A doctor who specialises in treating cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
haemo-oncologist
haemochromatosis
A condition where the body contains too much iron.
haemodialysis
A treatment for renal failure in which the blood is filtered outside the body to remove toxic substances that would normally be processed by the kidneys
haemoglobin
The oxygen carrying pigment that is present in red blood cells.
haemolytic anaemia
A form of anaemia caused by premature destruction of red cells in the bloodstream.
haemopathologist
A doctor who specialises in diagnosing diseases of the blood and bone marrow.
haemophilia
A hereditary disorder that causes very slow clotting of the blood, due to deficiency of a coagulation factor (either Factor VIII or Factor IX).
haemoptysis
Coughing up blood, usually due to a severe infection of the respiratory tract
haemorrhage
The internal or external loss of blood from a blood vessel.
haemorrhoid
Swollen blood vessel in the lining of the anus, also known as piles.
haemorrhoids
Swollen blood vessels around the anus, also known as piles.
hairy cell leukaemia
A rare form of chronic leukaemia that occurs when too many abnormal white blood cells called B lymphocytes are produced. B lymphocytes have which have a hairy appearance under the microscope.
hairy tongue
A harmless condition in which the tongue takes on a black or brown, furry appearance. It may be due to a disturbance of the normal mouth bacteria.
halitosis
Bad breath.
hallus valgus
An abnormal outward projection of the big toe that usually results in the formation of a bunion.
hand, foot and mouth disease
A common childhood illness due to a viral infection that causes a raised temperature, sores in the mouth and a skin rash especially affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It is not related to foot and mouth disease of cattle and other animals.
Hb
haemoglobin
HbA1c
An abbreviation for glycated haemoglobin, a measure of how well glucose levels have been controlled over the previous three months or so in a person with diabetes. It is expressed as a percentage.
HCG
human chorionic gonadotrophin
HDL-cholesterol
A substance that mainly exists to carry cholesterol from the circulation to the liver; commonly referred to as 'good cholesterol'.
heart attack
The death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction.
heart block
An abnormally slow heart rate arising because of a problem with the electrical conduction system of the heart
heart failure
Failure of the heart to pump adequately.
heavy metals
Metals that can accumulate in the body, with a detrimental effect on health.