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General Health and Medical Terms 2 |
eardrum - The tympanic membrane that's visible in the ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves.
ecchymosis - A collection of blood in the tissues causing a black and blue, or yellow, area.
ECG - Electrocardiogram.
eclampsia - An attack of convulsions. Particularly used to describe toxemia (toxins in the blood) of pregnancy.
ectopic pregnancy - When the fertilized egg is implanted and develops outside of the uterus.
ectropion - An outward turning of the eyelid.
eczema - A rash characterized by itching, scaling, swelling and oozing. A common allergic reaction.
edema - Buildup of excessive fluid around the cells in the body.
EEG - Electroencephalogram.
effacement - Thinning of the cervix during labor.
effusion - Buildup of fluid in a part of the body, particularly a joint.
ejaculation - The sudden ejection of semen from the male body. Climax.
EKG - Electrocardiogram.
electroconvulsive - A type of therapy used to treat severe, unresponsive depression by passing electrical current through the brain.
electrolysis - Destruction of tissue through the use of electricity; often used to permanently remove unwanted hair from the body.
electrolytes - Compounds that separate into charged particles in water. The main electrolytes in the human body are sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, magnesium, calcium and phosphate.
elephantiasis - A chronic disease characterized by the enlargement of certain parts of the body and by the hardening and ulceration of the surrounding skin. It is often caused by an infestation of a worm called a filarial worm.
embolism - The obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot or mass of foreign material.
emesis - See vomiting.
emphysema - Chronic lung disease characterized by loss of elasticity of lung tissue and resulting in trapped air in the lung.
empyema - Buildup of pus in a cavity of the body.
encephalitis - A serious infection resulting in inflammation of the brain.
encopresis - Fecal incontinence. Inability to hold feces.
endocarditis - Inflammation or infection of the inside of the heart, often including the heart valves.
endocrine glands - Glands that are ductless and release their secretions directly into the bloodstream.
endometriosis - A condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus are found in other locations within the pelvic cavity. This condition frequently causes pelvic pain and menstrual difficulties.
enema - 1. Introduction of fluid into the rectum to bring about a bowel movement. 2. The solution introduced into the rectum to bring about a bowel movement.
ENT - The medical specialty of the ear, nose and throat.
enteritis - An inflammation of the intestines that usually causes cramps and diarrhea.
enuresis - Bedwetting.
eosinophil - A type of white blood cell that becomes more abundant in the bloodstream in certain parasitic and allergic conditions.
epidemiology - The study of the causes and control of diseases in human populations.
epidermis - The outermost layer of skin.
epididymis - The elongated structure behind each testicle where sperm are stored.
epiglottis - The flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue that closes the trachea during swallowing to keep food or liquids from entering the airway.
epilepsy - A disorder of the central nervous system that causes convulsions, or seizures.
epinephrine - Adrenaline, a hormone produced in the core of the adrenal glands that's sometimes used to treat asthma and allergic reactions.
episiotomy - An incision of the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus in women), often performed during labor to minimize trauma to the perineum during the delivery of a baby.
epistaxis - Nosebleed.
epithelium - The layer of cells covering internal and external surfaces of the body.
erysipelas - A febrile (fever-associated) skin infection caused by a group A hemolytic streptococci.
erythema - Redness of the skin.
erythema infectiosum - A viral infection most common in children that begins with a red, warm rash on the face, along with some paleness around the mouth. Also called Fifth disease.
erythema multiforme - An eruption of flat or raised spots of skin as a result of hypersensitivity to certain drugs or allergies.
erythema nodosum - The sudden appearance of tender raised nodes on the lower limbs as a result of an infection, hypersensitivity to certain drugs or other conditions.
erythrocyte - Red blood cell.
