Glossary
Health Meditations
Health Information for Body, Mind and Spirit
Health Information for Body, Mind and Spirit
- A Holistic Approach to Health
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
C
calcium — a mineral that the body needs for strong bones and teeth.
cancer — a group of diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can
invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other
parts of the body.
candida — a fungus, called Candida albicans, that causes yeast infections like thrush in the
mouth and throat, and in intestines and other parts of the body.
cardiomyopathy — refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have a variety of
causes, symptoms and treatments. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged or
abnormally thick or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle of the heart is replaced with scar tissue. As
cardiomyopathy progresses, the heart becomes weaker and less able to pump blood through
the body. This can lead to severe complications, including heart failure, irregular heart beat,
fluid buildup in the lungs or legs, and, more rarely, endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the
heart.
cardiovascular diseases — disease of the heart and blood vessels.
cataplexy — a sudden loss of motor tone and strength.
cataracts — cloudy or thick areas in the lens of the eye.
celiac disease — a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with
absorption of nutrients from food. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten,
their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine.
central agonists — a type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure. Central agonists work
by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.
cerebrovascular disease — disease of the blood vessels in the brain.
cervical cancer — happens when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This
change normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short amount of
time. Before the cells turn into cancer, abnormal cells develop on the cervix that can be found by
a Pap test. Women generally don't have symptoms of cervical cancer. But when cervical cancer
is not found early and spreads deeper into your cervix or to other tissues or organs, you might
have pain during sex; bleeding from your vagina after sex, between periods, or after menopause;
heavy vaginal discharge that may have a bad odor; heavier bleeding during your period; or a
menstrual period that lasts longer than normal. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of
viruses, can cause abnormal changes on the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. HPV is very
common, and you can get it through sexual contact with another person who has HPV.
cervix — the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The cervix forms a canal that opens into
the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.
cesarean (C-section) — procedure where the baby is delivered through an abdominal incision.
chemotherapy — treatment with anticancer drugs.
chickenpox — a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which results in a blister-like
rash, itching, tiredness, and fever.
chlamydia — a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Most people have no symptoms,
but chlamydia can cause serious damage a women's reproductive organs. When a woman
does have symptoms, they may include thin vaginal discharge and other symptoms similar to
gonorrhea like burning when urinating. Long-term irritation may cause lower abdominal pain,
inflammation of the pelvic organs, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
cleft lip and palate — congenital abnormalities (present at birth) that affect the upper lip and the
hard and soft palate of the mouth. Features range from a small notch in the lip to a complete
fissure, or groove, extending into the roof of the mouth and nose. These features may occur
separately or together.
cholesterol — a soft, waxy, fat-like substance that is present in all parts of the body. It helps
make cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. The liver makes all the cholesterol a
person's body needs, so eating too much from animal foods like meats and whole milk dairy
products can make your cholesterol go up.
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) — 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.
chronic — lasting a long time. Chronic diseases usually develop slowly.
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — 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.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — a lung disease in which the lungs are
damaged, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways and air sac of the lungs lose their
shape and become floppy. Less air gets in and goes out because the airways and air sacs
lose their elasticity (like and old rubber band), the walls between many of the air sacs are
destroyed, the walls of the airways become thick and inflamed, and the cells in the airways
make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the airways. Cigarette smoking is the most
common cause of COPD. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Breathing
in other kinds of long irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time may
also cause or contribute to COPD.
cirrhosis — the result of chronic liver disease, where the liver is scarred and no longer functions
properly. This causes many complications, including build up of fluid in the abdomen, bleeding
disorders, increased pressure in the blood vessels and brain function disorders.
coercion — to force someone to do something that they do not want to do.
colon cancer — cancer in the inner lining of the colon, or the part of the large intestine that
serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, or stool, move
through it to leave the body. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from growths in the colon
called polyps. Removal of these precancerous can prevent colon cancer.
colonoscopy — 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.
colostrum — 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.
colposcopy — procedure that uses a special microscope (called a colposcope) to look into the
vagina and to look very closely at the cervix.
condom — a barrier method of birth control. There are both male and female condoms. The
male condom is a sheath placed over an erect penis before sex that prevents pregnancy by
blocking the passage of sperm. A female condom also is a sheath, but is inserted into the
vagina to block the passage of sperm.
congenital heart disease — abnormalities of the heart's structure and function caused by
abnormal or disordered heart development before birth.
connective tissue — a type of body tissue that supports other tissues and binds them together.
Connective tissue provides support in the breast.
constipation — infrequent or hard stools or difficulty passing stools.
contagious — transmitted by direct or indirect contact.
continence — the ability to control the timing of urination or a bowel movement.
convulsion — also known as a seizure. An uncontrollable contraction of muscles that can result
in sudden movement or loss of control.
coronary artery disease — also called coronary heart disease. It is the most common type of
heart disease that results from atherosclerosis - the gradual buildup of plaques in the coronary
arteries, the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart. This disease develops slowly and
silently, over decades. It can go virtually unnoticed until it produces a heart attack.
counselor — usually has a master's degree in Counseling and has completed a supervised
internship.
cystic fibrosis (CF) — 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.
cystitis — inflammation of the bladder, causing pain and a burning feeling in the pelvis or
urethral
cystocele — fallen bladder. When the bladder falls or sags from its normal position down to the
pelvic floor, it can cause either urinary leakage or urinary retention.
