Author: Glossary

A condition caused by lack of vitamins in the diet. A deficiency of a vitamin caused either through lack of the vitamin in the diet or from an inability to absorb or utilize it. A condition caused by a lack of vitamins in or inadequate uptake of vitamins from the diet. Hypovitaminosis refers to any…

A solution more dilute than the body fluids. A solution with a lower osmotic pressure (lesser salt concentration) than a standard solution, usually water or physiological saline hypertonic. Referring to a solution with a lower osmotic pressure than plasma. Hypotonic refers to a below normal pressure. A hypotonic solution will exert less osmotic pressure than…

Abnormally low plasma protein concentration. A condition in which there is not enough protein in the blood. A fall in the amount of protein in the blood. This may be caused by malnutrition, loss of protein from kidney disorders, or faulty production of protein which occurs in some liver disorders. Hypoproteinaemia causes oedema because fluid…

Abnormally low blood concentration of phosphate. Hypophosphatemia refers to a condition where there is an abnormally low level of phosphates in the blood. It can be associated with various conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia, rickets, and certain kidney abnormalities like Fanconi’s syndrome. Hypophosphatemia may lead to symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, premature breakdown of red…

Abnormally low plasma potassium. A deficiency of potassium in the blood. An abnormally low concentration of potassium in the blood. Hypokalemia refers to a condition characterized by a deficiency of potassium in the blood. Typically, it is caused by excessive fluid loss, such as in severe diarrhea. However, it can also result from the use…

Drugs used to lower blood glucose concentrations in diabetes mellitus. These oral agents reduce the excessive amounts of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia) in people with type 2 (insulin-resistant) diabetes. Although the various drugs act differently, most depend on a supply of endogenous (secreted by the pancreas) insulin. Thus they are of no value in…

Abnormally low concentration of plasma glucose; may result in loss of consciousness – hypoglycaemic coma. A low concentration of glucose in the blood. A deficiency of glucose in the blood the normal range being 3-5—5-5 mmol/l. It most commonly occurs in diabetic patients for example, after an excessive dose of insulin and heavy exercise, particularly…

Diminished sense of taste. An early sign of marginal zinc deficiency, and potentially useful as an index of zinc status. Abnormal taste perception; loss of taste perception. A blunting of the sense of taste.  

Partial deficiency of hydrochloric acid secretion in the gastric juice. Deficient hydrochloric acid in stomach juice. A condition in which there is not enough hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Decreased production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. An insufficient secretion of hydrochloric acid from the digestive cells of the stomach lining. Insufficient hydrochloric acid in stomach…