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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Alternative medical system
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Alternative medical systemA 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.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Medical
Pertaining to Medicine.
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 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
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--------------------------------------
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
An enzyme normally present in liver and heart cells that is released into the bloodstream when the liver or heart is damaged. The blood ALT levels are elevated with liver damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with an insult to the heart (for example, from a heart attack). Some medications can also raise ALT levels. ALT is also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).
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.
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 medical system
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.
Altitude illness
"Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Altitude, acclimatization to
Adjustment to changes in altitude. The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given time, the body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen concentration at a specific altitude, process known as acclimatization.
Altitude, high
Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Medical
Pertaining to Medicine.
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 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
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--------------------------------------
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
An enzyme normally present in liver and heart cells that is released into the bloodstream when the liver or heart is damaged. The blood ALT levels are elevated with liver damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with an insult to the heart (for example, from a heart attack). Some medications can also raise ALT levels. ALT is also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).
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.
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 medical system
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.
Altitude illness
"Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Altitude, acclimatization to
Adjustment to changes in altitude. The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given time, the body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen concentration at a specific altitude, process known as acclimatization.
Altitude, high
Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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