| Περίληψη: | Anemia constitutes one of the commonest problems in clinical medicine, not only as a primary condition, but mainly as a condition associated with a large number of abnormal situations. The main symptoms of anemia comprise shortness of breath, fatigue and tachycardia, while the respective findings are pale skin and several other more specific features. A clear diagnosis is absolutely necessary and this can be simple if certain algorithms are followed. Classification of anemia can be effected on the basis of various parameters, which are (a) the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms, and (b ) the red cell morphology. Although the former classification is more correct, the latter appears more easy to use. The pathogenesis of anemia comprises (a) Anemias due to inadequate red cell production (hypoproliferative anemias), i.e., Aplastic anemia, primary or secondary (viruses, drugs, auto-immunity), anemia resulting from lack of elements which are necessary for erythropoiesis (iron through inadequate absorption or chronic loss, or vitamins such as B6, B12, folic acid etc). (b) Anemias due to excessive erythroid cell destruction in the marrow (ineffective erythropoiesis) or in the circulation (hereditary such as disorders of the membrane, the glycolytic pathways, the stability of the Hb molecule and acquired such as the auto-immune hemolytic anemias, the cryoglobulinemias, the intravascular anemias and PNH). The morphogical classification comprises the microcytic hypochromic anemias, the normocytic normochromic anemias and the macrocytic anemias.
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