HEMATOCHROMATOSIS Meaning and
Definition
-
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder characterized by an excess accumulation of iron in the body’s organs and tissues. It is also referred to as hematochromatosis. This condition affects the body's ability to regulate iron levels, leading to its excessive absorption from dietary sources.
Normally, iron is obtained from food and is essential for various bodily functions, including oxygen transportation and energy production. However, individuals with hemochromatosis absorb too much iron, which then accumulates in their organs such as the liver, heart, pancreas, and joints.
The excess iron buildup can cause damage to these organs over time if left untreated. Symptoms may not manifest until middle age or later, and they can vary widely from person to person. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, joint pain, and abdominal pain. In later stages, the condition can result in conditions such as cirrhosis, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Hemochromatosis is primarily a genetic disorder and is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This means that an affected individual must inherit two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent) to develop the condition. However, not all individuals with two copies of the gene will display symptoms, as external factors such as diet can also contribute to the severity of the condition.
Treatment typically involves therapeutic phlebotomy, which involves the regular removal of blood to reduce iron levels. In some cases, iron chelation therapy may be prescribed to remove excess iron from the body. Early detection and management can help prevent complications and improve quality of life for individuals with hemochromatosis.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMATOCHROMATOSIS
- gematochromatosis
- bematochromatosis
- nematochromatosis
- jematochromatosis
- uematochromatosis
- yematochromatosis
- hwmatochromatosis
- hsmatochromatosis
- hdmatochromatosis
- hrmatochromatosis
- h4matochromatosis
- h3matochromatosis
- henatochromatosis
- hekatochromatosis
- hejatochromatosis
- hemztochromatosis
- hemstochromatosis
- hemwtochromatosis
- hemqtochromatosis
- hemarochromatosis
Etymology of HEMATOCHROMATOSIS
The word "hematochromatosis" is derived from the combination of two components: "hemo-" and "chromatosis".
1. "Hemo-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "haima", meaning "blood". It is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to anything related to blood.
2. "Chromatosis" is derived from the Greek word "khroma", which means "color". In medical terms, "chromatosis" refers to a condition characterized by an abnormal deposition or accumulation of pigments or colors within the body.
Therefore, "hematochromatosis" specifically refers to a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of excess iron pigment in various body tissues, particularly the liver.
