Glossary Index | womenshealth.gov

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a form of complementary and alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying. These include a living will and health care power of attorney.

disorders that involve an immune response in the body. Allergies are reactions to allergens such as plant pollen, other grasses and weeds, certain foods, rubber latex, insect bites, or certain drugs.

tiny glands in the breast that produce milk.

a brain disease that cripples the brain's nerve cells over time and destroys memory and learning. It usually starts in late middle age or old age and gets worse over time. Symptoms include loss of memory, confusion, problems in thinking, and changes in language, behavior, and personality.

clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac.

when the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the substance in the blood that carries oxygen to organs) becomes reduced, causing fatigue that can be severe.

the use of medicine to prevent the feeling of pain or another sensation during surgery or other procedures that might be painful.

a thin or weak spot in an artery that balloons out and can burst.

anticancer drugs that can stop or slow down biochemical reactions in cells.

drugs that inhibit the ability of HIV or other types of retroviruses to multiply in the body.

the body opening from which stool passes from the lower end of the intestine and out of the body.

a form of complementary and alternative medicine in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being.

blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the heart, brain and other parts of the body.

technology that involves procedures that handle a woman's eggs and a man's sperm to help infertile couples conceive a child.

dry and itchy skin, caused by certain diseases, irritating substances, allergies, or a persons genetic makeup.

a medical condition in kids and adults that makes it hard to sit still, pay attention, and focus on certain tasks.

a condition in which abnormal breast cells are found in either the breast lobules (atypical lobular hyperplasia) or the breast ducts (atypical ductal hyperplasia). Atypical hyperplasia is not cancer. But having it increases breast cancer risk.

blood proteins made by the body's immune system that are meant to neutralize and destroy germs or other foreign substances but instead attack healthy cells of the body.

an immune response by the body against one of its own tissues, cells, or molecules.

disease caused by an immune response against foreign substances in the tissues of one's own body.

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microorganisms that can cause infections.

noncancerous

a type of medication that reduces nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.

a brown liquid made by the liver. It contains some substances that break up fat for digestion, while other substances are waste products.

when the hemoglobin in a person's blood breaks down, causing a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is a temporary condition in newborn infants.

an eating disorder caused by a person being unable to control the need to overeat.

having to do with, or related to, living things.

removal of a small piece of tissue for testing or examination under a microscope.

medical illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. It is also known as manic-depressive illness. A person with bipolar disorder may switch from feeling extremely joyful or excited to feeling extremely sad and hopeless very quickly.

a special place for women to give birth. They have all the required equipment for birthing, but are specially designed for a woman, her partner, and family. Birth centers may be free standing (separate from a hospital) or located within a hospital.

the organ in the human body that stores urine. It is found in the lower part of the abdomen.

fluid in the body made up of plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to and waste materials away from all body tissues. In the breast, blood nourishes the breast tissue and provides nutrients needed for milk production.

blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure is noted as two numbersthe systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The numbers are written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is called 120 over 80.

the transfer of blood or blood products from one person (donor) into another person's bloodstream (recipient). Most times, it is done to replace blood cells or blood products lost through severe bleeding. Blood can be given from two sources, your own blood (autologous blood) or from someone else (donor blood).

how a person feels about how she or he looks.

a measure of body fat based on a person's height and weight.

also known as the intestine, which is a long tube-like organ in the human body that completes digestion or the breaking down of food. The small bowel is the small intestine and the large bowel is the large intestine.

inflammation of the main air passages (bronchi) to your lungs. It causes cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

an eating disorder caused by a person consuming an extreme amount of food all at once followed by self-induced vomiting or other purging.

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a unit of energy-producing potential in food.

a term for diseases in which abnormal cells in the body divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic system, which is a network of tissues that clears infections and keeps body fluids in balance.

compounds such as sugars and starches that occur in food and are broken down to release energy in the body.

disease of the heart and blood vessels.

a sudden loss of motor tone and strength.

cloudy or thick areas in the lens of the eye.

disease of the blood vessels in the brain.

procedure where the baby is delivered through an abdominal incision. Also called cesarean delivery or cesarean birth.

treatment with anticancer drugs.

an alternative medical system that takes a different approach from standard medicine in treating health problems. The goal of chiropractic therapy is to normalize this relationship between your body's structure (mainly the spine) and its function. Chiropractic professionals use a type of hands-on therapy called spinal manipulation or adjustment.

