Category: Hy-Hz

A condition in which decreased production of gonadal hormones leads to below-normal function of the gonads and to retardation of sexual growth and development in children. (The gonads are the ovaries and testes and the hormones they normally produce include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.)

Relating to hypoglycemia, an abnormally low level of the sugar glucose in the blood, usually a complication of diabetes, in which the body does not produce enough insulin to fully metabolize glucose. Hypoglycemic symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, confusion, increased heart rate, and a cold, clammy feeling. The treatment of hypoglycemia is careful diet, including eating small meals or snacks throughout the day;…

Low blood sugar (glucose). Hypoglycemia may be associated with symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, tremor, palpitations, nausea, and pallor. Hypoglycemia also starves the brain of glucose energy, which is essential for proper brain function. Lack of glucose energy to the brain can cause symptoms ranging from headache, mild confusion, abnormal behavior, loss of consciousness, seizure, and coma. Severe hypoglycemia can cause death.…

Hypocitraturia: a low level of citrate in the urine. A level of urine citrate of less than 320 mg/day is typically classified as low, but in severe cases, excretion of citrate can be less than 100 mg/day. Low urine citrate levels are a risk factor for kidney stone formation because citrate inhibits the process of calcium stone formation. There are…

A person who has hypochondriasis, a disorder characterized by a preoccupation with body functions and the interpretation of normal body sensations (such as sweating) or minor abnormalities (such as minor aches and pains) as portending problems of major medical moment. Reassurance by physicians and others only serves to increase the hypochondriac’s persistent anxiety about their health.…

Less than the normal level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypoapnia is the opposite of hypercapnia. The origin of the suffix “-capnia” is curious. It comes from the Greek “kapnos” referring to carbon dioxide which is a principal part of smoke.

Lower-than-normal level of calcium in the blood, which makes the nervous system highly irritable, as evidenced by tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, and overly active reflexes). Chronic hypocalcemia contributes to poor mineralization of bones, soft bones (osteomalacia), and osteoporosis. In children, hypocalcemia leads to rickets and impaired growth. Treatment involves increased dietary intake of…

An abnormally low blood level of albumin. Normally, albumin is the most plentiful protein in human blood and the key to the regulation of its osmotic pressure.

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

An abnormal increase in blood volume or, strictly speaking, an abnormal increase in the volume of blood plasma. From hyper- + volume + emia (blood).