Mr. Johnson, age 57, presented to his physician with marked fatigue, nausea with occasional diarrhea, and a sore, swollen tongue. Lately he also has been experiencing a tingling feeling in his toes and a feeling of clumsiness. Microscopic examination of a blood sample indicated a reduced number of erythrocytes, many of which are megaloblasts, and a reduced number of leukocytes, including many large, hypersegmented cells. Hemoglobin and serum levels of vitamin B12 were below normal. Additional tests confirm pernicious anemia. Discussion Questions Relate the pathophysiology of pernicious anemia to the manifestations listed above. (See Pernicious Anemia.)
Mr. Johnson, age 57, presented to his physician with marked fatigue, nausea with occasional diarrhea, and a sore, swollen tongue. Lately he also has been experiencing a tingling feeling in his toes and a feeling of clumsiness. Microscopic examination of a blood sample indicated a reduced number of erythrocytes, many of which are megaloblasts, and a reduced number of leukocytes, including many large, hypersegmented cells. Hemoglobin and serum levels of vitamin B12 were below normal. Additional tests confirm pernicious anemia.
Discussion Questions
- Relate the pathophysiology of pernicious anemia to the manifestations listed above. (See Pernicious Anemia.)
Pathophysiology is abnormal physiology of the system due to a disease condition of the body. Pathology is undesired or abnormal conditions while physiology is the study of how the systems of the body functions.
Pernicious anemia is a condition in which there is not enough of red blood cell production because the body is not able to absorb vitamin B12. This vitamin is obtained by the consuming certain food and it helps the red blood cells mature well in the bone marrow. Individuals with pernicious anemia have lesser red blood cells or lesser hemoglobin.
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