MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIAS Meaning and
Definition
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Megaloblastic anemias are a group of blood disorders characterized by the presence of abnormally large red blood cells, known as megaloblasts, in the bone marrow. These megaloblasts are unable to divide and mature properly, leading to a decrease in the number of functioning red blood cells in the bloodstream, resulting in anemia.
The term "megaloblastic" refers to the abnormal morphology of the red blood cells. Instead of the usual small and round cells, megaloblastic cells appear larger and have an irregular shape. This abnormality is primarily caused by impaired DNA synthesis, which affects the normal development and division of red blood cells.
The most common cause of megaloblastic anemias is a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate, which are essential nutrients for the production of healthy red blood cells. These deficiencies can occur due to inadequate dietary intake, increased demand (such as during pregnancy), malabsorption issues, certain medications, or certain underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms of megaloblastic anemia may include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests that reveal low red blood cell count, elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and abnormally high levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid.
Treatment for megaloblastic anemias involves addressing the underlying cause. This typically includes dietary changes, such as increasing consumption of foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate, and, in some cases, oral or intramuscular supplementation of these nutrients. In severe cases, blood transfusions or other supportive measures may be required.
Common Misspellings for MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIAS
- negaloblastic anemias
- kegaloblastic anemias
- jegaloblastic anemias
- mwgaloblastic anemias
- msgaloblastic anemias
- mdgaloblastic anemias
- mrgaloblastic anemias
- m4galoblastic anemias
- m3galoblastic anemias
- mefaloblastic anemias
- mevaloblastic anemias
- mebaloblastic anemias
- mehaloblastic anemias
- meyaloblastic anemias
- metaloblastic anemias
- megzloblastic anemias
- megsloblastic anemias
- megwloblastic anemias
- megqloblastic anemias
- megakoblastic anemias
Etymology of MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIAS
The term "megaloblastic anemias" is derived from two main components: "megaloblastic" and "anemias".
1. Megaloblastic:
- "Megaloblastic" comes from the Greek words "megas" meaning "large" and "lobos" meaning "lobe" or "section".
- It refers to red blood cells with a larger than normal size (macrocytosis) due to impaired DNA synthesis.
- The prefix "megal-" denotes the characteristic of being abnormally large.
2. Anemias:
- "Anemias" is the plural form of the word "anemia", which originates from the Greek word "anaimia" meaning "lack of blood" or "bloodlessness".
- "An-" means "without" or "lack of", and "haima" refers to "blood".
