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MEDICAL TERMS GLOSSARY

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This glossary is not meant to be used to diagnose any disease or condition of the body. It is presented for use as an educational reference only. Consult with a qualified health professional for proper diagnosis of any disease, illness, or condition of the body.

Topic	Definition	Further Sources
Acne	Acne is a blockage of a skin pore by dead skin cells, tiny hairs, and oil secreted by the sebaceous glands located near hair follicles in the face, neck, and back. This blockage occurs deep within the skin. Acne is not caused by dirt on the face or by eating certain foods. Over scrubbing the face may actually make acne worse.	For more information, visit the website of the American Academy of Dermatologists at www.aad.org, or the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/acne/acne.htm .
Alcoholism	Alcoholism is an increasing dependency on alcohol that interferes with health, career, or family and social interactions. This problem affects between 5-10% of all people who use alcohol. Alcoholism has also been defined as any irresponsible drinking (such as binge drinking, or drunk driving).
Allergies	An allergy is an immune response to a harmless substance that most people don’t react to. Allergies can cause sneezing, stuffy or runny noses, hives, itching, red eyes, breathing problems, stomach cramps, or vomiting.
Alopecia Areata	Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks fast-growing cells in the hair follicles, causing patches of hair, or all of the hair to fall out.	For more information, visit the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/alopecia/alopecia.htm
Analgesic	A substance that acts as a pain reliever
Anemia	Anemia is a lack of red blood cells in the body resulting in weakness and impaired motor and mental development. It is most common in infants and small children and is often (although not always) caused by a deficiency of iron in the diet.	For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.
Aneurysm	A swelling or dilation of a blood vessel in the area of a weakened blood vessel wall.
Anorexia	A psychological disorder where an individual is addicted to depriving themselves of food.
Catarrh	Chronic inflammation of the mucus membranes in the nose and throat.
Arteriosclerosis	A thickening or hardening of the artery walls due to high blood pressure, calcification, or fatty deposits.
Arthritis	Arthritis is any painful swelling of a joint.
Asthma	Asthma is a disease that causes the lung’s airways to narrow, making it difficult to breath. Episodes (or attacks) of asthma can be triggered by any number of things, including smoke, pollution, dust mites, and other allergens.	For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/faqs.htm
ADD	Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder is a psychological condition characterized by inattentiveness, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.	For more information, visit www.help4adhd.org/
Autism	Autism is a disorder caused by an abnormality in the brain which makes it difficult for an individual to communicate or interact with other people.	For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddautism.htm
Baldness	Baldness is usually caused by the hair follicles in the scalp failing to replace the hair when it falls out. This failure to replace the hairs is typically attributed to either aging, hormone imbalance, or an increase in the male hormone testosterone.
Boils	Boils (Furuncles) are infections of the upper layers of the skin by staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. These infections often become filled with pus and dead cells, causing painful pea to golf ball sized swellings
Bronchitis	Inflammation of the bronchi (the tubes that lead from the trachea to the lungs).
Bruises	A bruise is an injury to tissue that results in blood capillaries breaking and spilling blood into the tissue.
Bulimia	Bulimia is a chronic psychological desire to purge the body of recently eaten foods either through vomiting or through the abuse of laxatives.
Calluses	A callus is a thickening of the outer layer of skin in a small area caused by friction or rubbing. Calluses can sometimes lead to serious infections.

