Key Terms
What is something that continually gets worse?
Degenerative
What is a type of diagnostic imaging that uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
What is a procedure during which the electrical activity of the brain is recorded using electrodes placed on the scalp?
Electroencephalograms (EEG)
What is a type of severe headache that occurs in clusters, with several occurring in a row?
Cluster headache
What is a type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat anxiety disorders and depression and focuses on skills and solutions that a person can use to modify negative thinking and behavior patterns?
Cognitive behavioral therapy
What is an incurable, hereditary brain disease that causes weakening of mental and physical abilities?
Huntington's disease (HD)
What is a type of diagnostic imaging that uses a radioactive substance injected into the patient’s vein to view the body’s organs?
Position emission tomography (PET)
What is a general term that refers to a serious, progressive loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating?
Dementia
What is nerve pain caused by irritation, infection, or damage in a nerve?
Neuralgia
What is the ability of the eye to see clear images?
Visual acuity
What is a progressive, incurable disease that causes a section of the brain to degenerate, affecting muscle function and causing stooped posture, shuffling gait, pill-rolling, and tremors?
Parkinson's disease
What is a type of diagnostic imaging in which an X-ray records pictures of the blood vessels after a dye is injected to improve visibility?
Angiogram
What is a progressive, incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually cause dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
What is inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back down the buttock and leg; also called lumbar radiculopathy?
Sciatica
What is the ability to see objects nearby more clearly than objects far away; also called nearsightedness?
Myopia
What is a progressive disease in which the myelin sheath breaks down over time; without this protective covering, nerves cannot send messages to and from the brain in a normal way, which causes problems with balance and walking, along with many other symptoms?
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
What is a type of X-ray performed to view and evaluate the spinal cord?
Myelogram
What is a type of headache that often causes throbbing pain in the head; may relate to stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, and hunger, among other causes?
Tension headache
What is the inability to think logically and clearly?
Confusion
What is the ability to see objects in the distance better than objects nearby; also called farsightedness?
Hyperopia
What is scan a type of diagnostic imaging that enhances X-rays with computerized imaging, creating detailed cross-section images of the body.?
Computerized tomography (CT)
What is a procedure used to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space in the lumbar area; also called spinal tap?
Lumbar puncture
What is a severe type of headache that can cause nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and other symptoms in addition to severe head pain?
Migraine
What is state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary?
Delirium
What is a form of hyperopia (farsightedness) that occurs with aging?
Presbyopia