hemolytic anemia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “hemolytic anemia” mean?
A blood disorder where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A blood disorder where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.
A condition characterized by premature destruction of erythrocytes, leading to reduced oxygen transport, fatigue, jaundice, and potential organ complications. It can be inherited (e.g., sickle cell disease) or acquired (e.g., autoimmune reaction, infection).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'haemolytic anaemia', US 'hemolytic anemia'. Pronunciation of initial 'h' and vowel in 'hemo-' may differ.
Connotations
Identical medical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard in medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hemolytic anemia” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia.The [drug/toxin] induced hemolytic anemia.[Condition] can result in hemolytic anemia.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hemolytic anemia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The infection can haemolyse red cells, potentially anaemising the patient.
American English
- The toxin can hemolyze red cells, leading to anemia.
adverb
British English
- The cells were breaking down haemolytically.
American English
- The drug acted hemolytically on the patient's erythrocytes.
adjective
British English
- The haemolytic process was confirmed by the blood film.
American English
- The hemolytic process was confirmed by the peripheral smear.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and healthcare publications and lectures.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used when discussing a specific medical diagnosis.
Technical
Core term in hematology, immunology, and clinical medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hemolytic anemia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hemolytic anemia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hemolytic anemia”
- Misspelling as 'hemoletc anemia' or 'hemolitic'.
- Confusing it with other anemias like iron-deficiency anemia.
- Pronouncing 'hemolytic' with stress on the second syllable (incorrect: he-MO-lytic; correct: HEE-mo-LY-tic or HEE-moh-LY-tic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not contagious. It is a disorder of the blood, often genetic or autoimmune in nature.
Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), and dark urine.
Treatment depends on the cause. Some forms, like those triggered by infections or medications, may resolve. Others, like inherited types, are managed long-term.
In hemolytic anemia, red cells are destroyed. In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow fails to produce enough of all blood cells (red, white, and platelets).
A blood disorder where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.
Hemolytic anemia is usually technical/medical in register.
Hemolytic anemia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiːməˌlɪtɪk əˈniːmiə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiːmoʊˌlɪtɪk əˈniːmiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HEMO (blood) + LYTIC (breaking apart) + ANEMIA (low blood) = a condition of low blood due to broken-apart blood cells.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS A FACTORY FAILURE (The body's blood cell 'factory' cannot keep up with the rate of 'product' destruction).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary pathological process in hemolytic anemia?