HAEMATOCRIT -
Noun: A centrifuge is used to determine the relative volume of plasma and blood cells in a given amount of blood. The result is the Haematocrit percentage.
- Greek - hemato = blood +
- Greek - Krites = a judge
HAEMATOLOGY -
Noun: The study of blood and its formation and the investigation and treatment of disorders affecting the blood and the bone marrow . If you study and practice Haematology you are a Haematologist.
Microscopic examination and counting of blood and bone marrow cells are essential procedures in diagnosing different types of blood disorders such as the different types of anaemia and leukaemia .
- Greek - hemato = blood +
- Greek - lógos = word or idea
HAEMATOPOIESIS -
Noun: The formation of blood.
Adjective: Haematopoietic - Having to do with the formation of blood. (See following picture). Please Note: All of the words in the following diagram are in this glossary.
- Greek - haîma = blood +
- Greek - poieîn = make
HAEMOCHROMATOSIS -
Noun: A disease characterised by a bronzing of the skin, liver degeneration and hardening, and often diabetes, caused by the absorption of an excessive amount of iron by the bloodstream and the depositing the iron containing pigments in the skin, liver and in other organs and tissues. Also known as Bronze Diabetes. See Haemosiderosis .
- Greek - haîma = blood +
- Greek - chróma = colour +
- Greek - osis = state or condition of
HAEMOGLOBIN -
Noun: Abbreviated Hb, is a substance in the red blood cells of the blood made up of iron and protein. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and some of the carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Haemoglobin is the chemical that gives the red colour to the blood. If concentrations of Hb are below 10 grams per dL (deci =1/10th, L = Litre), it can cause headaches, tiredness and lethargy. If below 8 g/dL, it can cause breathing difficulties on exercise, dizziness due to reduced oxygen reaching the brain, sharp chest pains due to reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscles and palpitations as the heart works harder to compensate. Spelled hemoglobin the US and Canada.
- Greek - haîma = blood +
- Latin - globulus = globe (as in anything rounded like a globe)
HAEMORRHAGE -
Noun: a bleeding, either within the body or from the body surface: discharge of blood, especially a heavy discharge from a damaged blood vessel. A nosebleed is a mild haemorrhage.
Verb: to have a haemorrhage; to lose much blood.
With AA and MDS the symptoms of easy bruising, nose bleeds, red spots, bleeding gums and prolonged bleeding are varying degrees of haemorrhaging. These are all problems resulting from a low platelet count. If you find you are haemorrhaging in any way, contact your doctor to arrange a transfusion of platelets.
- Greek - haîma = blood +
- Greek - rhegnynai = to burst
Noun: A condition where there is a general increase in iron stores in the body. A dark pigment containing iron is deposited in the tissues or organs. It may occur after repeated blood transfusions. Under normal conditions there are approximately 4 - 6 grams of iron in the body. Each unit of blood for transfusion contains approximately 200 - 250 mg of iron. This means that a patient receiving two units of blood per month could accumulate 5 - 6 grams of iron in one year. Most haematologists agree that iron chelation therapy should be started before organ damage has a chance to occur, some suggesting treatment after as few as 15 transfusions.
- Greek - haîma = blood +
- Greek - síderos = iron
HAPLO TRANSPLANT -
Noun: When doing a Class 1 and a Class 2 Tissue typing it is found that each individual has two sets of each 'A', 'B', 'Cw' and 'DR' antigens. These antigens are genetic markers on the surface of the white blood cells. One set of A, B, Cw and DR is inherited from the father and one set of A, B, Cw and DR antigens are inherited from the mother. Each set of A, B, Cw, and DR antigens is known as a haplotype. Each individual has two haplotypes. With only rare exceptions, each parent will be haplo-compatible, or half-matched, with his or her child. This enables the patient to have a bone marrow transplant when there are no brothers or sisters or none are compatible. The stem cells must be specially treated before they are transplanted into the patient which bring about advantages and disadvantages. These should be discussed with your doctor.
Greek - haploûs = single
HAV -
Noun: Abbreviation for Hepatitis 'A' Virus. Hepatitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, infestation with parasites, chemicals (alcohol or drugs), toxins, or immune diseases. It can be short term (acute), long term ( chronic ), or life threatening. Hepatitis can cause permanent liver damage. There are a number of different types of Hepatitis.
Specific types of hepatitis include:
- hepatitis A (HAV)
- hepatitis B (HBV)
- hepatitis C (HCV)
- hepatitis D (HDV)
Aplastic anaemia can be caused by a viral hepatitis infection and with a low infection resistance, viral infection must be watched for carefully. Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with another persons blood, faeces, or any body fluid. See Clean Diet .
Greek - hepatos = liver
HCV -
Noun: Abbreviation for Hepatitis 'C' Virus. See HAV for a more complete explanation.
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY -
Noun: The condition in which grafted or transplanted tissue is accepted by surrounding tissue. What has been transplanted is compatible with the rest of the body.
- Greek - histo = web (due to the web like nature of tissue) +
- Latin - com = with +
- Latin - pati = suffer
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS -
Noun: A group of proteins that are naturally present within tissues and that have a role in the immune system . The main group of histocompatibility antigens is known as the HLA . Histocompatibility antigens within the HLA - A, B and C range are present on virtually all living cells in the body. They are essential for the function of the killer T cells . The HLA antigens act as a guide for killer T cells to recognise and kill abnormal cells (i.e. virus infected and tumour cells). The Histocompatibility antigens within the HLA - D series are present on the surfaces of various other cells with a defence role and influence the interactions of these cells in fighting infections and tumours.
- Greek - histo = web (due to the web like nature of tissue) +
- Latin - com = with +
- Latin - pati = suffer +
- Greek - anti = opposing +
- Greek - genês = born or something produced
HLA TISSUE TYPING -
Noun: Human Leukocyte Antigen tissue typing. See Class 1 and Class 2 Tissue typing
HYDROCORTISONE -
Noun: An adrenal hormone derived from cortisone, used in treating arthritis and other inflammations. The British Medical Association says that salt intake may need to be restricted when Hydrocortisone is taken by mouth. It may also be necessary to take potassium supplements. It commonly causes indigestion, weight gain and acne. If you find you have fluid retention, muscle weakness or mood changes, inform your doctor immediately.
HYPOCELLULAR -
Adjective: Showing a low level of all cells. AA and MDS patients are all hypocellular.
Noun: Hypocellularity
- Greek - hypó = under +
- Latin - cella = small room
HYPOPLASIA -
Noun: the defective or incomplete growth of an organ or tissue. Hypoplasia is less drastic than aplasia where there is no development at all.
Adjective: Hypoplastic - of or characterised by hypoplasia.
- Greek - hypó = under +
- Greek - plásis = formation
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