TENSION HEADACHE DICTIONARY
The definitions below are derived from
official public sources, including the National Institutes of Health [NIH], the European Union [EU] and from www.medterms.com
Abdominal: Having to do with the abdomen,
which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the
pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. [NIH]
Abdominal Pain: Sensation of discomfort,
distress, or agony in the abdominal region. [NIH]
Aberrant: Wandering or deviating from
the usual or normal course. [EU]
Abscess: A localized, circumscribed collection of
pus. [NIH]
Acetaminophen: Analgesic antipyretic
derivative of acetanilide. It has weak anti-inflammatory properties and is used
as a common analgesic, but may cause liver, blood cell, and kidney damage. [NIH]
Adenosine: A nucleoside that is composed
of adenine and d-ribose. Adenosine or adenosine derivatives play many important
biological roles in addition to being components of DNA and RNA. Adenosine
itself is a neurotransmitter. [NIH]
Adjuvant: A substance which aids
another, such as an auxiliary remedy; in immunology, nonspecific stimulator
(e.g., BCG vaccine) of the immune response. [EU]
Adrenal Medulla: The inner part of the adrenal
gland; it synthesizes, stores and releases catecholamines. [NIH]
Adrenergic: Activated by, characteristic
of, or secreting epinephrine or substances with similar activity; the term is
applied to those nerve fibres that liberate norepinephrine at a synapse when a
nerve impulse passes, i.e., the sympathetic fibres. [EU]
Adverse Effect: An unwanted side effect of
treatment. [NIH]
Alertness: A state of readiness to detect
and respond to certain specified small changes occurring at random intervals in
the environment. [NIH]
Algorithms: A procedure consisting of a
sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a
given task. [NIH]
Alpha-1: A protein with the property of
inactivating proteolytic enzymes such as leucocyte collagenase and elastase. [NIH]
Alternative medicine: Practices not generally
recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical
approaches and used instead of standard treatments. Alternative medicine
includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal
preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage
therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH]
Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation. [NIH]
Amino Acids: Organic compounds that
generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group. Twenty
alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins. [NIH]
Amitriptyline: Tricyclic antidepressant with
anticholinergic and sedative properties. It appears to prevent the re-uptake of
norepinephrine and serotonin at nerve terminals, thus potentiating the action
of these neurotransmitters. Amitriptyline also appears to antaganize
cholinergic and alpha-1 adrenergic responses to bioactive amines. [NIH]
Anal: Having to do with the anus, which is the
posterior opening of the large bowel. [NIH]
Analgesic: An agent that alleviates pain
without causing loss of consciousness. [EU]
Angina: Chest pain that originates in the heart. [NIH]
Angina Pectoris: The symptom of paroxysmal pain
consequent to myocardial ischemia usually of distinctive character, location
and radiation, and provoked by a transient stressful situation during which the
oxygen requirements of the myocardium exceed the capacity of the coronary
circulation to supply it. [NIH]
Anorexia: Lack or loss of appetite for
food. Appetite is psychologic, dependent on memory and associations. Anorexia
can be brought about by unattractive food, surroundings, or company. [NIH]
Anorexia Nervosa: The chief symptoms are
inability to eat, weight loss, and amenorrhea. [NIH]
Antagonism: Interference with, or
inhibition of, the growth of a living organism by another living organism, due
either to creation of unfavorable conditions (e. g. exhaustion of food
supplies) or to production of a specific antibiotic substance (e. g.
penicillin). [NIH]
Anticholinergic: An agent that blocks the
parasympathetic nerves. Called also parasympatholytic. [EU]
Antidepressant: A drug used to treat
depression. [NIH]
Anti-inflammatory: Having to do with reducing
inflammation. [NIH]
Antimetabolite: A chemical that is very
similar to one required in a normal biochemical reaction in cells.
Antimetabolites can stop or slow down the reaction. [NIH]
Antipyretic: An agent that relieves or
reduces fever. Called also antifebrile, antithermic and febrifuge. [EU]
Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside
of the body. [NIH]
Anxiety: Persistent feeling of dread, apprehension,
and impending disaster. [NIH]
Aphthous Stomatitis: Inflammation of the mucous
membrane of the mouth. [NIH]
Arteritis: Inflammation of an artery. [NIH]
Artery: Vessel-carrying blood from the heart to
various parts of the body. [NIH]
Atypical: Irregular; not conformable to
the type; in microbiology, applied specifically to strains of unusual type. [EU]
Autogenic: A type of succession when the
developing vegetation itself is the cause for the succession. [NIH]
Autogenic Training: Technique based on muscle
relaxation during self-hypnotic exercises. It is used in conjunction with
psychotherapy. [NIH]
Autoimmune disease: A condition in which the body
recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against
them. [NIH]
Back Pain: Acute or chronic pain located
in the posterior regions of the trunk, including the thoracic, lumbar, sacral,
or adjacent regions. [NIH]
Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotic
microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell
division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or
bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. [NIH]
Base: In chemistry, the nonacid part of a salt;
a substance that combines with acids to form salts; a substance that
dissociates to give hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions; a substance whose
molecule or ion can combine with a proton (hydrogen ion); a substance capable
of donating a pair of electrons (to an acid) for the formation of a coordinate
covalent bond. [EU]
Benign: Not cancerous; does not invade nearby
tissue or spread to other parts of the body. [NIH]
Bilateral: Affecting both the right and
left side of body. [NIH]
Bile: An emulsifying agent produced in the liver
and secreted into the duodenum. Its
composition includes bile acids and salts, cholesterol, and
electrolytes. It aids digestion of
fats in the duodenum. [NIH]
Bile duct: A tube through which bile
passes in and out of the liver. [NIH]
Biochemical: Relating to biochemistry;
characterized by, produced by, or involving
chemical reactions in living organisms. [EU]
Biomarkers: Substances sometimes found in
an increased amount in the blood, other body
fluids, or tissues and that may suggest the presence of some types of
cancer. Biomarkers
include CA 125 (ovarian cancer), CA 15-3 (breast cancer), CEA (ovarian,
lung, breast,
pancreas, and GI tract cancers), and PSA (prostate cancer). Also called
tumor markers. [NIH]
Biotechnology: Body of knowledge related to
the use of organisms, cells or cell-derived
constituents for the purpose of developing products which are
technically, scientifically and
clinically useful. Alteration of biologic function at the molecular
level (i.e., genetic
engineering) is a central focus; laboratory methods used include
transfection and cloning
technologies, sequence and structure analysis algorithms, computer
databases, and gene and
protein structure function analysis and prediction. [NIH]
Bladder: The organ that stores urine. [NIH]
Bloating: Fullness or swelling in the
abdomen that often occurs after meals. [NIH]
Blood Platelets: Non-nucleated disk-shaped
cells formed in the megakaryocyte and found
in the blood of all mammals. They are mainly involved in blood
coagulation. [NIH]
Blood vessel: A tube in the body through
which blood circulates. Blood vessels include a
network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. [NIH]
Body Fluids: Liquid components of living
organisms. [NIH]
Bowel: The long tube-shaped organ in the abdomen
that completes the process of digestion.
