Health Dictionary

Definition of Anaplastology

2009-07-24T04:00:00.001-07:00

Anaplastology: The art and science of restoring a malformed or absent part of the human body through artificial means. An anaplastologist makes prosthetic devices. From the Greek ana, again, + plastos, formed. See also: Prosthesis.

Definition of Analytic specificity

2009-07-23T22:00:00.001-07:00

Analytic specificity: How well an assay detects only a specific substance and does not detect closely related substances.

Definition of Analogous

2009-07-23T18:00:00.001-07:00

Analogous: In anatomy, similar in appearance or function but otherwise different. Two structures may be analogous if they serve the same purpose but differ evolutionary in origin as, for example, human and insect legs. As compared to homologous.

Definition of ANA

2009-07-23T03:00:00.001-07:00

ANA: Antinuclear antibody, an unusual
antibody directed against structures within the nucleus of the
cell. ANAs are found in patients whose immune system is predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies that are directed against one's own tissues are referred to as autoantibodies. The propensity for the immune system to
work against its own body is referred to as autoimmunity. ANAs
indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity.

The fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA) was designed by George Friou, M.D. in 1957. It is done on a blood sample. The antibodies in the serum of the blood are exposed in the laboratory to cells and then one determines whether or not antibodies are present that react with various parts of the nucleus of the cell. It is a sensitive screening test used to detect autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases are conditions characterized by a
disorder of the immune system featured by the abnormal production of
antibodies (autoantibodies) directed against the tissues of the
body. Autoimmune diseases are typically feature inflammation of
various tissues of the body. ANAs are found in patients with a
number of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus,
Sjogren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma,
Hashimoto thyroiditis, juvenile diabetes mellitus, Addison
disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and
pulmonary fibrosis. ANAs can also be found in patients with chronic
infections and cancer. Many medications including procainamide (PROCAN SR), hydralazine, and dilantin can stimulate the production of ANAs.

ANAs present different patterns depending on the
staining of the cell nucleus in the laboratory: homogeneous, or
diffuse; speckled; nucleolar; and peripheral or rim. While these
patterns are not specific for any one illness, certain illnesses can
more frequently be associated with one pattern or another. For
example, the nucleolar pattern is more commonly seen in the disease
scleroderma. The speckled pattern is seen in many conditions and in
persons who do not have any autoimmune disease.

ANAs are present in approximately 5% of the normal population, usually in low titers (low levels). These persons have no disease. Titers of lower than 1:80 are less likely to be significant. Even higher titers are insignificant with aging over age 60 years. Ultimately, the ANA result must be interpreted in the specific context of the symptoms and other test results for the patient. It may or may not be significant in an individual.

Definition of AN

2009-07-23T01:00:00.001-07:00

AN: The military designation for hydrogen cyanide. See: Cyanide.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8

2009-07-23T00:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8: ALS8. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner due to mutation in a gene on chromosome 20ptel.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7

2009-07-22T23:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7: ALS7. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner due to mutation in a gene on chromosome 20ptel.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6

2009-07-22T22:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6: ALS6. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner due to mutation in a gene on chromosome 16q12.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 5

2009-07-22T21:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 5: ALS5. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal recessive manner due to mutation in a gene on chromosome 15q15.1-q21.1.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4

2009-07-22T20:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4: ALS4. A juvenile-onset form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with no bulbar involvement, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and caused by mutation in a gene on chromosome 9q34.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3

2009-07-22T19:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3: ALS3. An adult-onset form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and caused by mutation in a gene on chromosome 18q21.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2

2009-07-22T18:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2: ALS2. A juvenile-onset form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and caused by mutation in the gene encoding alsin on chromosome 2q33.

Definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 1

2009-07-22T17:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 1: ALS1. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and caused by mutation in the superoxide dismutase-1 gene (SOD1) on chromosome 21q22.1. About 15 to 20% of familial ALS is type 1 (ALS1). Sporadic cases of ALS are sometimes due to new mutation in the SOD1 gene.

2009-07-22T16:00:00.001-07:00

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A classic motor neuron
disease. Motor neuron diseases are progressive chronic diseases of
the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying
electrical stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is
necessary for the movement of body parts.

LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is quite a mouthful. The
disease is therefore usually referred to simply as ALS. In North
America it is sometimes called "Lou Gehrig's disease" after the great
durable baseball player who had it. The movie, "Pride of the
Yankees", tells the his life story. As a New York Yankee, Gehrig was named the American League's most valuable player 4 times (in 1927, 1931, 1934 and 1936). In 14 seasons Gehrig did not miss a single game for a total of 2,130 games. Gehrig was born in 1903, and he died in 1941 at the age of 38.
EPIDEMIOLOGY: ALS strikes in mid-life, most often in the
fifth through seventh decades of life. Men are about one-and-a-half
times more
likely to have the disease as women. It affects about 20,000
Americans with 5,000 new cases occurring in the United States each
year.
THE DISEASE PROCESS: ALS occurs when specific nerve cells
in the brain and spinal
cord that control voluntary movement gradually degenerate. The loss
of these motor neurons causes the muscles under their control to
weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. The cause of this
disease process is still unknown.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: ALS manifests itself in different ways,
depending on which muscles weaken first. Symptoms may include
tripping and falling, loss of motor control in hands and arms,
difficulty speaking, swallowing and/or breathing, persistent fatigue,
and twitching and cramping, sometimes quite severely.
TREATMENT: There is no cure for ALS; nor is there a proven
therapy that will prevent or reverse the course of the disorder. The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved riluzole, the first drug
that has been shown to prolong the survival of ALS patients. Patients
may also
receive supportive treatments that address some of their symptoms.
PROGNOSIS (OUTLOOK): ALS is progressive and fatal. The
usual causes of death of patients with motor neuron diseases are not
directly related to the disease, but result from simultaneous
additional illnesses which ultimately occur because of weakness of
the body. These illnesses are often infections.
DURATION OF DISEASE: ALS usually leads to death within 5
years of the time the diagnosis of ALS is made; the range is from 2
to 7 years.

Definition of Amusia

2009-07-22T02:00:00.001-07:00

Amusia: The inability to recognize musical tones or to reproduce them. Amusia can be congenital (present at birth) or be acquired sometime later in life (as from brain damage).

Amusia is composed of a- + -musia and literally means the lack of music. Also commonly called tone deafness.

Definition of Amsler grid

2009-07-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

Amsler grid: While conducting an eye examination, the
eye care professional may ask the patient to look at an Amsler grid.
This grid is a pattern that resembles a checkerboard. The patient
covers one eye and stares at a black dot in the center of the grid.
While staring at the dot, the patient may notice that the straight
lines in the pattern appear wavy.

This kind of wavy pattern on viewing the Amsler grid is abnormal.
It can be an important warning sign of what is called wet age-related
macular degeneration. The macula is an area in the retina of the
eye that is responsible for central (straight-ahead) vision. It
deteriorates most often after age 60 resulting in age-related macular
degeneration (AMD). An early sign of the dangerous "wet" type of
AMD is the wavy appearance of the lines on the Amsler grid. The early
diagnosis of wet AMD is critical since laser surgery is urgently
needed to preserve sight.

The Amsler grids shown here are reduced in size; eye care
specialists have full-size grids in their office and for the patient
to use at home.

Definition of Amplification, DNA

2009-07-21T17:00:00.001-07:00

Amplification, DNA: The production of multiple copies of a sequence of DNA. Repeated copying of a piece of DNA.
DNA amplification plays a role in cancer cells. A tumor cell amplifies, or copies, DNA segments as a result of cell signals and sometimes environmental events.
Amplification can occur in vivo (in the living individual) or in vitro (literally "in glass", or in a plastic vessel in the laboratory).

Definition of Amplification

2009-07-21T16:00:00.001-07:00

Amplification: Making multiple copies of a gene or of any sequence of DNA. Repeated copying of a piece of DNA.
In amplification there is an increase in the number of copies of any particular piece of DNA. Gene amplification plays a role in cancer cells. A tumor cell amplifies, or copies, DNA segments as a result of cell signals and sometimes environmental events.
Amplification can occur in vivo (in the living individual) or in vitro (literally "in glass", or in a plastic vessel in the laboratory).

Definition of Amphetamine

2009-07-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

Amphetamine: A drug with a stimulant effect on the central nervous system that can be both physically and psychologically addictive when overused. This drug has been much abused recreationally. The street term "speed" refers to stimulant drugs such as amphetamine.

Definition of Amnestic aphasia

2009-07-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

Amnestic aphasia: See Anomia.

Definition of Amnesic aphasia

2009-07-21T04:00:00.001-07:00

Amnesic aphasia: See Anomia.

Definition of Amnesia, transient global

2009-07-21T03:00:00.001-07:00

Amnesia, transient global: See: Transient global amnesia.

Definition of Amnesia, retrograde

2009-07-21T02:00:00.001-07:00

Amnesia, retrograde: See: Retrograde amnesia.

Definition of Amnesia, anterograde

2009-07-21T01:01:00.001-07:00

Amnesia, anterograde: See: Antegrade amnesia.

Definition of Amnesia, antegrade

2009-07-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

Amnesia, antegrade: See: Antegrade amnesia.

Definition of Amnesia

2009-07-20T23:32:00.001-07:00

Amnesia: Lack of memory. Amnesia after trauma can be antegrade or retrograde, depending upon whether the lack of memory relates to events occurring after or before the trauma. Amnesia is as compared to hypermnesia and hypomnesia. From a- + the Greek mneme, memory. See also: Antegrade amnesia ; and Retrograde amnesia.

Definition of Ammonium perchlorate

2009-07-20T22:03:00.001-07:00

Ammonium perchlorate: See: Perchlorate.

Definition of Ammonia

2009-07-20T21:03:00.001-07:00

Ammonia: A colorless gas with a very sharp odor. Made both by humans and by nature, ammonia dissolves easily in water and evaporates quickly. Liquid ammonia is found in many household cleaners. Ammonia is irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Exposure to high concentrations in the air can severely burn the skin, eyes, throat, or lungs. In extreme cases, blindness, lung damage, or death can occur. Breathing lower concentrations causes coughing and nose and throat irritation. Swallowing ammonia may burn the mouth, throat, and stomach.