Escherichia coli - A type of common bacteria normally found in the colon. Some strains that cause diarrhea are acquired during travel.
esophagitis - Inflammation of the esophagus, often caused from a reflux of acid from the stomach.
esophagus - The tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.
estrogen - Female sex hormone.
eustachian tube - The narrow tube connecting the nose and middle ear to allow air pressure in the middle ear to equalize with the outside environment.
exacerbate - Cause something to increase in severity. To make more intense, irritate.
exanthem - Skin rash.
excise - To remove by cutting.
exocrine glands - Glands that secrete chemicals externally, either through a tube or duct.
expectorant - A substance that loosens mucus so it's more easily cleared from the respiratory passages.
faint - Temporary loss of consciousness because of an insufficient blood supply to the brain.
fallopian tube - The tubal passageway connecting the ovary to the uterus.
familial cholesterolemia - An inherited disorder causing abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
fascia - Fibrous sheets of tissue connecting or covering the muscles.
fat - A major energy source for animals and humans. Fat contains nine calories per gram.
fatigue - Physical or mental exhaustion. Weariness.
febrile - Caused by fever. Feverish.
feces - Body waste expelled from the rectum. Also called bowel movement or stool.
femoral - Having to do with the femur.
femur - The thigh bone.
fertility - The ability to have children.
fertilization - The process of joining the male's sperm and the female's ovum (egg).
fetal - Having to do with the fetus.
fetus - The unborn baby from the end of the eighth week after fertilization of the egg to birth.
fever - Abnormally high body temperature.
fiber - 1. A slender, thread-like structure of organ tissue. 2. In the diet, strands of complex carbohydrates (cellulose) that aren't digestible.
fibrillation - A rapid, uncoordinated series of contractions of some part of the heart muscle causing irregular heartbeats. Atrial fibrillation is the rapid, ineffective beating of the upper part of the heart. Ventricular fibrillation is the lethal rapid, ineffective beating of the lower part of the heart.
fibrin - A serum protein that's essential for the clotting process.
fibroid - A noncancerous tumor of the uterus composed of muscle fibers. Also called uterine myoma.
fibromyalgia - A painful condition with multiple sensitive areas, called "tender points," affecting fibrous tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
fibrositis - Inflammation of fibrous tissues.
fibula - The long, thin, outer bone of the lower leg.
fissure - A narrow slit.
fistula - An abnormal passage from an abscess, cavity or hollow organ to the skin or another abscess.
flaccid - Soft and flabby. Often used to describe complete paralysis (loss of movement) without muscle spasm.
flatfoot - A condition in which the normal arch of the foot is absent.
flatulence - Excessive production of gas in the intestines or stomach.
fluorescein - A compound used as a diagnostic aid to show injuries of the cornea or retina of the eye.
folic acid - Folacin. One of the B-group vitamins essential for forming red blood cells.
folliculitis - Inflammation of the hair follicles.
fontanelle - A soft spot in the skull of an infant formed by the normal separation between the bony plates of the skull.
foreskin - A loose fold of skin covering the tip of the penis.
fracture - Broken, especially a broken bone.
fraternal twins - Twins formed from two separate eggs that were fertilized at the same time. They may be the same or different genders and they have different genetic makeups. Also called dizygotic twins.
frenulum - A fold of skin or mucous membrane that limits the movement of a body part. For example, the frenulum linguae is the midline fold under the tongue that attaches it to the floor of the mouth.
frigidity - An inability to be sexually aroused.
frostbite - Damage to tissue as a result of exposure to freezing temperatures.
fructose - Fruit sugar.
fungus - A group of organisms that includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
galactorrhea - Excessive production of breast milk.
galactosemia - A disease present at birth caused by a genetic lack of an enzyme needed to metabolize galactose into glucose. May result in mental retardation, cataracts and liver damage.
gall - The bile produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
gallbladder - The storage sac for bile, located below the liver.
gallstone - A stone-like mass that forms in the gallbladder.
gamma globulin - Blood protein that contains most antibodies. Used in the temporary prevention of hepatitis and as treatment for disorders with antibody deficiencies.
ganglion cyst - A benign, knot-like, cystic tumor on a tendon sheath.
gangrene - The decay of body tissue in a part of the body where the blood supply is obstructed by injury or disease.
gastric - Having to do with the stomach.
gastritis - Inflammation of the stomach lining.
gastroenteritis - Inflammation of the stomach and the intestines, usually producing symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
gastrointestinal - Having to do with the stomach and intestines.
gene - A unit of heredity located on a chromosome.
generic - 1. General; typical; not specific. 2. Medicine that's not a name brand.
genetic - Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
genital - Having to do with reproduction.
genitalia - The reproductive organs.
genitourinary system - The genitals and urinary organs.
geriatrics - The branch of medicine devoted to the elderly.
germ - A disease-causing microorganism.
