Anemia Essays - Hematopathology, Anemias, RTT, Mineral Deficiencies

Anemia Essays - Hematopathology, Anemias, RTT, Mineral Deficiencies Anemia What is Anemia? Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. The word anemia comes from two Greek roots, together meaning without blood. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, anemia referred to the pallor of the skin and mucous membranes. After medical science advanced, blood cell counts could be done. Anemia became the disease we know today. Symptoms of Anemia Mild anemia may have no outer symptoms. Weakness, fatigue, and pallor are very common symptom. Symptoms of severe anemia are shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, headache, ringing in the ears, irritability, restless leg syndrome, mental confusion, dizziness, fainting, and dimmed vision. Types of Anemia Iron deficiency anemia- the most common type of anemia; occurs because of low iron levels. Folic acid deficiency anemia- levels of folic acid are low because of inadequate dietary intake or faulty absorption. Pernicious anemia- inability of the body to properly absorb vitamin B12. Hemolytic anemia- red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. Sickle cell anemia- inherited abnormality of hemoglobin; occurs mainly in people of African or Mediterranean decent. Thalassemia anemia- inherited disorder in the synthesis of hemoglobin. Aplastic anemia- decreased bone marrow production. Diagnosis of Anemia Determining the cause of anemia is very important because it may be the sign of a very serious illness. A physician should ask about family history of anemia, gallbladder disease, jaundice, and enlarged spleen. A stool test should be done and the physician should check for swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, and pallor. Laboratory tests can test both the numbers of red blood cells as well as look at their appearance. Treatments of Anemia Because there are so many different types of anemia as well as causes, treatments vary widely. If the type of anemia results from a vitamin deficiency and there is no underlying cause, treatment is simple. Vitamin supplements can be taken or a change in diet can be made. Transfusions and bone marrow transplants for some other types of anemia can be made. New drugs are currently being tested to help anemic patients. Bibliography healthy.net/library/books/healthyself/womens/anemia.htm webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk_article_5461922 sleeptight.com/EncyMaster/A/anemia.html sleeptight.com/EncyMaster/S/sickle_cell.html Understanding Anemia by Ed Uthman, MD (from: neosoft.com/uthman/unanemia/unanemia_ch1.html)

The Best Thing to Do for Your Writing

The Best Thing to Do for Your Writing I saw this in a recent blog post, and when I eagerly delved into the piece, it instead listed items without weight to the suggestions. The blogger interviewed several authors and asked them what they considered to be the single most important item to do to improve your writing. I didnt see mine, and the others said things like pick the right POV, work on dialogue, take an acting class, respect plot. . . which might as well have been just an outline for a writing class. Of course what you take to heart as the most important thing might depend on what your strengths and weaknesses are, but to me, theres only one thing that encompasses novice and seasoned writers. Read and study good, published writing. Whats good? Well, that can be interpreted in several ways, but all must be contingent upon what you want for your own writing. 1) Do you want to sell books? Then read successful books that sold thousands of copies. 2) Do you want to write fantastic mysteries with great twists? Then read mysteries noted for such. 3) Do you want pulse-pounding romance that doesnt sound trite? Then seek strong romance writers. 4) Do you wish to complicate your plot? Find complicated plots. 5) Do you want dialogue that dances on the page and requires no tags to identify the characters? You know what to do. In other words, follow the masters. Some may say that means only bestsellers. Some say that neglects a lot of indie material. Nope. . . it doesnt, on both counts. Regardless of how its published, a book is good or it isnt. Sure, theres opinion laced in there, but when the majority of a books readers love it, and the reviews say why, then you have your markers, and who printed it doesnt matter. What about those books that arent known? Then my suggestion to the authors is to get them known. Is your writing truly remarkable? Then work on distribution and reviews. Do articles, interviews, and speaking engagements to demonstrate your abilities. Is it easy? Hell no. Its not supposed to be. It cant be. Good writing, and the good writer behind that writing, has to fight to be recognized. Whether thats going traditional and fighting to be embraced But I stand my mantra that the best way to improve your writing is to read good books. . . books that make you wish youd written them.