Ch 18 20

Acute illness

An illness that has severe symptoms, is treated immediately, and is usually short-term.

Chronic illness

A disease or condition that is long-term or long-lasting and requires management of symptoms.

Scabies

Contagious skin infection caused by a tiny mite burrowing into the skin, causing intense itching and a rash.

Shingles

Non-contagious skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, causing pain, tingling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters.

Wound

A type of injury to the skin.

Dermatitis

An inflammation of the skin causing swollen, reddened, irritated, and itchy skin.

Inflammation

Swelling.

Arthritis

A general term that refers to inflammation of the joints, causing stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility.

Autoimmune illness

An illness in which the body’s immune system attacks normal tissue in the body.

Osteoarthritis

A common type of arthritis that usually affects the hips, knees, fingers, thumbs, and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis

A type of arthritis in which joints become inflamed, resulting in restricted movement and possible deformities.

Osteoporosis

A disease that causes bones to become porous and brittle.

Closed fracture

A broken bone that does not break the skin.

Open fracture

A broken bone that penetrates the skin; also known as a compound fracture.

Partial weight-bearing (PWB)

A doctor’s order stating that a person is able to support some body weight on one or both legs.

Non-weight-bearing (NWB)

A doctor’s order stating that a person is unable to touch the floor or support any body weight on one or both legs.

Full weight-bearing (FWB)

A doctor’s order stating that a person has the ability to support full body weight on both legs.

Prosthesis

A device that replaces a missing or deformed body part to improve function or appearance.

Muscular dystrophy

An inherited, progressive disease that causes gradual muscle wasting, weakness, and deformity.

Amputation

The removal of some or all of a body part, usually a foot, hand, arm, or leg.

Phantom sensation

Warmth, itching, or tingling from a body part that has been amputated.

Phantom limb pain

Pain in a limb that has been amputated.

Complementary medicine

Treatments that are used in addition to conventional treatments prescribed by a doctor.

Alternative medicine

Practices and treatments used instead of conventional methods.

Parkinson’s disease

A progressive disease that causes brain degeneration; characterized by stooped posture and tremors.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

A progressive disease of the nervous system affecting nerve message transmission.

Paraplegia

Loss of function of the lower body and legs.

Quadriplegia

Loss of function of the legs, trunk, and arms.

Epilepsy

An illness of the brain that produces seizures.

Cataracts

A condition causing milky or cloudy spots in the eye leading to vision loss.

Glaucoma

A condition where fluid cannot drain from the eye, causing increased pressure and potential blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

A condition where the macula deteriorates, causing vision loss.

Hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure, measuring 140/90 or higher.

Atherosclerosis

A hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort.

Nitroglycerin

Medication that relaxes coronary artery walls to increase blood flow to the heart.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Condition when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to blocked blood vessels; a heart attack.

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Condition where the heart cannot pump effectively, causing blood backup.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

Disease limiting blood circulation in the limbs due to hardened blood vessels.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic lung disease causing difficulty breathing.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi lining.

Emphysema

Chronic lung disease often resulting from smoking or chronic bronchitis.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of lung tissue due to infection.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory disease causing breathing difficulties.

Bronchiectasis

Condition where bronchial tubes are permanently enlarged, causing chronic cough.

Upper respiratory infection (URI)

Bacterial or viral infection of the nose, sinuses, and throat, commonly called a cold.

Lung cancer

Development of abnormal cells or tumors in the lungs.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Highly contagious lung disease caused by bacterium spread through mucous droplets.

Diabetes

Condition where the pancreas does not produce enough or properly use insulin.

Insulin

Hormone that converts glucose into energy.

Glucose

Natural sugar.

Type 1 diabetes

Type of diabetes with no insulin production; usually diagnosed in children.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes where the body does not produce/get enough insulin; typically occurs after age 35.

Pre-diabetes

Condition with elevated blood glucose levels not high enough for type 2 diagnosis.

Gestational diabetes

Type of diabetes occurring in pregnant women with previously normal glucose levels.

Hyperthyroidism

Condition with excessive thyroid hormone production, causing heightened metabolism.

Hypothyroidism

Condition with insufficient thyroid hormone, resulting in slowed body processes.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Infections caused by sexual contact; signs are not always apparent.

Chlamydia

Sexually-transmitted infection caused by organisms in the reproductive tract.

Syphilis

Bacteria-caused STI that, if untreated, can lead to severe health issues.

Chancres

Open sores.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial STI that can cause serious complications if untreated.

Genital herpes

Incurable STI caused by herpes simplex viruses.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy

Enlargement of the prostate in aging men causing urinary issues.

Vaginitis

An infection of the vagina caused by bacteria, protozoa, or fungus.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Final stage of HIV infection leading to serious health complications.

AIDS dementia complex

Symptoms including memory loss and confusion in late AIDS stages.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Rare skin cancer appearing as purple or red lesions.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur when the immune system is weakened.

Neuropathy

Numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and legs.

Cancer

General term for uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Tumor

Cluster of abnormally-growing cells.

Benign tumors

Non-cancerous tumors.

Malignant tumors

Cancerous tumors.

Mastectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the breast.

Mental health

Normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities.

Mental illness

A disease affecting a person's functional ability in various settings.

Situation response

Temporary condition from crises or environmental changes.

Fallacy

A false belief.

Defense mechanisms

Unconscious behaviors used to cope with stress.

Anxiety

Uneasiness or fear about a situation.

Phobia

An intense form of anxiety.

Claustrophobia

Fear of confined spaces.

Panic disorder

Disorder with repeated episodes of intense fear.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts or behaviors.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety disorder triggered by traumatic experiences.

Apathy

Lack of interest.

Major depressive disorder

Type of depression causing withdrawal and lack of energy.

Bipolar disorder

Depression marked by extremes from deep lows to high activity.

Schizophrenia

Brain disorder affecting communication and clear thought.

Paranoid schizophrenia

Schizophrenia focused on hallucinations and delusions.

Psychotherapy

Method of discussing problems with mental health professionals.

Substance abuse

Harmful repeated use of drugs or alcohol.