Tired blood. Part 2.

Anemia, "tired blood," with all the accompanying symptoms, such as fatigue, dyspnea, dizziness, muscle weakness, altered brain function, decreased gastrointestinal function, and cardiac stress, is not a disease. Rather, anemia is a sign that something has interfered with the red blood cell transport system that carries hemoglobin-containing oxygen to all bodily tissues (National Anemia Action Council [NAAC], 2002). In part 1 of this discussion (May/June issue of Orthopaedic Nursing), anemias related to interference with red blood cell development were addressed. In this section, anemias related to hemoglobin abnormalities (microcytic hypochromic anemia) and anemias related to premature erythrocyte destruction (hemolytic anemia) are discussed. Treatment approaches and selected pharmacological interventions are identified.