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ABDOMINAL: Relating to body cavity below diaphragm which contains stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs ABSORB: Take up fluids, take in ACIDOSIS: Condition when blood contains more acid than normal ACUITY: Clearness, keenness, esp. of vision or airways ACUTE: New, recent, sudden ADENOPATHY: Swollen lymph nodes (glands) ADJUVANT: Helpful, assisting, aiding ADJUVANT TREATMENT: Added treatment ADVERSE EFFECT: Negative side effect AGITATION: Suddenly violent and forceful, emotionally disturbed state of mind. ALLERGIC REACTION: Rash, trouble breathing ALOPECIA: Hair loss AMBULATE, AMBULATION, AMBULATORY: Walk, able to walk AMNESIA: memory loss ANAPHYLAXIS: Serious, potentially life threatening allergic reaction. ANEMIA: Decreased red blood cells; low red blood cell count ANESTHETIC, General: A drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain or eliminate the feeling of pain by putting you to sleep ANESTHETIC, Local: A drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain or by numbing an area of your body, without putting you to sleep ANGINA (ANGINA PECTORIS): Pain resulting from insufficient blood to the heart ANGIOEDEMA: Intense itching and swelling welts on the skin ANOREXIA: Condition in which person will not eat; lack of appetite ANORGASMIA: Failure to experience an orgasm. ANTECUBITAL: Area inside the elbow ANTIBIOTIC: Drug that kills bacteria and other germs ANTIBODY: Protein made in the body in response to foreign substance; attacks foreign substance and protects against infection ANTICONVULSANT: Drug used to prevent seizures ANTILIPIDEMIC: A drug that decreases the level of fat(s) in the blood ANTIMICROBIAL: Drug that kills bacteria and other germs ANTIRETROVIRAL: Drug that inhibits certain viruses ANTITUSSIVE: A drug used to relieve coughing ARRHYTHMIA: Any change from the normal heartbeat (abnormal heartbeat) ASPIRATION: Fluid entering lungs ASSAY: Lab test ASSESS: To learn about ASTHENIA: A physically weak condition. ASTHMA: A lung disease associated with tightening of the air passages ASYMPTOMATIC: Without symptoms AUDITORY HALLUCINATION: Hearing things without the voices or noises being present. AXIAL: Relating to or situated in the head and trunk region of the body AXILLA: Armpit >>top B BENIGN: Not malignant, usually without serious consequences, but with some exceptions e.g. benign brain tumor may have, serious consequences BID: Twice a day BILIRUBIN: a waste product of the breakdown of old blood cells. When bilirubin accumulates and causes a yellowing of the skin (jaundice) BINDING/BOUND: Carried by, to make stick together, transported BIOAVAILABILITY: The extent to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the body BLOOD PROFILE: Series of blood tests BMJ: British Medical Journal BOLUS: An amount given all at once BONE MASS: The amount of calcium in a given amount of bone BRADYARRHYTHMIAS: Slow irregular heart beat BRADYCARDIA: Slow heartbeat BREAST NEOPLASM: A tumor or cancer of the breast BRONCHITIS: Inflammation of the two main breathing tubes leading from the windpipe to the lungs BRONCHOSPASM: Breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways BRUXISM - Grinding and clenching of teeth while sleeping. >>top C CARBOHYDRATE CRAVING : A drive to eat foods rich in sugar and starches CARCINOGENIC: Capable of causing cancer CARCINOMA: Type of cancer CARDIAC: Relating to the heart CARDIOVASCULAR: Involving the heart and the blood vessels CARDIOVERSION: Restoration of normal heart beat by electric shock CATHETER: A tube for withdrawing or introducing fluids CATHETER: Indwelling epidural, a tube placed near the spinal cord used for anesthesia during an operation CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. Government) CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS): Brain and spinal cord CEREBRAL TRAUMA: Damage to the brain CEREBROVASCULAR: Relating to blood supply to the brain CESSATION: Stopping CHD: Coronary heart disease CHEMOTHERAPY: Treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemical agents CHRONIC: Continuing for a long time CLINICAL: Relating to medical care CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Of major importance for treating or evaluating patients CLINICAL TRIAL: An experiment or research study in human volunteers COMA: Unconscious state COMPLETE RESPONSE: Total disappearance of disease CONCENTRATION IMPAIRED: Unable to easily focus your attention