Glossary
Anemia: A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normalHeme: The pigmented non-protein part of hemoglobin molecule that serves to carry oxygen to tissues
Malabsorption: Poor absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream
Menorrhagia: Abnormally increased bleeding during menses
Peptic ulcer: An open sore on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. An ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; an ulcer in the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer
Auto-immune: When the immune system mistakes self tissues (self antigens) as foreign antigen (non self) and results in an inappropriate immune response it results in an autoimmune disease
Gastritis: Inflammation of stomach lining
Enteropathy: Disease of the intestines
Colitis: Inflammation of the lining of the large intestine or colon
Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula (small blind outpouchings on the wall of the colon)
Tachycardia: Abnormally rapid heart rate (more than 100 beats per minute)
Palpitations: Perceiving one’s own heart beat (normally not felt)
Pharyngeal web: Formation of a membrane in the pharynx (throat)
Peripheral smear: Spreading a drop of blood into a thin film on a glass slide and then staining it with liquid dyes. Once the stain dries the slide is viewed under a microscope to identify any disease conditions in the blood
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Erythropoietin: A hormone secreted by kidneys that is responsible for stimulating red blood cell formation in the bone marrow
Erythropoiesis: Formation of red cells in marrow
Parenteral: Administered as an injection or infusion
RDA: Amount of nutrient to be included in the diet to maintain optimal health
Atrophy: Decrease in size of an organ or thinning of lining of a tissue
Microcytic: Red blood cells that are smaller than normal (seen with a microscope)
Hypochromic: Red blood cells that have an increased central pallor compared to normal RBC (again appreciated with a microscope)
