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Term
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Definition
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Calamine
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Calamine: An astringent made from zinc carbonate or zinc oxide, customarily used
in lotion form to treat skin problems or insect bites that cause itching or discomfort.
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Cancer
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An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and,
in some cases, to metastasize (spread). Cancer is not one disease. It is a group
of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases. Cancer can involve any tissue
of the body and have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named
for the type of cell or organ in which they start. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes),
the new tumor bears the same name as the original (primary) tumor.
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Fungal Arthritis
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Fungal arthritis is inflammation of a joint by a fungus microorganism that has invaded
the body and is growing in the normally sterile joint. It can be caused by the spread
of fungus through the bloodstream or by directly inserting fungus into a joint.
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Headache
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Headache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind
the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like chest pain
or back ache, has many causes.All headaches are considered primary headaches or
secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with other diseases. Examples
of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches.
Secondary headaches are caused by other diseases. The associated disease may be
minor or major.
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Biopsy
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Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to
check for cancer cells or other abnormalities.
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Blood Culture
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A test designed to detect if microorganisms such as bacteriaand fungi are present
in blood. A sample of blood obtained using sterile technique is placed in a culture
media and incubated in a controlled environment for 1 to 7 days. If microorganisms
grow, they can be identified as to type and tested against different antibiotics
for proper treatment of the infection. Because microorganisms may only be intermittently
present in blood, a series of 3 blood cultures is usually done before the result
is considered negative.
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AIDS
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AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a syndrome caused by infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with ensuing compromise of the body's immune
system. Features include deficiency of certain types of leukocytes, especially T
cells; infection with opportunistic infections that take advantage of the impaired
immune response, such astuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, human herpes virus, or
toxoplasmosis; certain types of cancer, particularly Kaposi sarcoma; inability to
maintain body weight (wasting); and in advanced cases, AIDS dementia complex. Treatment
for AIDS has advanced rapidly. Antiviral, antibacterial, and immune-boosting medications,
among other treatments, are part of current treatment protocols.
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Heart Attack
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The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of blood supply
is usually caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, one of the arteries
that supplies blood to the heart muscle. Death of the heart muscle, in turn, causes
chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue. The electrical
instability of the heart causes ventricular fibrillation (chaotic electrical disturbances
affecting the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart). Orderly transmission
of electrical signals in the heart is important for the regular beating (and the
efficient pumping) of the heart. A heart undergoing ventricular fibrillation simply
quivers and can not pump or deliver oxygenated blood to the brain. Permanent brain
damage and death can occur unless oxygenated blood flow is restored within five
minutes.
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