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SixPartsWater® Medical Terms Dictionary » A
- abdomenThe part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other organs.
- abdominal cavityThe part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other organs.
- abdominal obesityObesity centred around the abdomen, resulting in a high waist circumference.
- abscessInfection resulting in a collection of pus walled off by inflamed tissues.
- ACE inhibitorAbbreviation for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor - one of a class of drugs used to treat cardiovascular conditions.
- acetylcholinesterase inhibitorsA group of drugs that increase the levels of a chemical called acetylcholine.
- achalasiaFailure of the muscle around the lower opening of the oesophagus (the lower oesophageal sphincter) to relax.
- acupressureA complementary therapy derived from acupuncture, which uses finger pressure rather than the fine sterile needles used in acupuncture.
- acupunctureA complementary therapy in which fine sterile needles are inserted into the skin at specific points.
- acuteHas a sudden onset.
- acute coronary syndromeA range of clinical conditions caused by coronary artery disease: it encompasses the full spectrum from unstable angina to heart attack.
- acute lymphoblastic leukaemiaA type of leukaemia that is most common in the one to five age group.
- acute myeloid leukaemiaA type of leukaemia that occurs most commonly in the over 50 age group.
- adenocarcinomaA malignant tumour, or cancer, that arises from glandular tissue.
- adhesionsAn abnormal connection between two surfaces of the body.
- adrenal glandA gland that sits on top of each kidney, regulating the body’s response to stress and helping to control metabolism.
- adrenalectomyThe surgical removal of one of the two adrenal glands. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce adrenaline.
- adrenalineA hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which stimulates increases in the heart rate, breathing and metabolic rate.
- adverse effectsUndesirable side-effects of medication.
- albuminA type of chemical called a protein, formed in the liver.
- Alexander technique A physical therapy technique that aims to amend everyday movement patterns and posture to improve coordination, balance and ease of movement.
- ALLAn abbreviation that stands for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a type of leukaemia that is most common in the one to five age group.
- allogeneic transplantA donor transplant.
- amino acidAn organic compound that is the basic building block of all proteins.
- amino acidsOrganic compounds that are the basic building blocks of all proteins.
- aminosalicylatesA family of drugs that reduce inflammation.
- AMLAn abbreviation that stands fo acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of leukaemia that occurs most commonly in the over 50 age group.
- amyloidA compound similar to starch, which can build up abnormally in the tissues in a condition called amyloidosis.
- amyloid plaqueAn aggregation of amyloid (a compound similar to starch) in the tissue of the nervous system.
- anaemiaA reduced level of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Anaemia causes tiredness, breathlessness and abnormally pale skin.
- anaestheticA medication that reduces sensation.
- analgesicsAnother term for painkillers.
- androgenA type of steroid hormone that stimulates male development. Testosterone is an androgen.
- aneurysmAn abnormal swelling in the wall of an artery.
- anginaA central chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart.
- angiogramAn X-ray image of the blood vessels following the injection of a dye to improve visibility.
- angiographyX-ray imaging of the blood vessels following the injection of a dye to improve visibility.
- angiopathyDisease of the blood vessels.
- angioplastyThe mechanical widening or clearing of a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, performed during angiography, which is used to help with visibility.
- angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitorOne of a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
- angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitorsA group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
- angiotensin receptor blockerOne of a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
- angiotensin receptor blockersA group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
- anorexiaA loss of appetite resulting in weight loss. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological illness in which self-starvation leads to weight loss.
- anti-inflammatoryAny drug that suppresses inflammation
- anti-reflux surgerySurgery to prevent reflux, or the backflow of liquid.
- antibioticsMedication to treat infections caused by microbes (organisms that can't be seen with the naked eye), such as bacteria.
- antibodiesSpecial proteins in the blood that are produced in response to a specific antigen and play a key role in immunity and allergy.
- antibodyOne of a group of special proteins in the blood that are produced in response to a specific antigen and play a key role in immunity and allergy.
- anticoagulantA medication that prevens blood from clotting, or which reduces the likelihood of the blood to clot.
- antigenA substance that prompts the immune system to fight infection with antibodies.
- antigenic variabilityA change in the antigens on the surface of a microbe, which may result in it escaping detection by the immune system.
- antihistamineA drug that blocks the action of histamine in the body; these are used to treat conditions such as hay fever.
- antioxidantA chemical that can neutralise damaging substances called oxygen free radicals.
- antiphospholipid syndromeAlso known as Hughes syndrome. A type of autoimmune disease, caused by overactivity of the immune system. It is associated with thrombosis and, in women of childbearing age, recurrent miscarriage.
- antiplatelet therapyTherapy to prevent the clustering of platelets (platelet adhesion) in the blood, so preventing the formation of clots.
- antitussiveMedication to suppress a cough.
- antiviralA substance that acts against viruses, for example and antiviral drug.
- anusThe external opening of the back passage, the rectum.
- aphasiaDifficulty in understanding and generating speech.
- apolipoproteinThe protein part of lipoproteins, compounds that function to transport lipids in the bloodstream.
- apolipoprotein BThe main protein part of low-density lipoprotein, a compound that functions to transport lipids in the bloodstream.
- apoptosisA natural process of programmed cell death, for example, when cells are old or damaged.
- appendicitisInflammation of the appendix, a small tube attached to the large intestine.
- arrhythmiaAn abnormal heart rhythm.
- arteriovenous malformationA group of veins and arteries with abnormal connections between the two.
- arteryA blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Apart from the pulmonary artery and umbilical artery, all arteries carry oxygenated blood.
- arthralgiaPain in the joints.
- arthritisInflammation of one or more joints of the body.
- artificial ventilationAlso known as artificial respiration, a procedure to maintain air flow into and out of the lungs. Examples include mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and the use of a ventilator.
- ASDAtrial septal defect, a hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers of the heart (atria).
- aspiration pneumoniaInfection of the lungs owing to inhalation of a foreign body, usually food particles, through the windpipe (trachea).
- ataxiaDifficulty in the regulation of posture and the movement of limbs.
- atheromaThe formation of fatty deposits in the arteries, which limit blood flow.
- atheromatous plaqueFatty deposits in the walls of the arteries, seen in atherosclerosis.
- atherosclerosisDisease leading to fatty deposits in the inner walls of the arteries, which reduce and may eventually obstruct blood flow.
- atherosclerotic plaqueFatty plaques that form in the inner walls of arteries in atherosclerosis.
- atomsThe smallest units of an element.
- atriaThe two upper chambers of the heart.
- atrial fibrillationA common abnormal heart rhythm causing a rapid, irregular pulse and failure of the upper chambers of the heart (atria) to pump properly. Abbreviated to AF.
- atrial septal defect A hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers of the heart (atria), present from birth. Abbreviated to ASD.
- atrioventricular blockA block in the normal conduction of electrical activity between the upper and lower chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles).
- atriumOne of the two upper chambers of the heart.
- attenuatedA microbe that has been treated so as to be less able to cause disease. Attenuated bacteria or viruses are used in many immunisations, to stimulate the body's immune system against a disease without actually causing that disease.
- attenuationTreatment of a microbe so that it is less able to cause disease. Attenuated bacteria or viruses are used for many immunisations, to stimulate the body's immune system against a disease without actually causing that disease.
- autoimmuneAny condition caused by the body’s immune response against its own tissues.
- autonomicThe part of the nervous system supplying muscles such as the heart and bowels, known as involuntary muscles.
- ayurvedaAn ancient system of Indian medicine.
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