Disorders

Discuss:

1. The module mentioned that sickle cell disease was an adaptive response against malaria. Why do you think such an adaptation occurred? Why do people who no longer live in parts of the world where malaria is prevalent still develop the disease?
2. Your patient with chronic lung disease has just been diagnosed with secondary polycythemia. She asks you to explain this disease in language she can understand since she has no medical background. What would you say to her?
3. You are a student doing summer healthcare work in a small village in Central America. You have been told that the local people have serious health problems related to iron deficiency anemia. There are no vitamins available for them to take. Consider alternative methods with which iron levels could be increased.    *** Topic *** Disorders of Erythrocyte Functions