Category: H
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Haemoglobin
The red haem-containing protein in red blood cells which is responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. A red respiratory pigment formed of haem and globin in red blood cells which gives blood its red colour. It absorbs oxygen in the lungs and carries it in the blood to the…
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Haematemesis
Vomiting bright red blood, due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. A condition in which someone vomits blood, usually because of internal bleeding. Haematemesis means the vomiting of blood. Blood brought up from the stomach is generally dark in colour and may have been so far digested as to form small brown granules resembling…
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Haem
The iron-containing pigment which forms the oxygen-binding site of haemoglobin and myoglobin. It is also part of a variety of other proteins, collectively known as haem proteins, including the cytochromes. A molecule containing iron which binds proteins to form haemoproteins such as haemoglobin and myoglobin. An iron-containing porphyrin compound that combines with the protein globulin…
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Anaemia, haemolytic
Anaemia caused by premature and excessive destruction of red blood cells; not normally due to nutritional deficiency, but can occur as a result of vitamin E deficiency in premature infants. Lysis of red blood cells liberating haemoglobin in the plasma. A condition in which the destruction of red blood cells is about six times the…
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Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Refers to absent or deficient sexual fantasies and sexual activity that causes the affected person marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
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Histrionic personality disorder
Characterized by excessive emotional instability and attention seeking. Behavior includes discomfort if not the center of attention; excessive attention to physical attractiveness; rapidly shifting and shallow emotions; speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail; viewing relationships as being more intimate than they actually are; and seeking immediate gratification. A disorder marked by attention-seeking…
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Hysterics
Lay term for uncontrollable emotional outbursts. An attack of hysteria (dated).
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Hysteria
A psychiatric syndrome first described by the french neurologist jean m. Charcot (1825–1893). The patient with hysteria may show shallow or unmodulated affect, self-absorption, sexual preoccupation or promiscuous sexual behavior, and thought disorder. Hysteria is also referred to as conversion disorder because it represents a conversion of anxiety related to unconscious conflicts into somatic symptoms.…
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Hypoxyphilia
A paraphilia that is a subcategory of sexual masochism, this term refers to a potentially lethal sexual practice in which sexual arousal is produced while reducing the oxygen supply to the brain.
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Hypothyroidism
Decreased activity of the thyroid gland, which may be associated with dementia, depressed mood, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and sleep disorders. Underactivity of the thyroid gland, leading to reduced secretion of thyroid hormones and a reduction in basal metabolic rate. Commonly associated with goitre due to iodine deficiency. Decreased activity of the thyroid gland accompanied…