Chpt 1 term
Acute
A disease that is short term, pronounced a-CUTE
Chronic
A disease that persists for a long time, KRON-ick
Disease
A change in structure or function within the body that is considered abnormal; any change from normal, pronounced diz-ees
Fatal
Inevitable or causing death, pronounced fate-l
Lethal
Something that kills, pronounced lee-thal
Mortality rate
Also called death rate, it is related to the number of people who are likely to die from a disease over a period of time.
Complication
The onset of a second disease or disorder in an individual who already has a disease, pronounced com-pli-ca-shun
Disorder
A derangement or abnormality of function
Etiology
Logy means study, the study of the cause of a disease, pronounced EE-tee-OL-oh-jee
Palliative
Something that is directed towards relief of sysmptoms but not necessarily seeking a cure, pronounced PAL-ee-AY-tiv
Palpation
Feeling lightly or firmly organs, internal structures or vibrations to detect normal and abnormal body functions, pronounced pal-PAY-shun
Remission
A time when symptoms are diminished or temporarily resolved.
Syndrome
A group of symptoms that may be caused by a specific disease but also maybe caused by several interrelated problems.
Auscultation
The use of a stethoscope to listen to body and body cavity sounds, pronounced aws-kul-tay-shun
Allergen
an environmental substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Antigens
A cell marker that induces a state of sensitivity after coming in contact with an antibody; any substance that causes the body some type of harm, thus setting off this specific reaction, pronounced AN-tih-jens
Atrophy
A decrease in cell size, which leads to a decrease in the size of the tissue and organ, pronounced AT-tro-fee; a = without, trophy = growth
Autoimmunity
The state when the immune response attacks itself, auto = self.
Bariatrics
The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Encapsulated
Enclosed in a capsule; term used to describe benign tumors.
Holistic medicine
The concept of considering the whole person rather than just the physical being, pronounced hole-istic
Body mass index
A measurement obtained by dividing the individual’s weight in pounds by his or her height in inches. A BMI scale uses these figures to determine levels of obesity.
Cachexia
A term used to describe any individual who has an ill, thin, wasted appearance. Pronounced ca-KECK-see-ah
Dysplasia
An alteration in size, shape, and organization of cells. Pronounced dis-PLAY-zee-ah
Enteral
Relating to the small intestine.