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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Encephalomyelitis
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EncephalomyelitisInflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord. Encephalomyelitis can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Among the common causes of encephalomyelitis are viruses which infect the nervous system. One type of encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, occurs most commonly after an acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) and is due to be an autoimmune attack upon the nervous system.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Inflammation
A reaction to an injury to the body - by infection, chemicals or physical agents. The symptoms can be - depending on the location of the injury- redness, swelling, heat and pain. The purpose of the inflammation is to dilute and destroy the agent causing the inflammation. To do this, the immune system starts a cascade of actions that causes active cells to gather at the affected location. It is these cells and fluids that cause the redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Cord
1. In anatomy, a long ropelike structure. 2. Short for the spinal cord or the umbilical cord.
Encephalomyelitis
Inflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord. Encephalomyelitis can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Among the common causes of encephalomyelitis are viruses which infect the nervous system. One type of encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, occurs most commonly after an acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) and is due to be an autoimmune attack upon the nervous system.
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Measles
Childhood infectious disease causing rash and fever. A viral infection that may cause hearing loss. It does not always lead to hearing loss, but it can cause a wide range of sensorineural hearing loss from monaural to binaural and mild to profound in degree. Measles has historically been a common childhood disease with rare complications. Mass vaccination has resulted in a dramatic decline in measles incidence, but outbreaks now occur in older populations and in infants born to women whose immunity from vaccination has deteriorated. Periodic epidemics continue to occur. The vaccine is associated with serious adverse reactions including permanent nervous system damage and thrombocytopenia (a decrease in blood platelets responsible for blood clotting with accompanying spontaneous bleeding) all resulting from autoimmune disease triggered by the vaccine. Long-term effects are unknown.
Autoimmune
Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system goes awry and attacks the body itself. Autoimmunity is present to some extent in everyone and is usually harmless. However, autoimmunity can cause a broad range of human illnesses, known collectively as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when there is progression from benign autoimmunity to pathogenic autoimmunity. This progression is determined by genetic influences as well as environmental triggers. Autoimmunity is evidenced by the presence of autoantibodies (antibodies directed against the person who produced them) and T cells that are reactive with host antigens.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Encephalitis
A viral infection of the brain.
Encephalitis, LAC
LaCrosse encephalitis. An arbovirus is a virus that is arthropod-borne (carried by a mosquito, tick or another kind of arthropod). The arbovirus infects and inflames the brain. LAC encephalitis was first found in a 4-year-old in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1963. Since then, the virus has been identified in a number of Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. During an average year, about 75 cases of LAC encephalitis are reported to the CDC. However, the cases that are reported are probably just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
Encephalitis, LaCrosse
An arbovirus is a virus that is arthropod-borne (carried by a mosquito, tick or another kind of arthropod). The arbovirus infects and inflames the brain. LaCrosse encephalitis was first found in a 4-year-old in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1963. Since then, the virus has been identified in a number of Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. During an average year, about 75 cases of LAC encephalitis are reported to the CDC. However, the cases that are reported are probably just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
Encephalitis, Nipah virus
Brain inflammation (encephalitis) due to the Nipah virus that infects pigs and people. The main risk factor for Nipah virus encephalitis is recent contact with pigs. Most patients have had direct contact with pigs in the two weeks preceding the onset of the illness. The infection may spread to people through contact with pig secretions such as feces or saliva or through contact with infected dogs.
Encephalitis, Rasmussen
A rare progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by intractable seizures and progressive neurologic deterioration. To be more precise, there are frequent and severe seizures (convulsions), progressive loss of motor skills and speech, hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), dementia, and mental deterioration. The disorder affects a single brain hemisphere (one side or the other of the brain but not both sides) and generally occurs in children under the age of 15.
Encephalitis, St. Louis
A disease caused by a virus transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito to people. Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea (due to the encephalitis), pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. The fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children (under age 5), the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for West Nile encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalitis, viral
Inflammation of the brain as a result of virus infection. There are many viruses that cause viral encephalitis.
Encephalitis, West Nile
A febrile disease caused by the West Nile virus that is transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito and then to people.Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea due to encephalitis, pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. Fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children under age 5, the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. West Nile encephalitis is also known as West Nile fever. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalopathic syndrome
A dangerous condition with symptoms similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), of which it may be a variant. It is associated with lithium toxicity.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Encephalitis, Nipah virus
Brain inflammation (encephalitis) due to the Nipah virus that infects pigs and people. The main risk factor for Nipah virus encephalitis is recent contact with pigs. Most patients have had direct contact with pigs in the two weeks preceding the onset of the illness. The infection may spread to people through contact with pig secretions such as feces or saliva or through contact with infected dogs.
