REFRACTORY ANEMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Refractory anemia is a medical condition characterized by an inability of the bone marrow to produce enough healthy red blood cells. It is a type of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which refers to a group of disorders characterized by dysfunctional blood cell production. In refractory anemia, the bone marrow fails to generate an adequate number of mature and functional red blood cells, leading to a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Individuals with refractory anemia often experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath due to the insufficient amount of circulating red blood cells. They may also exhibit signs of anemia, including pale skin, rapid heartbeat, and frequent infections. The condition is typically diagnosed through blood tests that reveal low levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and reticulocytes.
Refractory anemia is considered refractory because it usually does not respond well to treatment with conventional methods, such as iron supplementation or blood transfusions. Despite these interventions, the condition often persists and can progress to more severe forms of MDS, such as refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB).
Treatment options for refractory anemia focus on managing symptoms and may include supportive care such as blood transfusions, growth factors to stimulate red blood cell production, and in some cases, stem cell transplantation. The prognosis for individuals with refractory anemia varies, as it depends on factors such as the severity of the condition and response to treatment. Regular monitoring and medical follow-up are crucial for managing the disease effectively.
Common Misspellings for REFRACTORY ANEMIA
- eefractory anemia
- defractory anemia
- fefractory anemia
- tefractory anemia
- 5efractory anemia
- 4efractory anemia
- rwfractory anemia
- rsfractory anemia
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- rrfractory anemia
- r4fractory anemia
- r3fractory anemia
- redractory anemia
- recractory anemia
- revractory anemia
- regractory anemia
- retractory anemia
- rerractory anemia
- refeactory anemia
Etymology of REFRACTORY ANEMIA
The term "refractory anemia" can be broken down into its constituent parts for a better understanding of its etymology:
1. Refractory: The word "refractory" comes from the Latin word "refractarius", which means "obstinate" or "stubborn". In the medical context, it refers to a condition that does not respond to treatment or is unmanageable.
2. Anemia: "Anemia" is derived from the Greek term "anaimia", which is a combination of "an-" (meaning "without" or "lack of") and "haima" (meaning "blood"). Therefore, "anemia" refers to a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
Similar spelling words for REFRACTORY ANEMIA
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