Copy of `MediChecks - Medical glossary`

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MediChecks - Medical glossary Category: Health and Medicine Date & country: 06/01/2008, UK Words: 1901

Influenza
a viral infection characterised by headaches, muscle aches, fever, weakness, and cough; commonly called the 'flu'

Inflammatory joint disease
any type of arthritis that causes a joint to become inflamed

Inflammatory bowel disease
the general term for two inflammatory disorders affecting the intestines; also known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Inflammation
redness, pain, and swelling in an injured or infected tissue produced as a result of the body's healing response

Infertility
the inability to have children as a result of sexual intercourse

Infection
disease-causing micro-organisms that enter the body, multiply, and damage cells or release toxins

Infective arthritis
arthritis caused by bacteria from a wound or the bloodstream entering a joint

Induction of labour
the use of artificial means to start the process of childbirth

Infarction
tissue death due to lack of blood supply

Indigestion
uncomfortable symptoms brought on by overeating or eating spicy, rich, or fatty foods; characterised by heartburn, pain in the abdomen, nausea, and gas, and can be more serious if recurrent

Incubation period
the time period between when an infectious organism enters the body and when symptoms occur

Incontinence
inability to hold urine or faeces inside of the body

Incompetent cervix
an abnormally weak cervix, which widens prematurely during pregnancy as a result of the weight of a developing foetus; may result in a miscarriage

In vivo
in the living body; a biological process that occurs inside of the body

In vitro fertilisation
a treatment for infertility in which an egg and a sperm are joined outside the woman's body, and the fertilised egg is then inserted into the uterus or fallopian tube

In vitro
in glass; a biological test or process that is carried out in a laboratory

Impotence
the inability to acquire or maintain an erection of the penis

In situ
in place; often describes a cancer that has not spread

Impetigo
a highly contagious skin infection caused by bacteria, usually occurring around the nose and mouth; commonly occurring in children

Implant
an organ, tissue, or device surgically inserted and left in the body

Imperforate anus
a birth defect in which the opening of the anus is not formed normally

Impacted fracture
a bone break in which the two broken ends have been forced into each other

Immunostimulant
a drug that increases the ability of the body's immune system to fight disease

Immunosuppressant
a drug that inhibits the activity of the immune system; used to prevent rejection of a transplant organ and in disorders where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues

Immunology
the study of the immune system, including how it functions and disorders that affect it

Immunoglobin
proteins in blood and tissue fluids that help destroy micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses

Immunodeficiency
failure of the body's immune system to fight disease

Immunocompromised
weakening of the body's immune system

Immunity
resistance to a specific disease because of the responses of the immune system

Immunisation
the process of causing immunity by injecting antibodies or provoking the body to make its own antibodies against a certain micro-organism

Immune system
the cells, substances, and structures in the body that protect against infection and illness

Imaging
the technique of creating pictures of structures inside of the body using X-rays, ultrasound waves, or magnetic fields

Immune deficiency
impairment of the immune system, which reduces protection against infection and illness

Ileum
one of the two bones that form the hip on either side of the body

Ileum
the lowest section of the small intestine, which attaches to the large intestine

Idiopathic
a term used to describe something that occurs of an unknown cause

Ileostomy
a surgical procedure in which the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum) is cut and brought to an opening in the abdominal wall, where faeces can be passed out of the body

Ichthyosis
a variety of diseases in which the skin is dry and scaly

Iatrogenic
a term used to describe a disease, disorder, or medical condition that is a direct result of medical treatment

Hysteroscopy
a method used to examine the inside of the uterus and the cervix using a viewing instrument

Hysterosalpingography
an X-ray examination performed to examine the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes, in order to investigate and possibly treat infertility

Hysteria
a term used to describe symptoms that are caused by mental stress and occur in someone who does not have a mental disorder

Hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus

Hypoxemia
a reduced level of oxygen in the blood

Hypoxia
a reduced level of oxygen in tissues

Hypoventilation
a slower-than-normal breathing rate

Hypotension
the medical term for abnormally low blood pressure, which results in reduced blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness and fainting

Hypothermia
an abnormally low body temperature

Hypothyroidism
under-activity of the thyroid gland, causing tiredness, cramps, a slowed heart rate, and possibly weight gain

Hypoplasia
failure of a tissue or organ to develop normally

Hypoglycaemia
abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood

Hypodermic needle
a thin, hollow needle attached to a syringe; used to inject a medication under the skin, into a vein, or into a muscle

Hypochondriasis
an abnormal condition in which a person is overly concerned with health and believes that he or she is suffering from a major illness despite medical opinion to the contrary

Hyperventilation
abnormally rapid breathing

Hypertrophy
increase in the size of an organ due to an increase in the size of its cells