Encephalitis, Rasmussen
A rare progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by intractable seizures and progressive neurologic deterioration. To be more precise, there are frequent and severe seizures (convulsions), progressive loss of motor skills and speech, hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), dementia, and mental deterioration. The disorder affects a single brain hemisphere (one side or the other of the brain but not both sides) and generally occurs in children under the age of 15.
Encephalitis, St. Louis
A disease caused by a virus transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito to people. Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea (due to the encephalitis), pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. The fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children (under age 5), the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for West Nile encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalitis, viral
Inflammation of the brain as a result of virus infection. There are many viruses that cause viral encephalitis.
Encephalitis, West Nile
A febrile disease caused by the West Nile virus that is transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito and then to people.Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea due to encephalitis, pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. Fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children under age 5, the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. West Nile encephalitis is also known as West Nile fever. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalomyelitis
Encephalopathic syndrome
A dangerous condition with symptoms similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), of which it may be a variant. It is associated with lithium toxicity.
Enchondromatosis
A condition characterized by multiple enchondromas -- benign masses of cartilage growing within bones. The enchondromas can deform and shorten a limb and predispose to a fracture. The condition can be caused by a mutation in the gene for the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1).
End stage
The last phase in the course of a progressive disease. As in end-stage liver disease, end-stage lung disease, end-stage renal disease, end-stage cancer, etc. The term "end stage" has come to replace "terminal" because somehow "end stage" seems more scientific and less despairing than "terminal." The only "stage" past "end stage" is usually death or a reprieve from it by a transplant.
End-of-the-road disease
Guinea worm disease, a parasitic illness caused by infection with the guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis), the largest parasite known to plague people. Guinea worm disease is also known as Dracunculiasis. It is called end-of-the-road disease because it is not seen in the big cities. Once it infects a person, the guinea worm migrates through their body. It eventually emerges from the body (through the feet in 90% of cases) causing intensely painful edema (swelling), a blister and then an ulcer. Perforation of the skin by the guinea worm, which can be 6 feet long, is accompanied by fever and nausea and vomiting. Infected persons may remain sick for some months.
End-stage renal disease
ESRD. Chronic irreversible renal failure.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Inflammation
A reaction to an injury to the body - by infection, chemicals or physical agents. The symptoms can be - depending on the location of the injury- redness, swelling, heat and pain. The purpose of the inflammation is to dilute and destroy the agent causing the inflammation. To do this, the immune system starts a cascade of actions that causes active cells to gather at the affected location. It is these cells and fluids that cause the redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Cord
1. In anatomy, a long ropelike structure. 2. Short for the spinal cord or the umbilical cord.
Encephalomyelitis
Inflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord. Encephalomyelitis can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Among the common causes of encephalomyelitis are viruses which infect the nervous system. One type of encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, occurs most commonly after an acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) and is due to be an autoimmune attack upon the nervous system.
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Measles
Childhood infectious disease causing rash and fever. A viral infection that may cause hearing loss. It does not always lead to hearing loss, but it can cause a wide range of sensorineural hearing loss from monaural to binaural and mild to profound in degree. Measles has historically been a common childhood disease with rare complications. Mass vaccination has resulted in a dramatic decline in measles incidence, but outbreaks now occur in older populations and in infants born to women whose immunity from vaccination has deteriorated. Periodic epidemics continue to occur. The vaccine is associated with serious adverse reactions including permanent nervous system damage and thrombocytopenia (a decrease in blood platelets responsible for blood clotting with accompanying spontaneous bleeding) all resulting from autoimmune disease triggered by the vaccine. Long-term effects are unknown.
Autoimmune
Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system goes awry and attacks the body itself. Autoimmunity is present to some extent in everyone and is usually harmless. However, autoimmunity can cause a broad range of human illnesses, known collectively as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when there is progression from benign autoimmunity to pathogenic autoimmunity. This progression is determined by genetic influences as well as environmental triggers. Autoimmunity is evidenced by the presence of autoantibodies (antibodies directed against the person who produced them) and T cells that are reactive with host antigens.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Encephalitis
A viral infection of the brain.