Cancer	Cancer is when damaged or abnormal DNA causes a cell to divide out of control, resulting in clumps of rapidly dividing cells, or tumors, within healthy tissue.
Cataracts	A cataract is a clouding of the lens of an eye, causing blurriness, double-vision, or blindness. Cataracts can be caused by medications, injury, disease, or the natural aging process.
Cellulite	Fat deposits.
Charlie Horse	A Charlie horse, or painful muscle spasm in the calf, is often caused by overuse, dehydration, or a lack of potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium in the body. Stretching the muscle and applying an initial hot compress, followed by a cold compress or ice pack once the pain starts to subside can often alleviate the pain associated with a muscle spasm.
Chiggers	Chiggers are the parasitic larvae of certain types of mites found in wooded areas, or areas of high grass. When chiggers bite, they cause red, severely itching bumps to appear.
Cholera	Cholera is a bacterial illness that can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. The most important treatment for cholera is to re-hydrate the body by drinking large amounts of an oral rehydration solution. (In an emergency when no commercially prepared rehydration solution is available, mix 6 tsp. sugar, ½ tsp. salt, and 1 liter of water and drink.)
Chorea	Involuntary twisting, jumping, dancing, or other coordinated body movements that interfere with normal movement. Often caused by a previous strep (streptococcus) infection. A sign of rheumatic fever.
Colic	Periods of loud crying in young infants that seem to be caused by pain in the abdomen.
Colitis	Inflammation of the large intestine.
Conjunctivitis	Also called “pinkeye” or “red eye”, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane that covers the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelid due to infection, allergies, or irritation.
Convulsions	Uncontrolled rapid contracting and relaxing of muscles, usually caused by a seizure (sudden random electrical activity in the brain).
Corns	A small, sometimes painful, callus caused by the friction between a bone and an outside pressure (such as a shoe) on the intermediate tissues.
Cortisone	A natural hormone created in the outer layers of the adrenal gland that has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Cortisone has also been synthetically developed as a drug for rheumatoid arthritis.
Crohn’s Disease	A disease that causes chronic ulceration (either mild or severe) of the large and sometimes the small intestine.
Cushing’s Disease	(or Cushing Syndrome) describes many different symptoms (including weight gain, weakness, bruising, & osteoporosis) caused by an overabundance of the cortisol hormone. This disease is often caused by taking artificial cortisone or cortisone-like substances
Cystic Fibrosis	Cystic fibrosis is a potentially deadly genetic disease that causes an excess of mucus to build up, inhibiting pancreas function and slowly clogging the airways.
Dermatitis	Dermatitis is redness, itching or soreness of the skin caused either by an allergic reaction or contact with a skin irritant.
Diaper Rash	Irritation of the skin in the area covered by the diaper caused by infection, sweat, friction, or allergic reactions.
Diphtheria	Diphtheria is a rare bacterial infection that causes sore throat, low fevers, and swelling of the neck and throat that can possibly lead to airway obstruction and other complications.
Diuretic	Any substance that causes an increase in the amount of urine created by the body.
Down Syndrome	Down Syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by an extra chromosome 21. This extra chromosome causes the formation of various distinguishing physical attributes, and slight to severe mental disabilities or retardation.
Dysentery	Dysentery is a painful intestinal inflammation due to an infection of the intestine by an ameba, causing severe cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stools. Rehydration is critical to anyone suffering from dysentery.
Eczema	Itchy or painful patches of inflamed skin caused by allergic reactions, irritating substances, infection, or disease.
Edema	A swelling in the body caused by the accumulation of water, blood, or other fluids.
Electrolytes	Any substance that acquires the ability to conduct electricity when it is dissolved in a solution. Sodium, calcium, and potassium are three electrolytic substances that play an important role in the body. Low levels of any of these substances in the blood can lead to muscle cramps and other problems.
Emphysema	Damaged or burst air sacs in the lungs caused by smoking or a long-lasting lung infection.
Enzymes	An enzyme is any biological agent that mediates the speed or frequency of chemical reactions.
Fatigue	Being unable to work or think at full capacity.
Fiber	Complex carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the body. Fiber serves to help clean the colon and regulate bowel movements. Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals.
Fibroids	A benign tumor found in the uterus that can cause pain, reproductive problems, or heavy menstrual bleeding.
Fever	A fever is defined as any body temperature above 98.6 degrees F. A fever is the body’s natural way of fighting disease (many pathogens cannot survive, or are weakened in these elevated temperatures). High (over 104 degrees F.) fevers, however, can cause convulsions and other undesired effects.
Fibrositis	(Fibromyalgia) A condition of generalized chronic pain and tender spots where tiny movements can bring on pain. Since there are very few positive findings, it is difficult to diagnose. Studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise may reduce the level of pain.
Flu	(Influenza) Any of several viral diseases that cause fever, nausea, fatigue, soreness, impaired breathing, and other cold-like symptoms.
Gangrene	Localized decay of body tissue caused by a loss of blood to that area. Gas gangrene is caused by bacteria invading a deep wound that has lessened the blood supply, or cut it off entirely. The bacteria create gases and pus in the infected area, causing severe pain and accelerating decay of the tissue.
Gingivitis	A gum disease that results in sore gums that bleed easily. This condition can sometimes be corrected with more frequent/longer brushing and flossing.
Glaucoma	Glaucoma is an increasing eye pressure caused by a slowing in fluid drainage from the eye. Glaucoma can cause damage to the optical nerve or loss of sight over time.
Goiter	An enlarged thyroid gland. Goiter is often attributed to a deficiency of iodine in the body (found in iodized salts). While this is one possible cause, goiter is often a symptom of any of several diseases or conditions.