Languages:
A chronic disease characterized by a
strong craving for alcohol, a constant or periodic reliance on use of
alcohol despite adverse
consequences, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking is
stopped, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects.
(Source:
NIH
Understanding Alcohol glossary
Allergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms.
Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a
chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other
substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food.
(Source:
ACAAI
Allergy-Immunology
Glossary
A usually chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by
intermittent episodes of wheezing, coughing, and difficulty in breathing,
sometimes caused by an allergy to inhaled substances.
(Source: American Lung Association
Appendix 4:
Glossary
Any one of a group of diseases that occur when cells in the body become abnormal and have the potential to spread and establish growth in nearby tissues and other parts of the body (malignancy). (Source: GreenFacts )
A clinical trial is a research study in human volunteers to answer specific
health questions.
(Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
Basic Q&A on Clinical Trials
An experiment or clinical trial in which two groups are used for comparison purpose.
Depression is a mental condition affecting an individual’s mood.
It is characterized by a range of negative feelings such as sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem and guilt.
A depressed person may lose interest in many aspects of life and no longer find pleasure in activities and relationships. (Source: GreenFacts)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. These happen when clusters of nerve cells in the brain undergo a sudden surge of electrical activity, resulting in strange sensations, emotions or behaviour. Epileptics may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.
Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. (Source: GreenFacts )
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread pain of the muscles and bones, stiffness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The underlying cause remains unknown, yet most researchers agree that it is related to the nervous system. There are several suggested explanations for fibromyalgia, such as genetic predisposition, stress, trauma, psychological problems. Treatment includes pain and sleep management and psychological support. (Source: GreenFacts )
Founded in 1964, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) is a public scientific and technological institute which operates under the joint authority of the French Ministry of Health and French Ministry of Research.
As the only French public research institute to focus entirely on human
health, in 2008 Inserm took on the responsibility for the strategic, scientific
and operational coordination of biomedical research. This key role as
coordinator comes naturally to Inserm thanks to the scientific quality of its
teams and its ability to conduct translational research, from the laboratory to
the patient’s bed.
(Source:
Inserm
Pain-killing drug made from the chemical morphine, which is extracted from the dried latex of the opium poppy. Heroin is extremely fast acting, and within a few seconds a small dose will give the user an instant feeling of well-being. Much larger doses can make users relaxed and drowsy.
Pure heroin is a white powder, but street heroin comes as a brownish-white
powder that can be smoked, snorted or dissolved and injected.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on bbc.co.uk
A to Z of Drugs
It is the growth of a parasite within the human body that causes illness. It can be a virus, a bacteria, a fungus or a protozoa. (Source: GreenFacts )
Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.
(Source:
NCI
cancer.gov
dictionary
Migraine is a severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances such as blurred or loss of vision, light flashes and abnormal sensitivity to light. Its cause could be genetic or related to changes of blood flow and certain chemicals. Medicines can help prevent attacks or relieve symptoms. For many people, treatments to relieve stress can also help. (Source: GreenFacts )
Study of the biological, chemical and physical activities and processes that underlie the functioning of living organisms (cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems) and their parts. (Source: GreenFacts)
An inactive substance or treatment that looks the same as, and is given the
same way as, an active drug or treatment being tested. The effects of the active
drug or treatment are compared to the effects of the placebo.
(Source:
NCI
cancer.gov
dictionary
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the cells lining the nose resulting from the inhalation of an allergen.
The symptoms include nasal obstruction, runny nose and sneezing. Rhinitis can
be seasonal, e.g. allergy to pollen (hay fever), or [occur] all year round -
e.g. allergy to animals or dust.
(Source: Asthmacure.com Glossary
The production of a substance by either joining chemical elements, groups, and/or simpler compounds or breaking down a complex compound. (Source: GreenFacts )
Measures taken to treat a physical or mental disease.
First-line therapy is the first type of therapy given for a condition or disease.
Second-line therapy is the treatment that is given when
initial treatment (first-line therapy) doesn't work, or stops working.
(Source: based on St Jude Hospital Medical Terminology & Drug
Database
The level of magnitude of a system process at which sudden or rapid change
occurs.
(Source:
PhysicalGeography.net
Glossary of
terms
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