Encephalitis, LAC
LaCrosse encephalitis. An arbovirus is a virus that is arthropod-borne (carried by a mosquito, tick or another kind of arthropod). The arbovirus infects and inflames the brain. LAC encephalitis was first found in a 4-year-old in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1963. Since then, the virus has been identified in a number of Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. During an average year, about 75 cases of LAC encephalitis are reported to the CDC. However, the cases that are reported are probably just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
Encephalitis, LaCrosse
An arbovirus is a virus that is arthropod-borne (carried by a mosquito, tick or another kind of arthropod). The arbovirus infects and inflames the brain. LaCrosse encephalitis was first found in a 4-year-old in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1963. Since then, the virus has been identified in a number of Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. During an average year, about 75 cases of LAC encephalitis are reported to the CDC. However, the cases that are reported are probably just the tip of a much larger iceberg.
Encephalitis, Nipah virus
Brain inflammation (encephalitis) due to the Nipah virus that infects pigs and people. The main risk factor for Nipah virus encephalitis is recent contact with pigs. Most patients have had direct contact with pigs in the two weeks preceding the onset of the illness. The infection may spread to people through contact with pig secretions such as feces or saliva or through contact with infected dogs.
Encephalitis, Rasmussen
A rare progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by intractable seizures and progressive neurologic deterioration. To be more precise, there are frequent and severe seizures (convulsions), progressive loss of motor skills and speech, hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), dementia, and mental deterioration. The disorder affects a single brain hemisphere (one side or the other of the brain but not both sides) and generally occurs in children under the age of 15.
Encephalitis, St. Louis
A disease caused by a virus transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito to people. Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea (due to the encephalitis), pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. The fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children (under age 5), the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for West Nile encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalitis, viral
Inflammation of the brain as a result of virus infection. There are many viruses that cause viral encephalitis.
Encephalitis, West Nile
A febrile disease caused by the West Nile virus that is transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito and then to people.Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea due to encephalitis, pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. Fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children under age 5, the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. West Nile encephalitis is also known as West Nile fever. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalopathic syndrome
A dangerous condition with symptoms similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), of which it may be a variant. It is associated with lithium toxicity.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Encephalitis, Nipah virus
Brain inflammation (encephalitis) due to the Nipah virus that infects pigs and people. The main risk factor for Nipah virus encephalitis is recent contact with pigs. Most patients have had direct contact with pigs in the two weeks preceding the onset of the illness. The infection may spread to people through contact with pig secretions such as feces or saliva or through contact with infected dogs.
Encephalitis, Rasmussen
A rare progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by intractable seizures and progressive neurologic deterioration. To be more precise, there are frequent and severe seizures (convulsions), progressive loss of motor skills and speech, hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), dementia, and mental deterioration. The disorder affects a single brain hemisphere (one side or the other of the brain but not both sides) and generally occurs in children under the age of 15.
Encephalitis, St. Louis
A disease caused by a virus transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito to people. Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea (due to the encephalitis), pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. The fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children (under age 5), the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for West Nile encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalitis, viral
Inflammation of the brain as a result of virus infection. There are many viruses that cause viral encephalitis.
Encephalitis, West Nile
A febrile disease caused by the West Nile virus that is transmitted from birds to the common Culex mosquito and then to people.Signs and symptoms include the sudden onset of drowsiness, headache and nausea due to encephalitis, pain in the abdomen, a rash, and swollen glands (lymphadenopathy). These features are usually but not always mild. Fatal cases tend to involve infants and small children under age 5, the aged, and people with an impaired immune system. West Nile encephalitis is also known as West Nile fever. The virus is closely related to other flaviviruses including those responsible for St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Encephalomyelitis
Encephalopathic syndrome
A dangerous condition with symptoms similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), of which it may be a variant. It is associated with lithium toxicity.
Enchondromatosis
A condition characterized by multiple enchondromas -- benign masses of cartilage growing within bones. The enchondromas can deform and shorten a limb and predispose to a fracture. The condition can be caused by a mutation in the gene for the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1).
End stage
The last phase in the course of a progressive disease. As in end-stage liver disease, end-stage lung disease, end-stage renal disease, end-stage cancer, etc. The term "end stage" has come to replace "terminal" because somehow "end stage" seems more scientific and less despairing than "terminal." The only "stage" past "end stage" is usually death or a reprieve from it by a transplant.
End-of-the-road disease
Guinea worm disease, a parasitic illness caused by infection with the guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis), the largest parasite known to plague people. Guinea worm disease is also known as Dracunculiasis. It is called end-of-the-road disease because it is not seen in the big cities. Once it infects a person, the guinea worm migrates through their body. It eventually emerges from the body (through the feet in 90% of cases) causing intensely painful edema (swelling), a blister and then an ulcer. Perforation of the skin by the guinea worm, which can be 6 feet long, is accompanied by fever and nausea and vomiting. Infected persons may remain sick for some months.
End-stage renal disease
ESRD. Chronic irreversible renal failure.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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