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Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis A disorder due to the deposition of hemosiderin in the parenchymal cells, causing tissue damage and dysfunction of the liver, pancreas, heart, and pituitary. Full development of the disease in women is restricted by menstruation, pregnancy, and lower dietary intake of iron. Acquired hemochromatosis may be the result of blood transfusions, excessive dietary iron, or secondary to other disease. Idiopathic or genetic hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism associated with a gene tightly linked to the A locus of the HLA complex on chromosome 6.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Tissue
Biological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function.The study of tissues is known as histology, or, in connection with disease, histopathology.The classical tools for studying the tissues are the wax block, the tissue stain, and the optical microscope, though developments in electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and frozen sections have all added to the sum of knowledge in the last couple of decades.
Dysfunction
Difficult function or abnormal function.
Liver
The largest organ in the body. The liver carries out many important functions, such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood.
Pancreas
A large, elongated gland located behind the lower portion of the stomach that secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood. These hormones are essential in regulating blood sugar levels. The pancreas also secretes enzymes into the small intestine that help with digestion and neutralize acid from the stomach.
Heart
The hollow, muscular organ responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system.
Pituitary
The gland from which a number of hormones are released into the bloodstream. These hormones include growth hormone, ACTH, B-lipocortin (the precursor to B-endorphorin), FSH, LH, and TSH.
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Menstruation
In women, the periodic (monthly) bloody discharge from the uterus and vagina approximately two weeks after ovulation.
Iron
A mineral in the body that works with protein to make hemoglobin, essential for the blood.
Acquired
"Anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. In medicine, the word ""acquired"" implies ""new"" or ""added."" An acquired condition is ""new"" in the sense that it is not genetic (inherited) and ""added"" in the sense that was not present at birth. For example, AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an acquired form of immune deficiency due to the acquisition of HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). An acquired mutation is a change in a gene that occurs in a single cell after the conception of the individual. That change is then passed along to all cells descended from that cell. Acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer."
Hemochromatosis
A disorder due to the deposition of hemosiderin in the parenchymal cells, causing tissue damage and dysfunction of the liver, pancreas, heart, and pituitary. Full development of the disease in women is restricted by menstruation, pregnancy, and lower dietary intake of iron. Acquired hemochromatosis may be the result of blood transfusions, excessive dietary iron, or secondary to other disease. Idiopathic or genetic hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism associated with a gene tightly linked to the A locus of the HLA complex on chromosome 6.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Idiopathic
Of unexplained origin, as in the development of a symptom or syndrome that is apparently spontaneously generated.
Genetic
Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
Autosomal
"Pertaining to a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; relating to any one of the chromosomes save the sex chromosomes. People normally have 22 pairs of autosomes (44 autosomes) in each cell together with two sex chromosomes (X and Y in the male and XX in the female). "
Metabolism
The chemical activity that occurs in cells, releasing energy from nutrients, or using energy to create other substances, such as proteins.
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Chromosome
A structural unit within a eukaryotic nucleus that carries genes. A chromosome consists of a long, continuous strand of DNA and associated proteins.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Hemodialysis
A mechanical method of cleaning the blood for people who have kidney disease. See also: Dialysis.
Hemodynamic
Relating to the physical aspects of the blood circulation.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a substance contained within the red blood cells and is responsible for their color. It has the unique property of combining reversibly with oxygen and is the medium by which oxygen is transported within the body. It takes up oxygen as blood passes through the lungs and releases it as blood passes through the tissues.
Hemolysis
The destruction of red blood cells.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Also called Rh disease or erythroblastosis, hemolytic disease results when a woman who is Rh-negative (meaning she does not carry the Rh protein in her blood) has a fetus who is Rh-positive and her immune system makes antibodies against the fetus's blood. The disorder is treated with a compound that prevents the woman's immune system from making antibodies.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia occurring with acute renal failure.
Hemophilia
A genetic blood disorder, almost always in males, in which blood does not clot properly as a result of an enzyme deficiency.
Hemopoietic
Pertaining to or related to the formation of blood cells.
Hemoptysis
A cough that produces blood.
Hemorrhage
A general term for loss of blood, often profuse, brought about by injury to the blood vessels or by a deficiency of certain necessary blood elements such as platelets.
Hemorrhaging
Heavy bleeding. A cerebral hemorrhage can lead to a stroke.
Hemorrhoid
Caused by increased blood volume and pressure from the uterus on the veinsin the legs and pelvis, these swollen blood vessels in the anus are commonduring pregnancy. Constipation can also cause (or compound) the problem.
Hemorrhoidectomy
An operation to remove hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids
Enlarged veins protruding into the anorectal area, either internal or externally visible. They are either the result of poor sphincter tone and portal congestion, or sphincter hypertonicity, skeletal muscle and adrenergic excess.
Hemostasis
Arrest of blood circulation.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Hypertropia
A muscle imbalance in which one eye is straight and the other is turned upward.
Hyphema
Blood in the aqueous fluid - front part of the eye, often caused by an injury. Patient should seek immediate medical attention since a hyphema may lead to glaucoma and permanent loss of vision.
Hydroxyzine
A tranquilizer.
Haloxazolam
A hypnotic drug.
Haloperidol
An antipsychotic substance.
Hemochromatosis
Head injury
Traumatic injuries involving the cranium and intracranial structures. Injuries may be classified by whether or not the skull is penetrated (i.e., penetrating vs. nonpenetrating) or whether there is an associated hemorrhage.
Heartburn
Substernal pain or burning sensation, usually associated with regurgitation of gastric juice into the esophagus.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus. Species of lentivirus, subgenus primate lentiviruses (lentiviruses, primate), formerly designated T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). It is acknowledged to be the agent responsible for the acute infectious manifestations, neurologic disorders, and immunologic abnormalities linked to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Hemorrhoids
Enlarged veins protruding into the anorectal area, either internal or externally visible. They are either the result of poor sphincter tone and portal congestion, or sphincter hypertonicity, skeletal muscle and adrenergic excess.
HLA complex
See 'Major histocompatibility complex'.
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