Copy of `Nature Direct 2U - Medical Terms`

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Nature Direct 2U - Medical Terms Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Terms Date & country: 08/01/2008, UK Words: 241

Abortifacient
Induces the premature expulsion (abortion) of a foetus. Same meaning as Ecbolic, e.g. pennyroyal.

Adaptogenic
Helping the human organism adapt to stressful conditions.

Aerophagy
An excess of air in the alimentary canal that is relieved through burping or flatulence.

Ague
An intermittent fever, sometimes with chills, as in malaria.

Alkaloid
A large, varied group of complex nitrogen-containing compounds, usually alkaline, that react with acids to form soluble salts, many of which have physiological effects on humans. Includes nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, etc.

Alterative
A medicinal substance that gradually restores health and the nutritional state of the body.

Amenorrhea
Absence or suppression of menstruation.

Anaesthetic
Numbs the nerves and causes loss of sensation.

Analgesic
A medicine which relieves or reduces pain.

Anaphrodisiac
Reduces sexual desire.

Anhydrotic
Stops sweating.

Anodyne
A pain-relieving medicine, milder than analgesic.

Antacid
Neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach. Do the self-test to see if excessive acid is the cause of indigestion.

Anthelmintic
An agent that kills, destroys and expels worms from the intestines. Same as vermifuge.

Anti-aphrodisiac
Suppressing sexual desire.

Anti-convulsant
Reducing or relieving convulsions or cramps.

Anti-emetic
Prevents, counteracts or alleviates nausea and vomiting.

Anti-epileptic
An agent that combats the convulsions or seizures of epilepsy.

Anti-inflammatory
Reducing or neutralizing inflammation.

Anti-lithic
Aids in preventing the formation of stones or calculus in the kidneys and bladder.

Anti-oxidant
Preventing oxidation; a preservative.

Anti-periodic
Prevents the periodic recurrence of attacks of a disease; as in malaria.

Anti-rheumatic
An agent that relieves or cures rheumatism.

Anti-syphilitic
Herbs that improve or cure syphilis. Also called antileutic.

Antibacterial
Destroys or stops the growth of bacteria.

Antibilious
An herb that combats biliousness. The term biliousness refers to a group of symptoms consisting of nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, constipation, and gas that is caused by an excessive secretion of bile.

Antibiotic
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of, or kills, a living organism; usually used in reference to bacteria or other microorganisms.

Antidepressant
Reduces or prevents depression.

Antidiarrhoeic
Relieves diarrhea.

Antidote
Counteracts a poison.

Antifungal
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of fungi, or kills them outright.

Antigalactagogue
Prevents or decreases the production of milk secretion of nursing mothers.

Antihistaminic
Neutralizing the effect or inhibiting production of histamine.

Antimicrobial
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of microorganisms, or kills them.

Antineuralgic
Stops nerve pain.

Antiparasitical
Destructive to parasites.

Antiphlogistic
An agent that counteracts, reduces or prevents inflammation.

Antipruritic
Relieves or prevents itching.

Antiputrid
Stops putrefaction.

Antipyretic
Reduces fever. Same as febrifuge or refrigerant.

Antisclerotic
Removes deposits from circulatory vessels.

Antiscorbutic
An agent effective in preventing scurvy.

Antiseptic
Preventing sepsis, decay, putrefaction; also, an agent that inhibits the growth of, and kills, germs, bacteria & microbes.

Antispasmodic
Relieves or prevents spasms, cramps, and convulsions.

Antisudorific
Reduces perspiration.

Antitoxic
Counteracts poisons.

Antitumor
Preventing or effective against tumors or cancers.

Antitussive
Preventing or relieving cough.

Antivenomous
Acts against poisonous matter from animals and snakes.

Antiviral
An agent that inhibits growth or multiplication of viruses, or kills them.

Antizymotic
Herbs that can destroy disease-producing organisms.

Aperient
A gentle purgative of the bowels.

Aperitif
Appetite stimulant.

Aphasia
Inability to express oneself properly through speech or loss of verbal comprehension; sensory and motor areas may be involved.

Aphrodisiac
Increasing or exciting sexual desire.

Apoplexy
The result of a stroke (cerbrovascular accident (CVA)).

Aromatic
Agents which emit a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste. Used chiefly to make other medicines more palatable.

Ascaris
Roundworm (also called maw-worm and eelworm) found in the small intestine causing colicky pains and diarrhea, especially in children.

Ascites
Excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity.

Asthenia
Lack or loss of strength, usually involving muscular system.

Astringent
An agent that causes tissue to contract.

Bactericidal
An agent that kills bacteria.

Balsam
The resin of a tree that is healing and soothing, e.g. myrrh.

Balsamic
Softens phlegm.

Bitter tonic
Bitter-tasting properties which stimulate the flow of saliva and gastric juice. Used to increase the appetite and aid in the process of digestion.

Bolus
A suppository injected into the rectum or vagina.

Bronchodilator
Expands the spastic bronchial tube.

Calmative
An agent with mild sedative, tranquilising or calming effects.

Cardiac
Stimulates or affects the heart.

Cardioactive
Affecting the heart.

Cardiotonic
Tones the heart muscle.

Carminative
An agent that relieves and removes gas from the digestive system.

Cataplasm
Another name for poultice.

Catarrh
An inflammation of the mucous membranes with a free discharge. This has special reference to the air passages of the head and throat, e.g. hayfever, rhinitis, influenza, bronchitis, pharyngitis, asthma.

Cathartic
A powerful purgative or laxative, causing severe evacuation, with or without pain.

Cephalic
Referring to diseases affecting the head and upper part of the body.

Cholagogue
An agent that increases bile flow to the intestines.

Choleretic
Stimulates the production of bile.

Chorea
Nervous disorder marked by muscular twitching of arms, legs and face.

Cicatrisant
Helps the formation of scar tissue; healing.

CNS
Central nervous system.

Coagulant
Clots the blood.

Condiment
Enhances the flavour of food.

Cordial
A stimulating medicine or drink.

Counterirritant
An agent that produces inflammation or irritation when applied locally to affect another, usually irritated surface to stimulate circulation, e.g. a mustard plaster or liniment.

Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

Cytophylactic
Protects the cells of the organism.

Cytotoxic
An agent that is toxic to certain organs, tissues, or cells.

Decoction
A preparation made by boiling a plant part in water. Compare with Infusion.

Decongestant
Relieves congestion.

Demulcent
An agent that soothes and softens irritated tissue, particularly mucous membranes.

Demulcent febrifuge
Reduces heat while building bodily fluids.

Deobstruent
Removes obstructions by opening natural passages or pores of the body.

Depurative
Tends to purify and cleanse the blood and internal organs. Same as blood purifier.

Dermatomycoses
Skin infection caused by fungi.

Detergent
An agent that cleanses boils, sores, wounds etc.

Detersive
Detergent. Cleanses wounds and sores, and promotes the formation of scar tissue.

Detoxicant
Removes toxins.

Diaphoretic
An agent that induces sweating or perspiration.

Digestant
Contains substances (i.e. ferments, acids) which aid in digestion.