Dictionary

hypovolemic shock See shock, hypovolemic.

hypoxia A lower-than-normal concentration of oxygen in arterial blood, as opposed to anoxia, a complete lack of blood oxygen. Hypoxia will occur with any interruption of normal respiration.

hypoxia-ischemia Blood flow to cells and organs that is not sufficient to maintain their normal function, combined with a lower-than-normal concentration of oxygen in arterial blood.

hysterectomy An operation to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are most commonly performed as a treatment for fibroids, cancer or severe dysplasia of the uterus, and for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

hypertonia Increased tightness of muscle tone and reduced capacity of the muscle to stretch caused by damage to the motor nerve pathways in the central nervous system. Untreated hypertonia can lead to loss of function and deformity. Treatment can include physical and/or occupational therapy or medications. Injections of botulism toxin (botox) are sometimes used in…

hypertonic solution A solution that contains more dissolved particles (such as salt and other electrolytes) than is found in normal cells and blood. For example, hypertonic solutions are used for soaking wounds.

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy See cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic.

hypertrophy Enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body due to the increased size of the constituent cells.

hypertrophy, benign prostatic See benign prostatic hyperplasia.

hyperuricemia Abnormally elevated uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines, which are part of many foods. Hyperuricemia may indicate an increased risk of gout, but many patients with hyperuricemia do not develop gout, and some patients with repeated gout attacks have normal or low blood uric acid levels. Hyperuricemia…

hyperventilation Overbreathing. Hyperventilation causes dizziness, lightheadedness, a sense of unsteadiness, and tingling around the mouth and fingertips. Hyperventilation can be severe enough to mimic the early warning symptoms of a heart attack, and is therefore a common cause of emergency room visits in the US. Hyperventilation is common and normal after aerobic exercise. Hyperventilation can…

hypo- Prefix meaning low, under, beneath, down, or below normal, as in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyposensitivity (undersensitivity). The opposite of hypo- is hyper-.