German measles - See rubella.
gestation - The period of development within the uterus from conception to birth.
giantism - Abnormal growth of the body due to an excessive amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
giardiasis - A diarrheal illness caused by infection with Giardia lamblia, a parasitic protozoan.
gingiva - The gums.
gingivitis - Inflammation of the gums.
gland - An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
glaucoma - An eye disease, characterized by increased pressure within the eye, that can result in blindness if not treated.
glomerulonephritis - When the filtering units in the kidneys, called the glomeruli, are damaged, the kidneys don't function properly and waste and extra fluids build up in the body.
glossitis - Inflammation of the tongue.
glucose - Dextrose. A simple six-carbon sugar naturally found in fruits, honey and blood.
goiter - Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
gonad - A sex gland (ovary or testis).
gonorrhea - A highly contagious, sexually transmitted bacterial disease of the genital/urinary system.
gout - A form of arthritis caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints, usually the feet, hands and, especially, the big toe.
graft - A piece of skin or other tissue used as a transplant.
Gram's stain - A stain used as the first step in identifying bacteria.
grand mal - A major epileptic seizure characterized by convulsions, unconsciousness and sometimes loss of urinary or bowel continence. Usually followed by a brief period of lethargy and disorientation.
Graves' disease - Overactive thyroid gland function (hyperthyroidism). Sometimes associated with protrusion of the eyes.
groin - The region of the body where the thigh and lower abdomen meet.
Guillain-Barre syndrome - A rare but reversible reaction to a viral illness or immunization that causes partial to complete loss of movement of certain muscles, weakness, numbness and tingling. In the severe form, a person may need intensive care and breathing support.
gynecology - The branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of reproductive diseases in women.
gynecomastia - Overdevelopment of male breast tissue. Usually benign and temporary.
halitosis - Bad breath.
hallucination - The sensory perception of sights, sounds or objects that don't really exist.
hammer - The malleus, a hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear.
hamstring - The tendon located in the back of the knee and lower thigh.
hand-foot-and-mouth disease - A viral infection characterized by a blister-like rash of the hands, feet and mouth.
hangnail - A loose piece of skin at one side of a fingernail.
Hansen's disease - Leprosy.
harelip - Cleft lip or palate.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis - A degenerative autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland that ultimately results in a marked reduction in the amount of thyroid hormone produced.
hay fever - Allergic sensitivity to certain mold spores and pollens. Allergic reaction includes sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat and runny nose.
heart - The hollow, muscular organ responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system.
heart block - A condition in which electrical impulses aren't properly transmitted from the heart's upper to the lower chambers.
heart failure - Inability of the heart to adequately pump blood.
heartburn - Indigestion. A burning sensation in the chest caused by a reflux of acid into the esophagus or too much acid in the stomach.
heat exhaustion - Headache, profuse sweating, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting caused by excessive exposure to heat.
heat stroke - A serious failure of the body's heat-regulating mechanism resulting from excessive exposure to intense heat. Also called sunstroke.
hemangioma - A tumor or swelling that's composed of blood vessels.
hematemesis - The vomiting of blood.
hematology - The branch of medicine that pertains to blood and the organs involved in forming blood.
hematoma - A tumor-like mass of coagulated blood in the soft tissues. A contusion or bruise.
hematuria - The presence of blood in the urine.
hemiplegia - Paralysis (loss of feeling or movement) of one side of the body.
hemochromatosis - A disorder of iron metabolism characterized by excessive amounts of iron in the skin, liver and other tissues.
hemoglobin - The oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells.
hemolysis - The destruction of red blood cells.
hemophilia - An inherited disorder, nearly always in males, in which one of the normal blood-clotting factors is deficient.
hemoptysis - A cough that produces blood.
hemorrhage - Severe bleeding, usually from damage to a blood vessel.
hemorrhoid - An enlarged vein inside or just outside the rectum.
hemostasis - Control of bleeding.
hepatic - Having to do with the liver.
hepatitis - Inflammation or infection of the liver.
heredity - Transmission of genetic traits from parents to children.
hermaphrodite - A person with both male and female sex organs.
hernia - An abnormal protrusion of part of an organ through an abnormal opening.
herpes - A recurring viral skin infection characterized by clusters of small blisters. Typically, sores are located near the mouth (fever blisters or cold sores) or in the genital region (genital herpes).
heterosexual - Having to do with the opposite sex.
hexachlorophene - A detergent that kills germs.
hiccup - A sudden, involuntary spasm of the diaphragm. The sound of hiccups is caused by the sudden intake of air.
hidradenitis - Inflammation of the sweat glands.
hip - The part of the body surrounding the joint between the femur and pelvic bones.
hirsutism - Excessive hair growth, usually on the face and chest. Often caused by an imbalance in hormones.
histamine - A substance released from certain cells in response to allergens, associated with the development of allergic symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing and congestion.
histoplasmosis - A fungal disease caused by inhaling the spores of Histoplasma capsulatum.
HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus. A virus that slowly destroys the immune system. The virus that causes AIDS.
hives - A skin reaction characterized by swelling, itching and burning.
Hodgkin's disease - A progressive form of lymphoma usually characterized by weakness, swollen lymph nodes, sweating, fever and weight loss.
homeopathy - Medical treatment based on the theory that certain diseases can be cured by giving very small doses of substances that, in a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those of the disease.
homogenize - To make more uniform in quality or consistency.
homosexual - Having to do with the same sex.
hordeolum - Inflammation of a gland on the eyelid. Also called a stye.
hormone - A substance formed in an organ of the body and carried by body fluids to another organ or tissue, where it has a specific effect.
host - An organism that harbors and provides sustenance for another organism.
housemaid's knee - Swelling just below the kneecap, caused by the buildup of fluid in response to the constant pressure of kneeling.
humerus - The bone in the upper arm.
humidifier - A device for adding moisture to the air.
Huntington's chorea - A hereditary form of chorea (sudden, jerky motions of the arms or other parts of the body) that usually affects people during their early 40s.
hydatid - A cyst containing watery fluid and the larvae of certain tapeworms.
hydatid disease - Infection with the larvae (cysts) of certain tapeworms.
hydatidiform mole - A cystic tumor of the placental tissues of an abnormal pregnancy. Complications of this disorder include bleeding and infection.
hydrocele - A painless swelling of the scrotum caused by the buildup of fluid in the outer covering of the testes.
hydrocephalus - An enlargement of the head caused by the buildup of fluid within the ventricles of the brain. Also called "water on the brain."
hygiene - The science of health and its maintenance.
hymen - The membrane partly or completely closing the opening to the vagina.
hyperbaric - Characterized by greater-than-normal pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen is a therapeutic treatment designed to increase blood oxygen by delivering oxygen in a chamber room with greater-than-normal pressure.
hyperemesis gravidarum - Excessive morning sickness.
hyperglycemic - High blood sugar.
hyperparathyroidism - A condition caused by the overexcretion of parathyroid hormone resulting in changes in the bone and an elevated level of calcium in the blood.
hypertension - Abnormally high blood pressure.
hyperthyroidism - Overproduction of thyroid hormone.
hyperventilation - Rapid or deep breathing producing faintness, numbness, chest pain, apprehension and tingling, and spasms of the extremities.
hypnosis - A sleep-like state induced by the suggestions of a hypnotist.
hypnotic - 1. Having to do with hypnosis. 2. Causing sleep.
hypochondriac - Abnormal anxiety about one's health, often to the point of believing one is suffering from a serious disease.
hypodermic - Beneath the skin.
hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar.
hypoparathyroidism - Parathyroid hormone insufficiency due to lack of secretion of the parathyroid gland.
hypopituitarism - Deficient activity of the pituitary gland causing slowed growth in children, fatigue and decreased appetite in adults, and cessation of menstrual periods in women.
hyposensitization - To treat with frequent, small injections of an antigen to decrease the symptoms of an allergy to that antigen. Also called desensitization.
hypospadias - An abnormal opening of the urethra on the underside of the penis or into the vagina.
hypothalamus - The portion of the brain responsible for temperature regulation and control of the pituitary gland.
hypothermia - Low body temperature.
hypothyroidism - A condition of low thyroid hormone production resulting in weight gain, hair loss, sluggishness and thickening of the skin.
hypoxia - An abnormal condition resulting from decreased availability of oxygen in the body tissues.
hysterectomy - Surgical removal of all or part of the uterus.
hysteria - 1. Wild, uncontrolled excitement or other feelings. 2. A disorder in which anxiety is converted into physical symptoms that have no physical basis.
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