If necessary this test is performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy and can indicate the same chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders as amniocentesis can. It also can detect the baby's sex and risk of spina bifida.

long-lasting, such as a chronic illness or chronic disease.

a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts six months or longer, and does not improve with rest or is worsened by physical or mental activity. Other symptoms can include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, and insomnia. The cause is unknown.

birth defects that affect the upper lip and the hard and soft palates of the mouth. Features range from a small notch in the lip to a complete fissure or groove, extending into the roof of the month and nose. These features may occur separately or together.

an external female sex organ located near the top of the inner labia of the vagina. The clitoris is very sensitive to the touch, and for most women it is a center of sexual pleasure.

to force someone to do something that they do not want to do.

a diagnostic procedure in which a flexible tube with a light source in inserted into the colon (large intestine or large bowel) through the anus to view all sections of the colon for abnormalities.

thick, yellowish fluid secreted from breast during pregnancy, and the first few days after childbirth before the onset of mature breast milk. Also called first milk, it provides nutrients and protection against infectious diseases.

abnormalities of the heart's structure and function caused by abnormal or disordered heart development before birth.

a type of body tissue that supports other tissues and binds them together. Connective tissue provides support in the breast.

infrequent or hard stools or difficulty passing stools.

transmitted by direct or indirect contact.

usually has a master's degree in Counseling and has completed a supervised internship.

an ongoing condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also called the GI tract. It can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. It often affects the lower part of the small intestine, causing pain and diarrhea.

one of the most common serious genetic (inherited) diseases. One out of every 400 couples is at risk for having children with CF. CF causes the body to make abnormal secretions leading to mucous build-up. CF mucous build-up can impair organs such as the pancreas, the intestine and the lungs.

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impairs the vitality and strength of a person.

medications that treat cough and stuffy nose by shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breath.

excessive loss of body water that the body needs to carry on normal functions at an optimal level. Signs include increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness or lightheadedness (particularly if worse on standing), and a darkening of the urine or a decrease in urination.

when a person believes something that is not true and that person keeps the belief even though there is strong evidence against it. Delusions can be the result of brain injury or mental illness.

a square, thin piece of latex that can be placed over the anus or the vagina before oral sex.

term used to describe an emotional state involving sadness, lack of energy and low self-esteem.

medical treatment used when kidneys fail. Special equipment filters the blood to rid the body of harmful wastes, salt, and extra water.

tube through which food passes and is digested, and wastes are eliminated. The digestive tract runs from the mouth to the anus and includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular function.

a lab test in which a patient's DNA is tested. DNA is a molecule that has a person's genetic information and is found in every cell in a person's body.

Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause for mild to moderate mental retardation and related medical problems. It is caused by a chromosomal abnormality. For an unknown reason, a change in cell growth results in 47 instead of the usual 46 chromosomes. This extra chromosome changes the orderly development of the body and brain.

a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of breast ducts. These cells have not spread outside the duct to the surrounding breast tissue. DCIS is not cancer. But some cases of DCIS become breast cancer over time, so its important to get treatment for DCIS.

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an external, noninvasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

a period during pregnancy where the baby has rapid growth, and the main external features begin to take form.

a condition caused by damage to the air sacs in the lungs. This damage keeps the body from getting enough oxygen. Symptoms include trouble breathing, cough, and trouble exercising for more than brief periods. Emphysema is usually caused by smoking.

a diagnostic procedure in which a thin, flexible tube is introduced through the mouth or rectum to view parts of the digestive tract.

during labor a woman may be offered an epidural, where a needle is inserted into the epidural space at the end of the spine, to numb the lower body and reduce pain. This allows a woman to have more energy and strength for the end stage of labor, when it is time to push the baby out of the birth canal.

inability to achieve and keep a penile erection.

tube that connects the throat with the stomach.

when someone exposes him/herself in public

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a federal regulation that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period for the serious health condition of the employee, parent, spouse or child, or for pregnancy or care of a newborn child, or for adoption or foster care of a child.

a rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. FA causes your bone marrow to stop making enough new blood cells for your body to work normally. The risk for some cancers is much greater for people with FA.

a source of energy used by the body to make substances it needs. Fat helps your body absorb certain vitamins from food. Some fats are better for your health than others. To help prevent heart disease and stroke, most of the fats you eat should be monounsaturated (mon-oh-uhn-SACH-uh-ray-tid) and polyunsaturated (pol-ee-uhn-SACH-uh-ray-tid) fats.

a feeling of lack of energy, weariness or tiredness.

a barrier form of birth control that is worn by the woman inside her vagina. It is made of thin, flexible, manmade rubber. It keeps sperm from getting into her body.

a term used to describe the full range of harmful effects that can occur when a fetus is exposed to alcohol.

body temperature is raised above normal and is usually a sign of infection or illness.

a disorder that causes aches and pain all over the body, and involves tender points on specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs that hurt when pressure is put on them.

each month, an egg develops inside the ovary in a fluid filled pocket called a follicle. This follicle releases the egg into the fallopian tube.

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Glossary Index | womenshealth.gov