Medical Glossary

This glossary contains:
19186
medical terms

Beta-blocker




Beta-blocker

An agent that inhibits the action of beta-adrenergic receptors, which modulate cardiac functions, respiratory functions, and the dilation of blood vessels. Beta-blockers are of value in the treatment of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and migraine. In psychiatry, they have been used in the treatment of aggression and violence, anxiety-related tremors and lithium-induced tremors, neuroleptic-induced akathisia, social phobias, panic states, and alcohol withdrawal.

RELATED TERMS
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Receptors
Areas on the outer part of a cell that allow the cell to join or bind with insulin that is in the blood.

Cardiac
Pertaining to the heart.

Dilation
The opening of the cervix during labor.

Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.

Hypertension
Higher blood pressure than normal. Diastolic blood pressure from 90 to 99 mm HG is considered mild hypertension; 100–109, moderate hypertension; and 110 or greater, severe hypertension. Systolic blood pressure from 140 to 159 mm HG is considered mild hypertension; 160–179, moderate hypertension; and 180 or greater, severe hypertension.

Migraine
A vascular headache associated with changes in the size of the arteries within and outside of the brain. A migraine begins when hyperactive nerve cells send out impulses to the blood vessels, causing constriction, followed by the dilation of these vessels and the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances that cause the pulsation to be painful. Migraine is a genetic disorder that is inherited. A migraine causes mild to severe pain and lasts from 4 hours up to a week. Migraines usually occur 2 to 4 times per month.

Psychiatry
The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.

Akathisia
Complaints of restlessness accompanied by movements such as fidgeting of the legs, rocking from foot to foot, pacing, or inability to sit or stand. Symptoms can develop within a few weeks of starting or raising the dose of traditional neuroleptic medications or of reducing the dose of medication used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms. akathisia is a state of motor restlessness ranging from a feeling of inner disquiet to inability to sit still or lie quietly.

Social
worker An individual, usually with a university degree in social work, who provides counsel and aid to individuals with emotional and family problems.

Phobias
Anxiety disorders in which the essential feature is persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that the individual feels compelled to avoid. The individual recognizes the fear as excessive or unreasonable.

Panic
A sudden attack of anxiety.

Alcohol
An organic chemical in which one or more hydroxyl (OH) groups are attached to carbon (C) atoms in place of hydrogen (H) atoms. Common alcohols include ethyl alcohol or ethanol (found in alcoholic beverages), methyl alcohol or methanol (can cause blindness) and propyl alcohol or propanol (used as a solvent and antiseptic). Rubbing alcohol is a mixture of acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and ethyl alcohol. In everyday talk, alcohol usually refers to ethanol as, for example, in wine, beer, and liquor. It can cause changes in behavior and be addictive.

Withdrawal
The act or process of giving up the use of a drug to which one has become addicted or dependent.



SIMILAR TERMS
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Beta adrenergic blocking agents
"A class of drugs, also called beta blockers, that block beta-adrenergic substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine), a key agent in the ""sympathetic"" portion of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system."

Beta agonist
See: Beta-agonist.

Beta blocker
An antihypertensive medication that limits the activity of epinephrine (a hormone that increases blood pressure).

Beta Blocker
A drug that slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, controls angina and protects patients with prior heart attacks from future heart attacks.

Beta carotene
"A vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against oxidation damage. Beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A. Food sources of beta carotene include vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and other leafy green vegetables; and fruit such as cantaloupes and apricots. Excessive carotene in the diet can color the skin yellow, a condition called carotenemia. Carotenemia is sometimes seen in infants fed too many mashed carrots and is a reversible condition. Beta carotene supplements have been found not to reduce the risks for cancer or heart disease."

Beta catenin
A protein that is associated with cells that are destined to become hair follicle cells.

Beta Cell
A type of cell in the pancreas in areas called the Islets of Langerhans. Beta cells make and release insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Beta cell, pancreatic
A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the beta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. They constitute the predominant type of cell in the islets. The beta cells are important because they make insulin. Degeneration of the beta cells is the main cause of type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Beta error
"The statistical error (said to be ""of the second kind"" or type II) made in testing when it is concluded that something is negative when it really is positive. Beta error is often referred to as a false negative."

