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
P
panic disorder — an anxiety disorder in which a person suffers from sudden attacks of fear and
panic. The attacks may occur without a known reason, but many times they are triggered by
events or thoughts that produce fear in the person, such as taking an elevator or driving.
Symptoms of the attacks include rapid heartbeat, chest sensations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, tingling, and feeling anxious.
Pap test — this test finds changes on the cervix. To do a Pap test, the doctor uses a small
brush to take cells from the cervix.
Parkinson's disease — disease affecting the part of the brain associated with movement.
Characterized by shaking and difficulty with movement coordination.
pelvic exam — during this exam, the doctor or nurse practitioner looks for redness, swelling,
discharge, or sores on the outside and inside of the vagina. A Pap test tests for cell changes on
the cervix. The doctor or nurse practitioner will also put two fingers of a gloved hand inside the
vagina and press on the abdomen with the other hand to check for cysts or growths on the
ovaries and uterus. STD tests may also be done.
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — a general term that refers to infection of the female
reproductive organs that are above the cervix, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is the
most common and serious problem caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The
scarring that results from PID can cause ectopic pregnancies, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and
other serious problems. Symptoms include fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, extreme
pain, and vaginal bleeding.
penis — the male organ used for urination and sex.
peptic ulcers — a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum (beginning of the small
intestine). Peptic ulcers are common -- one in 10 Americans develops an ulcer at some time in
his or her life. One cause of peptic ulcer is bacterial infection, but some ulcers are caused by
long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen. In
a few cases, cancerous tumors in the stomach or pancreas can cause ulcers. Peptic ulcers are
not caused by stress or eating spicy food.
perinatal depression — depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after deliver.y
peripartum depression — depression after pregnancy.
peripheral neuropathy — classification of disorders that involve damaged or destroyed nerves.
These disorders do not include the nerves of the brain or spinal cord.
peripheral vascular disease (also called peripheral arterial disease (PAD)) — a common
disorder in which the arteries supplying oxygen rich blood from the heart to a limb (typically one
or both legs) are blocked. As a result, the organs do not get enough blood flow for normal
function. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis.
pesticides — any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or
repelling any pest. It also includes herbicides, fungicides, and various other substances used to
control pests.
phobias — an anxiety disorder in which a person suffers from an unusual amount of fear of a
certain activity or situation.
phototherapy — treatment with light. Prescription phototherapy exposes the baby's skin to
special fluorescent lights. In mild cases of jaundice, exposing the baby's skin to sunlight (taking
care to avoid sunburn) is sometimes recommended.
physical therapy — therapy aimed to restore movement, balance and coordination.
pituitary gland — a small gland in the head that makes hormones that control other glands and
many body functions including growth.
placenta — during pregnancy, a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus. The placenta
transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and permits the release of carbon
dioxide and waste products from the fetus. The placenta is expelled during the birth process
with the fetal membranes.
plaque — a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that accumulate in the walls of the
arteries.
plugged (milk) duct — when the small milk ducts in the breast become blocked, or plugged.
This is often caused by mastitis.
pneumoccocal vaccine — pneumococcal vaccine is an injection that is very good at preventing
severe disease, hospitalization, and death from a lung infection called pneumococcal
pneumonia. However, it is not guaranteed to prevent all symptoms in all people.
pneumonia — inflammation of the lungs cause by infection with bacteria or viruses.
pornography — pictures, videos, and written material that openly shows sexual situations and
causes sexual excitement.
postpartum depression (PPD) — a serious condition that requires treatment from a health care
provider. With this condition, feelings of the baby blues (feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused
after having a baby) do not go away or get worse.
post-traumatic stress disorder — a psychological condition that can happen when a person
sees or experiences something traumatic, such as rape, murder, torture, or wartime combat. A
person can have many symptoms including flashbacks (re-living the event), nightmares, fatigue,
anxiety, and forgetfulness. A person can also withdraw from family and friends.
preeclampsia — also known as Toxemia. A condition that can occur in a woman in the second
half of her pregnancy that can cause serious problems for both her and the baby. It causes high
blood pressure, protein in the urine, blood changes and other problems.
