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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Alternative Medicine
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Alternative Medicine A broad category of treatment systems (eg chiropractic, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, and spiritual devotions) or culturally based healing traditions such as Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Christian Science. Alternative medicines share the common characteristic of nonacceptance by the biomedical (ie mainstream Western) establishment. Alternative medicine is also referred to as "complementary medicine." The designation "alternative medicine" is not equivalent to holistic medicine, a narrower term
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Chiropractic
An approach to health care based on the assumption that most diseases are caused by pressure on the nerves. This pressure is thought to be caused by faulty alignment of the bones that prevents the nerves from functioning properly.
Acupuncture
A procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.
Homeopathy
Medical treatment based on the theory that certain diseases can be cured by giving very small doses of substances that, in a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those of the disease.
Science
1. A continuous process whose basic purposes are to make phenomena recognizable and to predict outcomes, and whose fundamental activities comprise|(a) observing and describing phenomena and developing general conclusions about them; (b) integrating new data with organized observations that have been confirmed; (c) formulating testable hypotheses based on the results of such integration; (d) testing such hypotheses under controlled, repeatable conditions; (e) observing the results of such testing, recording them unambiguously, and interpreting them clearly; and (f) actively seeking criticism from participants in science. 2. Knowledge from science. 3. A scientific domain (e.g., genetics). 4. Knowledge from a particular scientific domain. 5. Any system or method characterized by the application of scientific principles to practical ends (e.g., culinary science). 6. Any disciplined, systematized area of study. 7. Methodological activity, training, or study. 8. Any activity that ostensibly requires study and method. 9. Knowledge from experience. 10. A developed ability. 11. The state of knowing.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Alteplase
Generic name of a tissue plasminogen activator produced by recombinant DNA technology. The brand name is Activase. See: Tissue plasminogen activator.
Alternate hemiplegia
See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.
Alternate pathway
The mechanism of complement activation that does not involve activation of the C1, C4, C2 pathway by antigen-antibody complexes, and begins with the activation of C3.
Alternate Site Testing
Using parts of the body other than the finger tips to obtain blood for blood glucose testing.
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood
A rare neurological disorder with frequent temporary episodes of paralysis of one side of the body (hemiplegia) usually beginning before the age of 18 months. The eye movements, face, or limbs can be paralysed on either side of the body, but on only one side at a time. The cause is unknown. Abbreviated AHC. Also known as alternating hemiplegia syndrome. One form of AHC has a favorable outlook. It occurs primarily at night, when a child awakens, and is apparently related to migraine. These children have no other mental or neurological impairments. Another form of AHC is more serious and may include mental impairment, balance and gait difficulties, excessive sweating, changes in body temperature, and seizures. Treatment with flunarizine , a calcium channel blocker, may help to reduce the severity and duration of attacks of paralysis.
Alternating hemiplegia syndrome
See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.
Alternative hypothesis.
The opposite of a null hypothesis. See null hypothesis, research hypothesis.
Alternative medical system
A system of alternative medicine built upon a complete system of theory and practice. Often, such systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the US or Europe. Alternative medical systems may have evolved in Western or non-Western cultures. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Alternative pathway
The mechanism of complement activation that does not involve activation of the C1, C4, C2 pathway by antigen-antibody complexes, and begins with the activation of C3.
Alternative splicing
A mechanism by which different forms of mature mRNAs (messengers RNAs) are generated from the same gene. Alternative splicing is a regulatory mechanism by which variations in the incorporation of the exons, or coding regions, into mRNA leads to the production of more than one related protein, or isoform.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Alzheimer Disease
The leading cause of dementia which is a set of symptoms that includes loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. Alzheimer disease gradually destroys vital nerve cells in the brain. it is not a normal part of aging.
Apo-Sertral
Apo-setral is a drug that is used to treat depression,obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Like other SSRIs, sertraline also is used for treating social anxiety disorderand postmenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Antagon
Antagon or Ganirelix is used to inhibit premature ovulation in women undergoing fertility procedures. This medicine prevents premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women undergoing the fertility procedure of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. LH is involved in ovulation, which is the development of eggs in the ovaries. Ganirelix may help reduce the need for follicle-stimulating hormone, which is also involved in ovulation.
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome (AS), is a pervasive developmental disorder commonly referred to as a form of "high-functioning" autism. The term "Asperger's syndrome" was coined by Lorna Wing in a 1981 medical paper; she named it after Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician whose work was not internationally recognized until the 1990s.
Angelman Syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is neurological disorder in which severe learning difficulties are associated with a characteristic facial appearance and behavior.
Alternative Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine
Practiced in India for the past 5,000 years, Ayurvedic medicine (meaning "science of life") is a comprehensive system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a highly personalized approach to the treatment of disease. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual.
Anorectic
A name frequently used for diet medications that curb appetite.
Adipex
A brand name for Phentermine, an appetite suppressant used to reduce calorie intake.
Abortion pill
An abortion-inducing drug (trade name Mifepristone) developed in France; when taken during the first five weeks of pregnancy it blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterus sloughs off the embryo.