Hyperthyroidism
over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing nervousness, weight loss, fatigue, and diarrhoea

Hyperthermia
an abnormally high body temperature

Hypertension
abnormally high blood pressure, even when at rest

Hypersensitivity
an excessive response of the body's immune system to a foreign protein

Hyperplasia
the enlargement of an organ or tissue

Hyperparathyroidism
over-activity of the parathyroid glands, which increases calcium levels in the blood (called hypercalcaemia) and decreases calcium in bones (causing osteoporosis)

Hyperlipidemia
a general term for a group of disorders in which lipid levels in the blood are abnormally high, including hypercholesterolemia

Hyperglycemia
a condition characterised by abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood, usually as a result of untreated or improperly controlled diabetes mellitus

Hypercholesterolemia
an abnormally high level of cholesterol in the blood, which can be the result of an inherited disorder or a diet that is high in fat

Hypercalcaemia
a condition marked by abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; can lead to disturbance of cell function in the nerves and muscles and, if not treated, can be fatal

Hyperbilirubinemia
a condition in which there is too much bilirubin, a substance produced when red blood cells are broken down; can lead to jaundice

Hyperalimentation
a method of providing nutrients by the use of a tube or intravenously to a person who cannot eat food or needs nutrients because of an illness

Hyperactivity
a type of behaviour characterised by excessive physical activity, sometimes associated with neurological or psychological causes

Hymen
a thin fold of membrane partly closing the opening of the vagina; usually torn during first sexual intercourse or insertion of a tampon

Hygiene
the practice, maintenance, and study of health; commonly refers to cleanliness

Hydrocortisone
a corticosteroid drug that is used to treat inflammation and allergies

Hydrocephalus
excess cerebrospinal fluid within the brain; commonly referred to as 'water on the brain'

Hydramnios
an excess of amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy

Hydrocele
a painless swelling of the scrotum, caused by a collection of fluid around the testicle; commonly occurs in middle aged men

Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus
a virus similar to HIV that affects the same helper T cells, but usually accompanies adult T-cell leukaemia or T-cell lymphomas

HTLV
see Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus

Human immunodeficiency virus
a retrovirus that attacks helper T cells of the immune system and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); transmitted through sexual intercourse or contact with infected blood

Hot flash
a sudden, temporary feeling of heat and sometimes sweating; usually occurs as a result of low oestrogen levels in women because of menopause or after a hysterectomy

Hospice
a hospital or an area of a hospital dedicated to treating people who are dying, often of a specific cause

Hormone
a chemical produced by a gland or tissue that is released into the bloodstream; controls body functions such as growth and sexual development

Hormone replacement therapy
the use of natural or artificial hormones to treat hormone deficiencies

Hormonal implant
surgical insertion of a small object just under the skin that slowly releases a synthetic hormone for purposes such as birth control

Homosexuality
being sexually attracted to members of the same sex

Hookworm
infestation by a small, round, blood-sucking parasite; commonly causes a rash on the foot, but can also cause cough, pneumonia, and anaemia

Homocystinuria
a genetic disorder in which an enzyme deficiency causes a substance called homocystine to build up in the blood, leading to mental handicap and skeletal abnormalities

Homeostasis
the body's co-ordinated maintenance of the stable, internal environment by regulating blood pressure, blood sugar, body temperature, etc

Hives
the common term for urticaria, an itchy, inflamed rash that results from an allergic reaction

Hodgkin's disease
a cancer of lymphoid tissue (found in lymph nodes and the spleen) that causes the lymph nodes to enlarge and function improperly; may cause illness, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss

HIV
see Human immunodeficiency virus

Histoplasmosis
a respiratory disease acquired by inhaling the spores of a fungus found in soil, especially where there are bird or bat droppings

Hirsutism
excessive hair or hair growth in unusual places, especially in women

Histamine
a chemical in some cells of the body that is released during allergic reactions, causing inflammation; also causes production of acid in the stomach and narrowing of the airways

Hirschsprung's disease
a condition that is present at birth in which nerve cells do not develop in parts of the intestine, causing the intestine to narrow and block the passage of faeces

High-density lipoprotein
a type of protein found in the blood that removes cholesterol from tissues, protecting against heart disease

Hiccup
involuntary sudden contraction of the diaphragm along with the closing of the vocal cords, producing a 'hiccup' sound

Hiatal hernia
a type of hernia in which the stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm

Herpes zoster
see Shingles

Heterosexuality
being sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex

Herpes simplex
infection by the herpes simplex virus, which causes blister-like sores on the face, lips, mouth, or genitals; in rare cases, can also affect the eyes, fingers, or brain

Herpes encephalitis
brain inflammation caused by a herpes simplex virus that has spread from another part of the body