CONGENITAL: Occurring at or before birth CONJUNCTIVITIS: Irritation and redness of the thin membrane covering the eye CONTROLLED TRIAL: Study in which the experimental treatment or procedure is compared to a standard (control) treatment or procedure CORONARY: Pertains to the blood vessels that supply the heart CT (CAT) SCAN: Computerized (axial) tomography; computerized series of x-rays CULTURE: Test for infection or organisms that could cause infection CUMULATIVE: Total sum (of individual events, experiences, treatments) CUTANEOUS: Relating to the skin CVA: Cerebrovascular accident; Stroke >>top D DEPERSONALIZATION: A condition where one has lost a normal sense of personal identity. DERMATITIS: a general inflammation of the skin. DERMATOLOGIC: Relating to the skin DIAPHORESIS: A large quantity of perspiration DIASTOLIC: Lower number in blood pressure reading; Relating to resting or relaxation phase of heartbeat DISORIENTATION: A loss of sense of direction, place, time or surroundings as well as mental confusion on personal identity. DISTAL: Toward the end, away from the center of the body DIURETIC: "Water pill" or drug that causes increase in urination DOPPLER: Sound waves DOUBLE BLIND: Study in which neither investigators nor subjects know what drug the subject is receiving DTC: Direct-to-consumer DYSEQUILIBRIUM - Lack of physical, mental or emotional balance DYSFUNCTION: State of improper function DYSPEPSIA – INDIGESTION: This is the discomfort you experience after eating. It can be heartburn, gas, nausea, a bellyache or bloating. DYSPLASIA: Abnormal cells DYSURIA: Difficult or painful urination. >>top E ECHOCARDIOGRAM: Sound wave test of the heart ECZEMA - A skin disease marked by redness, crusting and scaling with watery blisters and itching EDEMA: Increased fluid, causes swelling EEG: Electroencephalogram; electric brainwave tracing ECG Abnormal - A test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart. It measures heartbeats as well as the position and size of the heart’s four chambers. It also measures if there is damage to the heart and the effects of drugs or mechanical devices like a pacemaker on the heart. When the test is abnormal it may mean heart disease, defects, beating too fast or too slow, disease of the blood vessels leading from the heart or the heart valves, and/or a past or impending heart attack. EFFICACY: Effectiveness EJACULATION DISORDER: Problem with of the discharge of semen during orgasm. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM: Electrical tracing of the heartbeat or heart rhythm (ECG or EKG) ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE: Imbalance of salts or chemicals in the blood ELEVATION OF LIVER FUNCTION TESTS: Evidence of liver or kidney damage EMESIS: Vomiting EMOTIONAL LABILITY: Suddenly breaking out in laughter or crying or doing both without being able to control the outburst of emotion. These episodes are unstable as they are caused by things that normally would not have this effect on an individual. EMPIRIC: Based on experience ENDOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: Examination of an internal part of the body with a lighted tube; looking at a part of the body with a lighted tube ENTERAL: By way of the intestines EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS - An abnormal condition where a large portion of the skin becomes intensely red, blisters and peels off like a second-degree burn. EPIDURAL: Outside the spinal cord ERADICATING: Getting rid of (such as a disease) EVALUATED: Assessed; examined for medical condition EXPEDITED REVIEW: Rapid review of a protocol by Human Subjects Committee Chair without full committee approval, permitted with certain low-risk research EXTERNAL: Outside the body EXTRAVASATE: To leak outside of a blood vessel >>top F FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the branch of federal government which approves new drugs FEBRILE: Feverish; relating to fever FIBRILLATION: Irregular beat of the heart or other muscle FIBROUS: Having many fibers, such as scar tissue FLATULENCE: More gas than normal in the digestive organs. FLUSHING: The skin all over the body turns red. FOLLICULITIS: Inflammation of a hair root FURUNCULOSIS: Skin boils that show up repeatedly. >>top G GASTRITIS: A severe irritation of the mucus lining of the stomach either short in duration or lasting for a long period of time. GASTROENTERITIS: A condition where the interior surface linings of the stomach and intestines are