There is both a small and a large bowel. Also called the intestine. [NIH]
Bowel Movement: Body wastes passed through the
rectum and anus. [NIH]
Bruxism: A disorder characterized by grinding and
clenching of the teeth. [NIH]
Bulimia: Episodic binge eating. The episodes may be
associated with the fear of not being
able to stop eating, depressed mood, or self-deprecating thoughts
(binge-eating disorder)
and may frequently be terminated by self-induced vomiting (bulimia
nervosa). [NIH]
Burning Mouth Syndrome: A group of painful oral
symptoms associated with a burning or
similar sensation. There is usually a significant organic component with
a degree of
functional overlay; it is not limited to the psychophysiologic group of
disorders. [NIH]
Butyric Acid: A four carbon acid,
CH3CH2CH2COOH, with an unpleasant odor that occurs
in butter and animal fat as the glycerol ester. [NIH]
Caffeine: A methylxanthine naturally
occurring in some beverages and also used as a
pharmacological agent. Caffeine's most notable pharmacological effect is
as a central
nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness and producing agitation.
It also relaxes
smooth muscle, stimulates cardiac muscle, stimulates diuresis, and
appears to be useful in the treatment of some types of headache. Several
cellular actions of caffeine have been observed, but it is not entirely clear
how each contributes to its pharmacological profile. Among the most important
are inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, antagonism of adenosine
receptors, and modulation of intracellular calcium handling. [NIH]
Calcium: A basic element found in nearly all
organized tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with
the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the
most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium
phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of
nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in
many enzymatic processes. [NIH]
Cardiac: Having to do with the heart. [NIH]
Cardiovascular: Having to do with the heart
and blood vessels. [NIH]
Catecholamine: A group of chemical substances
manufactured by the adrenal medulla and secreted during physiological stress. [NIH]
Cell: The individual unit that makes up all of
the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells. [NIH]
Central Nervous System: The main
information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain,
spinal cord, and meninges. [NIH]
Central Nervous System Infections: Pathogenic
infections of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges. DNA virus infections; RNA
virus infections; bacterial infections; mycoplasma infections; Spirochaetales
infections; fungal infections; protozoan infections; helminthiasis; and prion
diseases may involve the central nervous system as a primary or secondary
process. [NIH]
Cerebral: Of or pertaining of the
cerebrum or the brain. [EU]
Cerebrospinal: Pertaining to the brain and
spinal cord. [EU]
Cerebrospinal fluid: CSF. The fluid flowing around
the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ventricles in
the brain. [NIH]
Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain.
It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres.
The cerebrum controls muscle functions of the body and also controls speech,
emotions, reading, writing, and learning. [NIH]
Cervical: Relating to the neck, or to
the neck of any organ or structure. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the
neck; cervical cancer refers to cancer of the uterine cervix, which is the
lower, narrow end (the "neck") of the uterus. [NIH]
Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus that
forms a canal between the uterus and vagina. [NIH]
Character: In current usage,
approximately equivalent to personality. The sum of the relatively fixed
personality traits and habitual modes of response of an individual. [NIH]
Cholinergic: Resembling acetylcholine in
pharmacological action; stimulated by or releasing acetylcholine or a related
compound. [EU]
Chronic: A disease or condition that persists or
progresses over a long period of time. [NIH]
Classic Migraine: Migraine preceded or accompanied
by characteristic visual sensory disturbances, especially peripheral
scintillations and hemianopsia. [NIH]
Clinical trial: A research study that tests
how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each
study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or
treatment of a disease. [NIH]
Cloning: The production of a number of genetically
identical individuals; in genetic engineering, a process for the efficient
replication of a great number of identical DNA molecules. [NIH]
Codeine: An opioid analgesic related to morphine
but with less potent analgesic properties and mild sedative effects. It also
acts centrally to suppress cough. [NIH]
Cognition: Intellectual or mental process
whereby an organism becomes aware of or obtains knowledge. [NIH]
Cognitive Therapy: A direct form of psychotherapy
based on the interpretation of situations (cognitive structure of experiences)
that determine how an individual feels and behaves. It is based on the premise
that cognition, the process of acquiring knowledge and forming beliefs, is a
primary determinant of mood and behavior. The therapy uses behavioral and
verbal techniques to identify and correct negative thinking that is at the root
of the aberrant behavior. [NIH]
Colitis: Inflammation of the colon. [NIH]
Colloidal: Of the nature of a colloid. [EU]
Colon: The long, coiled, tubelike organ that
removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called
stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the
anus. [NIH]
Comorbidity: The presence of co-existing or
additional diseases with reference to an initial diagnosis or with reference to
the index condition that is the subject of study. Comorbidity may affect the
ability of affected individuals to function and also their survival; it may be
used as a prognostic indicator for length of hospital stay, cost factors, and
outcome or survival. [NIH]
Complement: A term originally used to
refer to the heat-labile factor in serum that causes immune cytolysis, the
lysis of antibody-coated cells, and now referring to the entire functionally
related system comprising at least 20 distinct serum proteins that is the
effector not only of immune cytolysis but also of other biologic functions. Complement
activation occurs by two different sequences, the classic and alternative
pathways. The proteins of the classic pathway are termed 'components of
complement' and are designated by the symbols C1 through C9. C1 is a
calcium-dependent complex of three distinct proteins C1q, C1r and C1s. The
proteins of the alternative pathway (collectively referred to as the properdin
system) and complement regulatory proteins are known by semisystematic or
trivial names. Fragments resulting from proteolytic cleavage of complement
proteins are designated with lower-case letter suffixes, e.g., C3a. Inactivated
fragments may be designated with the suffix
'i', e.g. C3bi. Activated components or complexes with biological
activity are designated by a bar over the symbol e.g. C1 or C4b,2a. The classic
pathway is activated by the binding of C1 to classic pathway activators,
primarily antigen-antibody complexes containing IgM, IgG1, IgG3; C1q binds to a
single IgM molecule or two adjacent IgG molecules. The alternative pathway can
be activated by IgA immune complexes and also by nonimmunologic materials
including bacterial endotoxins, microbial polysaccharides, and cell walls.
