PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL HAEMOGLOBURINAEMIA -
Noun: Also, thank goodness, called PNH. It is a rare, acquired disorder of red blood cells that destroys them, resulting in the presence of haemoglobin in the urine. The disorder is characterised by dark urine in the morning with urine becoming lighter throughout the day. Each episode of dark urine usually lasts for a few days and attacks may occur very occasionally or very often. There can also be abdominal pain, back pain, headaches, shortness of breath and easy bruising. Patients with PNH should take folic acid (from health food store) each day because the body needs folic acid to help replace the destroyed red cells. Some patients also need to take iron tablets or have a blood transfusion .

In some patients, PNH develops after a previous diagnosis of aplastic anaemia . In a small proportion of patients who have the immunosuppressive therapy only, the weakened bone marrow can evolve into PNH.

In most cases, PNH goes on for many years and the patient gets used to living with the condition. Many patients with PNH lead an active life without much disruption. Some are more severely affected and may need more intensive treatment such as a bone marrow transplant.

A significant proportion of patients with PNH will eventually get better by themselves with all their abnormal cells disappearing from the blood leaving an essentially normal blood count. This can occur in even the most severely affected patients and usually occurs several years after the diagnosis of PNH is made.

From Paroxysm = a severe sudden attack + Nocturnal = occurring at night + Haemoglobin = the iron carrying liquid in a red blood cell + Urin = urine + aemia = condition of the blood

Greek - para = beyond +

Greek - oxynein = acute, sharp +

Latin - nocturnus = night +

Greek - haîma = blood +

Latin - globulus = globe (as in anything rounded like a globe) +

Greek - ouria = urine

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