CASE STUDY 1 2
Case Study 1
Anemia is a condition that results from inadequate healthy blood cells in the body that
can carry sufficient oxygen to the tissues of the body. There are various types of the anemia, and
each has its cause, signs, and symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms of anemia
include fatigue, weakness, pallor, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, and lightheadedness most of
which Ms. A is manifesting (Cunningham et al, 2014). The types of anemia include iron
deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, and anemia due to chronic disease, aplastic
anemia, hemolytic anemia and sickle cell anemia among others.
Ms. A is suffering from iron deficiency anemia which is the most common form of
anemia. Iron deficiency anemia mostly arises from chronic blood loss, especially in excessive
menorrhagia. The signs of iron deficiency anemia involve weakness, tiredness, shortness of
breath and a fast heartbeat (Lanzkowsky, 2016). In most cases, the symptoms of the leading
cause of this type of the anemia may be present, and this includes heavy menstrual bleeding and
or abdominal pain that occur as a result of peptic ulceration.
Ms. A has reported that she has been experiencing menorrhagia which is menstrual flow
in which there is abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Menorrhagia causes loss of excess
blood through menstrual flow and results in insufficient blood in the body system which results
in anemia. Menorrhagia results from hormone imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, uterine fibroids,
polyps and adenomyosis among others (Cunningham et al, 2014). Anemia is a common
complication of menorrhagia as it reduces the number of circulating red blood cells. Ms. A also
experiences dysmenorrhea for which she takes aspirin to relieve the pain. Aspirin is an anti-
inflammatory with anticoagulation properties which makes the menorrhagia severe. Aspirin