Activation of the classic pathway triggers an enzymatic cascade involving C1,
C4, C2 and C3; activation of the alternative pathway triggers a cascade
involving C3 and factors B, D and P. Both result in the cleavage of C5 and the
formation of the membrane attack complex. Complement activation also results in
the formation of many biologically active complement fragments that act as
anaphylatoxins, opsonins, or chemotactic factors. [EU]
Complementary and alternative medicine: CAM.
Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of
(alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard
medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal
preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing,
and meditation. [NIH]
Complementary medicine: Practices not generally
recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical
approaches and used to enhance or complement the standard treatments.
Complementary medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose
vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices
such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH]
Computational Biology: A field of biology
concerned with the development of techniques for the collection and
manipulation of biological data, and the use of such data to make biological
discoveries or predictions. This field encompasses all computational methods
and theories applicable to molecular biology and areas of computer-based
techniques for solving biological problems including manipulation of models and
datasets. [NIH]
Congestion: Excessive or abnormal
accumulation of blood in a part. [EU]
Conjunctiva: The mucous membrane that lines
the inner surface of the eyelids and the anterior part of the sclera. [NIH]
Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds
other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large
amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH]
Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds
other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large
amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH]
Consciousness: Sense of awareness of self and
of the environment. [NIH]
Constipation: Infrequent or difficult
evacuation of feces. [NIH]
Continuum: An area over which the
vegetation or animal population is of constantly changing composition so that
homogeneous, separate communities cannot be distinguished. [NIH]
Contraindications: Any factor or sign that it is
unwise to pursue a certain kind of action or treatment, e. g. giving a general
anesthetic to a person with pneumonia. [NIH]
Controlled study: An experiment or clinical
trial that includes a comparison (control) group. [NIH]
Coordination: Muscular or motor regulation
or the harmonious cooperation of muscles or groups of muscles, in a complex
action or series of actions. [NIH]
Coronary: Encircling in the manner of a
crown; a term applied to vessels; nerves, ligaments, etc. The term usually
denotes the arteries that supply the heart muscle and, by extension, a
pathologic involvement of them. [EU]
Coronary Circulation: The circulation of blood
through the coronary vessels of the heart. [NIH]
Cranial: Pertaining to the cranium, or to the
anterior (in animals) or superior (in humans) end of the body. [EU]
Craniocerebral Trauma: Traumatic injuries
involving the cranium and intracranial structures (i.e., brain; cranial nerves;
meninges; and other structures). Injuries may be classified by whether or not
the skull is penetrated (i.e., penetrating vs. nonpenetrating) or whether there
is an associated hemorrhage. [NIH]
Curare: Plant extracts from several species,
including Strychnos toxifera, S. castelnaei, S. crevauxii, and Chondodendron
tomentosum, that produce paralysis of skeletal muscle and are used adjunctively
with general anesthesia. These extracts are toxic and must be used with the
administration of artificial respiration. [NIH]
Curative: Tending to overcome disease
and promote recovery. [EU]
Cyclic: Pertaining to or occurring in a cycle or
cycles; the term is applied to chemical compounds that contain a ring of atoms
in the nucleus. [EU]
Delusions: A false belief regarding the
self or persons or objects outside the self that persists
despite the facts, and is not considered tenable by one's associates. [NIH]
Depressive Disorder: An affective disorder manifested
by either a dysphoric mood or loss
of interest or pleasure in usual activities. The mood disturbance is
prominent and relatively
persistent. [NIH]
Dermatitis: Any inflammation of the skin. [NIH]
Diagnostic procedure: A method used to identify a
disease. [NIH]
Diarrhea: Passage of excessively liquid
or excessively frequent stools. [NIH]
Digestion: The process of breakdown of
food for metabolism and use by the body. [NIH]
Direct: 1. Straight; in a straight line. 2.
Performed immediately and without the intervention
of subsidiary means. [EU]
Discrete: Made up of separate parts or
characterized by lesions which do not become
blended; not running together; separate. [NIH]
Diuresis: Increased excretion of urine. [EU]
Double-blind: Pertaining to a
clinical trial or other experiment in which neither the subject
nor the person
administering treatment knows which treatment any particular subject is
receiving. [EU] (see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-blind
).
Double-blinded: A clinical trial in which
neither the medical staff nor the person knows
which of several possible therapies the person is receiving. [NIH]
Drug Interactions: The action of a drug that may
affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity
of another drug. [NIH]
Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation. [NIH]
Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing. [EU]
Dysphoric: A feeling of unpleasantness
and discomfort. [NIH]
Eating Disorders: A group of disorders
characterized by physiological and psychological
disturbances in appetite or food intake. [NIH]
Eczema: A pruritic papulovesicular dermatitis
occurring as a reaction to many endogenous
and exogenous agents (Dorland, 27th ed). [NIH]
Efficacy: The extent to which a specific
intervention, procedure, regimen, or service
produces a beneficial result under ideal conditions. Ideally, the
determination of efficacy is
based on the results of a randomized control trial. [NIH]
Electrophoresis: An electrochemical process in
which macromolecules or colloidal particles
with a net electric charge migrate in a solution under the influence of
an electric current.
[NIH]
Empirical: A treatment based on an
assumed diagnosis, prior to receiving confirmatory
laboratory test results. [NIH]
Endogenous: Produced inside an organism or
cell. The opposite is external (exogenous)
production. [NIH]
Endotoxic: Of, relating to, or acting as
an endotoxin (= a heat-stable toxin, associated with
the outer membranes of certain gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are
not secreted and are
released only when the cells are disrupted). [EU]
Enkephalin: A natural opiate painkiller,
in the hypothalamus. [NIH]
Environmental Health: The science of controlling or
modifying those conditions, influences,
or forces surrounding man which relate to promoting, establishing, and
maintaining health.
[NIH]
Epidemiological: Relating to, or involving
epidemiology. [EU]
Epidermal: Pertaining to or resembling
epidermis. Called also epidermic or epidermoid. [EU]
Epidermis: Nonvascular layer of the skin.
