Definitions D Flashcards
dacryoadenitis
An inflammation of the lacrimal gland caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Signs and symptoms of this condition include sudden severe pain, redness, and pressure in the orbit of the eye.
deafness
The complete or partial loss of the ability to hear. It can range from the inability to hear sounds of a certain pitch or intensity, to a complete loss of hearing.
debridement
The removal of dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from the wound to prevent infection and to promote healing.
decibel
Commonly used as the measurement of the loudness of sound.
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
A neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson?s disease. A device to stimulate the brain with mild electrical signals is implanted in the brain and is connected to a stimulator implanted near to collar bone.
deep tendon reflexes (DTR)
DTRs are tested with a reflex hammer that is used to strike a tendon. A reflex is an involuntary response to a stimulus. No response or an abnormal response or an abnormal response can indicate a disruption of the nerve supply to the involved muscles. Reflexes also are lost in deep coma or because of medication such as heavy sedation.
deep vein thrombosis
The condition of having a thrombus attached to the interior wall of a deep vein. Sometimes such a blockage forms in the leg of a bedridden patient or in someone who has remained seated too long in an airplane or car. The danger that is the thrombus (clot) will break loose and travel to a lung where it can be fatal by causing a blockage.
defibrillation
The use of electrical shock to restore the heart?s normal rhythm. This shock is provided by a device known as a defibrillator. Also known as cardioversion.
dehydration
A condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake and disrupts the body?s normal electrolyte balance.
delirium
An acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations. This condition is usually caused by a treatable physical condition, such as a high fever. An individual suffering from this condition is described as being delirious.
delirium tremens (DTs)
A disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol.
delusion
A false person belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. The belief is not one ordinarily accepted by other members of the individual?s culture or religious faith.
dementia
A slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgment, that is often accompanied by personality changes. Senile dementia is dementia of the age.
dental calculus
Dental plaque that has calcified (hardened) on the teeth. These deposits irritate the surrounding tissues and cause increasingly serious periodontal disease. The term calculus is also used to describe hard deposits, such as gallstones or kidney stones that form in other parts of the body. Also known as tartar.
dental caries
An infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroys the enamel and dentin of the tooth. If the decay progress is not arrested, the pulp can be exposed and become infected.
dental plaque
A major cause of dental caries and periodontal disease, forms as soft deposits in sheltered areas near the gums and between the teeth. Dental plaque consists of bacteria and bacterial by-products. In contrast, the plaque associated with heart conditions consists of deposits of cholesterol that form within blood vessels.
dental prophylaxis
The professional cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus. The term prophylaxis also refers to a treatment intended to prevent a disease or stop it from spreading. Examples include vaccination to provide immunity against a specific disease.
depression
The act of lowering of body part. The depressor anguli oris, for example, lowers the corner of the mouth into a frown. A depressor muscle lowers a body part. Depression is also a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as the loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. Severe depression may lead to feeling of worthlessness and thoughts of death or suicide.
dermabrasion
A form of abrasion involving the use of a revolving wire brush or sandpaper. It is used to remove acne and chickenpox scars as well as for facial skin rejuvenation. Microdermabrasion removes only a fine layer of skin, so the results are temporary.
dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin, this condition, which takes many forms, is usually characterized by redness, swelling, and itching.
dermatoplasty
The replacement of damaged skin with healthy tissue taken from a donor site on the patient?s body. Also known as a skin graft.
dermatosis
A general term used to denote skin lesions or eruptions of any type that are not associated with inflammation.
developmental disorder
A developmental disorder can result in an anomaly or malformation such as the absence of a limb or the present of an extra toe. Also known as a birth defect.
diabetes insipidus (DI)
Which is not related to diabetes mellitus, is caused by an insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone.
diabetes mellitus
A group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes mellitus is not related to diabetes insipidus. This condition is described as type 1, type 2, and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (type 1.5).
diabetic coma
A diabetic coma is caused by very high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This condition is treated by prompt administration of insulin. Also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
diabetic retinopathy
damage to the retina as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes.
dialysis
A procedure to remove waste products, such as urea, creatinine, as well as excess water from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function. The two types of dialysis in common use are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Patients can sometimes choose the type of long-term dialysis they prefer.
diaphragmatic breathing
A relaxation technique used to relieve anxiety. Also known as abdominal breathing.
diarrhea
The frequent flow of loose or watery stools.
digital rectal examination
Performed on men by using a lubricated, gloved finger placed in the rectum to palpate the prostate gland to detect prostate enlargement and to lock for indications of prostate cancer or tumors of the rectum. In this context, the term digital means using a finger. Palpate means the use of touch to examine a body part.
digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
DSA combines angiography with computerized components to clarify the view of the area of interest by removing the soft tissue and bones from the images.
