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-.
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- Hypoalbuminemia
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.
- Hypocalcemia
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 […]
- Hypocapnia
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.
- Hypocarbia
Less than the normal level of carbon dioxide in the blood. The opposite of hypercarbia.
- Hypochloremia
Low blood levels of chloride. Chloride is the major anion found in the fluid outside of cells and in blood. An anion is the negatively charged part of certain substances such as table salt (NaCl) when dissolved in liquid. Sea water has almost the same concentration of chloride ion as human fluids. The balance of […]