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click on the virtual library icon to view a 3D animation of select terms
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| Densitometry (bone) |  |
| A non-invasive imaging system to measure the density of bone, used as a means to detect osteoporosis - a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. DEXA (an enhanced form of x-ray technology) bone densitometry is the standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). |
| Depression Prevention | |
| Depression is an illness caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Possible triggers include major stressful events, certain medications such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief, and the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Depression is a common illness. Although it can be genetic, anyone can develop depression; it can happen in isolated episodes or continuously throughout life. |
| Diabetes | |
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, characterized by abnormally excessive urination, usually in association with high blood sugar levels. Inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, the blood sugar regulating hormone produced in the pancreas is needed by the body’s cells to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
The two major forms of diabetes are now simply referred to as types 1 and 2. Type 1 diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells and fuel them. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance, a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency.
The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
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| Diabetes Mellitus | |
| See Diabetes |
| Diabetes Prevention | |
| Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism – the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food eaten is broken down into glucose. After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy as the main fuel for the body.
For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. When we eat, the pancreas produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells. |
| Diastolic Blood Pressure | |
| The lower or second of the two numbers in your blood pressure – indicates pressure in arteries when the heart is at rest (see blood pressure). |
| Digital Imaging | |
| Medical digital imaging refers to creating images of internal organs in a computer-displayed format (digital) rather than on film. Digital images are faster to produce (no film developing), and can be stored or sent from place to place electronically. |
| Direct laryngoscopy | |
| The surgeon inserts a fiber optic endoscope or laryngoscope into the larynx, which is the part of the respiratory tract that contains the vocal cords. The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia. |
| Ear surgery | |
| ENT specialists perform a wide range of surgery involving the ear, such as eardrum procedures and reconstruction of ear bone. One of the most common is myringotomy tube insertion to resolve recurrent inner ear infections on many children and some adults. |
| Early Detection | |
| Finding chronic diseases in their early, pre-symptomatic stages before serious (and often irreversible) damage has been caused. Found at early stages, treatment has the best chance of success, and further disease progression can more likely be avoided. |
| Echocardiogram | |
| Using sound waves, this system provides a real-time picture of the beating heart; it is useful in evaluating both structure and function. Echocardiography uses high frequency sound transmitted into the body; echoes of the “ultrasound” returning from the surfaces of the heart and other structures are electronically plotted and recorded. One, two, and 3D images can be created to demonstrate heart and vessel anatomy. |
| Echocardiography | |
| Echocardiography is a non-invasive, painless diagnostic method in which pulses of high frequency sound are transmitted into the body. The “echoes” of the ultrasound returning from the surfaces of the heart and other structures are electronically plotted and recorded. One, two, and even three-dimensional images can be created to demonstrate heart and vessel anatomy, abnormalities and disease.
In Doppler-echocardiography, the speed at which blood flows can be measured for estimating pressure changes in evaluating heart valve function. Doppler color flow mapping superimposes color to show the direction of blood flow across valves or through small defects in the heart. |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG) | |
| A measure of the electrical activity of the heartbeat. Sensors are attached to the chest and the EKG machine collects the electrical signals for evaluation. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) gives two major kinds of information, 1) it shows if the electrical activity is normal, slow, fast or irregular, and 2) it detects if parts of the heart are too large or are overworked. |
| Endometrial Ablation | |
| Endometrial Ablation is an alternative procedure to a hysterectomy. Endometrial Ablation is for women who suffer from heavy or prolonged periods. The procedure involves removing the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, which is the source for bleeding. This procedure uses hysteroscopy to visualize the uterine cavity during endometrial ablation procedure. |
| Estradiol | |
| An estrogen hormone (see estrogen) secreted chiefly by the ovaries, and is the most potent of the naturally occurring estrogens. Estradiol is prescribed for symptomatic treatment of the usual symptoms associated with menopause, prevention of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis, reduction of the risk of heart attacks, and abnormal uterine bleeding. |
| Estrogen | |
| A generic term for any of the various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes. Estrogens are hormones that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system. Estrogen can also refer to any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens |
| Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) | |
| Checking for blood in stool, the fecal occult (hidden or nonspecific origin) blood test is one way to detect colorectal cancer, polyps (growths), intestinal bleeding include inflammatory bowel disease (such as colitis), ulcers and hemorrhoids. The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) uses a chemical process to check your stool for hidden blood. The blood is often “hidden” in the sense that it may be passed in such small amounts that it can be detected only through chemical testing. If blood is found other test will be performed to discover its origin. If you're over 50 and at average risk, many medical organizations recommend at least an annual FOBT and a flexible sigmoidoscopy exam every five years. |
| Fibrinogen | |
| A blood-borne protein which is synthesized (produced) by the liver. Fibrinogen (factor I) is converted to fibrin, in the formation of a blood clot. A fibrinogen assay measures the concentration of fibrinogen in the blood and may be used to evaluate abnormal blood clotting. A lack of fibrinogen may be congenital or acquired. |
| Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) | |
| FSH is produced in women, to help control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. Follicle stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) and stimulates the development of follicles located in the ovaries; each follicle contains one egg.
