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AK
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AK1. Above the knee. 2. Acanthamoeba keratitis. 3. Actinic keratosis.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Knee
The complex hinge joint of the upper and lower leg involving the femur, tibia and patella.
Acanthamoeba
A microscopic organism, an amoeba, found in soil, dust and fresh water (lakes, rivers, hot springs and hot tubs). Acanthamoeba also occur in brackish water and sea water as well as in heating, venting, and air conditioner units, humidifiers, and dialysis units. Acanthamoeba can enter the skin through a cut, wound, or through the nostrils and, once inside the body, can travel to the lungs and through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, especially to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Through improper storage, handling, and disinfection of contact lenses, Acanthamoeba can enter the eye and there cause infection. A particularly dire infection caused by Acanthamoeba called granulomatous amebic encephalitis is characterized by headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and coma that can progress over several weeks and end in death. Acanthamoeba infections occur more frequently in people with compromised immune systems and the chronically ill. Eye and skin infections are generally treatable while infections of the brain are almost always fatal.
Keratitis
An inflammation of the cornea often caused by a virus or bacteria. Scarring and loss of vision may result.
Actinic
"Referring to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and UV lamps. Sunburn is an actinic burn. An actinic keratosis is a skin lesion that is the consequence of chronic sun exposure. From the Greek ""aktis"" meaning ""ray."""
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
AIDS-related complex
A term used to describe people with HIV infection who have only mild symptoms of illness such as swollen lymph glands. The term is rarely used today.
Air bag
A bag that fills with air, designed for frontal impact crashes, the kind of crashes which account for more than half of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths. Air bags are designed to limit head and chest injuries. But they only supplement safety belts, they do not replace them.
Air travel with diabetes
Concern for patients with diabetes is flying with medications and supplies. Letters from doctors are not recommended since security has concerns that these may be easily forged.
Air-conditioner lung
A form of the sick building syndrome caused by organisms that contaminate humidifiers and the piping of air conditioner ducts. The air conditioner blows cold air containing spores of the organisms throughout the building.
Airway obstruction
Partial or complete blockage of the breathing tubes to the lungs. Obstruction of the airway can be due to different causes including foreign bodies, allergic reactions, infections, anatomical abnormalities and trauma.
AK
Akinetic
Without movement (or without much movement). A term used in neurology to denote the absence (or poverty) of movement.
AKU
Alkaptonuria.
Al-hijamah
Arabic term for the practice of cupping. See: Cupping.
Ala
Alanine. See also: Amino acid symbols.
ALA
1. Alpha-linolenic acid 2.Aminolevulinic acid, a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is converted to protoporphryn IX, a light-sensitive compound. Aminolevulinic acid has been used in the photodynamic therapy of skin precancer and cancer.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Knee
The complex hinge joint of the upper and lower leg involving the femur, tibia and patella.
Acanthamoeba
A microscopic organism, an amoeba, found in soil, dust and fresh water (lakes, rivers, hot springs and hot tubs). Acanthamoeba also occur in brackish water and sea water as well as in heating, venting, and air conditioner units, humidifiers, and dialysis units. Acanthamoeba can enter the skin through a cut, wound, or through the nostrils and, once inside the body, can travel to the lungs and through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, especially to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Through improper storage, handling, and disinfection of contact lenses, Acanthamoeba can enter the eye and there cause infection. A particularly dire infection caused by Acanthamoeba called granulomatous amebic encephalitis is characterized by headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and coma that can progress over several weeks and end in death. Acanthamoeba infections occur more frequently in people with compromised immune systems and the chronically ill. Eye and skin infections are generally treatable while infections of the brain are almost always fatal.
Keratitis
An inflammation of the cornea often caused by a virus or bacteria. Scarring and loss of vision may result.
Actinic
"Referring to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and UV lamps. Sunburn is an actinic burn. An actinic keratosis is a skin lesion that is the consequence of chronic sun exposure. From the Greek ""aktis"" meaning ""ray."""
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
AIDS-related complex
A term used to describe people with HIV infection who have only mild symptoms of illness such as swollen lymph glands. The term is rarely used today.
Air bag
A bag that fills with air, designed for frontal impact crashes, the kind of crashes which account for more than half of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths. Air bags are designed to limit head and chest injuries. But they only supplement safety belts, they do not replace them.
Air travel with diabetes
Concern for patients with diabetes is flying with medications and supplies. Letters from doctors are not recommended since security has concerns that these may be easily forged.
Air-conditioner lung
A form of the sick building syndrome caused by organisms that contaminate humidifiers and the piping of air conditioner ducts. The air conditioner blows cold air containing spores of the organisms throughout the building.
Airway obstruction
Partial or complete blockage of the breathing tubes to the lungs. Obstruction of the airway can be due to different causes including foreign bodies, allergic reactions, infections, anatomical abnormalities and trauma.
AK
Akinetic
Without movement (or without much movement). A term used in neurology to denote the absence (or poverty) of movement.
AKU
Alkaptonuria.
Al-hijamah
Arabic term for the practice of cupping. See: Cupping.
Ala
Alanine. See also: Amino acid symbols.
ALA
1. Alpha-linolenic acid 2.Aminolevulinic acid, a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is converted to protoporphryn IX, a light-sensitive compound. Aminolevulinic acid has been used in the photodynamic therapy of skin precancer and cancer.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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