It is made up, from within outward, of five layers:
1) basal layer (stratum basale epidermidis); 2) spinous layer (stratum
spinosum epidermidis); 3) granular layer (stratum granulosum epidermidis); 4)
clear layer (stratum lucidum epidermidis); and 5) horny layer (stratum corneum
epidermidis). [NIH]
Ethionine: 2-Amino-4-(ethylthio)butyric
acid. An antimetabolite and methionine antagonist that interferes with amino
acid incorporation into proteins and with cellular ATP utilization. It also
produces liver neoplasms. [NIH]
Exogenous: Developed or originating
outside the organism, as exogenous disease. [EU]
Facial: Of or pertaining to the face. [EU]
Facial Pain: Pain in the facial region
including orofacial pain and craniofacial pain. Associated conditions include
local inflammatory and neoplastic disorders and neuralgic syndromes involving
the trigeminal, facial, and glossopharyngeal nerves. Conditions which feature
recurrent or persistent facial pain as the primary manifestation of disease are
referred to as facial pain syndromes. [NIH]
Family Planning: Programs or services designed
to assist the family in controlling reproduction by either improving or
diminishing fertility. [NIH]
Fat: Total lipids including phospholipids. [NIH]
Fatigue: The state of weariness following a period
of exertion, mental or physical, characterized by a decreased capacity for work
and reduced efficiency to respond to stimuli. [NIH]
Femoxetine: A selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor drug used in obese patients for weight loss. [NIH]
Flexor: Muscles which flex a joint. [NIH]
Gas: Air that comes from normal breakdown of
food. The gases are passed out of the body
through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp). [NIH]
Gastrointestinal: Refers to the stomach and
intestines. [NIH]
Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and
intestines. [NIH]
Gene: The functional and physical unit of
heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes
are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a
specific protein.
[NIH]
General practitioner: A medical practitioner who
does not specialize in a particular branch
of medicine or limit his practice to a specific class of diseases. [NIH]
Germ Cells: The reproductive cells in
multicellular organisms. [NIH]
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gingivae.
Gingivitis associated with bony changes is
referred to as periodontitis. Called also oulitis and ulitis. [EU]
Glossopharyngeal Nerve: The 9th cranial nerve.
The glossopharyngeal nerve is a mixed
motor and sensory nerve; it conveys somatic and autonomic efferents as
well as general,
special, and visceral afferents. Among the connections are motor fibers
to the
stylopharyngeus muscle, parasympathetic fibers to the parotid glands,
general and taste
afferents from the posterior third of the tongue, the nasopharynx, and
the palate, and
afferents from baroreceptors and chemoreceptors of the carotid sinus. [NIH]
Gout: Hereditary metabolic disorder
characterized by recurrent acute arthritis,
hyperuricemia and deposition of sodium urate in and around the joints,
sometimes with
formation of uric acid calculi. [NIH]
Governing Board: The group in which legal
authority is vested for the control of healthrelated
institutions and organizations. [NIH]
Handedness: Preference for using right or
left hand. [NIH]
Headache Disorders: Common conditions
characterized by persistent or recurrent
headaches. Headache syndrome classification systems may be based on
etiology (e.g.,
vascular headache, post-traumatic headaches, etc.), temporal pattern
(e.g., cluster headache,
paroxysmal hemicrania, etc.), and precipitating factors (e.g., cough
headache). [NIH]
Hemianopsia: Partial or complete loss of
vision in one half of the visual field(s) of one or
both eyes. Subtypes include altitudinal hemianopsia, characterized by a
visual defect above
or below the horizontal meridian of the visual field. Homonymous
hemianopsia refers to a
visual defect that affects both eyes equally, and occurs either to the
left or right of the
midline of the visual field. Binasal hemianopsia consists of loss of
vision in the nasal
hemifields of both eyes. Bitemporal hemianopsia is the bilateral loss of
vision in the
temporal fields. Quadrantanopsia refers to loss of vision in one quarter
of the visual field in
one or both eyes. [NIH]
Hemorrhage: Bleeding or escape of blood
from a vessel. [NIH]
Hemostasis: The process which
spontaneously arrests the flow of blood from vessels
carrying blood under pressure. It is accomplished by contraction of the
vessels, adhesion
and aggregation of formed blood elements, and the process of blood or plasma
coagulation.
[NIH]
Histamine: 1H-Imidazole-4-ethanamine. A
depressor amine derived by enzymatic
decarboxylation of histidine. It is a powerful stimulant of gastric
secretion, a constrictor of
bronchial smooth muscle, a vasodilator, and also a centrally acting
neurotransmitter. [NIH]
Homogeneous: Consisting of or composed of
similar elements or ingredients; of a uniform
quality throughout. [EU]
Hyperplasia: An increase in the number of
cells in a tissue or organ, not due to tumor
formation. It differs from hypertrophy, which is an increase in bulk
without an increase in
the number of cells. [NIH]
Hypertension: Persistently high arterial
blood pressure. Currently accepted threshold levels
are 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. [NIH]
Hypnotic: A drug that acts to induce
sleep. [EU]
Hypochondriasis: (DSM III-R) a mental disorder
characterized by a preoccupation with
bodily functions and the interpretation of normal sensations (such as
heart beats, sweating,
peristaltic action, and bowel movements) or minor abnormalities (such as
a runny nose,
minor aches and pains, or slightly swollen lymph nodes) as indications
of highly disturbing
problems needing medical attention. Negative results of diagnostic
evaluations and
reassurance by physicians only increase the patient's anxious concern
about his health, and
the patient continues to seek medical attention. Called also
hypochondriacal neurosis. [EU]
Hypothalamus: Ventral part of the
diencephalon extending from the region of the optic
chiasm to the caudal border of the mammillary bodies and forming the
inferior and lateral
walls of the third ventricle. [NIH]
Immune response: The activity of the immune
system against foreign substances (antigens).
[NIH]
Immunogenic: Producing immunity; evoking an
immune response. [EU]
Immunology: The study of the body's immune
system. [NIH]
Impaction: The trapping of an object in a
body passage. Examples are stones in the bile duct
or hardened stool in the colon. [NIH]
Infection: 1. Invasion and multiplication
of microorganisms in body tissues, which may be
clinically unapparent or result in local cellular injury due to
competitive metabolism, toxins,
intracellular replication, or antigen-antibody response. The infection
may remain localized,
subclinical, and temporary if the body's defensive mechanisms are
effective. A local
infection may persist and spread by extension to become an acute,
subacute, or chronic
clinical infection or disease state. A local infection may also become
systemic when the
microorganisms gain access to the lymphatic or vascular system. 2. An
infectious disease.
[EU]
Inflammation: A pathological process
characterized by injury or destruction of tissues
caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually
manifested by typical
signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. [NIH]
Insulator: Material covering the metal
conductor of the lead. It is usually polyurethane or
silicone. [NIH]
Intestine: A long, tube-shaped organ in
the abdomen that completes the process of
digestion. There is both a large intestine and a small intestine. Also
called the bowel. [NIH]
Intracellular: Inside a cell. [NIH]
Involuntary: Reaction occurring without
intention or volition. [NIH]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A disorder that comes
and goes. Nerves that control the muscles
in the GI tract are too active. The GI tract becomes sensitive to food,
stool, gas, and stress.
