American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [802]
Glossary
This glossary defines some common medical terms you’ll find in this book. Italicized words within definitions refer you to other terms in the glossary for additional information.
A
abscess A pus-filled cavity surrounded by inflamed tissue that usually forms as a result of a bacterial infection.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome See AIDS.
acupuncture A Chinese medical technique in which a practitioner inserts very fine needles into specific sites in the skin to achieve a particular result, such as pain relief. Sometimes the needles are twirled, warmed, or stimulated electronically. In the United States, acupuncture is used mainly to treat back pain, migraines, and other pain disorders.
acute Describes diseases or conditions that occur suddenly, last for only a short time, and often produce severe symptoms.
adenoma A benign tumor that arises from glandular tissue.
adhesion A band of scar tissue that joins adjacent organs and tissues that are normally separated. Adhesions are often painful and usually develop in the abdomen.
adrenal glands A pair of small triangular glands located directly above the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones that affect nearly every system in the body.
adrenaline See epinephrine.
advance directive A legal document to help ensure that health care decisions made on a person’s behalf are consistent with his or her preferences. Examples of advance directives include do-not-resuscitate orders, durable powers of attorney for health care, and living wills.
aerobic exercise A physical exercise that requires the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the muscles’ continuous demand for oxygen. Examples of aerobic exercise include brisk walking, jogging, biking, swimming, skating, and dancing.
afterbirth See placenta.
AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A disorder of the immune system caused by infection with HIV. AIDS impairs the immune system, making people with the infection vulnerable to a wide variety of opportunistic infections and cancers.
allergen Any substance—such as animal dander, pollen, or a specific food—that is harmless to most people but causes an allergic reaction in some people.
allergic reaction An inappropriate immune system response that occurs when an allergen enters the body.
allergic rhinitis Also called hay fever. Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, caused by an allergic reaction. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
allogeneic bone marrow transplant See bone marrow transplant.
allogeneic stem cell transplant See stem cell transplant.
Alzheimer’s disease A progressive, incurable condition that destroys brain cells, causing gradual loss of intellectual abilities and extreme changes in personality and behavior.
amino acids The basic components of proteins. Twenty different amino acids make all of the proteins needed by the human body. The eight essential amino acids are found in food; the body makes the 12 nonessential amino acids as needed.
androgens Male sex hormones produced mainly in the testicles. Androgens stimulate the development of the male sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics such as growth of facial hair and deepening of the voice.
anemia A blood disorder caused by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin. Anemia reduces the ability of the blood to supply oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
aneurysm An abnormal ballooning of a weakened area in the wall of an artery. An aneurysm can rupture and cause a hemorrhage.
anorexia nervosa Also called simply anorexia. A potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of being fat, prolonged avoidance of food, excessive weight loss, and obsession with exercise. Anorexia occurs most frequently among young women.
antibodies Also called immunoglobulins. Proteins in blood and tissue fluids