Provided by the National Library of Medicine
Abortion
Any termination of pregnancy happening before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.
Acne
A disorder of the skin marked by inflammation of oil glands and hair glands.
Acoustic Neuroma
A type of benign brain tumor that begins in the Schwann cells, which produce the myelin that protects the acoustic nerve - the nerve of hearing.
Acupuncture
The practice of piercing specific points on the body with very thin sterile needles in order to relieve pain or induce regional anesthesia.
Addison's Disease
A rare endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. It may be due to a disorder of the adrenal glands themselves (primary adrenal insufficiency) or to inadequate secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland (secondary adrenal insufficiency).
AIDS
A syndrome resulting from the acquired deficiency of cellular immunity caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is characterized by the reduction of the Helper T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and the lymph nodes. Symptoms include generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, weight loss, and chronic diarrhea. Patients with AIDS are especially susceptible to opportunistic infections (usually pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, tuberculosis, candida infections, and cryptococcosis), and the development of malignant neoplasms (usually non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma). The human immunodeficiency virus is transmitted through sexual contact, sharing of contaminated needles, or transfusion of contaminated blood. -- 2004
Alcohol Consumption
Consumption of liquids containing ethanol, including the behaviors associated with drinking the alcohol.
Allergy
Hypersensitivity; a local or general reaction of an organism following contact with a specific allergen to which it has been previously exposed and to which it has become sensitized.
Alzheimer's Disease
A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain leading to loss of cognitive function such as memory and language.
Anal Cancer
A carcinoma that arises from the anus. Anal carcinomas include the anal canal and anal margin (perianal skin) carcinomas. The anal margin carcinoma is staged separately as a skin carcinoma. Anal cancer stage terms are usually used as synonyms for anal canal cancer stage terms. -- 2003
Anatomy
Relating to anatomy.
Anemia
A reduction in the number of red blood cells per cu mm, the amount of hemoglobin in 100 ml of blood, and the volume of packed red blood cells per 100 ml of blood. Clinically, anemia represents a reduction in the oxygen-transporting capacity of a designated volume of blood, resulting from an imbalance between blood loss (through hemorrhage or hemolysis) and blood production. Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, soft systolic murmurs, lethargy, and fatigability.
Anesthesia
(an-es-THEE-zha) Drugs or substances that cause loss of feeling or awareness. Local anesthetics cause loss of feeling in a part of the body. General anesthetics put the person to sleep.
Angina
Previous or current symptoms described as chest pain or pressure, jaw pain, arm pain, or other equivalent discomfort suggestive of cardiac ischemia.
Angioplasty
An endovascular procedure used to widen diseased arteries resulting in increasing blood flow through the area.
Antibiotics
Substances generally produced by microorganisms that selectively target microorganisms not humans. Antibiotics kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms by targeting components of the microbial cell absent from human cells, including bacterial cell walls, cell membrane, and 30S or 50S ribosomal subunits. These substances are used in the treatment of bacterial and other microbial infections.
Antidepressants
Mood-stimulating drugs used primarily in the treatment of affective disorders and related conditions. Several monoamine oxidase inhibitors are useful as antidepressants apparently as a long-term consequence of their modulation of catecholamine levels. The tricyclic compounds useful as antidepressive agents also appear to act through brain catecholamine systems. A third group is a diverse group of drugs including some that act specifically on serotonergic systems. (MeSH)
Antioxidants
A group of organic or inorganic substances capable of preventing the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of free-radical compounds. Antioxidants bind to and neutralize ('scavenge') free radicals, thereby transforming them into non-toxic compounds and blocking their genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. This class of agents includes the vitamins C and E, the carotenoids, and selenium. Organic antioxidants are found in high concentrations in fruits, seeds and vegetables. (NCI04)
Anxiety
Apprehension of danger and dread accompanied by restlessness, tension, tachycardia, and dyspnea unattached to a clearly identifiable stimulus.
Arrhythmia
Any variation from the normal rate or rhythm (which may include the origin of the impulse and/or its subsequent propagation) in the heart.
Arsenic
A poisonous chemical used to kill weeds and pests. Also used in cancer therapy.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint or a state characterized by inflammation of joints.
Asbestos
One of a number of fibrous magnesium and calcium silicate minerals processed for thermal insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos is considered to be an environmental carcinogen; chronic inhalation of fine asbestos dust causes pulmonary asbestosis and may induce lung neoplasms. Chronic ingestion of asbestos may induce gastrointestinal neoplasms. (NCI04)
Assisted Living Facilities
A facility providing supportive services to individuals who can function independently in most areas of activity, but need assistance and/or monitoring to assure safety and well being.
Asthma
A chronic respiratory disease manifested as difficulty breathing due to the narrowing of bronchial passageways.