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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 diseases such as tuberculosis ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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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, chronic hypermenorrhea or ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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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... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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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>>... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Low back pain is the second most common cause of doctor visits in the U.S. and is the most common cause of disability. Up to 90% of the population will experience back pain during their lives. Studies show that, at any given time, up to 20% of 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.
... 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... 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... 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 poor nutrition particularly, poor
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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.
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... Nothing is more challenging to diagnose than a case of low back pain. That is why it is so important to have an extensive list of causes in mind before approaching the patient. Anatomy forms the basis for developing such a list ( Table 45
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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 normal and important... 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... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 5½ lb (2,500 g) — those who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks’ gestation) and those who are small for gestational age (SGA). Premature neonates weigh an appropriate amount for their... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Nutrient Deficiency
Iron deficiency
Chronic blood loss
Pregnancy
Dietary deficiency
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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 with other terms for bone... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... 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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... 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 transferrin, which binds... 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 gastric mucosa that’s... 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 primary or... 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... 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... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 5½ lb (2,500 g)—those who are born prematurely (before the 37th week of gestation) and those who are small for gestational age (SGA). The premature neonate weighs... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... 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... Approach ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing. ... Diagnostic assessment
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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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... Stephen Davis
Approach Low back pain is a common problem with many causes. The differential diagnosis can be grouped into three over-lapping categories: urgent (“red flag”) diagnoses, structural (musculoskeletal)... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment ... Pictures
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... Differential Overview
❑ Infectious mononucleosis
❑ Depression
❑ Diabetes
❑ Hypothyroidism ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
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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
❑ Musculoligamentous strain
❑ Lumbar disc herniation
❑ Osteoarthritis
❑ Compression fracture
&... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures
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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 terms... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... 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. ... Causes ... 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... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Prevention ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... 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 mucosa that’s... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
... READ EXCERPTS »
... 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 cells impair circulation, resulting in chronic... 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 primary or... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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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... 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 affects a single limb. ... 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.
... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... 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... 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 ... 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 concentration is <8–9g/dL, pallor is>... 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 a normal and... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... 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
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 51⁄2 lb (2,500 g)—those who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks' gestation) and those who are small for gestational age (SGA). Premature neonates weigh an appropriate amount for... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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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.
...
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... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
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 »
...
Nothing is more challenging to diagnose than a case of low back pain.
That is why it is so important to have an extensive list of causes in mind
before approaching the patient. Anatomy forms the basis for
developing such a list ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Author:
Esther Forrester, MD
What to Do - Interpret the Data
IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency, with an
occurrence ranging from 1/400 to 2,000 individuals. The frequency of IgA
deficiency is greater in people of... Suggested Readings
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It's been estimated that up to 95% of people infected with HIV will experience anemia at some point. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked, and...
It's been estimated that up to 95% of people infected with HIV will experience anemia at some point. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked, and...
Heart failure affects approximately 5 million people in the United States. It can be caused by a number of conditions and treatment options may vary...
As many as 20 to 50 percent of all women develop fibroids. These benign muscle tumors usually grow in the uterus, and can cause pain, and in some...