is only a subtle lightening of skin color. It... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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All patients with suspected hearing loss require formal audiologic testing to characterize the nature (conductive, sensorineural, mixed) and extent of the loss. Early treatment is essential, as is early habilitation for those in whom the hearing... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... In developing a list of diagnostic possibilities in cases of anemia physiology is the key. Anemia may be caused by a decrease in red cell production, a break in the transport system (blood loss), or excessive red cell destruction.
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... Pallor is almost invariably caused by anemia and is best analyzed with the application of pathophysiology. Anemia may be caused by decreased production of blood, increased destruction of blood, or loss of blood. Decreased production results from
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... The analysis of the causes of weakness depends on a knowledge of both anatomy and biochemistry. Strength depends on an intact healthy muscle, peripheral nerve, and lower and upper motor neuron pathways and a functioning myoneural junction. Thus, general weakness may
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... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness, a lack of energy, or exhaustion accompanied by a strong desire to rest or sleep. This common symptom is distinct from weakness, which involves the muscles, but may occur with it.
Fatigue is a... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers
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... Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it’s most apparent on the face, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Localized pallor commonly affects a single limb. ... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Folic acid deficiency anemia is a common, slowly progressive, megaloblastic anemia. It usually occurs in infants, adolescents, pregnant and lactating females, alcoholics, elderly people, and people with malignant or intestinal diseases. ... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... The environment contains thousands of pathogenic microorganisms — viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Ordinarily, we protect ourselves from infectious organisms and other harmful invaders through an elaborate network of safeguards  ... Host defense system ... Antigens ... B lymphocytes ... T lymphocytes ... Macrophages ... Cytokines ... Complement system ... Polymorphonuclear leukocytes ... Immune disorders ... Hypersensitivity disorders ... Type I hypersensitivity (allergic disorders)
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... Iron deficiency anemia is caused by an inadequate supply of iron for optimal formation of red blood cells (RBCs), resulting in smaller (microcytic) cells with less color on staining. Body stores of iron, including plasma iron, decrease, as do levels of... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Pernicious anemia, also known as Addison’s anemia, is a megaloblastic anemia characterized by decreased gastric production of hydrochloric acid and deficiency of intrinsic factor (IF), a substance normally secreted by the parietal cells of the... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... A congenital hemolytic anemia that occurs primarily but not exclusively in blacks, sickle cell anemia results from a defective hemoglobin (Hb) molecule (HbS) that causes red blood cells (RBCs) to roughen and become sickle-shaped. Such cells impair... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Sideroblastic anemias are a group of heterogenous disorders with a common defect; they fail to use iron in hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis, despite the availability of adequate iron stores. These anemias may be hereditary or acquired; the acquired form, in turn, can be... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Aplastic, or hypoplastic, anemias result from injury to or destruction of stem cells in bone marrow or the bone marrow matrix, causing pancytopenia (anemia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia) and bone marrow hypoplasia. Although commonly used interchangeably... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Sometimes called chronic Epstein-Barr virus, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome is typically marked by debilitating fatigue, neurologic abnormalities, and persistent symptoms that suggest chronic... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness, lack of energy, or exhaustion accompanied by a strong desire to rest or sleep. This common symptom is distinct from weakness, which involves the muscles, but may accompany it.
Fatigue is a normal and important response to... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling
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... Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it’s most apparent on the face, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Localized pallor commonly affects a single... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... S. Shekar Chakravarthi
Anemia is defined as a reduction of more than 10% below mean values in the quantity or quality of the concentration of red blood cells (RBC) or circulating hemoglobin. In 1972, the World Health Organization standardized the... Pictures
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... Meg Hayes
Fatigue is both a normal human response as well as a symptom of physical or psychological disease. It is a subjective sensation that is multicausal and nonspecific for which no one definition is universally accepted, nor can it be quantified or... Approach ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing. ... Diagnostic assessment
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... Differential Overview
❑ Iron deficiency
❑ Chronic disease
❑ Vitamin B12 deficiency
❑ Subacute blood loss
&... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
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... Differential Overview
❑ Infectious mononucleosis
❑ Depression
❑ Diabetes
❑ Hypothyroidism
❑... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
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... A common, slowly progressive megaloblastic anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia is most prevalent in infants, adolescents, pregnant and lactating females, alcoholics, elderly people, and people with malignant or intestinal diseases.
... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... With iron deficiency anemia, an inadequate supply of iron for optimal formation of red blood cells (RBCs) results in smaller (microcytic) cells with less color on staining. Body stores of iron, including plasma iron, decrease, as does transferrin, which binds with and transports iron.... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Prevention ... Pictures
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... A megaloblastic anemia, pernicious anemia (also called Addison’s anemia) is characterized by decreased gastric production of hydrochloric acid and deficiency of intrinsic factor (IF), a substance normally secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... A congenital hemolytic anemia that occurs primarily, but not exclusively, in blacks, sickle cell anemia results from a defective hemoglobin (Hb) molecule (Hb S) that causes red blood cells (RBCs) to roughen and become sickle shaped. Such... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Sideroblastic anemias, a group of heterogenous disorders, produce a common defect — failure to use iron in hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis, despite the availability of adequate iron stores. These anemias may be hereditary or acquired; the acquired form, in turn, can be... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... Aplastic and hypoplastic anemias result from injury to or destruction of stem cells in bone marrow or the bone marrow matrix, causing pancytopenia (anemia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia) and bone marrow hypoplasia. Although often used interchangeably with other... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) — also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], benign myalgic encephalomyelitis, and “Yuppie flu” — is typically marked by debilitating... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it’s most apparent on the face, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Localized pallor commonly... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness, lack of energy, or exhaustion accompanied by a strong desire to rest or sleep. This common symptom is distinct from weakness, which involves the muscles, but may occur with it.
Fatigue is a normal and important... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it’s most apparent on the face, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Localized pallor commonly affects a single... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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...Defined as lack of energy for activitiesand decreased endurance for them. Principal Causes of Fatigue Physiologiccauses Pathologic causes Anemia Infection Chronic disease Allergic disease Chronic fatigue ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References
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... A decreasein blood Hgb concentration or Hct (a measure of red cell mass) thatis 2 standard deviations below mean for age and gender is definedas anemia. Pallor as sign of anemia depends onconcentration of Hgb in blood. When Hgb... Principal Causes of Pallor (Anemia) ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Table 45.1. Hemoglobin Electrophoretic Patterns of Common Hemoglobinopathiesin Cord and Adult Blood ... Diagnostic Approach ... Table 45.2. Morphologic Classification of Anemia Based on Red CellMean Corpuscular Volume ... Table 45.3. Abnormal Blood Smear Findings and Possible Causes ... References
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... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness, a lack of energy, or exhaustion accompanied by a strong desire to rest or sleep. This common symptom is distinct from weakness, which involves the muscles, but may occur with it.
Fatigue is... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it's most apparent on the face, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Localized pallor commonly affects a single limb. ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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Pallor is almost invariably caused by anemia and is best analyzed with
the application of pathophysiology.Anemia may be caused by
decreased production of blood, increased destruction of blood, or loss of
blood. Decreased... Pictures
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...
The analysis of the causes of weakness depends on a knowledge of both
anatomy and biochemistry. Strength depends on an intact
healthy muscle, peripheral nerve, and lower and upper motor neuron pathways
and a functioning myoneural junction.... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
In developing a list of diagnostic possibilities in cases of anemia,
physiology is the key. Anemia may be caused by a decrease in red cell
production, a break in the transport system (blood loss), or excessive red
cell... Pictures
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... Author:
Esther Forrester, MD
What to Do - Make a Decision, Take Action
The overall goal of immunizations is to prevent disease. This revolution in
science began with the invention of the smallpox vaccine by Jenner in 1796
and has evolved... Suggested Readings
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... Michele P. Lambert, MD Anemia of Chronic Disease - BASICS Anemia of Chronic Disease - description Anemia that accompanies a variety of systemic diseases, with the common features of chronicity and... Anemia of Chronic Disease - DIAGNOSIS ... Anemia of Chronic Disease - TREATMENT ... Anemia of Chronic Disease - FOLLOW UP ... Anemia of Chronic Disease - bibliography ... Anemia of Chronic Disease - CODES ... Anemia of Chronic Disease - FAQ
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... Michele P. Lambert, MD Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - BASICS Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - description Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is characterized by shortened red cell survival that is caused by autoantibodies directed against RBCs,... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - DIAGNOSIS ... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - TREATMENT ... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - FOLLOW UP ... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - bibliography ... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - CODES ... Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - FAQ
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... Adda Grimberg, MD Acquired Hypothyroidism - BASICS Acquired Hypothyroidism - description Hypothyroidism that occurs after the neonatal period Acquired Hypothyroidism - epidemiology Acquired ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - DIAGNOSIS ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - TREATMENT ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - FOLLOW UP ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - bibliography ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - CODES ... Acquired Hypothyroidism - FAQ
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... Epidemiology
Certain generalizations regarding the etiology of pediatric pneumonia can be
made. Viruses cause most lower respiratory diseases in younger children and
include respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza, and
adenovirus. Respiratory... Presentation ... Diagnosis ... Neonatal Pneumonia ... Pneumonia in the First 3 Months of Life ... Pneumonia in Children 4 Months to 5 Years of Age
... Pneumonia in Children 5 Years of Age and Older
... Treatment of Community-acquired Pneumonia ... Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyema ... Selected Readings ... Pictures
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