Anemia:
Chapter: 20a
Reduction in total circulating red blood cell mass, diagnosed by a decrease in hemoglobin concentration. Anemic patients have low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, with resultant tissue hypoxia. The clinical symptoms are related to the severity of the anemia, and may include pallor, tachycardia, angina, light-headedness and fatigue. Anemia may be due to increased blood loss, decreased red blood cell production (hypoproliferative anemia), or increased red blood cell destruction (hyperproliferative anemia).