Causes abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Also
called spastic colon or
mucous colitis. [NIH]
Jealousy: An irrational reaction
compounded of grief, loss of self-esteem, enmity against the
rival and self criticism. [NIH]
Kb: A measure of the length of DNA fragments,
1 Kb = 1000 base pairs. The largest DNA
fragments are up to 50 kilobases long. [NIH]
Large Intestine: The part of the intestine that
goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large
intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a
solid form. The large
intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and
rectum. Also called
colon. [NIH]
Lichen Planus: An inflammatory, pruritic
disease of the skin and mucous membranes,
which can be either generalized or localized. It is characterized by
distinctive purplish, flattopped
papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. The
lesions may be
discrete or coalesce to form plaques. Histologically, there is a
"saw-tooth" pattern of
epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the
epidermis along with
an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly
of T-cells.
Etiology is unknown. [NIH]
Lipid: Fat. [NIH]
Lipid A: Lipid A is the biologically active
component of lipopolysaccharides. It shows
strong endotoxic activity and exhibits immunogenic properties. [NIH]
Lipopolysaccharides: Substance consisting of
polysaccaride and lipid. [NIH]
Liver: A large, glandular organ located in the
upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood
and aids in digestion by secreting bile. [NIH]
Liver Neoplasms: Tumors or cancer of the liver.
[NIH]
Localized: Cancer which has not
metastasized yet. [NIH]
Lumbar: Pertaining to the loins, the part of the
back between the thorax and the pelvis. [EU]
Lupus: A form of cutaneous tuberculosis. It is
seen predominantly in women and typically involves the nasal, buccal, and
conjunctival mucosa. [NIH]
Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels
through the lymphatic system and carries
cells that help fight infection and disease. [NIH]
Lymph node: A rounded mass of lymphatic
tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of
connective tissue. Also known as a lymph gland. Lymph nodes are spread
out along
lymphatic vessels and contain many lymphocytes, which filter the
lymphatic fluid (lymph).
[NIH]
Mandible: The largest and strongest bone
of the face constituting the lower jaw. It supports
the lower teeth. [NIH]
Mastication: The act and process of chewing
and grinding food in the mouth. [NIH]
Masticatory: 1. subserving or pertaining to
mastication; affecting the muscles of mastication.
2. a remedy to be chewed but not swallowed. [EU]
Mediator: An object or substance by
which something is mediated, such as (1) a structure of
the nervous system that transmits impulses eliciting a specific
response; (2) a chemical
substance (transmitter substance) that induces activity in an excitable
tissue, such as nerve
or muscle; or (3) a substance released from cells as the result of the
interaction of antigen
with antibody or by the action of antigen with a sensitized lymphocyte. [EU]
Medical Records: Recording of pertinent
information concerning patient's illness or
illnesses. [NIH]
Medical Staff: Professional medical personnel
who provide care to patients in an organized
facility, institution or agency. [NIH]
MEDLINE: An online database of MEDLARS, the
computerized bibliographic Medical
Literature Analysis and Retrieval System of the National Library of
Medicine. [NIH]
Membrane: A very thin layer of tissue
that covers a surface. [NIH]
Memory: Complex mental function having four
distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning,
(2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is
usually subdivided into
immediate, recent, and remote memory. [NIH]
Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges.
When it affects the dura mater, the disease is
termed pachymeningitis; when the arachnoid and pia mater are involved,
it is called
leptomeningitis, or meningitis proper. [EU]
Mental: Pertaining to the mind; psychic. 2. (L.
mentum chin) pertaining to the chin. [EU]
Mental Disorders: Psychiatric illness or
diseases manifested by breakdowns in the
adaptational process expressed primarily as abnormalities of thought,
feeling, and behavior
producing either distress or impairment of function. [NIH]
Mental Processes: Conceptual functions or
thinking in all its forms. [NIH]
Mianserin: A tetracyclic compound with
antidepressant effects. It may cause drowsiness
and hematological problems. Its mechanism of therapeutic action is not
well understood,
although it apparently blocks alpha-adrenergic, histamine H1, and some
types of serotonin
receptors. [NIH]
Microbiology: The study of microorganisms
such as fungi, bacteria, algae, archaea, and
viruses. [NIH]
Modification: A change in an organism, or in
a process in an organism, that is acquired
from its own activity or environment. [NIH]
Molecular: Of, pertaining to, or composed
of molecules : a very small mass of matter. [EU]
Molecular Structure: The location of the atoms,
groups or ions relative to one another in a molecule, as well as the number,
type and location of covalent bonds. [NIH]
Morphine: The principal alkaloid in
opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread
effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. [NIH]
Motility: The ability to move
spontaneously. [EU]
Motor nerve: An efferent nerve conveying an
impulse that excites muscular contraction.
