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
H
heart attack — when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked,
usually by a clot in a coronary artery. Often, this blockage leads to an irregular heartbeat that
causes a severe decrease in the pumping function of the heart and may bring sudden death. If
the blockage is not treated quickly, the affected heart muscle will die and be replaced by scar
tissue.
heart failure — a condition in which the heart has become weak and cannot pump enough
blood throughout the body. Heart failure can affect the left side of the heart, the right side of the
heart or both sides. Most cases of heart failure involve the left side where the hear can’t pump
enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. With right-sided heart failure, the heart can’t
effectively pump blood to the lungs where the blood picks up oxygen. The weakening of the
heart’s pumping ability causes blood and fluid to back up into the lungs, the buildup of fluid in
the feet, ankles and legs, and tiredness and shortness of breath.
heart murmur — an extra or unusual heart sound during your heart beat. Most heart murmurs
are harmless. Some are signs of heart problems, especially if other signs of symptoms of a
heart problem are present. (Normal heartbeat sounds are caused by the heart valves closing
as blood moves through the heart.)
hematuria — blood in the urine.
hemorrhoids — veins around the anus or lower rectum that are swollen and inflamed; varicose
veins in and around the anus.
hepatitis B — a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is
called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver
cancer, liver failure, and death. You get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body fluids
of an infected person; for instance, you can become infected by having sex or sharing needles
with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth.
hepatitis C — a liver disease, caused by a virus, that makes the liver swells and stops it from
working correctly.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) — Herpes simplex is a virus. There are two types of HSV, HSV
type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold
sores. It can also cause sores on the genitals. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes,
but it can infect the mouth also.
high blood pressure — also known as hypertension. A cardiovascular disease which means
the blood vessels become tight and constricted, forcing your heart to pump harder to move
blood through your body. These changes cause the blood to press on the vessel walls with
greater force, which can damage blood vessels and organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes,
and brain. Blood pressure is considered high if it is greater than 140 over 90 mm Hg
(millimeters of mercury).
HIV — see HIV/AIDS infection
HIV/AIDS infection — HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome. HIV infection can produce no symptoms for many years. When certain symptoms
develop, a person has AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome, or group of diseases, that can be fatal.
HIV/AIDS infection is life-long, there is no cure.
holistic — anything that emphasizes the relationship between the parts and the whole;
considering the complete system.
hormone — a natural substance produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to
trigger or regulate another function of the body, such as growth or metabolism.
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — replaces the hormones that a woman's ovaries stop
making at the time of menopause, easing symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT
combines the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and is usually given in pill form. [A
recent study has found that HRT can cause more harm than good in healthy women, and can
increase a woman's risk for breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism
(blood clot in the lung). Talk with your health care provider to find out if HRT is best for you and
about other ways to control menopause symptoms.]
human papilloma virus (HPV)— a member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal
tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to cells. Infection with certain types
of HPV increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. There are more than 100 different types
of HPV, most of which are harmless.
hypertension — see high blood pressure.
hypospadias — a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra, called the urinary meatus, is
on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip.
hypotension — abnormally low blood pressure; blood pressure that is lower than 90/60.
Hypotension is a medical concern only if it causes signs and/or symptoms such as dizziness,
fainting, or, in extreme cases, shock.
hysterectomy — surgery to remove the uterus.
H
heart attack — when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked,
usually by a clot in a coronary artery. Often, this blockage leads to an irregular heartbeat that
causes a severe decrease in the pumping function of the heart and may bring sudden death. If
the blockage is not treated quickly, the affected heart muscle will die and be replaced by scar
tissue.
heart failure — a condition in which the heart has become weak and cannot pump enough
blood throughout the body. Heart failure can affect the left side of the heart, the right side of the
heart or both sides. Most cases of heart failure involve the left side where the hear can’t pump
enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. With right-sided heart failure, the heart can’t
effectively pump blood to the lungs where the blood picks up oxygen. The weakening of the
heart’s pumping ability causes blood and fluid to back up into the lungs, the buildup of fluid in
the feet, ankles and legs, and tiredness and shortness of breath.
heart murmur — an extra or unusual heart sound during your heart beat. Most heart murmurs
are harmless. Some are signs of heart problems, especially if other signs of symptoms of a
heart problem are present. (Normal heartbeat sounds are caused by the heart valves closing
as blood moves through the heart.)
hematuria — blood in the urine.
hemorrhoids — veins around the anus or lower rectum that are swollen and inflamed; varicose
veins in and around the anus.
hepatitis B — a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is
called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver
cancer, liver failure, and death. You get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body fluids
of an infected person; for instance, you can become infected by having sex or sharing needles
with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth.
hepatitis C — a liver disease, caused by a virus, that makes the liver swells and stops it from
working correctly.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) — Herpes simplex is a virus. There are two types of HSV, HSV
type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold
sores. It can also cause sores on the genitals. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes,
but it can infect the mouth also.
high blood pressure — also known as hypertension. A cardiovascular disease which means
the blood vessels become tight and constricted, forcing your heart to pump harder to move
blood through your body. These changes cause the blood to press on the vessel walls with
greater force, which can damage blood vessels and organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes,
and brain. Blood pressure is considered high if it is greater than 140 over 90 mm Hg
(millimeters of mercury).
HIV — see HIV/AIDS infection
HIV/AIDS infection — HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome. HIV infection can produce no symptoms for many years. When certain symptoms
develop, a person has AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome, or group of diseases, that can be fatal.
HIV/AIDS infection is life-long, there is no cure.
holistic — anything that emphasizes the relationship between the parts and the whole;
considering the complete system.
hormone — a natural substance produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to
trigger or regulate another function of the body, such as growth or metabolism.
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — replaces the hormones that a woman's ovaries stop
making at the time of menopause, easing symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT
combines the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and is usually given in pill form. [A
recent study has found that HRT can cause more harm than good in healthy women, and can
increase a woman's risk for breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism
(blood clot in the lung). Talk with your health care provider to find out if HRT is best for you and
about other ways to control menopause symptoms.]
human papilloma virus (HPV)— a member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal
tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to cells. Infection with certain types
of HPV increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. There are more than 100 different types
of HPV, most of which are harmless.
hypertension — see high blood pressure.
hypospadias — a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra, called the urinary meatus, is
on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip.
hypotension — abnormally low blood pressure; blood pressure that is lower than 90/60.
Hypotension is a medical concern only if it causes signs and/or symptoms such as dizziness,
fainting, or, in extreme cases, shock.
hysterectomy — surgery to remove the uterus.
| Dr Deborah White Email: drdwhite@healthmeditations.com |
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