Anaemias

What this page covers

This page collects study material on anemia, with a strong lean toward mind maps. The lists run from broad overviews to single causes. You will find maps on hemolytic anemias, microcytic and hypochromic anemia, normocytic anemia, iron deficiency, and vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Some resources are quizzes, flashcard decks, notes and a flowchart.

Where to start

Begin with the overview maps. The Anemia mind map gives a definition, then classifies anemia by cause and by morphology. That frame helps with everything else on the page. The note called Anemia - created from Mind Map turns a similar structure into text, which is handy if you prefer reading to branching diagrams.

Then go by type

1. For red cell breakdown, open the Hemolytic Anemias map. It separates intravascular from extravascular hemolysis and names paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis and G6PD deficiency.
2. For small, pale cells, use Microcytic, Hypochromic Anemia. It links thalassemia, iron deficiency, sideroblastic anemia and anemia of chronic disease.
3. For iron handling, try Iron disorders and megaloblastic anemia, which covers storage, functional and transport iron, including transferrin and ferritin.
4. For thalassemia in more depth, see the slide set Thalassemia.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then close it and take a quiz on the same topic. The quizzes include Macrocytic Anaemia, Haemalytic Anaemia, Normacytic and Microcytic Anaemia and Hemoglobinopathies - Thalassemias. Wrong answers show you which branch to reopen. Flashcard decks such as Anemias - Microcytic / Hypochromic and Anemias - Macrocytic / Normochromic are useful for short repeat sessions on definitions and stages.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand Haematology, Oncology and Infectious Diseases, within Internal medicine, pathology and clinical semiology. Several maps share similar titles, so skim a few and keep the ones that match how you think. Pick one type of anemia today and work through its map and quiz.