[NIH]
Mucociliary: Pertaining to or affecting the
mucus membrane and hairs (including eyelashes, nose hair, .): mucociliary
clearing: the clearance of mucus by ciliary movement ( particularly in the
respiratory system). [EU]
Multiple sclerosis: A disorder of the central
nervous system marked by weakness, numbness, a loss of muscle coordination, and
problems with vision, speech, and bladder control. Multiple sclerosis is
thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system destroys
myelin. Myelin is a substance that contains both protein and fat (lipid) and
serves as a nerve insulator and helps in the transmission of nerve signals. [NIH]
Muscle relaxant: An agent that specifically
aids in reducing muscle tension, as those acting at the polysynaptic neurons of
motor nerves (e.g. meprobamate) or at the myoneural junction (curare and
related compounds). [EU]
Muscle Relaxation: That phase of a muscle twitch
during which a muscle returns to a resting position. [NIH]
Muscle tension: A force in a material tending
to produce extension; the state of being stretched. [NIH]
Myelin: The fatty substance that covers and
protects nerves. [NIH]
Myocardial Ischemia: A disorder of cardiac function
caused by insufficient blood flow to the muscle tissue of the heart. The
decreased blood flow may be due to narrowing of the coronary arteries (coronary
arteriosclerosis), to obstruction by a thrombus (coronary thrombosis), or less
commonly, to diffuse narrowing of arterioles and other small vessels within the
heart. Severe interruption of the blood supply to the myocardial tissue may
result
in necrosis of cardiac muscle (myocardial infarction). [NIH]
Myocardium: The muscle tissue of the heart
composed of striated, involuntary muscle known as cardiac muscle. [NIH]
Naproxen: An anti-inflammatory agent
with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Both the
acid and its sodium salt are used in the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis and other
rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders, dysmenorrhea, and acute gout. [NIH]
Neck Pain: Discomfort or more intense
forms of pain that are localized to the cervical
region. This term generally refers to pain in the posterior or lateral
regions of the neck. [NIH]
Necrosis: A pathological process caused
by the progressive degradative action of enzymes
that is generally associated with severe cellular trauma. It is
characterized by mitochondrial
swelling, nuclear flocculation, uncontrolled cell lysis, and ultimately
cell death. [NIH]
Nervous System: The entire nerve apparatus
composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and
ganglia. [NIH]
Neuralgia: Intense or aching pain that
occurs along the course or distribution of a peripheral
or cranial nerve. [NIH]
Neurons: The basic cellular units of nervous
tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon,
and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit
impulses in the nervous
system. [NIH]
Neuropathy: A problem in any part of the
nervous system except the brain and spinal cord. Neuropathies can be caused by infection,
toxic substances, or disease. [NIH]
Neurosis: Functional derangement due to
disorders of the nervous system which does not
affect the psychic personality of the patient. [NIH]
Neurotransmitters: Endogenous signaling molecules
that alter the behavior of neurons or
effector cells. Neurotransmitter is used here in its most general sense,
including not only
messengers that act directly to regulate ion channels, but also those
that act through second
messenger systems, and those that act at a distance from their site of
release. Included are
neuromodulators, neuroregulators, neuromediators, and neurohumors,
whether or not
acting at synapses. [NIH]
Nonverbal Communication: Transmission of
emotions, ideas, and attitudes between
individuals in ways other than the spoken language. [NIH]
Norepinephrine: Precursor of epinephrine that
is secreted by the adrenal medulla and is a
widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the
principal
transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers and of the diffuse
projection system in
the brain arising from the locus ceruleus. It is also found in plants
and is used
pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. [NIH]
Opiate: A remedy containing or derived from opium;
also any drug that induces sleep. [EU]
Open-label: A term used to describe the situation when both the researcher and the participant in a research study know the treatment the participant is receiving. Open-label is the opposite of double-blind when neither the researcher nor the participant knows what treatment the participant is receiving (www.medterms.com ).
Orofacial: Of or relating to the mouth
and face. [EU]
Palliative: 1. Affording relief, but not
cure. 2. An alleviating medicine. [EU]
Palsy: Disease of the peripheral nervous system
occurring usually after many years of
increased lead absorption. [NIH]
Pancreas: A mixed exocrine and endocrine
gland situated transversely across the posterior
abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions. The
endocrine portion is
comprised of the Islets of Langerhans, while the exocrine portion is a
compound acinar
gland that secretes digestive enzymes. [NIH]
Paralysis: Loss of ability to move all or
part of the body. [NIH]
Paranasal Sinuses: Air-filled extensions of the
respiratory part of the nasal cavity into the
frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary cranial bones. They vary in
size and form in
different individuals and are lined by the ciliated mucous membranes of
the nasal cavity.
[NIH]
Paranoia: A psychotic disorder marked by
persistent delusions of persecution or delusional
jealousy and behaviour like that of the paranoid personality, such as
suspiciousness,
mistrust, and combativeness. It differs from paranoid schizophrenia, in
which hallucinations
or formal thought disorder are present, in that the delusions are
logically consistent and that
there are no other psychotic features. The designation in DSM III-R is
delusional (paranoid)
disorders, with five types : persecutory, jealous, erotomanic, somatic,
and grandiose. [EU]
Paroxysmal: Recurring in paroxysms (=
spasms or seizures). [EU]
Patient Education: The teaching or training of
patients concerning their own health needs.
[NIH]
Peptide: Any compound consisting of two or more
amino acids, the building blocks of
proteins. Peptides are combined to make proteins. [NIH]
Perception: The ability quickly and
accurately to recognize similarities and differences
among presented objects, whether these be pairs of words, pairs of
number series, or
multiple sets of these or other symbols such as geometric figures. [NIH]
Periapical Granuloma: Chronic nonsuppurative
inflammation of periapical tissue resulting
from irritation following pulp disease or endodontic treatment. [NIH]
Periapical Periodontitis: Inflammation of the
periapical tissue. It includes general,
unspecified, or acute nonsuppurative inflammation. Chronic
nonsuppurative inflammation
is periapical granuloma. Suppurative inflammation is periapical abscess.
[NIH]
Periapical Tissue: Tissue surrounding the apex of
a tooth, including the apical portion of the
periodontal membrane and alveolar bone. [NIH]
Pericardium: The fibroserous sac
surrounding the heart and the roots of the great vessels.
[NIH]
Pericoronitis: Inflammation of the gingiva
surrounding the crown of a tooth. [NIH]
Periodontal Abscess: Localized circumscribed
purulent area of inflammation in the
periodontal tissue. It is a derivative of marginal periodontitis and
commonly associated with
suprabony and infrabony pockets and interradicular involvements, in
contrast to periapical
abscess which is attributable to pulp necrosis. [NIH]
Periodontitis: Inflammation of the
periodontal membrane; also called periodontitis simplex.
[NIH]
Peripheral Nervous System: The nervous system
outside of the brain and spinal cord. The
peripheral nervous system has autonomic and somatic divisions. The
autonomic nervous
system includes the enteric, parasympathetic, and sympathetic
subdivisions. The somatic
nervous system includes the cranial and spinal nerves and their ganglia
and the peripheral
sensory receptors. [NIH]
Pharmacologic: Pertaining to pharmacology or
to the properties and reactions of drugs. [EU]
Photophobia: Abnormal sensitivity to light.
This may occur as a manifestation of eye
diseases; migraine; subarachnoid hemorrhage; meningitis; and other
disorders. Photophobia
may also occur in association with depression and other mental
disorders. [NIH]
Physical Examination: Systematic and thorough
inspection of the patient for physical signs
of disease or abnormality. [NIH]
Physical Therapy: The restoration of function
and the prevention of disability following
disease or injury with the use of light, heat, cold, water, electricity,
ultrasound, and exercise.
