| low platelet count | <haematology> An abnormally low platelet count. Normal platelet counts are 150,000-400,000 per cubic millimetre. Those with low platelet counts may exhibit haematuria, haematemesis, easy bruising, bleeding gums, melena (blood in stools), prolonged menses or nosebleeds. Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage can occur with platelet counts of 10-15,000 (or less). (27 Sep 1997) |
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| low-pressure | Having, employing, or exerting, a low degree of pressure. Low-pressure steam engine, a steam engine in which low steam is used; often applied to a condensing engine even when steam at high pressure is used. See Steam engine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| low purine diet | A diet low in precursors of purines (such as tissues rich in cells with abundant nuclei, as in liver, glandular meats, etc.) to minimise formation of uric acid. Useful in treatment of patients with gout or urate-containing renal calculi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low residue diet | A diet that leaves minimal unabsorbed components in the intestine, to minimise functional stress on the colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low salt diet | A diet with restricted amounts of sodium chloride, necessary in the treatment of some cases of hypertension, heart failure, and other syndromes characterised by fluid retention and/or oedema formation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low-set ear | An ear positionned below its normal location. Classified as a minor anomaly. Technically, the ear is low-set when the helix (of the ear) meets the cranium at a level below that of a horizontal plane through both inner canthi (the inside corners of the eyes). The presence of 2 or more minor anomalies in a child increases the probability that the child has a major malformation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| low sodium syndrome | <syndrome> A syndrome resulting from salt restriction and use of diuretics in treatment of congestive heart failure and hypertension, characterised by weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, and a reduction in glomerular filtration with consequent nitrogen retention, renal failure, and sometimes death; occurs also in cirrhosis of the liver with ascites and in adrenal insufficiency. Synonym: salt depletion syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low spinal anaesthesia | Spinal anaesthesia in which the level of sensory denervation extends to the tenth or eleventh thoracic dermatome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low tension glaucoma | Optic nerve atrophy and excavation with typical field defects of glaucoma but without abnormal increase in intraocular pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| low tone deafness | Inability to hear low notes or frequencies. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lymphoma, low-grade | One of the three major prognostic groupings for non-hodgkin lymphomas as proposed in the working formulation of the non-hodgkin's lymphoma pathologic classification project sponsored by the national cancer institute (1981). Lymphomas falling within this group have a relatively favourable survival potential. (12 Dec 1998) |