 |
|
|
Glossary of TermsA adenomatous –a benign tumor of a glandular structure or of glandular origin
advance directive –provide instructions about what kinds of health care you want or do not want; and to name someone else to make health care decisions for you when you are unable to make them yourself.
anorexia - one type of eating disorder. Anorexia symptoms include both behavioral and physical to include: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss.
antigen - any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. An antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen. An antigen may also be formed within the body, as with bacterial toxins or tissue cells.
B barium enema - given in order to perform an x-ray examination of the large intestines. Pictures are taken after rectal instillation of barium sulfate (a radiopaque contrast medium).
bipolar disorder - any of several mood disorders characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania or by episodes of depression alternating with mild nonpsychotic excitement.
blood gases - measure the pH (acidity), oxygen content, and carbon dioxide content of the blood.
Bulimia - An eating disorder characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (binge-eating) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise.
C Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a lung condition that makes it more and more difficult to breathe. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema are considered part of COPD.
CHT – Certified Hand Therapist
cognitive - of, relating to, or being conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining, or learning words)
colonoscopy - an internal examination of the colon, using an instrument called a colonoscope. The colonoscope is a small camera attached to a flexible tube. Unlike sigmoidoscopy, which examines only the lower third of the colon, colonoscopy examines the entire length of the colon.
colorectal - relating to or affecting the colon and the rectum.
colitis - inflammation of the colon
COTA – certified occupational therapy assistant
D degenerative – deteriorating progressively
diethylstilbestrol - a colorless crystalline synthetic compound C18H20O2 used as a potent estrogen but contraindicated in pregnancy for its tendency to cause cancer or birth defects in offspring.
diverticulitis - Inflammation of the diverticula (small outpouchings) along the wall of the colon, the large intestine.
E echocardiogram - a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure
endometrial cancer - involves cancerous growth of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.
ergonomic - concerned with the characteristics of people that need to be considered in designing things that they use in order that people and things will interact most effectively and safely.
emergent - calling for prompt or urgent action
F fecal occult blood test - a noninvasive test that detects the presence of hidden (occult) blood in the stool.
fluorscopy - observing the internal structure of opaque objects (as the living body) by means of the shadow cast by the object examined
G general anesthesia - anesthesia affecting the entire body and accompanied by loss of consciousness
H
I
J
K
L lymphedema - edema due to faulty lymphatic drainage
M mandibular – referring to the jaw, especially the lower jaw
modalities –a variety of intervention methods and equipment
occlusion - a shutting off or obstruction of something
N
O OT – Occupational therapist
P peripheral vascular disease - Arteriosclerosis of the extremities, a disease of the blood vessels characterized by narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet. This causes a decrease in blood flow that can injure nerves and other tissues.
peritoneal dialysis - Technique that uses the patient's own body tissues inside of the belly (abdominal cavity) to act as a filter.
phlebotomist – The clinical person who draws a blood sample from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.
physiotherapy - also called physical therapy. The treatment of disease by physical and mechanical means (as massage, regulated exercise, water, light, heat, and electricity.
polyp - a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine).
PT – physical therapist
PTA – physical therapy assistant
pulmonary - relating to, functioning like, associated with, or carried on by the lungs
Q
R renal - relating to, involving, affecting, or located in the region of the kidneys.
respiratory - refers to the lungs and breathing.
S schizophrenia - a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as in delusions), perception (as in hallucinations), and behavior.
sigmoidoscopy- an internal examination of the distal large bowel (colon), using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope. The sigmoidoscope is a small camera attched to a flexible tube. It is inserted into the colon to examine the rectum, and the sigmoid and descending portions of the colon.
SLP – Speech-language therapist
stress echocardiography - a test that helps diagnose heart disease with the help of ultrasound images. (A more routine exercise stress test does not use imaging.) Following exercise or other stress to the heart, the images reveal parts of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.
T temporomandibular joints (TMJs) - connect your lower jaw to your skull. There are two matching joints -- one on each side of your head, located just in front of your ears. The abbreviation "TMJ" literally refers to the joint but is often used to refer to any disorders or symptoms of this region. Such problems include popping sounds in the jaw, inability to fully open the mouth, jaw pain, headaches, earaches, toothaches, and various other types of facial pain.
triage - the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care
U ultrasound - a noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures.
V vestibular - of or relating to the vestibule of the inner ear, the vestibular system, the vestibular nerve, or the labyrinthine sense.
video fluoroscopy - a video study of the swallowing process
W
X
Y
Z
|
|
|
|
