Chapter 27 & 28 (Substance Abuse / Environmental Hazards) Flashcards
insinuation
an unpleasant hint or suggestion of something bad
denotation vs connotation
DENOTATION: The direct definition of the word that you find in the dictionary. CONNOTATION: The emotional suggestions of a word, that is not literal.
depressant
(chiefly of a drug) reducing functional or nervous activity
stimulant
a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body
synergy
the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people or businesses work together
tolerance
the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with
(drug tolerance or physiological tolerance) a decrease in the response to a substance due to previous exposure
substance abuse
Excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, pain medications, or illegal drugs. It can lead to physical, social, or emotional harm.
addiction vs chemical dependency
Addiction is the compulsive use of drugs (or other things or actions) despite negative consequences. It is characterized by failure to stop, failure to meet social obligations, and withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued.
Chemical dependence is, in simplest terms, a normal biological reaction to an addictive chemical. Chronic pain sufferers who are on a regimen of opioid medications will almost certainly become chemically dependent on that medication, because of its interaction with the body’s central nervous system. Opioids bond to certain receptors in the brain, causing the increased release of dopamine.
minim
The minim (abbreviated min, ♏︎ or ♍︎) is a unit of volume equal to 1⁄480 of an ounce.
dram
(alternative British spelling drachm; apothecary symbol ʒ or ℨ; abbreviated dr)
The dram is a unit of measurement in two different measurement systems.
It is a unit of mass in the avoirdupois system. In the avoirdupois system, the dram is the mass of 1⁄256 pound or 1⁄16 ounce. The avoirdupois system is a measurement system of weights that uses pounds and ounces as units. It was first commonly used in the 13th century AD and was updated in 1959. The USA and many British colonies still use this system.
It is a unit of volume in the apothecaries’ system. The apothecaries’ system is a historical system of mass and volume units that were used by physicians and apothecaries for medical recipes and also sometimes by scientists. It is no longer used.
The dram was originally both a coin and a weight in ancient Greece.
non-ionizing radiation
Unlike x-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules.
pesticide
A pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests.
Pesticides include herbicides for destroying weeds and other unwanted vegetation, insecticides for controlling a wide variety of insects, fungicides used to prevent the growth of molds and mildew, disinfectants for preventing the spread of bacteria, and rodenticides used to control mice and rats.
pheromone
A chemical that an animal produces which changes the behavior of another animal of the same species. Some describe pheromones as behavior-altering agents. Sexual behavior is not the only behavior triggered; there are others.
desiccation
the removal of moisture from something
miticide
A substance that controls or kills mites that feed on plants and animals.
defoliant
a chemical spray or dust applied to plants in order to cause the leaves to drop off prematurely
phthalates
A group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable; they are often called plasticizers.
pica
an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food (e.g. ice, clay, soil, paper)
pagophagia
Pagophagia (compulsive ice chewing) is a particular form of pica that is characterized by ingestion of ice, freezer frost, or iced drinks. It is usually associated with iron deficiency anemia or mental abnormalities like intellectual disabilities, autism, etc.
particulates
Particulates – also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, atmospheric particulate matter, particulate matter, or suspended particulate matter – are microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air.
They have impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health, as well as negative consequences for general health (e.g. respiratory problems).
asbestos
A group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals made up of thin, microscopic fibers. Asbestos offers heat and chemical resistance, fireproofing and strength. As a result, asbestos was a popular additive to a variety of products. Individuals exposed to asbestos face health risks including cancer and other illnesses because the fibers are composed of many microscopic “fibrils” that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes and inhaled in the lungs.
silicate minerals
Silicate minerals are minerals that contain the elements silicon and oxygen in some proportion. Silicates are by far the most common minerals in Earth’s crust and mantle, making up 95% of the crust and 97% of the mantle by most estimates. Quartz, a mineral used to make oscillators for use in electronics, is a famous example (shown in picture).
(A mineral is a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence.)
oscillator
A mechanical or electronic device that works on the principles of oscillation: a periodic fluctuation between two things based on changes in energy.
Computers, clocks, watches, radios, and metal detectors are among the many devices that use oscillators.
mesothelioma
A tumor of the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs.
Cancerous (malignant) mesothelioma is the most common form, usually affecting the lungs.
A cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath are symptoms.
Most mesotheliomas are thought to be related to asbestos exposure.
