Glossary - A

Here you will find list of often difficult or specialized words/terms with their definitions, used in health news articles at HealthNewstrack.com


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Abortion
Abortion means the end of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive. It may be either spontaneous — when it is also known as miscarriage — or induced, when it is a deliberate termination of pregnancy.
Abortion articles:
- IUD following abortion likely to prevent unintended pregnancy
- Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk
- Maternal deaths worldwide drop by third i.e. 34 percent
- Women can get pregnant within six months of miscarriage
- Antidepressants in pregnancy increase miscarriage risk

Acne
Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaseous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). The most common form of acne is known as acne vulgaris, which means common acne.
Acne articles:
- Acne treatment with oral antibiotics may cause sore throat
- Having severe acne may increase depression and suicide risk
- New genomic approaches for treating skin diseases
- Radiation linked to aggressive thyroid cancer
- Plastic surgeons using laser for wrinkle removal, acne scarring, tattoo removal

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the main forms of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the use of sharp, thin needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points. This process is believed to adjust and alter the body's energy flow into healthier patterns, and is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions.
Acupuncture articles:
- Massage therapy helps ease chronic low back pain
- Acupuncture relieves hot flashes from prostate cancer treatment
- Acupuncture's molecular effects pinned down
- Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier
- Acupuncture lessens depression symptoms during pregnancy

Acute Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that stops the flow of blood and deprives the surrounding brain tissue of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen, the brain cells in the immediate area begin to die and release a cascade of toxic chemicals that threaten brain tissue in the surrounding area — the ischemic penumbra.
Acute Ischemic Stroke articles:
- Use of clot busters for stroke increased from 2005 to 2009
- Stroke rate declined in middle aged, elderly, increased in young
- Warfarin may lead to brain bleeding following stroke treatment
- Weekend strokes may receive more aggressive treatment
- Exercise helps stroke patients recover faster

ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or activities.
ADHD articles:
- Gestational diabetes and poverty increased ADHD risk in offspring
- 10% of ADHD patients linked to GMR gene variants
- Children with ADHD may have functional brain pathways disrupted
- Age for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children expands 4 to 18
- Bipolar symptoms and emotional brain in youth

Aging
Definitions of aging differ between biologists and behavioral scientists. Biologists regard aging as reflecting the sum of multiple and typical biological decrements occurring after sexual maturation; behavioral scientists view it as reflecting regular and expected changes occurring in genetically representative organisms advancing through the life cycle under normal environmental conditions. In humans, aging is associated with degenerative changes in the skin, bones, heart, blood vessels, lungs, nerves, and other organs and tissues. The branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of aging in humans is geriatrics.
Aging articles:
- Pfizer recalls Lo Ovral 28 And Norgestrel Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets
- New lung cancer test could accurately guide treatment for people with lung cancer
- Brain stimulating habits lowers Alzheimer's disease risk
- Red wine drinking may reduce breast cancer risk in women
- Memory, mental aging, cognitive decline can begin as early as age 45

AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981. AIDS is the advanced form of infection with the HIV virus, which may not cause recognizable disease for a long period after the initial exposure (latency). No vaccine is currently available to prevent HIV infection.
AIDS articles:
- Investments for children must be at top of African HIV and AIDS agenda - UNICEF
- Many US people do not know they have HIV
- HIV infections and AIDS related cases reduced
- Hormonal contraception doubles HIV risk in Africa
- Breast cancer and cervical cancer rising in developing countries

Alcoholism
Alcoholism is the popular term for two disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The hallmarks of both these disorders involve repeated life problems that can be directly attributed to the use of alcohol.
Alcoholism articles:
- Facebook may reveal problem drinking among college students
- Adolescent binge drinking can damage spatial working memory
- Adult supervised drinking in young teens may lead to more alcohol use
- Binge drinking may increase heart disease risk
- Binge drinking among older Americans - a study

Allergy
Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances. Common indications of allergy may include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes.
Allergy articles:
- Chloroflouorocarbons OTC asthma inhalers will no longer be made or sold in US
- Early exposure to pets cats and dogs may prevent allergies in children
- Men may have greater allergy risk than women
- Antiretrovirals significantly reduces HIV transmission to partners
- Heparin sodium allergy may lead to thrombocytopenia

Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning.
Alzheimer's Disease articles:
- Brain stimulating habits lowers Alzheimer's disease risk
- People with early Alzheimer's disease may have lower BMI
- Meditation may help brain to recover from diseases
- Blood test may detect Alzheimer's Disease progression
- Diabetes increases risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the component of red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body).
Anemia articles:
- Low vitamin B12 may lead to brain shrinkage and cognitive problems
- Early clamping may interrupt humankind's first natural stem cell transplant
- Restless legs syndrome appears to occur within families
- New safety plan for agents used to treat chemotherapy related anemia
- Umbilical cord blood to treat leukemia

Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) refers to inflammation of the joints in the spine, , causing pain and stiffness of the back, progressing to the chest and neck. Eventually, the whole back may become curved and inflexible if the bones fuse. Also known as rheumatoid spondylitis or Marie-Strümpell disease or Bamboo spine.
Ankylosing spondylitis articles:
- Remicade infliximab approved to treat ulcerative colitis in children
- Two new genes identified causing ankylosing spondylitis
- TNF blockers will have boxed warning cancer risk

Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by unrealistic fear of weight gain, self-starvation, and conspicuous distortion of body image. The name comes from two Latin words that mean nervous inability to eat. In females who have begun to menstruate, anorexia nervosa is usually marked by amenorrhea, or skipping at least three menstrual periods in a row.
Anorexia nervosa articles:
- Eating disorder cutoffs miss some of sickest patients
- New insights into anorexia nervosa
- Milkshakes are medicine for anorexic teens
- New psychotherapy to treat eating disorder
- Why some young women are at greater risk of developing anorexia nervosa

