Hca_240_Blood_Disorders

There are many types of blood disorders that a person can acquire either by malnutrition, or genetics. The severity of blood disorders varies greatly, and may cause long-term affects depending on each individual. Blood disorders that are acquired from malnutrition can be simply treated by a change in diet. However, genetic blood disorders may be treated, but they will never disappear, and an individual has to learn how to adapt to their condition. Amy, a 4-year-old Caucasian female, has been complaining of being tired all the time. She is a picky eater, who only eats pasta, breads, and hot dogs, and drinks only artificial punch. Her mother has a very low income, which contributes to Amy’s disorder. Amy suffers from iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia may include fatigue, paleness, increased heart rate, soreness of the tongue, and the craving of unusual matters, such as dirt, and ice. Iron-deficiency anemia varies depending on each individual, so it is important for the physician to do a thorough examination. Anemia is a deficiency in which a person does not produce enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are important because they transfer oxygen to other organs in the body. Iron-deficiency may occur when there is not enough iron in a person’s diet, loss of bleeding from surgery or other complications, menstrual cycles, and growth spurts. Iron-deficiency anemia can be diagnosed by a person’s medical history, illnesses that include the above symptoms mentioned, blood tests, and a thorough examination. Treatment is determined by the physician, and may include a diet high in iron, and the substitution of iron supplements to increase the amount of iron in one’s body. Marcus is a 5-year-old African-American male who just moved. His mother is taking him to get a physical examination before he starts kindergarten, and she wants the physician to screen Marcus for sickle cell anemia because she carries the trait. Since Marcus’ mother is a carrier of sickle cell anemia, she can pass this blood disorder on to her children. Symptoms of sickle cell anemia may include easy bruising, bleeding spontaneously, and blood within the urine or stools. Sickle cell anemia is caused by defective genes. An individual’s body will relay the wrong type of hemoglobin to the body, which causes deformities in the red blood cells. “Sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait are found mainly in people whose families come from Africa, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia” (Healthline, 2010, para. 4). Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed during newborn testing. If an individual is not diagnosed for sickle cell anemia when they are born, then a test known as an electrophoresis is performed. Treatment may be used, but there is no cure for sickle cell anemia. Treatments such as keeping a close eye on an individual’s red blood count, the use of antibiotics to fight off infections, transfusions, and respiratory assistance. Sickle cell anemia causes sever pain, which can last for a few hours, or up to a few days. There are ways for an individual to decrease the amount of pain they are having by massaging the area that is causing pain, getting enough rest, taking pain-killers, and taking deep breaths to relax. Richard has noted over the past several weeks that he is having more bruises, and that when he coughed this morning, that there were tiny red marks around his eyes. Richard has Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, also known as Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). Symptoms of HHT may include frequent nosebleeds, blood within the stools, and complications with breathing. “Telangiectases on the tongue, lips, nasal mucosa, face, ears, fingertips, nails, whites of the eyes, and skin (they may bleed easily)” (Healthline, 2010, para. 6). HHT can be diagnosed through a thorough examination, and medical history. The physician will determine what type of treatment is best depending on the individual’s diagnosis. Treatments may include surgery, such as laser surgery to treat nosebleeds, or areas that bleed frequently. An endovascular embolization may also be performed to take care of irregular blood vessels. References Healthline. (2005-2010). Iron Deficiency Anemia. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/iron-deficiency-anemia Healthline. (2005-2010). Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/osler-weber-rendu-syndrome Healthline. (2005-2010). Sickle Cell Anemia. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/sickle-cell-anemia-2#causesandsymptoms University of Maryland Medical Center. (2010). Blood Diseases Anemias. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/blood/aneiron.htm WebMD. (2005-2010). Understanding Anemia – The Basics. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-basics