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.
Effects of a first miscarriage on future pregnancies
12 diseases worsened by climate change
Abortion rate rising in young girls, UK
U.S. abortion rate continues long-term decline

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.
Bulimia nervosa linked to brain circuit abnormalities
Diabetes slows mental functioning in adults
5 reasons to be tobacco free this New Year 2009 - FixNixer
Blood sugar level linked to cognitive aging
Scientists isolate genes that made 1918 flu lethal

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.
Circumcision reduces HIV risk in US men
109 medicines, vaccines in development for HIV AIDS
£15 m for South Africa in new struggle against AIDS
Routine HIV testing fails in US
A man defeated HIV virus through bone marrow transplant

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.
Binge drinking culture in young people
Hazardous drinking is quite common
Role of Omega-3 unclear for bipolar disorder
Disabilities due to alcohol consumption
Possible treatment target for alcohol dependence identified

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.
MRSA screening effective in reducing surgical infection rates
Asthma patients may get benefit from antifungal drug
Fear of nuts creating hysteria
New treatment may cure food allergies
HPV vaccine's hypersensitivity reactions are rare

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.
Leptin sensitizing agents may help to lose weight
Blood sugar level linked to cognitive aging
Sleep disorder - an early sign of dementia, Parkinson's disease
Yeast to identify drugs for Alzheimer's disease
Marijuana reduces memory impairment

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.
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.
US to bulk purchase BioThrax anthrax vaccine from Emergent BioSolutions

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.
14 drugs identified for off label use
Fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil to treat IBS
Depressed pregnant women may have preterm delivery
St. John's Wort helps patients with major depression
Heart patients should be screened, treated for depression

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.
Fear of nuts creating hysteria
38% adults and 12% children use complementary and alternative medicine
Sugar can be addictive
New treatment may cure food allergies
14 drugs identified for off label use

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.
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 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.
38% adults and 12% children use complementary and alternative medicine
Transplant of trachea made from stem cells successful
Rheumatoid arthritis rising among women in US
Chinese exercise Tai chi relieves knee pain
Updated labeling for psoriasis drug Raptiva approved

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.
Free resources to help lead a healthier life
Asthma patients may get benefit from antifungal drug
14 drugs identified for off label use
Asthma risk more in children born in autumn
Factors identified causing barriers to asthma care

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.
NPY gene variation may lead to early heart disease
Good sleep lowers heart disease risk
Vitamin C lowers heart disease biomarker
Single PILL may prevent heart disease
Hannah Jones refused heart transplant surgery

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.

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.
Rainfall linked to autism
Gene may predict an individual's pair-bonding behavior
Chromosomal changes increase schizophrenia risk
Do animals think like autistic savants?
Babies excrete vaccine-mercury quicker

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.
Researchers discover a pathway to turn off immune system

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