4 Med Terms

lymph

body fluid that carries and stores immune cells

lymphocyte

white blood cell

lymphoma

blood cancer that affects lymphatic system

malaise

generalized feeling of illness, discomfort, or depression indicative of some underlying disease or disorder

malnourishment

the condition that occurs when the body does not have adequate amounts of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed for proper health and growth

medical condition

a broad term for all diseases and disorders, but also can mean a healthy state such as pregnancy

meningitis

inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (the meninges)

menopause

age-related changes to the ovaries and the point where a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row and is no longer producing female sex hormones

metabolic disease

abnormality in the body’s metabolism

metabolism

chemical process that takes place in the cells and the fluids of the body, enabling the body to get or to produce energy from food

metastasis (metastasize)

the spread of cancer cells from one organ to another

microorganism

specific agent, such as a virus, that is responsible for disease

mmHg

abbreviation for millimeters of mercury, the unit used to measure blood pressure m

morbidity

illness, injury, or disability

mortality

death

mucosa

lining of the digestive tract organs

myeloma

blood cancer that grows in the blood marrow and targets plasma cells

myocardial infarction

also known as a heart attack; condition in which plaque totally blocks a coronary artery, or some plaque breaks off and causes a clot in a coronary artery

myocarditis

infection that causes inflammation in the middle layer of the walls of the heart

natural immunity

general protection that everyone is born with

neoplasia

means “new formation” or “new growth”

neoplasm

an abnormal tissue mass caused by an abnormal growth of cells

nephrectomy

removal of a kidney

neuropathic pain

discomfort that originates in peripheral nerves of the central nervous system rather than from damage in organs or tissues

noncompliant

describes a patient who does not follow his or her treatment plan

noninvasive

characteristic of a test or procedure that causes little or no pain for the patient

NSAIDs

non steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs. Example: Advil

osteoarthritis

disease that causes disabling changes in joint tissues and opposing bones

osteoporosis

thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time

pain

a sensation of hurting or of strong discomfort in some part of the body, caused by an injury, a disease, or a functional disorder and transmitted through the nervous system

palliative care

treatment whose primary focus is helping the patient remain as comfortable as possible

pallor

lack of color, paleness of the skin

parasite

an organism that lives or in another organism (the host) and derives nutrients from or at the expense of the host, often causing harm and disease

passive immunity

immunity borrowed from another source

pathogen/germ

the virus, bacterium, or parasite that has entered the body and causes an infectious disease

pathogenic

capable of causing disease

patient autonomy

the ability of a person to educate themselves on their disease and its treatment and make informed decisions

pericarditis

infection that causes inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart

perimenopause

the time before menopause

phlebotomy

the procedure for taking blood from a patient

plaque

substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials that builds up in arteries, making them hard, weak, and narrow

plasma

yellowish fluid that enabled blood cells to travel through the circulatory system

platelets

small bits of cells that help blood clot

polyps

an abnormal growth of tissue that forms on a body surface, like the lining of the intestines, uterus, or nasal passages

postmenopause

the period following menopause, which lasts for the rest of a woman’s life

prehypertension

elevated blood pressure indicating that the patient may end up with high BP unless he or she takes steps to prevent it

prevention

any action or strategy aimed at eradicating, eliminating, or minimizing the impact of disease and disability

progesterone

female hormone that helps with the development of the fetus

prognosis

a healthcare provider’s opinion of how the patient’s disease will develop

protective factor

a factor that decreases the chances of developing a disease, but does not guarantee that a person won’t get the disease

protozoa

single-celled parasites that can live in the body

pulmonary embolism

a sudden blockage in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs, often caused by a blood clot that travels from a deep vein, such as in the legs

quality of life

an individual’s overall subjective perception of their well-being, encompassing physical, mental, social, and emotional health, and how these factors are influences by a disease, its treatment, and other aspects