Beta error (statistics)
See Type 2 error.

Beta lipotropin
The biochemical precursor substance from which the body synthesizes endomorphins.

Beta particle
An electron ejected from the nucleus of a decaying atom. Although beta particles can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminum, they can penetrate the dead skin layer, potentially causing burns. They can pose a serious direct or external radiation threat and can be lethal depending on the amount received. They also pose a serious internal radiation threat if beta-emitting atoms are ingested or inhaled.

Beta protein 1
Abbreviated and better known as BP1. See: BP1.

Beta-2
Beta-2 is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): isoetharine hydrochloride.

Beta-2 agonist
See: Beta-agonist.

Beta-agonist
"A bronchodilator medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways that may tighten during an asthma attack or in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Beta-agonists can be administered by inhalers or orally. They are called ""agonists"" because they activate the beta-2 receptor on the muscles surrounding the airways. Activation of beta-2 receptors relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways and opens the airways. Dilating airways helps to relieve the symptoms of dyspnea (shortness of breath). Beta-2 agonists have been shown to relieve dyspnea in many asthma and COPD patients. The action of beta-2 agonists starts within minutes after inhalation and lasts for about 4 hours. Because of their quick onset of action, beta-2 agonists are especially helpful for patients who are acutely short of breath but, because of their short duration of action, several doses of beta-agonists are often necessary each day. The side effects of beta-2 agonists include anxiety, tremor, palpitations or fast heart rate, and low blood potassium. "

Beta-defensin
See: Defensin.

Beta-hc
Beta-hc is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): hydrocortisone.

Beta-val
Beta-val is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone valerate.

Beta2-agonist
ß2-agonists are used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and are used to relax the smooth muscles in the bronchi, which contract during an asthma attack. ß2-agonists are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations for inhalation and as tablets.

Betaderm
Betaderm is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone valerate.

Betadine
Betadine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): povidone-iodine.

Betagan
Betagan is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): levobunolol hydrochloride.

Betalin 12
Betalin 12 is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): cyanocobalamin.

Betalin s
Betalin s is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): thiamine hydrochloride.

Betamethasone dipropionate
Betamethasone dipropionate is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone dipropionate.

Betamethasone sodium phosphate
Betamethasone sodium phosphate is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone sodium phosphate.

Betamethasone valerate
Betamethasone valerate is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone valerate.

Betapace
Betapace is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): sotalol hydrochloride.

Betapace af
Betapace af is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): sotalol hydrochloride.

Betapar
Betapar is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): meprednisone.

Betapen-vk
Betapen-vk is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): penicillin v potassium.

Betaprone
Betaprone is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): propiolactone.

Betaseron
Betaseron is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): interferon beta-1b.

Betatrex
Betatrex is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone valerate.

Betaxolol
Betaxolol is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betaxolol hydrochloride.

Betaxolol hcl
Betaxolol hcl is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betaxolol hydrochloride.

Betaxon
Betaxon is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): levobetaxolol hydrochloride.



PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS
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Bosselated
Marked or covered with round eminences (bosses) resembling those found at the base of a horn.

Botryoid
Shaped like a bunch of grapes.

Bovine malignant catarrhal fever
Malignant catarrhal fever is an acute, highly fatal, viral, infectious disease of cattle and sheep , characterized by an erosive stomatitis, gastroenteritis and erosions of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract.

Bronchiectasis
Dilatation of bronchi. The noun form is ectasia.

Bestiality
Zoophilia; sexual relations between a human being and an animal. See also paraphilia.

Beta-blocker

Bizarre delusion
A delusion that involves a phenomenon that the person's culture would regard as totally implausible.

Blocking
A sudden obstruction or interruption in spontaneous flow of thinking or speaking, perceived as an absence or deprivation of thought.

Blunted affect
An affect type that represents significant reduction in the intensity of emotional expression.

Body image
One's sense of the self and one's body.

Broca's aphasia
Loss of the ability to comprehend language coupled with production of inappropriate language.

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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.







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