Chapter: 6.7 Common Terms

Hematuria - abnormal presence of blood in the urine. It is symptomati of many renal diseases and disorders of the genitourinary system. Microscopic examination of the urine, culture and sensitivity of the urine as well as physical examination of the patient are usually performed.

Hemiplegia - paralysis of one side of the body.

Hemoglobin - a complex protein iron compound in the blood that oxygen to the cells from the lungs and carbon dioxide away from the cells to the lungs. Each erythrocyte contains 200 to 300 molecules of hemoglobin, each molecule of hemoglobin contains four groups of heme each group of heme can carry one molecule of oxygen. The normal concentrations of hemoglobin in the blood are 12 to 16 g/dl in women and 13.5 to 18g/dl in men. In an atmosphere of high oxygen concentration, such as in the lungs, hemoglobin binds with oxygen to from oxyhemoglobin. In an atmosphere of low oxygen concentration, such as in the peripheral tissues of the body, oxygen is replaced by carbon dioxide to form carboxyhemoglobin. Hemoglobin releases the carboxyhemoglobin in the lungs for excretion and picks up more oxygen for transport to the cells.

Hemolysis - the breakdown of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin that occur normally at the end of the life span of a red cell. Hemolysis may occur in antigen antibody reactions, metabolic abnormalities of the red cell that significantly shorten red cell life span, and mechanical trauma such as cardiac prosthesis

Hemoptysis - coughing up of blood from the respiratory tract. Blood streaked sputum oftem is present in minor upper respiratory tract. Blood streaked sptum often is present in minor upper respiratory infections or bronchitis. More profuse bleeding amy indicate Aspergillums infection, lung abscess, turberculosis or bronchogenic carcinoma.

Hemorrhage - a loss of a large amount of blood in a short period, either externally or internally. Hemorrhage may be arterial, venous, or capillary. Symptoms of massive hemorrhage are related to hypovolemic shock: rapid thready pulse; thirst; cold; clammy skin; sighing.