THALASSEMIAS Meaning and
Definition
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Thalassemias refer to a group of inherited blood disorders characterized by abnormal production of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the red blood cells. These disorders are caused by mutations in the genes that control the production of hemoglobin, leading to reduced or inefficient production of either the alpha or beta globin chains of hemoglobin.
Thalassemias are typically classified into two main types: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia, depending on which globin chain is affected. Within each type, there are further subtypes and variations based on the severity and complexity of the mutations.
People with thalassemias may experience a range of symptoms, including fatigue, pale or yellowish skin, weakness, shortness of breath, and slow growth in children. The severity of symptoms can vary widely, from mild and almost asymptomatic cases to severe forms that require regular medical intervention.
Treatment for thalassemias often involves managing the symptoms and complications associated with the disorder. This can include blood transfusions to increase the number of healthy red blood cells and alleviate anemia, as well as iron chelation therapy to remove excess iron that can accumulate due to frequent transfusions.
In some cases, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may be considered as a potential cure, particularly for severe forms of thalassemia. Genetic counseling and prenatal testing are important in families with a history of thalassemias to assess the risk of passing on the disorder to offspring.
Common Misspellings for THALASSEMIAS
- rhalassemias
- fhalassemias
- ghalassemias
- yhalassemias
- 6halassemias
- 5halassemias
- tgalassemias
- tbalassemias
- tnalassemias
- tjalassemias
- tualassemias
- tyalassemias
- thzlassemias
- thslassemias
- thwlassemias
- thqlassemias
- thakassemias
- thapassemias
- thaoassemias
- thalzssemias
Etymology of THALASSEMIAS
The word "thalassemia" derives from the Greek language. It is a combination of two Greek words - "thalassa" meaning "sea" and "haima" meaning "blood". The term was coined because thalassemias were first identified and described in people of Mediterranean origin, particularly those living around the Mediterranean Sea.
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