[NIH]
Pilot study: The initial study examining a
new method or treatment. [NIH]
Plants: Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of
the kingdom Plantae. They are characterized
by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited
growth at localized
regions of cell divisions (meristems); cellulose within cells providing
rigidity; the absence of
organs of locomotion; absense of nervous and sensory systems; and an
alteration of haploid
and diploid generations. [NIH]
Plasma: The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the
blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins
that form blood clots are in plasma. [NIH]
Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs. [NIH]
Posterior: Situated in back of, or in the
back part of, or affecting the back or dorsal surface of
the body. In lower animals, it refers to the caudal end of the body. [EU]
Postural: Pertaining to posture or
position. [EU]
Potentiating: A degree of synergism which
causes the exposure of the organism to a
harmful substance to worsen a disease already contracted. [NIH]
Practice Guidelines: Directions or principles
presenting current or future rules of policy for
the health care practitioner to assist him in patient care decisions
regarding diagnosis,
therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be
developed by government
agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing
boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for
the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. [NIH]
Prevalence: The total number of cases of a
given disease in a specified population at a
designated time. It is differentiated from incidence, which refers to
the number of new cases
in the population at a given time. [NIH]
Progressive: Advancing; going forward;
going from bad to worse; increasing in scope or
severity. [EU]
Prospective study: An epidemiologic study in
which a group of individuals (a cohort), all
free of a particular disease and varying in their exposure to a possible
risk factor, is followed
over a specific amount of time to determine the incidence rates of the
disease in the exposed
and unexposed groups. [NIH]
Prostate: A gland in males that
surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra. It secretes
a substance that liquifies coagulated semen. It is situated in the
pelvic cavity behind the
lower part of the pubic symphysis, above the deep layer of the
triangular ligament, and rests
upon the rectum. [NIH]
Protein S: The vitamin K-dependent
cofactor of activated protein C. Together with protein
C, it inhibits the action of factors VIIIa and Va. A deficiency in
protein S can lead to
recurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. [NIH]
Proteins: Polymers of amino acids linked
by peptide bonds. The specific sequence of amino
acids determines the shape and function of the protein. [NIH]
Pruritic: Pertaining to or characterized
by pruritus. [EU]
Psychiatric: Pertaining to or within the
purview of psychiatry. [EU]
Psychiatry: The medical science that deals
with the origin, diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of mental disorders. [NIH]
Psychic: Pertaining to the psyche or to the mind;
mental. [EU]
Psychogenic: Produced or caused by psychic
or mental factors rather than organic factors.
[EU]
Psychology: The science dealing with the
study of mental processes and behavior in man
and animals. [NIH]
Psychotherapy: A generic term for the
treatment of mental illness or emotional disturbances
primarily by verbal or nonverbal communication. [NIH]
Psychotropic: Exerting an effect upon the
mind; capable of modifying mental activity;
usually applied to drugs that effect the mental state. [EU]
Public Policy: A course or method of action
selected, usually by a government, from among
alternatives to guide and determine present and future decisions. [NIH]
Purulent: Consisting of or containing
pus; associated with the formation of or caused by
pus. [EU]
Radiation: Emission or propagation of
electromagnetic energy (waves/rays), or the
waves/rays themselves; a stream of electromagnetic particles (electrons,
neutrons, protons,
alpha particles) or a mixture of these. The most common source is the
sun. [NIH]
Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy
radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer
cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body
(external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material
placed in the body in the area near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy,
implant radiation, or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a
radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that
circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy. [NIH]
Randomized: Describes an experiment or
clinical trial in which animal or human subjects are assigned by chance to
separate groups that compare different treatments. [NIH]
Randomized clinical trial: A study in which the
participants are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare different
treatments; neither the researchers nor the participants can choose which
group. Using chance to assign people to groups means that the groups will be
similar and that the treatments they receive can be compared objectively. At
the time of the trial, it is not known which treatment is best. It is the
patient's choice to be in a randomized trial. [NIH]
Reassurance: A procedure in psychotherapy
that seeks to give the client confidence in a favorable outcome. It makes use
of suggestion, of the prestige of the therapist. [NIH]
Receptor: A molecule inside or on the
surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific
physiologic effect in the cell. [NIH]
Receptors, Serotonin: Cell-surface proteins that
bind serotonin and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior
of cells. Several types of serotonin receptors have been recognized which
differ in their pharmacology, molecular biology, and mode of action. [NIH]
Rectal: By or having to do with the rectum. The
rectum is the last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine and ends at the anus. [NIH]
Rectum: The last 8 to 10 inches of the large
intestine. [NIH]
Refer: To send or direct for treatment, aid,
information, de decision. [NIH]
Reflex: An involuntary movement or exercise of
function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery
and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord. [NIH]
Regimen: A treatment plan that specifies the
dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment. [NIH]
Relaxant: 1. Lessening or reducing
tension. 2. An agent that lessens tension. [EU]
Rheumatoid: Resembling rheumatism. [EU]
Rheumatoid arthritis: A form of arthritis, the cause
of which is unknown, although
infection, hypersensitivity, hormone imbalance and psychologic stress
have been suggested
as possible causes. [NIH]
Risk factor: A habit, trait, condition, or
genetic alteration that increases a person's chance of
developing a disease. [NIH]
Saliva: The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the
salivary glands and mucous glands of the
mouth. It contains mucins, water, organic salts, and ptylin. [NIH]
Salivation: 1. The secretion of saliva. 2.
Ptyalism (= excessive flow of saliva). [EU]
Schizophrenia: A mental disorder
characterized by a special type of disintegration of the
personality. [NIH]
Sclerosis: A pathological process
consisting of hardening or fibrosis of an anatomical
structure, often a vessel or a nerve. [NIH]
Screening: Checking for disease when
there are no symptoms. [NIH]
Secretion: 1. The process of elaborating
a specific product as a result of the activity of a
gland; this activity may range from separating a specific substance of
the blood to the
elaboration of a new chemical substance. 2. Any substance produced by
secretion. [EU]
Sedative: 1. Allaying activity and
excitement. 2. An agent that allays excitement. [EU]
Self Care: Performance of activities or
tasks traditionally performed by professional health
care providers. The concept includes care of oneself or one's family and
friends. [NIH]
Sensory loss: A disease of the nerves
whereby the myelin or insulating sheath of myelin on
the nerves does not stay intact and the messages from the brain to the
muscles through the
nerves are not carried properly. [NIH]
Serotonin: A biochemical messenger and
regulator, synthesized from the essential amino
acid L-tryptophan. In humans it is found primarily in the central
nervous system,
gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several
important
physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal
motility, hemostasis,
and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (receptors,
serotonin) explain the
broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical
mediator. [NIH]
Side effect: A consequence other than the
one(s) for which an agent or measure is used, as
the adverse effects produced by a drug, especially on a tissue or organ
system other than the
one sought to be benefited by its administration. [EU]
Sinusitis: An inflammatory process of the
mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses that
occurs in three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic. Sinusitis results
from any condition
causing ostial obstruction or from pathophysiologic changes in the
mucociliary transport
mechanism. [NIH]
Skull: The skeleton of the head including the
bones of the face and the bones enclosing the
brain. [NIH]
Smooth muscle: Muscle that performs automatic
tasks, such as constricting blood vessels.