C
calcium — a mineral that the body needs for strong bones and teeth.
cancer — a group of diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can
invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other
parts of the body.
candida — a fungus, called Candida albicans, that causes yeast infections like thrush in the
mouth and throat, and in intestines and other parts of the body.
cardiomyopathy — refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have a variety of
causes, symptoms and treatments. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged or
abnormally thick or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle of the heart is replaced with scar tissue. As
cardiomyopathy progresses, the heart becomes weaker and less able to pump blood through
the body. This can lead to severe complications, including heart failure, irregular heart beat,
fluid buildup in the lungs or legs, and, more rarely, endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the
heart.
cardiovascular diseases — disease of the heart and blood vessels.
cataplexy — a sudden loss of motor tone and strength.
cataracts — cloudy or thick areas in the lens of the eye.
celiac disease — a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with
absorption of nutrients from food. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten,
their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine.
central agonists — a type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure. Central agonists work
by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.
cerebrovascular disease — disease of the blood vessels in the brain.
cervical cancer — happens when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This
change normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short amount of
time. Before the cells turn into cancer, abnormal cells develop on the cervix that can be found by
a Pap test. Women generally don't have symptoms of cervical cancer. But when cervical cancer
is not found early and spreads deeper into your cervix or to other tissues or organs, you might
have pain during sex; bleeding from your vagina after sex, between periods, or after menopause;
heavy vaginal discharge that may have a bad odor; heavier bleeding during your period; or a
menstrual period that lasts longer than normal. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of
viruses, can cause abnormal changes on the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. HPV is very
common, and you can get it through sexual contact with another person who has HPV.
cervix — the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The cervix forms a canal that opens into
the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.
cesarean (C-section) — procedure where the baby is delivered through an abdominal incision.
chemotherapy — treatment with anticancer drugs.
chickenpox — a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which results in a blister-like
rash, itching, tiredness, and fever.
chlamydia — a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Most people have no symptoms,
but chlamydia can cause serious damage a women's reproductive organs. When a woman
does have symptoms, they may include thin vaginal discharge and other symptoms similar to
gonorrhea like burning when urinating. Long-term irritation may cause lower abdominal pain,
inflammation of the pelvic organs, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
cleft lip and palate — congenital abnormalities (present at birth) that affect the upper lip and the
hard and soft palate of the mouth. Features range from a small notch in the lip to a complete
fissure, or groove, extending into the roof of the mouth and nose. These features may occur
separately or together.
cholesterol — a soft, waxy, fat-like substance that is present in all parts of the body. It helps
make cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. The liver makes all the cholesterol a
person's body needs, so eating too much from animal foods like meats and whole milk dairy
products can make your cholesterol go up.
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) — 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.
chronic — lasting a long time. Chronic diseases usually develop slowly.
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) — 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.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — a lung disease in which the lungs are
damaged, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways and air sac of the lungs lose their
shape and become floppy. Less air gets in and goes out because the airways and air sacs
lose their elasticity (like and old rubber band), the walls between many of the air sacs are
destroyed, the walls of the airways become thick and inflamed, and the cells in the airways
make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the airways. Cigarette smoking is the most
common cause of COPD. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Breathing
in other kinds of long irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals, over a long period of time may
also cause or contribute to COPD.
cirrhosis — the result of chronic liver disease, where the liver is scarred and no longer functions
properly. This causes many complications, including build up of fluid in the abdomen, bleeding
disorders, increased pressure in the blood vessels and brain function disorders.
coercion — to force someone to do something that they do not want to do.
colon cancer — cancer in the inner lining of the colon, or the part of the large intestine that
serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, or stool, move
through it to leave the body. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from growths in the colon
called polyps. Removal of these precancerous can prevent colon cancer.
colonoscopy — 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.
colostrum — 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.
colposcopy — procedure that uses a special microscope (called a colposcope) to look into the
vagina and to look very closely at the cervix.
condom — a barrier method of birth control. There are both male and female condoms. The
male condom is a sheath placed over an erect penis before sex that prevents pregnancy by
blocking the passage of sperm. A female condom also is a sheath, but is inserted into the
vagina to block the passage of sperm.
congenital heart disease — abnormalities of the heart's structure and function caused by
abnormal or disordered heart development before birth.
connective tissue — a type of body tissue that supports other tissues and binds them together.
Connective tissue provides support in the breast.
constipation — infrequent or hard stools or difficulty passing stools.
contagious — transmitted by direct or indirect contact.
continence — the ability to control the timing of urination or a bowel movement.
convulsion — also known as a seizure. An uncontrollable contraction of muscles that can result
in sudden movement or loss of control.
coronary artery disease — also called coronary heart disease. It is the most common type of
heart disease that results from atherosclerosis - the gradual buildup of plaques in the coronary
arteries, the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart. This disease develops slowly and
silently, over decades. It can go virtually unnoticed until it produces a heart attack.
counselor — usually has a master's degree in Counseling and has completed a supervised
internship.
cystic fibrosis (CF) — 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.
cystitis — inflammation of the bladder, causing pain and a burning feeling in the pelvis or
urethral
cystocele — fallen bladder. When the bladder falls or sags from its normal position down to the
pelvic floor, it can cause either urinary leakage or urinary retention.
| Dr Deborah White Email: drdwhite@healthmeditations.com |
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