irritated. GASTRO ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX: The condition of stomach juices flowing back into the throat causing acid indigestion and heartburn GASTROINTESTINAL: Relating to the digestive track, guts, the bowels GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE - internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines. GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Pain prevention by induction of drugged sleep, as in surgery GESTATIONAL: Relating to pregnancy GOUT: A severe arthritis condition that is caused by the dumping of a waste product called uric acid into the tissues and joints. It can become worse and cause the body to develop a deformity after going through stages of pain, inflammation, severe tenderness and stiffness. GRAND MAL SEIZURES (OR CONVULSIONS): A recurring sudden, violent and involuntary attack of muscle spasms with a loss of consciousness. >>top H HEMATOCRIT: Amount of red blood cells in the blood HEMATOMA: A bruise, a black and blue mark HEMODYNAMIC: Related to blood flow HEMOLYSIS: Breakdown in red blood cells HEMORRHOIDS - Swollen veins that appear around the anus, they may bleed, itch or are painful HEPATIC ENZYMES INCREASED: An increase in the amount of paired liver proteins that regulate liver processes causing a condition where the liver functions abnormally. HEPATOMA: Cancer or tumor of the liver HERITABLE DISEASE: A disease which can be transmitted to one's offspring resulting in damage to future children HISTOPATHOLOGIC: Relating to the disease status of body tissues or cells HOLTER MONITOR: A portable machine for recording heart beats HUMAN SUBJECTS COMMITTEE: Institutional review board HYPERCALCEMIA: High blood calcium level HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA: Too much cholesterol HYPERGLYCEMIA: An unhealthy amount of sugar in the blood HYPERKALEMIA: High blood potassium level HYPERNATREMIA: High blood sodium level HYPERTENSION: High blood pressure HYPERREFLEXIA: Involuntary increased response in the tissues connecting the bones to the muscles. HYPOCALCEMIA: Low blood calcium level HYPOKALEMIA: Low blood potassium level HYPONATREMIA: Low blood sodium level HYPOTENSION: Low blood pressure HYPOXIA: Low oxygen level in the blood >>top I IATROGENIC: Caused by a physician or by treatment IDE: Investigational device exemption, the license to test an unapproved new medical device IDIOPATHIC: Of unknown cause IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE: Drug which suppresses the body's immune response, used in transplantation and diseases caused by disordered immunity IMPAIRED FUNCTION: Abnormal function IMPLANTED: Placed in the body IND: Investigational new drug; the license to test an unapproved new drug INDUCTION PHASE: Beginning phase or stage of a treatment INDURATION: Hardening INDWELLING: Remaining in a given location, such as a catheter INFARCT: Death of tissue because of lack of blood supply INFECTIOUS DISEASE: Disease which is transmitted from one person to next INFLAMMATION: Swelling which is generally painful, red, and warm INFLUENZA (FLU): A contagious viral disease that caused fever and body aches INFLUENZA-LIKE SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of a cold, sudden fever, aches and pains, as well as feeling weak and seeking bed rest, which is similar to having the flu. INFUSION: Introduction of a substance into the body, usually into the blood INGESTION: Eating; taking by mouth INSOMNIA – Sleeplessness; a condition of being abnormally awake when one would ordinarily be able to fall and remain asleep. INTERMITTENT: Occurring (regularly or irregularly) between two time points; alternately ceasing and beginning INTERNAL INTERIOR: Within the body; Inside of the body add semicolon please INTRAMUSCULAR: Into the muscle; within the muscle INTRAPERITONEAL: Into the abdominal cavity INTRATHECAL: Into the spinal fluid INTRAVENOUS (IV): Into (within) a vein INTRAVESICAL: In the bladder INTUBATE: The placement of a tube into the airway INVASIVE PROCEDURE: Puncture, opening or cutting of the skin INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG (IND): A new drug which has not yet been approved by the FDA INVESTIGATIONAL METHOD: A treatment method which has not been proven to be beneficial or has not been accepted as standard care IRB: Institutional Review Board – federally-required committees that must be in place at all research institutions that are conducting experiments on humans. ISCHEMIA: Decreased oxygen in a tissue (usually because of decreased blood flow) >>top L LAPORATOMY: A procedure in which an incision is made in the abdominal wall to enable a physician to look at the organs LARYNGITIS: Inflammation of the voice box characterized by hoarseness, sore throat, and coughing. LETHARGY: Sleepiness; Mental and physical sluggishness and apathy that can deteriorate into an unconscious state resembling deep sleep. A numbed state of mind. LEUKOPENIA: Low white blood cell count LIBIDO DECREASED: An abnormal loss of sexual energy or desire. LIPID: Fat LIPID PROFILE (panel): Fat and cholesterol levels in the blood LIPOMA: A tumor of mostly fat cells LOCAL ANESTHESIA: Creation of insensitivity to pain in a small local area of the body LOCALIZED: Restricted to one area; limited to one area (of the body) LUMEN: Cavity of an organ or tube (e.g. inside of blood vessel) LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY: An x-ray of the lymph nodes or tissues after injection of dye in lymph vessels (e.g. dye lights up the lymph nodes in the armpit if they are swollen from the spread of breast cancer). LYMPHADENOPATHY: Also called ‘swollen glands’ – enlargement of clusters of lymph tissue in response to infection, drug or chemical LYMPHOCYTE: A type of white blood cell important in the body's defense against infection LYMPHOMA: A cancer of the lymph nodes (or tissues) >>top M MALAISE: A vague feeling of bodily discomfort; feeling bad MALFUNCTION: Condition in which something is not functioning properly MALIGNANCY: Cancer or other progressively enlarging and spreading tumor, fatal if not successfully treated MEDULLOBLASTOMA: Type of brain tumor MENORRHAGIA: Abnormally heavy menstrual period or a menstrual flow that has continued for an unusually long period of time. MENSTRUAL DISORDER: A disturbance or derangement in the normal function of a woman’s menstrual period. METABOLIZE: Process of breaking down substances in the cells METASTASIS: Spread of cancer cells from one part of body to another MI: Myocardial infarction, heart attack MINIMAL: Slight MINIMIZE: Reduce MONITOR: Check on; keep track of; watch carefully MOBILITY: Ease of movement; Ability to move around MORBIDITY: Undesired result or complication; serious disease MORTALITY: Death or death rate MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging, body pictures created using magnetic rather than x-ray energy MUCOSA, MUCOUS MEMBRANE: Moist lining of digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS INVOLUNTARY: spontaneous and uncontrollable tightening reaction of the muscles caused by electrical impulses from the nervous system. MUSCULAR TONE INCREASED: Uncontrolled and exaggerated muscle tension. Muscles are normally partially tensed and this is what gives us muscle tone. MYALGIA: Muscle aches MYOCARDIAL; M. INFARCTION: Relating to the (muscle of the) heart. Heart attack; death of heart muscle >>top N NASOGASTRIC TUBE: Tube from the nose to the stomach NAUSEA: Stomach irritation with a queasy sensation similar to motion sickness and a feeling that one is going to vomit. NCI: National Cancer Institute NECROSIS: Death of tissue NEOPLASIA: Tumor, may be non-cancerous or cancerous NEUROBIOLOGY: Biological study of the nervous system. NEUROBLASTOMA: A cancer of nerve tissue NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME - A life threatening reaction to an anti- psychotic drug marked by fever, muscular rigidity, changed mental status, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. NEUROLOGICAL: Relating to the nervous system NEUTROPENIA: Decrease in the main part of the white blood cells NIH: National Institutes of Health NON-DIRECTIVE COUNSELING: When a health professional discusses options and choices with a patient, without imposing their own views or values about what the patient should do. NON-INVASIVE: Not breaking, cutting or entering the skin NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA: Pneumonia acquired in the hospital >>top O OCCLUSION: Closing; obstruction OHRP: Office of Human Research Protections, oversees IRBs and related matters ONCOLOGY: The study of tumors or cancer OPHTHALMIC: Relating to the eye OPTIMAL: Best, most favorable or desirable ORAL ADMINISTRATION: Given by mouth ORTHOPEDIC: Relating to the bones OSTEOPETROSIS: Rare bone disorder characterized by dense bone OSTEOPOROSIS: Bone disorder characterized by loss of bone leading to increased risk of fracture OVARIES: Female sex glands; female