digitalis
Digitalis strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, slows the heart rate, and helps eliminate fluid from body tissues. It is often used to treat heart failure or certain types of arrhythmias. Also known as digoxin.
dilation and curettage (D & C)
A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrium of the uterus is scraped away. This can be performed as a diagnostic or a treatment procedure. Dilation means the expansion of an opening. Curettage is the removal of material from the surface by scraping with an instrument known as a curettage.
diphtheria
An acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The diphtheria bacteria produce toxins that can damage the heart muscle and peripheral nerves. Though immunization the disease is now largely prevented.
diplopia
The perception of two images of a single object. It is sometimes a symptom of a serious underlying disorder such as multiple sclerosis or brain tumor. Also known as double vision.
dislocation
The total displacement of a bone from its joint. Also known as luxation.
dissociative disorders
Dissociative disorders occur when normal thought is separated from consciousness.
dissociative identity disorder
A mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own characteristics, which appear to exist within the same individual.
diuresis
The increased output of urine.
diuretic
Administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water. These medications are administered to treat hypertension and heart failure by reducing the amount of fluid circulating in the blood.
diverticulectomy
The surgical removal of a diverticulum.
diverticulitis
Diverticulitis, which sometimes develops as a result of diverticulosis, is the inflammation or infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon. Symptoms of this condition can include sudden abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea.
diverticulosis
The chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the colon. Diverticulosis, which often has no symptoms, is believed to be related to be a low-fiber diet.
diverticulum
A small pouch, or sac, found in the lining or wall of a tubular organ such as the colon. (plural, diverticula)
Doppler echocardiogram
Performed in the same way as an echocardiogram; however, this procedure measures the speed and direction of the blood flow within the heart.
dorsal recumbent position
In the dorsal recumbent position, the patient is lying on the back, face up, with the knees bent. This position is used for the examination and treatment of the abdominal area and for vaginal or rectal examinations.
Down syndrome (DS)
A genetic variation that is associated with a characteristic facial appearance, learning abilities, and physical abnormalities such as heart valve disease.
drug abuse
The excessive use of illegal or recreational drugs, or the misuse of prescription drugs. A recreational drug is one normally used for personal pleasure or satisfaction rather than medical purposes.
drug interaction
The result of drugs reacting with each other, often in ways that are unexpected or potentially harmful. Such interactions can occur when medications are taken with herbal remedies or when more than one prescription drug is taken at the same time.
drug overdose
The accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal.
drug-screening urine test
A rapid method of identifying the presence in the body of one or more drugs of abuse such as cocaine, heroin, and marijauna. These tests are used to detect the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.
dual x-ray absorptiometry
A low-exposure radiographic measurement of the spine and hips to measure bone density. This test produces more accurate results than ultrasonic bone density testing.
ductal carcinoma in situ
Breast cancer at its earliest stage before the cancer has broken through the wall of the milk duct. At this stage, the cure rate is nearly 100%.
duplex ultrasound
A diagnostic procedure to image the structures of the blood vessels and the flow of blood through these vessels. This is a combination of diagnostic ultrasound to show the structure of the blood vessels and Doppler ultrasound to show the movement of the red blood cells through these vessels.
dysentery
Dysentery, which is a bacterial infection, occurs most frequent in hot countries where it is spread through food or water contaminated by human feces.
dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
A condition characterized by abnormal bleeding often due to an imbalance in hormone level changes.
dyskinesia
The distortion or impairment of voluntary movement such as a tick or spasm. A tic is a spasmodic muscular contraction that often involves parts of the face. Although these movements appear purposeful, they are not under voluntary control.
dyslexia
A learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols. Also known as a developmental reading disorder.
dysmenorrhea
Pain caused by uterine cramps during a menstrual period. This pain, which occurs in the lower abdomen, can be sharp, intermittent, dull, or aching.
dyspareunia
Characterized by pain during sexual intercourse.
dyspepsia
Pain or discomfort in digestion. Also known as indigestion.
dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing.
dysphonia
Difficulty speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy?s voice during puberty.
dysplasia
The abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs.
dysplastic nevi
Atypical moles that can develop into skin cancer.
dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing. Shortness of breath is frequently one of the first symptoms of heart failure. It can also be caused by strenuous physical exertion or can be due to lung damage that produces dyspnea even at rest. Also known as shortness of breath (SOB).
dysthymia
A low-grade chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe depression but are present on a majority of days for 2 or more years. Also known as dysthymic disorder.
dystonia
A condition of abnormal muscle tone that causes the impairment of voluntary muscle movement.
dysuria
Difficult, or painful urination. This condition is frequently associated with urinary tract infections.
