Glossary
Agranulocytosis: A rare condition in which the bone marrow does not make enough neutrophils.Alopecia Areata: Also known as patchy hair loss, it is the sudden loss of hair that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap.
Autoimmune Disease: A disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells.
Cushing Syndrome: A condition characterized by weight gain around the belly, fatty deposits on the face and neck, and fat loss from the arms and legs, due to prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol.
Hemolytic Anemia: A condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the circulation before completion of their normal lifespan.
Hypogammaglobinemia: A condition in which the immune system is not able to make enough antibodies (IgG or gamma globulins).
Hypopituitarism: Reduced secretion of pituitary hormones, causing dwarfism in children and premature ageing in adults.
Mediastinum: A membranous partition between two body cavities or two parts of an organ, especially that between the lungs.
Myasthenia Gravis: A rare condition in which there is weakness and rapid fatigue of muscles under voluntary control, resulting in drooping eyelids and mouth, difficulty swallowing, double vision, and unsteady gait.
Myocarditis: Inflammation of the middle layer of the heart (myocardium).
Nephrotic Syndrome: A kidney disorder which results in excess excretion of protein in the urine.
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium).
Pernicious Anemia: Also called Addison’s anemia, it is a type of anemia which results in decrease in red blood cells due to insufficient absorption of vitamin B12.
Polymyositis: A condition marked by inflammation and degeneration of skeletal muscles throughout the body.
Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA): A condition in which the bone marrow stops making red blood cells, causing anemia as well as reticulocytopenia, which is the absence of young red cells.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
Sarcoidosis: The growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in multiple areas of the body, including the lungs, eyes, skin and, in some cases, the heart.
Scleroderma: A rare autoimmune disease that results in chronic hardening, thickening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues due to the excessive production of collagen.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by severe fatigue, joint pain and “butterfly rash” on the cheeks.
Ulcerative Colitis: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the colon, accompanied by diarrhea, intermittent rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramps, and weight loss.