The amount of ammonia produced by humans every year is almost equal to that produced by nature every year. Ammonia is produced naturally in soil by bacteria, decaying plants and animals, and animal wastes. Ammonia is essential for many biological processes. Most of the ammonia produced in chemical factories is used to make fertilizers. The remaining is used in textiles, plastics, explosives, pulp and paper production, food and beverages, household cleaning products, refrigerants, and other products. It is also used in smelling salts.

2009-07-20T20:03:00.001-07:00

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Definition of Amini, Fariborz

2009-07-20T09:00:00.001-07:00

Amini, Fariborz: Iranian-born American psychiatrist (1930-2004), at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), known for using science to study the phenomenon of love. In his work, Amini explained "how lingering but forgotten impressions, like a smell or sound associated with a person or a positive experience, become embedded in the mind's memory banks, where neurons constantly fire and forge connections. Over time these links are reinforced through repeated exposure, leading to affectional bonds." This thesis was set forth in "A General Theory of Love" (2000) which Amini published in 2000 with his UCSF colleagues Thomas Lewis and Richard Lannon. He was also called Fari Amini.

Definition of Amini

2009-07-20T08:00:00.001-07:00

Amini: Amini, Fariborz.

2009-07-20T05:02:00.001-07:00

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Definition of AMD

2009-07-18T21:00:00.001-07:00

AMD: Age-related macular degeneration (which may also be abbreviated as ARMD).

Definition of Ambulatory

2009-07-18T18:00:00.001-07:00

Ambulatory: Able to ambulate, to walk about, not bed-ridden or
hospitalized.

Definition of Ambulant

2009-07-18T17:00:00.001-07:00

Ambulant: Means the same as "ambulatory" (able to ambulate,
walk about).

Definition of Ambulance

2009-07-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

Ambulance: Although you are undoubtedly familiar with
the sound of the siren and the sight of the flashing lights of the ambulance, you may not
necessarily know that the ambulance began as a walking hospital. The word
"ambulance" indeed started off as a walking hospital, "un hopital
ambulant" in French, meaning literally "a walking hospital." The
"hopital ambulant" was devised during the campaigns of Napoleon to bring
medical aid directly to his troops in the field. The original "hopital
ambulant" was a mobile unit designed to carry dressings and drugs to the wounded and
evacuate the injured from the line of battle. The British, knowing a good idea when they
saw it, came up with their own version of the "hopital ambulant." But they
economized by dropping the "hopital" and corrupted "ambulant" to
"ambulance." The French, of course, have for many years railed against the
incursions of Anglo-Saxon words into the pure precincts of the French language.
Nonetheless, they rejected their own "hopital ambulant" and embraced the
English "ambulance." So, in France today you can no longer see a hospital
walking but "ambulances" are very much in evidence.

Definition of Amblyopia, nocturnal

2009-07-18T15:00:00.001-07:00

Amblyopia, nocturnal: Amblyopia refers to blindness so nocturnal amblyopia is, literally, night blindness. Listed in medical dictionaries under "Nyctalopia" from the Greek nyct (night) + aloas (obscure or blind) + opsis (vision), the condition
involves impaired vision in dim light and in the dark due
to impaired function of specific vision cells (namely, the rods)
in the retina.
Night blindness, a classic finding in vitamin A deficiency, was discovered by the English physician William Heberden (1710-1801). (Heberden also described other medical disorders of importance including angina
(chest pain that is often severe and crushing, due to an
inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle) and Heberden's
nodes, bumps around the small joints due to osteoarthritis.)
Night blindness (nyctalopia) is also called day sight and
nyctanopia.

2009-07-18T14:00:00.001-07:00

Amblyopia: Partial or complete loss of vision in one eye caused by conditions that affect the normal development of vision. These conditions include strabismus, in which the eyes are crossed inward (esotropia) or turned outward (exotropia) and anisometropia, in which there is a major difference in refractive error between the two eyes from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Less common causes of amblyopia include ptosis (drooping) of one eyelid, disease of the cornea (preventing light from entering the eye), congenital cataract, and injury to the eye of a young child.
In amblyopia, the brain favors one eye over the other. The other eye is ignored. It is not adequately stimulated and the visual brain cells do not mature normally. Amblyopia is the most common cause of monocular blindness, partial or complete blindness in one eye. Amblyopia affects 2 to 3% of children in the US.
Treatment of strabismus may involve surgical correction of the eye muscle imbalance. In the case of severe refractive error, it should be corrected by glasses, contact lenses or, if appropriate, lasix. Wearing an eye patch over the stronger eye is a hallowed treatment for amblyopia. Another option is atropine eye drops to blur the vision temporarily in the stronger eye. Weekend atropine provides an improvement in visual acuity of a magnitude similar to that provided by daily atropine in treating moderate amblyopia.
The term "amblyopia" is sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably with lazy eye. "Amblyopia" is made up of ambly- from the Greek "amblys" meaning blunt, dull, faint, or dim and -opia from the Greek "ops" meaning eye, and refers to vision, so amblyopia is literally dim vision.
See also: Anisometropia: Nocturnal amblyopia; Strabismus.

Definition of Ambient

2009-07-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

Ambient: Surrounding, present on all sides; encompassing. As, the ambient noise is deafening, or the ambient light is blinding. From the Latin "ambire" meaning "to go around."

Definition of Amaurotic familial idiocy

2009-07-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

Amaurotic familial idiocy:
An outdated term for Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) which is concisely defined by OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) as "an autosomal recessive, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which in the classic infantile form, is usually fatal by age 2 or 3 years, results from deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A. " "Autosomal" points to the gene for TSD residing on a nonsex (autosomal) chromosome (namely, chromosome15q23-q24). "Recessive" indicates a person with 2 copies of the gene has TSD whereas someone with 1 copy is a carrier in normal health. TSD worsens, with time, as the central nervous system progressively deteriorates. The "classic" ("textbook") type of TSD has its insidious onset in infancy. The child with TSD usually develops normally for the first few months of life. An exaggerated startle reaction may first be noted. Head control is lost by 6-8 months of age. The infant cannot roll over or sit up. Spasticity and rigidity develop. Excessive drooling and convulsions become evident. Blindness and head enlargement set in by the second year. "Fatal by age 2 or 3 years" today would be modified to "fatal by age 5." After age 2, total constant nursing care is needed. Death is due usually to cachexia (wasting away) or aspiration pneumonia initiated by food going down "the wrong way" into the lungs. TSD is due to deficiency of an enzyme (a protein needed to catalyze a specific chemical reaction within the body). Lack of the enzyme which results in failure to process a lipid (a fat) which accumulates and is deposited in the brain and other tissues, to their detriment. The enzyme is called hexosaminidase-A (hex-A) and the lipid that is deposited is called GM2-ganglioside TSD is a model of a fatal metabolic disease that occurs primarily within a well-defined subpopulation. It is one of several genetic diseases found more often in persons of Jewish origin. (Other Jewish genetic diseases include Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease, Bloom syndrome, and factor XI deficiency). The frequency of TSD is much higher in Ashkenazi Jews (of European origin) than in other groups of Jews. (In the U.S., 95% of Jews are Ashkenazi and are at risk for TSD). TSD occurs more rarely, in non-Jews. Knowledge of the biochemical basis TSD has permitted screening programs for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of TSD. There are forms of TSD with somewhat more hex-A and hence later onset, termed juvenile TSD and adult TSH. Alternative names for TSD itself are type 1 GM2-gangliosidosis, B variant GM2-gangliosidosis, hexosaminidase A deficiency, hex-A deficiency. TSD is named for the English physician Waren Tay (1843-1927) and the New York neurologist Bernard (Barney) Sachs (1858-1944). Tay in 1881 studied an infant with progressive neurological impairment and described "symmetrical changes in the yellow spot in each eye", the "cherry-red spots" characteristic of TSD. Sachs saw a child In 1887 and the child's sister in 1898 with the cherry-red spots and "arrested cerebral development" and in 1910 he demonstrated the presence of accumulated lipid in the brain and retina.

Definition of AMA

2009-07-18T03:00:00.001-07:00

AMA: The American Medical Association. The AMA's
mission statement proclaims:
"We are the Voice of the American Medical Profession.
"We are the partnership of physicians and their professional
associations dedicated to promoting the art and science of medicine
and the betterment of public health.
"We serve the physicians and their patients by establishing
and promoting ethical, educational, and clinical standards for the
medical profession and by advocating for the highest principle of
all--the integrity of the physician/patient relationship."

2009-07-18T01:00:00.001-07:00

Alzheimer's disease: A progressive neurologic disease of the
brain that leads to the irreversible loss of neurons and dementia. The clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease are progressive impairment in memory, judgment, decision making, orientation to physical surroundings, and language. A working diagnosis of Alzheimer disease is usually made on the basis of the neurologic examination. A definitive diagnosis can be made only at autopsy. On a cellular level, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by unusual helical protein filaments in nerve cells (neurons) of the brain. These odd twisted filaments are called neurofibrillary tangles. On a functional level, there is degeneration of the cortical regions, especially the frontal and temporal lobes, of the brain.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common of all neurodegenerative diseases. It accounts for about two-thirds of cases of dementia
with vascular causes and other neurodegenerative diseases making up most of the
rest.
The average time of survival from the initial diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was found (in a study reported in 2004) to be 4.2 years for men and 5.7 years for women. Men had poorer survival across all age groups compared with women and survival was decreased in all age groups compared with the life expectancy of the US population.

The German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) first described this form of presenile dementia in 1907. (German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin named the disease in his honor.) For more information, see: Alzheimer's disease. See also: Alzheimer's disease, early-onset familial.

Definition of Alzheimer disease, early-onset familial

2009-07-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

Alzheimer disease, early-onset familial: Alzheimer disease that runs in families and strikes at an unusually early age (with its onset under the age of 60). About 7% of early-onset cases of Alzheimer's are familial and are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner with high penetrance.
Mutations in three different genes -- the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene and the presenilin 1 and 2 (PSEN1 and PSEN2) genes -- have been discovered in families with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Taken together, these mutations only account for about 20-50% of familial Alzheimer's, indicating that other genes remain to be found in this disorder.
The APP gene encodes the beta-amyloid protein which accumulates abnormally in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. The protein products of the PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes interact with proteins are involved in signalling processes within and between cells.

Although familial Alzheimer's disease is responsible for a small minority of cases of Alzheimer's disease, it is important, not only for the families with it, but also for what we can learn about all of Alzheimer's disease from it.

Definition of Alzheimer disease

2009-07-17T23:00:00.001-07:00

Alzheimer disease: See: Alzheimer's disease.

Definition of Alveolar

2009-07-17T16:00:00.001-07:00

Alveolar: Pertaining to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the alveoli which look like cells in a honeycomb.
The word comes from the Latin diminutive of "alveus" meaning a cavity or hollow = a little cavity or hollow.

2009-07-17T12:00:00.001-07:00

Altretamine: Brand name: Hexalen. An oral drug used to treat ovarian cancer that has persisted or has recurred following treatment with other anti-cancer drugs. It was approved for this use by the FDA in 1990. Altretamine also has been used for treating lung cancer, although this is an off-label use.

Definition of Altitude, high

2009-07-17T11:00:00.001-07:00

Altitude, high: Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude. So what is high altitude?
Altitude is defined on the following scale:

High altitude: 8,000 - 12,000 feet (2,438 - 3,658 meters);
Very high altitude: 12,000 - 18,000 feet (3,658 - 5,487 meters); and
Extremely high altitude: 18,000+ feet (5,500+ meters).
Most people can go up to 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) with minimal effects. If you have been at that altitude before and had no problems, you can probably return to that altitude without problems if (and only if) you are properly acclimatized.
If you have not been to high altitude before, caution is strongly recommended. No specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition are known to correlate with the susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people are simply more susceptible than others. There is no telling, so caution is the better part of wisdom.

Definition of Altitude sickness

2009-07-17T09:00:00.001-07:00

Altitude sickness: Altitude sickness (or altitude illness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It more commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters).
The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.

The prevention of altitude illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. A few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization are:

If possible, don't fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and walk up.
If you do fly or drive, do not over-exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), only increase your altitude by 1,000 feet (305 meters) per day and for every 3,000 feet (915 meters) of elevation gained, take a rest day.
"Climb High and sleep low." This is the maxim used by climbers. You can climb more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) in a day as long as you come back down and sleep at a lower altitude.
If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude illness, don't go higher until symptoms decrease ("Don't go up until symptoms go down").
If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates. Make sure all of your party is properly acclimatized before going higher.
Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copious and clear.
Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the symptoms.
Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude.
The acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion, and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
Preventive medications for altitudes illness are two drugs: one called DIAMOX (acetazolamide) and the other called dexamethasone (a steroid).
DIAMOX (acetazolamide) allows a person to breathe faster and so metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a while for DIAMOX to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least 5 days at higher altitude.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is likewise a prescription drug. It decreases brain and other swelling reversing the effects of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Like DIAMOX, it should be used with caution and only on the advice of a physician because of possible serious side effects. It may be combined with DIAMOX. No other medications have been proven valuable for preventing AMS. (Based in part on the Princeton University Outdoor Action "Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses" by Rick Curtis).

This entry does not deal with acute mountain sickness (AMS) or, in any detail, with acclimatization. For information on these topics, please see the respective entries to Acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to Acclimatization.

Definition of Altitude illness

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Altitude illness: Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters).

The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.

The prevention of altitude illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. A few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization are:

If possible, don't fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and walk up.
If you do fly or drive, do not over-exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), only increase your altitude by 1,000 feet (305 meters) per day and for every 3,000 feet (915 meters) of elevation gained, take a rest day.
"Climb High and sleep low." This is the maxim used by climbers. You can climb more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) in a day as long as you come back down and sleep at a lower altitude.
If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude illness, don't go higher until symptoms decrease ("Don't go up until symptoms go down").
If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates. Make sure all of your party is properly acclimatized before going higher.
Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copious and clear.
Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the symptoms.
Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude.
The acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion, and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
Preventive medications for altitudes illness are two drugs: one called DIAMOX (acetazolamide) and the other called dexamethasone (a steroid).
DIAMOX (acetazolamide) allows a person to breathe faster and so metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a while for DIAMOX to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least 5 days at higher altitude.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is likewise a prescription drug. It decreases brain and other swelling reversing the effects of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Like DIAMOX, it should be used with caution and only on the advice of a physician because of possible serious side effects. It may be combined with DIAMOX. No other medications have been proven valuable for preventing AMS. (Based in part on the Princeton University Outdoor Action "Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses" by Rick Curtis).

This entry does not deal with acute mountain sickness (AMS) or, in any detail, with acclimatization. For information on these topics, please see the respective entries to Acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to Acclimatization.

Definition of Alternative Medicine, National Center for Compleme

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Alternative Medicine, National Center for Complementary &: See: National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine.

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Alternative medicine: Healing arts not taught in traditional Western medical schools that promote options to conventional medicine that is taught in these schools.. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a Western physician. Complementary medicine is different from alternative medicine. Whereas complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. See also complementary medicine, conventional medicine.

Definition of Alternative medical system

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Alternative medical system: A system of alternative medicine built upon a complete system of theory and practice. Often, such systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the US or Europe. Alternative medical systems may have evolved in Western or non-Western cultures. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

Definition of Alternating hemiplegia syndrome

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Alternating hemiplegia syndrome: See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Definition of Alternate hemiplegia

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Alternate hemiplegia: See: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

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Alteplase: Generic name of a tissue plasminogen activator produced by recombinant DNA technology. The brand name is Activase. See: Tissue plasminogen activator.

Definition of ALS8

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ALS8: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8.

Definition of ALS7

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ALS7: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7.

Definition of ALS6

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ALS6: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6.

Definition of ALS5

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ALS5: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 5.

Definition of ALS4

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ALS4: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4.

Definition of ALS3

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ALS3: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3.

Definition of ALS2

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ALS2: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2.

Definition of ALS1

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ALS1: See: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 1.

Definition of ALS

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ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS has two meanings. One meaning of ALS refers to several adult diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. (In the UK, the term "motor neuron disease" is used for these disorders.) The second meaning of ALS refers to a specific form of motor neuron disease in which there are both upper and lower motor neuron signs. Motor neuron diseases such as ALS are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord and supply electrical
stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is necessary for the movement of body parts.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is quite a mouthful. The disease is therefore usually referred to simply as ALS or in North America as Lou Gehrig's disease after the great baseball player who died of it.
ALS strikes in mid-life, most often in the fifth through seventh decades of life. Men are about one-and-a-half
times more likely to have the disease as women.
ALS occurs when specific nerve cells in the brain and spinal
cord that control voluntary movement gradually degenerate. The loss
of these motor neurons causes the muscles under their control to
weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis.
ALS manifests itself in different ways, depending on which muscles weaken first. Symptoms may include
tripping and falling, loss of motor control in hands and arms,
difficulty speaking, swallowing and/or breathing, persistent fatigue,
and twitching and cramping, sometimes quite severely.
There is no cure for ALS; nor is there a proven therapy that will prevent or reverse the course of the disorder. The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved riluzole, the first drug
that has been shown to prolong the survival of ALS patients. Patients
may also receive supportive treatments that address some symptoms.
ALS is progressive and fatal. The
usual causes of death of patients with motor neuron diseases are not
directly related to the disease, but result from simultaneous
additional illnesses which ultimately occur because of weakness of
the body. These illnesses are often infections. ALS usually leads to death within 5 years of the time the diagnosis of ALS is made; the range is from 2 to 7 years.

Definition of Alport syndrome

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Alport syndrome: An hereditary condition characterized by kidney disease, sensorineural (nerve) deafness and sometimes eye defects.
The classic disorder as described by Alport in 1927 is nephritis (inflammation of the kidney), often progressing to renal failure, and sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss affecting both sexes in successive generations. The kidney disease becomes evident as recurrent microscopic or gross hematuria (blood in the urine) as early as childhood, and usually earlier in males than in females. Progression to renal failure is gradual and usually occurs in males by the fifth decade.
The sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss in Alport syndrome primarily affects high tones and occurs in 30 to 50% of relatives with renal disease. The severity of the auditory and renal features do not correlate in a given individual with Alport syndrome.
Alport syndrome is not one disease. It has diverse genetic causes; there are X-linked and autosomal dominant and recessive forms of Alport syndrome. There are also diverse clinical types of Alport syndrome including, for example, juvenile-onset Alport syndrome with deafness, adult-onset Alport syndrome with deafness, and adult Alport syndrome without deafness.
The X-linked disorder that has come to be known as Alport syndrome is characterized by hematuria (blood in the urine), progressive renal failure, and sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss and is frequently associated with both eye abnormalities (such as lens and retinal anomalies) as well as the identification of mutations in the gene encoding what is called the basement membrane specific type IV collagen alpha-5 chain (COL4A5), an X-linked gene. This syndrome was proven to be an X-linked dominant disorder.

Definition of Alpha-synuclein

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Alpha-synuclein: One in a family of structurally related proteins that are prominently expressed in the central nervous system. Aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins form brain lesions that are hallmarks of some neurodegenerative diseases (synucleinopathies). The gene for alpha-synuclein, which is called SNCA, is on chromosome 4q21. One form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to mutations in SNCA. Another form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to a triplication of SNCA. See also: Parkinson disease gene.

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Definition of Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor

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Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor: A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine, resulting in a slower and lower rise in blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Before carbohydrates are absorbed from food, they must be broken down into smaller sugar particles like glucose by enzymes in the small intestine. One of the enzymes involved in breaking down carbohydrates is called alpha glucosidase. By inhibiting this enzyme, carbohydrates are not broken down as efficiently and glucose absorption is delayed. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include Precose (acarbose) and
Glyset (miglitol).

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Definition of Alpha-ethltryptamine

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Alpha-ethltryptamine: An illicit hallucinogenic drug related to tryptamine. Street names for alpha-ethyltryptamine include:
Alpha-ET; ET; Love pearls; Trip (also refers to LSD).
Many agents in the class of tryptamines are hallucinogenic substances that exist naturally in some plants, fungi, and animals, but also can be produced synthetically. These hallucinogens have been placed in Schedule I of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act) and include psilocybin, psilocyn, bufotenine, alpha-ethyltryptamine, diethyltryptamine, and dimethyltryptamine. There are also numerous types of tryptamines available, including AMT (alpha-methyltryptamine) and Foxy (5-MeO-DIPT), that are not listed under the CSA.

Definition of Alpha-ET

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Alpha-ET: Street name for alpha-ethyltryptamine.

Definition of Alpha-defensin

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Alpha-defensin: See: Defensin.

Definition of Alpha-1

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Alpha-1: Short for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

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Alpha thalassemia: A blood disorder, thalassemia is not one disease but rather a group of disorders that have a single feature in common: they all have a genetic defect in the production of hemoglobin, the protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen.
All forms of hemoglobin are made up of two
molecules: heme and globin. Globin is made up of 4
polypeptide chains. In normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A), the
predominant type of hemoglobin after the first year of life, 2 of the globin polypeptide chains are identical to one another and are designated the alpha chains. The other 2 chains are also identical to one another but differ from the alpha chains and are termed the beta chains. In fetal hemoglobin (Hb F), the predominant hemoglobin during
fetal development, there are 2 alpha chains and 2 different chains called gamma chains.
The problem in the thalassemias is with globin
production. The thalassemias are classified according to the type of globin polypeptide chain that is underproduced. The alpha chain is involved in alpha thalassemia (and the beta chain is affected in the more familiar beta thalassemia).
In alpha thalassemia, the heterozygous state (with a single gene for alpha thalassemia) is innocuous or harmless. There are no symptoms or at most mild anemia, because there is another gene still able to make alpha chains.
However, the homozygous state (with both genes for alpha thalassemia) is lethal before birth because no alpha chains can be made and without alpha chains, there can be no Hb F or Hb A and without Hb F or Hb A, the inevitable result is an unsuccessful pregnancy.

Definition of Alpha synuclein

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Alpha synuclein: See: Alpha-synuclein.

Definition of Alpha interferon

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Alpha interferon: A protein produced by the body in response to an infection. There are 3 major classes of interferon -- alpha, beta, and gamma.

Definition of Alpha helix

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Alpha helix: The coiled structure of many proteins consisting of a single chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The alpha helix was first proposed by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey in a brilliant series of paper in the early 1950s. It is also known as the Pauling-Corey helix. See also: Pauling, Linus.

Definition of Alpha blocker

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Alpha blocker: A drug that blocks receptors in arteries and smooth muscle. This action relaxes the blood vessels and leads to an increase in blood flow and a lower pressure for the control of hypertension. The action in the urinary tract enhances urinary flow in prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin).

Definition of Alpers disease

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Alpers disease: A progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by spasticity (tightness), myoclonus and dementia and by liver problems with jaundice and cirrhosis. This disorder, first described by Alpers in 1931 as "Diffuse progressive degeneration of gray matter of cerebrum", usually begins early in life with convulsions. A continuous seizure (status epilepticus) is often the final event.
Alpers disease is due to more than one cause. Some cases are inherited as autosomal recessive traits with both parents appearing normal but carrying one Alpers gene and each of their children, boys and girls alike, standing a 1 in 4 risk of receiving both of the parental Alpers genes and of suffering from this dread disease.
Other cases of Alpers disease are disorders of oxidative phosphorylation, including mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes. (Phosphorylation is the addition of phosphate to an organic compound, such as the addition of phosphate to ADP [adenosine diphosphate] to form ATP [adenosine triphosphate] or the addition of phosphate to glucose to produce glucose monophosphate, through the action of enzymes known as phosphotransferases or kinases.)
Alpers disease is also called Alpers progressive infantile poliodystrophy, progressive infantile poliodystrophy, diffuse degeneration of cerebral gray matter with hepatic cirrhosis, and Alpers diffuse degeneration of cerebral gray matter with hepatic cirrhosis.

Definition of ALOX5AP

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ALOX5AP: Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein. See: FLAP.

Definition of Alopecia, traumatic

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Alopecia, traumatic: Hair loss caused by injury to the scalp.
Traumatic alopecia is usually caused by grooming methods that attempt to straighten the natural kinkiness of hair in order to make the hair more manageable. It is a result of stress traction injury from tight rollers and braiding as well as overheating the hair shafts. Vigorous combing and chemical bleaches and styling products can additionally irritate the scalp to cause further hair loss.
Traumatic alopecia commonly occurs on both sides of the scalp and the broken-off hairs are frequently visible.
Traumatic alopecia is treated by discontinuing the styling practices causing the hair and scalp injury. Partial or complete regrowth of hair can follow, but permanent loss of hair can occur when the roots of the hairs are severely damaged.
To minimize risk of injury to scalp, if a person decides to continue or resume styling, it is best to use looser and larger wrapping and braids to reduce tension on the scalp and hair. Chemicals should only be applied to the hair and not the scalp directly. The hair should be unbraided at least every two weeks.
Traumatic alopecia in the United States is a common form of hair loss in African-American women.

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Definition of Alopecia capitis totalis

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Alopecia capitis totalis: Loss of all of the scalp hair. Alopecia means baldness and capitis refers to the head. Alopecia capitis totalis is thus total baldness of the scalp with normal hair elsewhere on the body.

Aside from alopecia capitis totalis, other forms of alopecia include:

Alopecia universalis: Loss of all of the hair, not only on the scalp, but also on the entire body.
Alopecia areata: Patchy areas of baldness.
Hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, the resultant hair loss usually being temporary.
Hair loss as a result of radiation therapy administered to the head, the hair loss usually being permanent, due to irreversible damage to the hair follicles.
Bald pate: Common male-pattern baldness localized to the front and top of the head, due to genetic (hereditary) factors.

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Alopecia areata: A patchy baldness which
typically begins with patchy hair loss on the scalp and sometimes
progresses to complete baldness and even loss of body hair. The hair
loss tends to be rather rapid and asymmetrical and is different than
male pattern baldness.
Alopecia areata affects both males and females. It tends to occur
most often in children and young adults but older individuals can
also be affected.
The most common pattern of alopecia areata is one or more spots
of hair loss on the scalp. There is also a form of more generalized
thinning. When all of the scalp hair is lost, it is referred to as
alopecia totalis. Loss of all of the hairs on the body is called
alopecia universalis.
The cause appears to involve an autoimmune mechanism. The body's
own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair
formation. Biopsies of affected skin show lymphocytes (one of the
body's immune system cells) inside of hair follicles where
lymphocytes normally are not present. What causes this is unknown.
Alopecia areata is sometimes associated with other
conditions (allergic disorders, thyroid disease, vitiligo, lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis). Some cases occur within
family members and indicate a genetic basis.
The characteristic diagnostic finding of alopecia areata is the
exclamation point hair. These can be found in areas of hair loss and
are short broken off hairs that are narrower closer to the scalp and
therefore mimic an exclamation point. In some cases a biopsy is
necessary for diagnosis.
In about half of those affected, the hair regrows within a year
without any
treatment. The longer the period of time of hair loss, the less
chance that it will regrow and a variety of treatments can be tied.
Steroid injections and cream to the scalp have been used for many
years. Other drugs include minoxidil, irritants, and topical
immunotherapy which may be used in different combinations.
A study reported in the journal Archives of Dermatology
(Vol 134, 1998;1349-52) showed effectiveness of aromatherapy
essential oils (cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils) in
some patients. As with many disorders for which there is no clear cut
beneficial treatment, a variety of remedies are promoted which in
fact have no benefit.

Definition of Alopecia

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Alopecia: Baldness. There are many types of
alopecia, each with a
different cause. Alopecia may be localized to the front and top of
the head as in common male pattern baldness. It may be patchy as in a
condition called alopecia areata. Or it can involve the entire head
as in alopecia capitis totalis. The word "alopecia" comes from the
Greek "alopex" for "fox." Foxes are less furry when afflicted with a
skin disease (the "mange") which causes them to lose their hair.
When a fancier word for "baldness" was sought, the mangy fox supplied
it -- "alopecia" or, if you wish, "fox-mange" -- not a very positive
image to associate with baldness!

Definition of Alogia

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Alogia: 1. Complete lack of speech, as in profound mental retardation or advanced dementia. Alogia is synonymous in this sense with aphasia.
2. Poverty of speech, as commonly occurs in schizophrenia.
From the Greek a-, without + logos, speech.

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Definition of Allopathy

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Allopathy: The system of medical practice which treats disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the disease under treatment. MDs practice allopathic medicine.
The term "allopathy" was coined in 1842 by C.F.S. Hahnemann to designate the usual practice of medicine (allopathy) as opposed to homeopathy, the system of therapy that he founded based on the concept that disease can be treated with drugs (in minute doses) thought capable of producing the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself.

Definition of Allopathist

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Allopathist: See: Allopath.

Definition of Allopathic medicine

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Allopathic medicine: The system of medical practice which treats disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the disease under treatment. MDs practice allopathic medicine. Also called conventional medicine.
The term "allopathy" was coined in 1842 by C.F.S. Hahnemann to designate the usual practice of medicine (allopathy) as opposed to homeopathy, the system of therapy that he founded based on the concept that disease can be treated with drugs (in minute doses) thought capable of producing the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself.

Definition of Allopathic

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Allopathic: Pertaining to allopathy (conventional medicine). The term was coined in 1842 by C.F.S. Hahnemann to designate the usual practice of medicine as opposed to homeopathy, the system of therapy that he founded.

Definition of Allopath

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Allopath: Or allopathist. A term sometimes applied to a physician who practices conventional medicine (allopathy).

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