BILIRUBINEMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Bilirubinemia is a medical term used to describe the presence of an abnormally high level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment that is produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It is processed in the liver and excreted from the body in the stool.
In a healthy individual, the liver effectively processes and eliminates bilirubin, preventing its accumulation in the bloodstream. However, certain conditions can disrupt these processes, leading to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood, causing bilirubinemia.
Bilirubinemia may indicate an underlying problem with the liver, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, or obstruction of the bile ducts which can be caused by gallstones or tumors. It can also be a manifestation of other medical conditions, including hemolytic anemia, which involves the accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, or certain inherited disorders like Gilbert's syndrome.
Symptoms of bilirubinemia may include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale stools, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and imaging studies, may be performed to identify the underlying cause of bilirubinemia.
Treatment for bilirubinemia focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or surgical interventions to improve liver function or treat any obstructions. It is important to manage bilirubinemia promptly to prevent further complications and ensure overall health.
Common Misspellings for BILIRUBINEMIA
- vilirubinemia
- nilirubinemia
- hilirubinemia
- gilirubinemia
- bulirubinemia
- bjlirubinemia
- bklirubinemia
- bolirubinemia
- b9lirubinemia
- b8lirubinemia
- bikirubinemia
- bipirubinemia
- bioirubinemia
- bilurubinemia
- biljrubinemia
- bilkrubinemia
- bilorubinemia
- bil9rubinemia
- bil8rubinemia
- bilieubinemia
Etymology of BILIRUBINEMIA
The word "bilirubinemia" is derived from three roots: "bili-", "rubin-", and "-emia".
1. "Bili-" comes from the Latin word "bilis", meaning "bile", which is a secretion produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
2. "Rubin-" is derived from the term "rubin" or "rubius", which means "red" in Latin. This is in reference to the yellowish-red color of bilirubin.
3. "-emia" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "haima", meaning "blood". In medical terminology, "-emia" is used to denote a condition related to the blood.
When combined, the term "bilirubinemia" refers to a medical condition characterized by an increased level of bilirubin in the blood.
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