In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm. The amount of FSH in men normally remains constant.
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| Functional endoscopic sinus | |
| Functional Endoscopic Sinus procedure is a minimally-invasive procedure involving the use of fiber optic scopes and CT scans allowing the surgeon to see inside the sinuses and repair affected areas. For patients who have recurrent inflammation of the sinuses, or sinusitis, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is often done after non-surgical treatment fails. |
| Glycated hemoglobin | |
| Please see: hemoglobin A1c.
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| Glycosylated hemoglobin | |
| Please see: hemoglobin A1c.
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| Gout | |
| Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis (joint inflammation). It appears as an acute attack often coming on overnight. Within 12-24 hours there is severe pain and swelling in the affected joint do to deposits of uric acid crystals in and around the joints. The skin over the joint may also be red and shiny. The condition of raised blood uric acid is called hyperuricaemia, when this is present the uric acid which is normally dissolved in the blood may form sharp crystals in the joint. |
| Headaches | |
| Headaches are classified as two types: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Examples of primary headaches are migraine, tension, sinus, and cluster headaches. Scientists still debate the causes of primary headaches but generally accepted theories are constriction and dilation of blood vessels, muscle contraction, and cervical vertebrae misalignment. The pain of headache is thought to begin with the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the brain stem. This nerve is the largest in the head, and carries sensory impulses to and from the face. Primary headaches are not caused by disease; secondary headaches are associated with disease. |
| Heart attack | |
| Heart Attack is the result of death or damage to an area of the heart muscle; the attack is called ischemia, myocardial infarction, or heart attack, which is characterized by chest pain. The damage is due to a reduced supply of blood from the coronary arteries as a result of coronary occlusion or thrombosis. |
| Heart block | |
| Heart Block is an abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, in which atrial contraction does not correctly coordinate with ventricular contraction. Heart block can be caused by abnormal heart development, drug treatments, degenerative disease, or as a complication of surgery for heart disease. |
| Hemochromatosis | |
| Hemochromatosis is a genetically linked disorder of iron metabolism that usually occurs in males, it causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron is stored in body tissues / organs, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas, and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause these organs to fail. |
| Hemoglobin A1c | |
| Also known as glycated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin, indicates a patient's blood sugar control over the last two to three months. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment that gives blood its red color and also the predominant protein in red blood cells. About 90% of hemoglobin is hemoglobin A., a small percent of hemoglobin A is made up of minor components that are chemically slightly different, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a minor component of hemoglobin to which glucose is bound. HbA1c levels depend on the blood glucose concentration. That is, the higher the glucose concentration in blood, the higher the level of HbA1c. Levels of HbA1c are not influenced by daily fluctuations in the blood glucose concentration but reflect the average glucose levels over the prior six to eight weeks. |
| Hepatitis A, B & C | |
Three forms of the viral disease of the liver.
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the feces of people with hepatitis A and is usually spread by close personal contact (including sex or sharing a household). It can also be spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with HAV.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is found in blood and certain body fluids. It is spread when blood or body fluid from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not immune. HBV is spread through having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, needle sticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth. Exposure to infected blood in ANY situation can be a risk for transmission.
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is found in blood and certain body fluids and spread the same way as HBV, except it is uncommon trough sex.
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| High Cholesterol Prevention | |
| Depression is an illness caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Possible triggers include major stressful events, certain medications such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief, and the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Depression is a common illness. Although it can be genetic, anyone can develop depression; it can happen in isolated episodes or continuously throughout life. |
| Homocysteine | |
| An amino acid that serves as a building block for the production of proteins in the body.
Epidemiological studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood (plasma) is related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
Plasma homocysteine levels are strongly influenced by diet, as well as by genetic factors. The dietary components with the greatest effects are folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. Folic acid and other B vitamins help break down homocysteine in the body.
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| Hypertension Prevention | |
| Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition of sustained, elevated blood pressure at or above 140 over 90. Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries and veins as it moves through your body. That measurement consists of two numbers: the first is Systolic Pressure, which is the pressure the blood exerts on the walls of your blood vessels when the heart beats.
The second number – Diastolic Pressure – is the pressure exerted between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. Someone with a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80 is said to have a blood pressure of 120 over 80. |
| Hysterectomy | |
| Hysterectomy may include the complete removal of the uterus, a partial removal, or a removal with the fallopian tubes and ovaries. A hysterectomy may be performed through an abdominal incision called an abdominal hysterectomy or through a vaginal incision, or vaginal hysterectomy. Common indicators for this surgery are cancer, uterine fibroids, abnormal bleeding, and endometriosis. A supracervical hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix, the parametrium, and the upper part of the vagina. |
| Hysteroscopy | |
| Hysteroscopy is a gynecologic procedure that uses a hysteroscope to look inside the uterus. This procedure can help evaluate abnormal bleeding, infertility, fibroid tumors, polyps, and displaced IUDS.
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