What does mds mean

Red cells also called erythrocytes — which carry oxygen to organs and tissues in the body. White cells — which collectively fight against infection. Platelets also called thrombocytes — which prevent us from bruising and bleeding. What is the meaning of Myelodysplastic Syndromes? Is MDS Cancer? New Edition! Download the new booklet. Other materials: Presentation by Dr.

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Forgot your password? Retrieve it. Abbreviation » Term. Term » Abbreviation. Word in Term. Term » Abbr. Filter by: Select category from list Couldn't find the full form or full meaning of MDS? Discuss these MDS abbreviations with the community: 0 Comments. Notify me of new comments via email. Cancel Report. Create a new account. Log In. Know what is MDS?

Got another good explanation for MDS? Don't keep it to yourself! Add it HERE! To read more about the effects of MDS on blood cells, click here to view our complete handbook. With a few exceptions, the exact causes of MDS are unknown.

Some evidence suggests that certain people are born with a tendency to develop MDS. This tendency can be thought of as a switch that is triggered by an external factor. Radiation and chemotherapy for cancer are among the known triggers for the development of MDS. Long term exposure to certain environmental or industrial chemicals, such as benzene, can also trigger MDS.

There are no known food or agricultural products that cause MDS. While alcohol consumed on a daily basis may lower red blood cell and platelet counts, alcohol does not cause MDS. There is insufficient data available to determine if smoking increases the risk of developing MDS. However, it is known that the risk of developing AML is 1. Patients and their families often worry that MDS might be contagious. MDS is not inherited.

In fact, it is a very rare occasion when family members, including siblings, are diagnosed with MDS. In the early stages of MDS patients may experience no symptoms at all. On occasion, the white cell and platelet counts may be low while the hematocrit remains normal. However, some patients, particularly those with blood cell counts well below normal, experience definite symptoms.

These symptoms, described below, depend on which blood cell type is involved as well as the level of the cell count. The majority of individuals are anemic when they are initially diagnosed with MDS. Anemic patients generally experience fatigue and report that they are tired much of the time and have no energy. Anemia varies in its severity. In mild anemia, patients may feel well or just slightly fatigued. In moderate anemia, almost all patients experience some fatigue, which may be accompanied by heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

In severe anemia, almost all patients appear pale and report chronic overwhelming fatigue and shortness of breath. Because severe anemia reduces blood flow to the heart, older patients may be more likely to experience cardiovascular symptoms, including chest pain. Patients with neutropenia may be susceptible to skin infections, sinus infections symptoms include nasal congestion , lung infections symptoms include cough, shortness of breath , or urinary tract infections symptoms include painful and frequent urination.

Fever may accompany these infections. Patients with thrombocytopenia have an increased tendency to bruise and bleed even after minor bumps and scrapes.