Hyperviscosity
Hyperviscosity
Hyperviscosity (pronounced: hi-per-vis-kos-i-tee) is a medical condition characterized by an increase in the viscosity, or thickness, of the blood.
Etymology
The term "hyperviscosity" is derived from the Greek words "hyper" meaning "over" or "above normal" and "viscosity" from the Latin "viscositas" meaning "stickiness".
Definition
Hyperviscosity is a state in which the blood becomes too thick and sticky, which makes it harder for the blood to flow through the small blood vessels. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including blood clots, stroke, and heart disease.
Causes
Hyperviscosity can be caused by a number of factors, including high levels of red blood cells or white blood cells, high levels of protein in the blood, and certain diseases such as Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and polycythemia vera.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hyperviscosity can include fatigue, headache, blurred vision, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding, seizures, and coma.
Treatment
Treatment for hyperviscosity typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This may include chemotherapy for blood cancers, phlebotomy for polycythemia vera, or plasma exchange for conditions causing high protein levels in the blood.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hyperviscosity
- Wikipedia's article - Hyperviscosity
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski