Unit 6 lymphatic and immune system diseases: medical terminology

Aquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

surpression of the immune response caused by the progression of the human imunodeficiency virus, which destroys the body’s infection-fighting T-cells

allergy

a hypersensitive reaction by the body to an allergen

anaphylaxis

severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction; usually comes on suddenly within minutes of exposure to allergen

autoimmune disease

disease in which the immune system attacks the cells or tissues in one’s own body. EX: crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, and graves disease

edema

swelling

leukemia

cancer of the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow; causes an excessive increase in WBCs

lymphoma

malignant cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

malignant cancer of the lymphatic tissue in the spleen. liver. bone marrow, and lymph nodes

non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

malignant cancer that starts in the lymphocytes, includes, any type of lymphoma except Hodgkins

monocucleosis (mono)

acute, infectious illness, usually cause by the Epstein-barr virus, marked by increased number of atypical lymphocytes and monocytes. symptoms: swollen lymph nodes and fever

sepsis

life-threatening condition where infection-fighting chemicals released into the bloodstream trigger inflammation throughot the body. can eventually cause damage to multiple organ systems.

acute

acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema. may occurr alone or in conjunction with another disease

splenomegaly

enlargement of the spleen often associated with the destriction of blood cells, resulting in anemia

benign

nonreoccuring, nonmalignant, noncancerous tumor

chronic

an illness or injury characterized by long duration and slow progression

congenital

condition that is present at birth and may be the result of genetics or environmental factors

debilitating

having a weakening, or fatiguing effect

endemic

disease that is ongoing and restricted to a certain population, group, or area of land

epidemic

sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a population, group, or area of land

genetic

inherited, passed on from one’s biological parents

hypersensitivity

condition in which the body reacts with an exaggerared immune response to an allergen

latrogenic

infection or disease that arises as complication of medical or surgical intervention

idiopathic

having an unknown etiology (cause)

infectious

capable of causing an infection

ischemic

condition or disease caused by a temporary deficiency in blood flow to an organ or tissue

malignant

used to describe cancers that tend to spread, get progressively worse, and becomes life threatening

metabolic

disorder that interferes with normal metabolism, the chemical processes involved with converting food to energy and sustaining life

neoplastic

new, abnormal growth that may be cancerous or noncancerous

nosocomial

infection acquired in a hospital setting, not present upon admission

opportunistic

pathogen that normally does not cause a disease unless the immune system is in a weakened state

pandemic

disease that spread over most of the world

terminal

disease for which there are treatments, but no cure; fatal

allergy test

tests to evaluate for environmental, seasonal, food, drug, or animals allergies

biopsy

removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine the presence of disease

compuiterized tomography (CT)

process in which radiologic images of a specific region of the body are taken from multiple angles; produce more detailed imagery than standard X-Rays

Complete Blood count (CBC)

routine lab test that determines the total number of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets

culture and sensitivity

test in which specimens are placed in a growth medium and observed for bacterial reproduction

immunoelectrophoresis

test that measures immunoglobulins in the blood based on differences in electrical charge

lymphoscintigraphy

nuclear imaging method used to see the lymph vessels and nodes to detect abnormalities of the lymphatic system

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

noninvasive scanning test that involves use of an electromagnetic field and radio waves to visualize soft-tissue structures such as extracellular fluid

antibody therapy

use of syntheiic immunoglobulins, interferons, or monoclonal antibodies to treat immunodeficiency diseases

antifungal

drug that fights fungal infections, such as yeast infection

antineoplastic

drug that blocks the growth of a neoplasm, a common form of cancer treatment

antitoxin

an antibody that counteracts a toxin

antiviral

drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes

biologic

drug that works like part of the immune system by disrupting the autoimmune response that occurs in certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis; created from living organisms using molecular biology techniques

blood transfusion

transfer of blood, or blood components such as WBCs from a donor to a recipient

bone marrow transplant

replacement of diseased bone marrow cells in a patient with healthy bone marrow cells from a donor

cytotoxic drug

drug that kills/damages cells, preventing them from multiplying (chemotherapy)

epinepherine

drug that treats severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxsis

immunosuppressant

drug that prevents/reduces the body’s normal reactions to invasion used to prevent the rejection of donor tissue or to supress autoimmune disorders

immunotherapy

treatment of a disease by enhancing or supressing the body’s immune response

vasoconstrictor

drug that constricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure