What does Dyscrasia mean in medical terms
John Parsons
Updated on April 07, 2026
Dyscrasia is a nonspecific term that refers to a disease or disorder, especially of the blood. The latter is called a blood dyscrasia. Before modern medicine, it meant an imbalance of four body fluids: blood, bile, lymph, and phlegm.
What blood dyscrasias means?
Definition of blood dyscrasia : an abnormal condition or disease of the blood.
What drugs cause dyscrasias?
Among the 31 cases in which a single drug was implicated, 5 drugs were associated with more than 1 case: chloramphenicol, methyl-phenylethyl-hydantoin, phenylbutazone, and the 2 insecticides, gamma benzene hexachloride and chlordane.
Is blood dyscrasia curable?
Blood dyscrasias, although rare, can be fatal. Many drugs, including antibiotics, are associated with these dyscrasias.What are plasma cell dyscrasias?
Definition. Plasma cell dyscrasias are a monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells that produce a clonal immunoglobulin protein (i.e., monoclonal gammopathies or paraproteinemias). They are derived from malignant B lymphocytes. Common plasma cell dyscrasias include multiple myeloma and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.
What is blood dyscrasia caused by?
Genetics. Genetics can play a role in blood dyscrasias through either specific gene mutations (such as sickle cell disease) or a hereditary predisposition (such as with some cases of B12 deficiency anemia).
Is thrombocythemia a blood dyscrasia?
Thrombo means clotting and cythaemia relates to blood cells. It is also known as primary thrombocythaemia or essential thrombocytosis. ET is a type blood disorder called a myeloproliferative neoplasm. These are conditions that cause an increase in the number of blood cells.
How is the prognosis determined for a patient with multiple myeloma?
Measuring your prognosis Higher levels may indicate better prognosis. Higher levels indicate more extensive disease. Abnormal results may indicate poor prognosis (also indicates risk of progression of MGUS or asymptomatic myeloma to symptomatic myeloma). Presence of specific abnormalities may indicate poor prognosis.Is Multiple Myeloma always fatal?
Multiple myeloma used to be considered extremely deadly; today many people live with it as little more than a chronic condition. One reason it remains deadly is because many patients can’t get optimal therapy as a consequence of having existing illnesses when diagnosed with cancer.
What drug is contraindicated in patients with blood dyscrasias?Clozapine is contraindicated in combination with other medications with their own potential to cause agranulocytosis (i.e., carbamazepine and anticancer agents) because of the possibility of a synergistic pharmacodynamic interaction.
Article first time published onIs agranulocytosis the same as neutropenia?
Also known as granulocytopenia, agranulocytosis is a severe form of neutropenia. Neutropenia is lower-than-normal levels of white blood cells.
What is the medicine carbamazepine used for?
Carbamazepine is used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy). It is also used to relieve pain due to trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux) and in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). Carbamazepine works in the brain and nervous system to control seizures, pain, and bipolar disorder.
What is the difference between plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma?
A plasmacytoma is a type of abnormal plasma cell growth that is cancerous. Rather than many tumors in different locations as in multiple myeloma, there is only one tumor, hence the name solitary plasmacytoma. A solitary plasmacytoma often develops in a bone.
What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?
Bone marrow biopsy People with multiple myeloma have too many plasma cells in their bone marrow. The procedure used to check the bone marrow is called a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. It can be done either at the doctor’s office or at the hospital.
Is plasma cell myeloma the same as multiple myeloma?
A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, multiple myeloma, and myelomatosis.
How long can you live with myeloproliferative disorder?
Most people with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera live more than 10 to 15 years with few complications. People with myelofibrosis live approximately five years and in some cases, the disease may develop into acute leukemia.
Does Covid affect platelet count?
COVID-19 patients often have mild thrombocytopenia and appear to have increased platelet consumption, together with a corresponding increase in platelet production. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and severe bleeding events are uncommon in COVID-19 patients.
What is the alarming level of platelets?
Between 20,000 and 50,000 per μl: There is more risk of bleeding when injured. Less than 20,000 per μl: Bleeding happens even without injury. Below 10,000 platelets per μl: Spontaneous bleeding can be severe and a risk to life.
Which of the following is the most serious and life threatening blood dyscrasias caused with a drug?
Hematologic. Phenylbutazone causes blood dyscrasias [10,20]. The most serious adverse effect is aplastic anemia which, according to Swedish and British sources, ends fatally in almost 50% of cases [20–22].
What is the most common inherited blood disorder?
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 100,000 Americans. The disease is estimated to occur in 1 in 500 African Americans and 1 in 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic Americans.
What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?
Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include: Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest. Nausea.
Is multiple myeloma a painful death?
Experiencing a Peaceful Passing Accounts of those who have accompanied a loved one as they died from complications of multiple myeloma generally report a relatively calm death in which pain has been effectively managed.
What is the longest someone has lived with multiple myeloma?
Phil Falkowitz speaks to Sebastian Dennis-Beron, Commissioning Editor: Phil Falkowitz is 67 a year oldman who has lived with Multiple myeloma patient for 20 years. He has been married to his wife Barbara for 44 years and is currently raising a family of three. Phil graduated from Temple University (PA, USA) in 1972.
Is Stage 3 multiple myeloma bad?
StageMedian survival329 months
Who is most likely to get multiple myeloma?
Myeloma occurs most commonly in people over 60. The average age at diagnosis is 70. Only 2% of cases occur in people under 40.
What is the most aggressive form of multiple myeloma?
Hypodiploid– Myeloma cells have fewer chromosomes than normal. This occurs in about 40% of myeloma patients and is more aggressive.
What can you not take with sulfamethoxazole?
People taking trimethoprim or TMP/SMX should talk with the prescribing doctor before taking any potassium supplements or potassium-containing products, such as No Salt, Salt Substitute, Lite Salt, and even high-potassium foods (primarily fruit). PABA may interfere with the activity of sulfamethoxazole.
What medications should be avoided with hemophilia?
- Aspirin.
- Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin.
- Medicines that contain salicylate. This ingredient is closely related to aspirin. …
- Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as Aleve.
Is carBAMazepine contraindicated with clozapine?
Using carBAMazepine together with cloZAPine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of side effects that affect your bone marrow function, resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells.
What is a granulocyte?
Listen to pronunciation. (GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that are released during infections, allergic reactions, and asthma. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
What raises white blood cells?
A high white blood cell count may indicate that the immune system is working to destroy an infection. It may also be a sign of physical or emotional stress. People with particular blood cancers may also have high white blood cells counts.