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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Pneumonia
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PneumoniaAcute inflammation or infection of the lungs.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
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.
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.
Lungs
The main respiratory organs in the chest where blood is oxygenated.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Pneumococcus genera
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a species of Streptococcus that is a major human pathogen.
Pneumoconiosis
Any of several lung diseases caused by inhaling particles of industrial substances.
Pneumonectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis refers to the inflammation of the lungs, caused by a virus or an allergic reaction .
Pneumothorax
The buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity. May cause lung collapse.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Plantar
Having to do with the sole of the foot.
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura.
Plexus
A network of nerves or veins.
Plumbism
Chronic lead poisoning.
Pneumoconiosis
Any of several lung diseases caused by inhaling particles of industrial substances.
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
The buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity. May cause lung collapse.
Podiatry
The branch of medicine that pertains to the foot and its ailments.
Poison
A substance that causes illness or death when eaten, drunk or absorbed into the body.
Poliomyelitis
An acute, infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system. Sometimes causes paralysis that can result in permanent deformities. Vaccines are available. Also called polio.
Polycythemia
Abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells or hematocrit.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Acute
1. Of short course. 2. Severe, but of a short duration. Not chronic.
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.
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.
Lungs
The main respiratory organs in the chest where blood is oxygenated.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Pneumococcus genera
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a species of Streptococcus that is a major human pathogen.
Pneumoconiosis
Any of several lung diseases caused by inhaling particles of industrial substances.
Pneumonectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the entire lung.
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis refers to the inflammation of the lungs, caused by a virus or an allergic reaction .
Pneumothorax
The buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity. May cause lung collapse.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Plantar
Having to do with the sole of the foot.
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura.
Plexus
A network of nerves or veins.
Plumbism
Chronic lead poisoning.
Pneumoconiosis
Any of several lung diseases caused by inhaling particles of industrial substances.
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
The buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity. May cause lung collapse.
Podiatry
The branch of medicine that pertains to the foot and its ailments.
Poison
A substance that causes illness or death when eaten, drunk or absorbed into the body.
Poliomyelitis
An acute, infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system. Sometimes causes paralysis that can result in permanent deformities. Vaccines are available. Also called polio.
Polycythemia
Abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells or hematocrit.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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