organs which release eggs >>top P PALPITATION: Unusual and not normal heartbeat, that is sometimes irregular, but rapid and forceful thumping or fluttering. It can be brought on by shock, excitement, exertion, or medical stimulants. PANCREATITIS: Chemical irritation with redness, swelling, and pain in the pancreas where digestive enzymes and hormones are secreted. PANIC REACTION: A sudden, overpowering, chaotic and confused mental state of terror resulting in being doubt-ridden often accompanied with hyperventilation and extreme anxiety. PARENTERAL: Administration by injection PARESTHESIA: Burning, prickly, itchy, or tingling skin PATENCY: Condition of being open PATHOGENESIS: The initial cause of a disease PELVIC INFLAMMATION: irritation, injury, or bacterial infection characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function. The reaction usually begins in the uterus and spreads to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other areas in the pelvis PERCUTANEOUS: Through the skin PERFORATION: Puncture, tear or hole PERIPHERAL: Not central PER OS (PO): By mouth PHARMA: A pharmaceutical company (slang) PHARMACOKINETICS: Study of the way the body absorbs, distributes and gets rid of a drug PHASE I: Initial study of a new drug in humans to determine limits of tolerance PHASE II: Second phase of study of a new drug intended to obtain initial information PHASE III: Large scale trial to confirm and expand information on safety and usefulness of a new drug PHLEBITIS: Irritation or inflammation of a vein PLACEBO: An inactive substance which may resemble an active agent but has no medical value PLACEBO EFFECT: Symptom or change of condition seen when a placebo is given; not attributable to an active drug agent PLASTIC: The branch of surgery that is concerned with the repair or restoration of lost, injured, or deformed parts of the body. PLATELETS: Small particles in the blood that help with blood clotting POLYPOSIS GASTRIC: Tumors that grow on stems in the lining of the digestive tract, which can become cancerous. POTENTIAL: Possible POTENTIATE: Increase or multiply the effect of a drug or toxin by administration of another drug or toxin at the same time POTENTIATOR: An agent that helps another agent work better PRENATAL Before birth PROPHYLAXIS: A drug given to prevent disease or infection PROSTHESIS: Artificial limbs, such as arms and legs PRN: As needed PROGNOSIS: Outlook, probable outcomes PRONE: Lying on the stomach PROSPECTIVE STUDY: Study following patients forward in time PROTOCOL: Plan of study PROXIMAL: Closer to the center of the body, away from the end PRURITUS: Extreme itching PULMONARY: Relating to the lungs PUPILS DILATED - Abnormal expansion of the black circular opening in the center of the eye. >>top Q QD: Every day; daily QID: Four times a day QT Prolongation – An abnormal delay of the transmission of electrical impulses through the heart chambers. Prolonged QT can increase the risk for fatal abnormal heart rhythms. R RADIATION THERAPY: X-ray or cobalt treatment RANDOM: By chance RANDOMIZATION: Assignment of treatment group by chance, similar to tossing a coin (when there are two treatment choices) RBC: Red blood cell RECOMBINANT: Formation of new combinations of genes RECONSTITUTION: Putting back together the original parts or elements RECUR: Happen again REFRACTORY: Not responding to treatment REGENERATION: Regrowth of a structure or of lost tissue REGIMEN: Pattern of administering treatment RELAPSE: The return or reappearance of a disease REMISSION: Disappearance of evidence of cancer or other disease RENAL: Relating to the kidneys RENAL FAILURE: The kidneys stop functioning REPLICABLE: Capable of being duplicated RESECT: Remove or cut out (surgically) RESTLESS LEGS: A need to move the legs without any apparent reason. Sometimes there is pain, twitching, jerking, cramping, burning, or a creepy-crawly sensation associated with the movements. RETROSPECTIVE STUDY: Study looking back over past experience RHABDOMYOLYSIS: The breakdown and release of muscle fibers into the circulatory system. Some of the fibers are poisonous to the kidney and frequently result in kidney damage. RHINITIS: pain, redness and swelling in the mucus membranes of the nose. >>top S SARCOMA: A type of cancer SARS: Severe acute respiratory syndrome SEDATIVE: A drug to calm or make less anxious SEMINOMA: A type of testes cancer SEQUENTIALLY: In a row SEROTONIN SYNDROME: A disorder brought on by excessive levels of serotonin. It