Anthrax
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis that primarily affects livestock but that can occasionally spread to humans, affecting either the skin, intestines, or lungs. In humans, the infection can often be treated, but it is almost always fatal in animals.
Anthrax articles:
- US to bulk purchase BioThrax anthrax vaccine from Emergent BioSolutions

Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation; that is, it stops blood from clotting. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some chemical compounds are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis equipment.
Anticoagulant articles:
- Anticoagulant Dabigatran linked to heart attack or MI
- Heparin sodium allergy may lead to thrombocytopenia
- Anticoagulant Dabigatran effective in atrial fibrillation patients
- Plavix reduced major vascular events by 11% in heart disease
- ATryn from milk of goats approved to treat hereditary antithrombin deficiency

Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a medication used primarily in the treatment of depression. Depression can occur if some of the chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain are not functioning effectively.
Antidepressant articles:
- Antidepressants use in pregnancy may risk newborn with high blood pressure
- Coffee decreases depression in women
- Depression increases stroke and stroke related health problems
- Antidepressant use increasing among Americans with no psychiatric diagnosis
- Anti inflammatory drugs reduce effectiveness of SSRI antidepressants

Antioxidant
Antioxidants are chemical compounds that can bind to free oxygen radicals preventing these radicals from damaging healthy cells. Fruits and vegetables are high in anti-oxidants and evidence continued to support the role of vitamins C, E, and A, as well as lycopene and beta-carotene in helping to prevent cancer.
Antioxidant articles:
- Eating grapes and drinking red wine protect your skin
- Coffee may reduce prostate cancer risk
- Vitamin E or metformin not effective in liver disease in children teens
- Nanomedicine closer to reality, Stanford
- High alpha carotene levels may lead to longer life

Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotional state of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation, often impairing physical and psychological functioning.
Anxiety articles:
- Gestational diabetes and poverty increased ADHD risk in offspring
- Mother toddler relationship quality linked to teen obesity
- Meditation may help brain to recover from diseases
- Stress linked to breast cancer aggressiveness
- Distressed young drivers take risks on road

Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, which is the worm-shaped pouch attached to the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine. The appendix has no known function in the body, but it can become diseased. Appendicitis is a medical emergency, and if it is left untreated the appendix may rupture and cause a potentially fatal infection.
Appendicitis articles:
- Surgical removal of tonsils and appendix may lead to heart attack
- Surgery sooner is better for children with perforated appendicitis
- A simple urine dipstick test can diagnose appendicitis now
- Air pollution may increase risk of appendicitis

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being. It is sometimes used in combination with massage and other therapeutic techniques as part of a holistic treatment approach.
Aromatherapy articles:
- Aromatherapy makes you feel good only
- Depressed girls can't smell the roses

Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis articles:
- Antidepressants use in pregnancy may risk newborn with high blood pressure
- 63% women suffer from some knee pain
- Front Row Produce recalls contaminated grape tomatoes due to salmonella
- Poor sleep habits increases fibromyalgia risk in middle aged and older women
- Remicade infliximab approved to treat ulcerative colitis in children

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory disease of the airways. In those susceptible to asthma, this inflammation causes the airways to narrow periodically. This, in turn, produces wheezing and breathlessness, sometimes to the point where the patient gasps for air.
Asthma articles:
- Chloroflouorocarbons OTC asthma inhalers will no longer be made or sold in US
- Asthma can be treated with Tocilizumab rheumatoid arthritis drug
- Exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy leads to asthma in offspring
- New asthma gene discovered in African Americans
- Breastfeeding for up to 6 months after birth may prevent asthma

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the build up of a waxy plaque on the inside of blood vessels. In Greek, athere means gruel, and skleros means hard. Atherosclerosis is often called arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis (from the Greek arteria, meaning artery) is a general term for hardening of the arteries. Arteriosclerosis can occur in several forms, including atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis articles:
- Sugar sweetened drinks may increase heart risk in women
- Financial reimbursement increases cardiac stress tests in patients
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement TAVR shows superiority in heart patients
- Burmese python heart growth may benefit diseased human heart
- Smoking causes stroke to occur 10 years before

Atkins diet
The Atkins Nutritional Approach, popularly known as the Atkins Diet or just Atkins, is the most marketed and well-known of the low-carbohydrate diets. It was created by Dr. Robert Atkins (1930-2003) and popularized in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution in 1972.
Atkins diet articles:
- Balancing protein intake may be key to long life
- Successful weight control strategies for adolescent obesity
- Plant based low carb diet promotes weight loss

Autism
Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication, by an extremely limited range of activities and interests, and often by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
- Meditation may help brain to recover from diseases
- Autism children better at problem solving
- Lack of evidence for antidepressants in Autism
- Citalopram ineffective for children with autism

Autism articles:
- Earlier sign of autism can be noticed in 6 months old infants
- Brain cell channel defect may cause autism like syndrome
- Meditation may help brain to recover from diseases
- Autism linked to gene mutation on chromosome 16
- Environment factors important than genetic in autism

Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person's immune system attacks the body's own cells, causing tissue destruction. Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders, and it is suspected to be responsible for many more. Autoimmune diseases are classified as either general, in which the autoimmune reaction takes place simultaneously in a number of tissues, or organ specific, in which the autoimmune reaction targets a single organ.
Autoimmune disorders articles:
- Surgical removal of tonsils and appendix may lead to heart attack
- Researchers discover genetic link between immune system, Parkinson's disease
- TNF blockers will have boxed warning cancer risk
- Influenza pandemic alert raised to phase 6, WHO
- Researchers discover a pathway to turn off immune system



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