Anexsia
Hydrocodone (chemical synonym: dihydrocodeinone; trade names: Vicodin, Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Tussionex) is an opioid derived from either of the natural occuring opiates -- codeine or thebaine. Hydrocodone is an orally active analgesic and antitussive Schedule II narcotic which is marketed in multi-ingredient Schedule III products. The therapeutic dose of 5 mg to 10 mg is pharmacologically equivalent to 30 to 60 mg of oral codeine.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Chiropractic
An approach to health care based on the assumption that most diseases are caused by pressure on the nerves. This pressure is thought to be caused by faulty alignment of the bones that prevents the nerves from functioning properly.
Acupuncture
A procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.
Homeopathy
Medical treatment based on the theory that certain diseases can be cured by giving very small doses of substances that, in a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those of the disease.
Science
1. A continuous process whose basic purposes are to make phenomena recognizable and to predict outcomes, and whose fundamental activities comprise|(a) observing and describing phenomena and developing general conclusions about them; (b) integrating new data with organized observations that have been confirmed; (c) formulating testable hypotheses based on the results of such integration; (d) testing such hypotheses under controlled, repeatable conditions; (e) observing the results of such testing, recording them unambiguously, and interpreting them clearly; and (f) actively seeking criticism from participants in science. 2. Knowledge from science. 3. A scientific domain (e.g., genetics). 4. Knowledge from a particular scientific domain. 5. Any system or method characterized by the application of scientific principles to practical ends (e.g., culinary science). 6. Any disciplined, systematized area of study. 7. Methodological activity, training, or study. 8. Any activity that ostensibly requires study and method. 9. Knowledge from experience. 10. A developed ability. 11. The state of knowing.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Alteplase
Generic name of a tissue plasminogen activator produced by recombinant DNA technology. The brand name is Activase. See: Tissue plasminogen activator.
Alternate hemiplegia
See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.
Alternate pathway
The mechanism of complement activation that does not involve activation of the C1, C4, C2 pathway by antigen-antibody complexes, and begins with the activation of C3.
Alternate Site Testing
Using parts of the body other than the finger tips to obtain blood for blood glucose testing.
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood
A rare neurological disorder with frequent temporary episodes of paralysis of one side of the body (hemiplegia) usually beginning before the age of 18 months. The eye movements, face, or limbs can be paralysed on either side of the body, but on only one side at a time. The cause is unknown. Abbreviated AHC. Also known as alternating hemiplegia syndrome. One form of AHC has a favorable outlook. It occurs primarily at night, when a child awakens, and is apparently related to migraine. These children have no other mental or neurological impairments. Another form of AHC is more serious and may include mental impairment, balance and gait difficulties, excessive sweating, changes in body temperature, and seizures. Treatment with flunarizine , a calcium channel blocker, may help to reduce the severity and duration of attacks of paralysis.
Alternating hemiplegia syndrome
See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.
Alternative hypothesis.
The opposite of a null hypothesis. See null hypothesis, research hypothesis.
Alternative medical system
A system of alternative medicine built upon a complete system of theory and practice. Often, such systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the US or Europe. Alternative medical systems may have evolved in Western or non-Western cultures. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Alternative pathway
The mechanism of complement activation that does not involve activation of the C1, C4, C2 pathway by antigen-antibody complexes, and begins with the activation of C3.
Alternative splicing
A mechanism by which different forms of mature mRNAs (messengers RNAs) are generated from the same gene. Alternative splicing is a regulatory mechanism by which variations in the incorporation of the exons, or coding regions, into mRNA leads to the production of more than one related protein, or isoform.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Alzheimer Disease
The leading cause of dementia which is a set of symptoms that includes loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. Alzheimer disease gradually destroys vital nerve cells in the brain. it is not a normal part of aging.
Apo-Sertral
Apo-setral is a drug that is used to treat depression,obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Like other SSRIs, sertraline also is used for treating social anxiety disorderand postmenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Antagon
Antagon or Ganirelix is used to inhibit premature ovulation in women undergoing fertility procedures. This medicine prevents premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women undergoing the fertility procedure of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. LH is involved in ovulation, which is the development of eggs in the ovaries. Ganirelix may help reduce the need for follicle-stimulating hormone, which is also involved in ovulation.
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome (AS), is a pervasive developmental disorder commonly referred to as a form of "high-functioning" autism. The term "Asperger's syndrome" was coined by Lorna Wing in a 1981 medical paper; she named it after Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician whose work was not internationally recognized until the 1990s.
Angelman Syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is neurological disorder in which severe learning difficulties are associated with a characteristic facial appearance and behavior.
Alternative Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine
Practiced in India for the past 5,000 years, Ayurvedic medicine (meaning "science of life") is a comprehensive system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a highly personalized approach to the treatment of disease. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual.
Anorectic
A name frequently used for diet medications that curb appetite.
Adipex
A brand name for Phentermine, an appetite suppressant used to reduce calorie intake.
Abortion pill
An abortion-inducing drug (trade name Mifepristone) developed in France; when taken during the first five weeks of pregnancy it blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterus sloughs off the embryo.
Anexsia
Hydrocodone (chemical synonym: dihydrocodeinone; trade names: Vicodin, Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Tussionex) is an opioid derived from either of the natural occuring opiates -- codeine or thebaine. Hydrocodone is an orally active analgesic and antitussive Schedule II narcotic which is marketed in multi-ingredient Schedule III products. The therapeutic dose of 5 mg to 10 mg is pharmacologically equivalent to 30 to 60 mg of oral codeine.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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