is caused by drugs and can be fatal. Symptoms include euphoria, drowsiness, sustained and rapid eye movement, agitation, reflexes overreacting, rapid muscle contractions, abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, feeling drunk and dizzy without any intake of alcohol, jaw muscles contracting and relaxing excessively, muscle twitching, high body temperature, rigid body, rotating mental status including confusion and excessive happiness, diarrhea and loss of consciousness. SOMNOLENCE: Sleepiness SPIROMETER: An instrument to measure the amount of air taken into and exhaled from the lungs STANDARD OF CARE: Treatment plan, which the majority of the medical community would accept as appropriate STAGING: A determination of the extent of the disease STATIN: Any of a class of lipid-lowering drugs that reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol STENOSIS: Narrowing of a duct, tube, or one of the heart valves STOMATITIS: Mouth sores; inflammation of the mouth STRATIFY: Arrange in groups for analysis of results (e.g., stratify by age, sex, etc.) STUPOR: Stunned state in which it is difficult to get a response or the attention of the subject SUBCLAVIAN: Under the collarbone SUBCUTANEOUS: Under the skin SUPINE: Lying on the back SUPPORTIVE CARE: General medical care aimed at symptoms, not intended to improve or cure underlying disease SYMPTOMATIC: Having symptoms SYNCOPE: Black out SYNDROME: A condition characterized by a set of symptoms SYSTOLIC: Top number in blood pressure; Relating to contraction phase of heart beat >>top T TACHYCARDIA – Fast heart rate TASTE ALTERATION: Abnormal flavor detection in food. TERATOGENIC: Capable of causing malformations in unborn fetuses TESTES: Male sex glands; male organs which produce sperm THROMBOCYTOPENIA: An abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets in the circulatory system. A decrease in platelets would cause a decrease in the ability of the blood to clot when necessary. THROMBOSIS: Blood clotting within blood vessels TICS: A contraction of a muscle causing a repeated movement not under the control of the person usually on the face or limbs. TID: Three times a day TINNITUS: A buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound in one or both ears TITRATION: Gradual alteration of drug dose to determine desired effect or most beneficial strength of drug T-LYMPHOCYTES: Type of white blood cells involved in immune reactions TOMOGRAPHY: Obtaining pictures of the interior of the body TOPICAL: Surface; on the skin TOPICAL ANESTHETIC: Applied to certain area of the skin to reduce pain to specific (limited) area to which applied TORSADES DE POINTES: An unusually rapid heart rhythm starting in the lower heart chambers. If the short bursts of rapid heart rhythm continue for a prolonged period it can degenerate into a more rapid rhythm and can be fatal. TOXICITY: Side effects or undesirable effects of a drug TRACHEITIS - Inflammation in the windpipe. TRANSDERMAL: Through the skin TRANSIENTLY: Temporarily TRAUMA: Injury; wound TREADMILL: Walking machine often used to determine heart function TREMOR: A nervous and involuntary vibrating or quivering of the body. U UPTAKE: Absorption and incorporation of a substance by living tissue; absorb and incorporate a substance, taking in of a substance by living tissue URINARY URGENCY: A sudden compelling urge to urinate, accompanied by discomfort in the bladder. >>top V VALVULOPLASTY: Plastic repair of a valve, especially of the heart VARICES: Enlarged veins VARICOSE VEIN: Unusually swollen veins near the surface of the skin that sometimes appear twisted and knotted, but always enlarged. They are called hemorrhoids when they appear around the rectum. The cause is attributed to hereditary weakness in the veins aggravated by obesity, pregnancy, pressure from standing, aging, etc. Severe cases may develop swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, eczema and/or ulcers in the affected areas. VASOSPASM: Narrowing of blood vessels due to spasm of vessel walls VECTOR: A carrier, usually an insect, that carries and transmits disease-causing microorganisms VENIPUNCTURE: Entering vein with a needle, generally through the skin VERTICAL TRANSMISSION: Spread of disease VOMITING: Involuntarily throwing up the contents of the stomach >>top W WBC: White blood cell; the infection-fighting cells in the blood | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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