Special Populations Flashcards
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
A syndrome of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 or HIV-2) and characterized by opportunistic infection and disease.
Abrasion
A scraping away of a portion of the skin or mucous membranes.
Acute
Descriptive of a condition that usually has a rapid onset and a relatively short and severe course; opposite of chronic.
Acute coronary syndrome
A sudden, severe coronary event that mimics a heart attack such as unstable angina.
Allergan
A substance that can cause an allergic reaction by stimulating type-1 hyper sensitivity and atopic individuals.
Alzheimer’s disease
An age-related, progressive disease characterized by death of nerve cells in the brain leading to a loss of cognitive function; the cause of the nerve cell death is unknown.
Anemia
A reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or quantity of hemoglobin per volume of blood below normal values.
Aneurysm
A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel; associated with a stroke when the aneurysm bursts.
Angina
A common symptom of coronary artery disease characterized by chest pain, tightness, or radiating pain resulting from a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle.
Angina pectoris
Chest pain caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen and decreased blood flow to the heart muscle; an early sign of coronary artery disease. Symptoms may include pain or discomfort, heaviness, tightness, pressure or burning, numbness, aching, and tingling in the chest, back, neck, throat, job, or arms; also called angina.
Angioplasty
A surgical procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blocked coronary artery. A narrow balloon is inflated inside the artery, to widen the artery. Also called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
Anorexia nervosa
An eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain body weight of at least 85% of expected weight; intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat; body image disturbances, including a disproportionate influence of body weight on self-evaluation; and, in women, the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual periods.
Anterior shin splints
Pain in the anterior compartment muscles of the lower leg, fascia, and periosteal lining. Often induced by exertional or sudden changes in activity.
Apnea
A temporary absence or cessation of breathing; when this condition occurs during sleep it is called sleep apnea.
Arrhythmia
A disturbance in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Some can be symptoms of serious heart disease; may not be of medical significance until symptoms appear.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint; a state characterized by the of joints.
Asthma
A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that affects genetically susceptible individuals in response to various environmental triggers such as allergens, viral infection, exercise, cold, and stress.
Ataxia
Failure of muscular coordination; irregularity of muscular action.
Atherogenesis
Formation of atheromatous deposits, especially on the innermost layer of arterial walls.
Atherogenic dyslipidemia
Formation of atheromatous deposits, especially on the innermost layer of the arterial walls due to an abnormal concentration of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood.
