"Refractory Anaemia" is a medical condition characterized by a lack of response to treatment for anemia. The spelling of this term can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /rɪˈfræktəri əˈniːmiə/. The stress falls on the second syllable of the first word and on the first syllable of the second word. The vowels in both words are pronounced as short in sound. The word "refractory" comes from Latin refractarius, which means "stubborn," and the word "anaemia" comes from Greek anaimia, which means "lack of blood."
Refractory anaemia is a medical condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells in the body combined with an inability of the bone marrow to produce new and healthy blood cells. It is classified as a type of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which refers to a group of disorders marked by ineffective blood cell production.
In refractory anaemia, the bone marrow shows signs of damage and dysfunction, leading to a decreased production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This condition typically results in a chronic and progressive form of anaemia, as the body's ability to transport and deliver oxygen to tissues is compromised.
The term "refractory" indicates that the anaemia is resistant to most conventional treatments, such as iron supplements or blood transfusions, due to the underlying bone marrow abnormalities. Patients with refractory anaemia often experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and increased susceptibility to infections.
The exact cause of refractory anaemia is usually unknown; however, it has been associated with certain risk factors such as exposure to environmental toxins, previous cancer treatments (chemotherapy or radiation therapy), or genetic abnormalities. Treatment options for refractory anaemia aim to improve symptoms and manage complications. These can include blood transfusions, medications to stimulate blood cell production, bone marrow transplant, or supportive care measures. Close monitoring and regular follow-up with a healthcare professional are essential to manage the disease effectively and optimize the patient's quality of life.
The term "refractory" comes from the Latin word "refractarius", which means "obstinate" or "stubborn". In medical terminology, "refractory" refers to a condition or disease that does not respond to treatment or is resistant to therapy.
The word "anaemia" is derived from the ancient Greek word "anaimia", which is a combination of "an" (without) and "haima" (blood). Anaemia refers to a condition where the blood lacks a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, resulting in a decreased ability to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
Therefore, "Refractory Anaemia" is a medical term used to describe a type of anaemia that is unresponsive to standard treatment or does not improve with therapy.