[NIH]
Sodium: An element that is a member of the alkali
group of metals. It has the atomic symbol
Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23. With a valence of 1, it has
a strong affinity for
oxygen and other nonmetallic elements. Sodium provides the chief cation
of the
extracellular body fluids. Its salts are the most widely used in
medicine. (From Dorland,
27th ed) Physiologically the sodium ion plays a major role in blood
pressure regulation,
maintenance of fluid volume, and electrolyte balance. [NIH]
Soft tissue: Refers to muscle, fat, fibrous
tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of
the body. [NIH]
Soma: The body as distinct from the mind; all
the body tissue except the germ cells; all the
axial body. [NIH]
Somatic: 1. Pertaining to or characteristic of the
soma or body. 2. Pertaining to the body wall
in contrast to the viscera. [EU]
Spastic: 1. Of the nature of or characterized by
spasms. 2. Hypertonic, so that the muscles
are stiff and the movements awkward. 3. A person exhibiting spasticity,
such as occurs in
spastic paralysis or in cerebral palsy. [EU]
Specialist: In medicine, one who
concentrates on 1 special branch of medical science. [NIH]
Spinal cord: The main trunk or bundle of
nerves running down the spine through holes in
the spinal bone (the vertebrae) from the brain to the level of the lower
back. [NIH]
Stimulant: 1. Producing stimulation;
especially producing stimulation by causing tension on
muscle fibre through the nervous tissue. 2. An agent or remedy that
produces stimulation.
[EU]
Stimulus: That which can elicit or evoke
action (response) in a muscle, nerve, gland or other
excitable issue, or cause an augmenting action upon any function or
metabolic process. [NIH]
Stool: The waste matter discharged in a bowel
movement; feces. [NIH]
Stress: Forcibly exerted influence; pressure. Any
condition or situation that causes strain or
tension. Stress may be either physical or psychologic, or both. [NIH]
Subacute: Somewhat acute; between acute
and chronic. [EU]
Subarachnoid: Situated or occurring between
the arachnoid and the pia mater. [EU]
Suppression: A conscious exclusion of
disapproved desire contrary with repression, in
which the process of exclusion is not conscious. [NIH]
Symptomatic: Having to do with symptoms,
which are signs of a condition or disease. [NIH]
Systemic: Affecting the entire body. [NIH]
Systemic lupus erythematosus: SLE. A
chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease
marked by skin rashes, joint pain and swelling, inflammation of the
kidneys, inflammation
of the fibrous tissue surrounding the heart (i.e., the pericardium), as
well as other problems.
Not all affected individuals display all of these problems. May be
referred to as lupus. [NIH]
Temporal: One of the two irregular bones
forming part of the lateral surfaces and base of the
skull, and containing the organs of hearing. [NIH]
Temporal Muscle: A masticatory muscle whose
action is closing the jaws; its posterior
portion retracts the mandible. [NIH]
Tetanus: A disease caused by tetanospasmin, a
powerful protein toxin produced by
Clostridium tetani. Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury, such
as a puncture wound
or laceration. Generalized tetanus, the most common form, is
characterized by tetanic
muscular contractions and hyperreflexia. Localized tetanus presents
itself as a mild
condition with manifestations restricted to muscles near the wound. It
may progress to the
generalized form. [NIH]
Therapeutics: The branch of medicine which
is concerned with the treatment of diseases,
palliative or curative. [NIH]
Thoracic: Having to do with the chest. [NIH]
Tissue: A group or layer of cells that are alike
in type and work together to perform a
specific function. [NIH]
Toothache: Pain in the adjacent areas of
the teeth. [NIH]
Toxic: Having to do with poison or something
harmful to the body. Toxic substances
usually cause unwanted side effects. [NIH]
Toxicity: The quality of being
poisonous, especially the degree of virulence of a toxic
microbe or of a poison. [EU]
Toxicology: The science concerned with the
detection, chemical composition, and
pharmacologic action of toxic substances or poisons and the treatment
and prevention of
toxic manifestations. [NIH]
Toxin: A poison; frequently used to refer
specifically to a protein produced by some higher
plants, certain animals, and pathogenic bacteria, which is highly toxic
for other living
organisms. Such substances are differentiated from the simple chemical
poisons and the
vegetable alkaloids by their high molecular weight and antigenicity. [EU]
Transfection: The uptake of naked or
purified DNA into cells, usually eukaryotic. It is
analogous to bacterial transformation. [NIH]
Trauma: Any injury, wound, or shock, must
frequently physical or structural shock,
producing a disturbance. [NIH]
Tricyclic: Containing three fused rings
or closed chains in the molecular structure. [EU]
Trigeminal: Cranial nerve V. It is sensory
for the eyeball, the conjunctiva, the eyebrow, the
skin of face and scalp, the teeth, the mucous membranes in the mouth and
nose, and is
motor to the muscles of mastication. [NIH]
Trismus: Spasmodic contraction of the masseter
muscle resulting in forceful jaw closure.
This may be seen with a variety of diseases, including tetanus, as a
complication of radiation
therapy, trauma, or in association with neoplastic conditions. [NIH]
Tryptophan: An essential amino acid that
is necessary for normal growth in infants and for
nitrogen balance in adults. It is a precursor serotonin and niacin. [NIH]
Tumor marker: A substance sometimes found in
an increased amount in the blood, other
body fluids, or tissues and which may mean that a certain type of cancer
is in the body.
Examples of tumor markers include CA 125 (ovarian cancer), CA 15-3
(breast cancer), CEA
(ovarian, lung, breast, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract cancers),
and PSA (prostate
cancer). Also called biomarker. [NIH]
Urinary: Having to do with urine or the organs of
the body that produce and get rid of
urine. [NIH]
Urine: Fluid containing water and waste products.
Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in
the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra. [NIH]
Uterus: The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a
woman's pelvis. This is the organ in
which a fetus develops. Also called the womb. [NIH]
Vaccine: A substance or group of substances meant
to cause the immune system to respond
to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. [NIH]
Vascular: Pertaining to blood vessels or
indicative of a copious blood supply. [EU]
Vasculitis: Inflammation of a blood
vessel. [NIH]
Vasodilator: An agent that widens blood
vessels. [NIH]
Ventricles: Fluid-filled cavities in the
heart or brain. [NIH]
Veterinary Medicine: The medical science concerned
with the prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases in animals. [NIH]
Source : Tension Headache - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated
Research Guide to Internet References, JAMES N. PARKER, M.D. & PHILIP M. PARKER, PH.D., ICON Health
Publications, http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook/193608-ebook.htm (~ 49 $ US).