prematurely — before the expected time.
primary lactase deficiency (lactose intolerance) — when a person is born with the inability to
digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose can't be digested because
there is not enough of an enzyme, called lactase, in the body. Consuming milk and dairy
products causes diarrhea, bloating, gas, and discomfort. This deficiency can also develop over
time, as the amount of lactase in the body decreases with age.
progesterone — a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Progesterone, along with
estrogen, prepares the uterus (womb) for a possible pregnancy each month and supports the
fertilized egg if conception occurs. Progesterone also helps prepare the breasts for milk
production and breastfeeding.
progestin — a hormone that works by causing changes in the uterus. When taken with the
hormone estrogen, progestin works to prevent thickening of the lining of the uterus. This is
helpful for women who are in menopause and are taking estrogen for their symptoms.
Progestins also are prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat unusual stopping of the
menstrual periods, help a pregnancy occur or maintain a pregnancy, or treat unusual or heavy
bleeding of the uterus. They also can be used to prevent pregnancy, help treat cancer of the
breast, kidney, or uterus, and help treat loss of appetite and severe weight or muscle loss.
prolactin — a hormone that increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It stimulates the
human breast to produce milk. Prolactin also helps inhibit ovulation.
prostate gland — part of a man's reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and
under the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows. A healthy
prostate is about the size of a walnut. The prostate makes part of seminal fluid. During
ejaculation, seminal fluid helps carry sperm out of the man's body as part of semen.
psoriasis — a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that mostly
affects adults. It occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the
skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement
takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days. Psoriasis results in
patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches usually itch or
feel sore, and most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back,
face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body.
psychiatrist — a doctor (M.D.) who treats mental illness. Psychiatrists must receive additional
training and serve a supervised residency in their specialty. They can prescribe medications.
psychologist — A clinical psychologist is a professional who treats mental illness, emotional
disturbance, and behavior problems. They use talk therapy as treatment, and cannot prescribe
medication. A clinical psychologist will have a master's degree (M.A.) or doctorate (Ph.D.) in
psychology, and possibly more training in a specific type of therapy.
psychotherapy — counseling or "talk" therapy with a qualified practitioner in which a person can
explore difficult, and often painful, emotions and experiences, such as feelings of anxiety,
depression, or trauma. It is a process that aims to help the patient become better at making
positive choices in his or her life, and to become more self-sufficient. Psychotherapy can be
given for an individual or in a group setting.
puberty — time when the body is changing from the body of a child to the body of an adult. This
process begins earlier in girls than in boys, usually between ages 8 and 13, and lasts 2 to 4
years.
pudenal block — a procedure that anesthetizes, or numbs, the area around the vulva to reduce
pain during labor and delivery.
pulmonary embolism — a sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually due to a blood clot that
traveled to the lung from the leg. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can cause
permanent damage to part of the lung from lack of blood flow to the lung tissue, low oxygen
levels in the blood, and damage to other organs in the body from not getting enough oxygen. If a
clot is large, or if there are many clots, pulmonary embolism can cause death. Rarely, an air
bubble, part of a tumor or other tissue travels to the lung and causes pulmonary embolism
purging — forcing oneself to vomit.
P
panic disorder — an anxiety disorder in which a person suffers from sudden attacks of fear and
panic. The attacks may occur without a known reason, but many times they are triggered by
events or thoughts that produce fear in the person, such as taking an elevator or driving.
Symptoms of the attacks include rapid heartbeat, chest sensations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, tingling, and feeling anxious.
Pap test — this test finds changes on the cervix. To do a Pap test, the doctor uses a small
brush to take cells from the cervix.
Parkinson's disease — disease affecting the part of the brain associated with movement.
Characterized by shaking and difficulty with movement coordination.
pelvic exam — during this exam, the doctor or nurse practitioner looks for redness, swelling,
discharge, or sores on the outside and inside of the vagina. A Pap test tests for cell changes on
the cervix. The doctor or nurse practitioner will also put two fingers of a gloved hand inside the
vagina and press on the abdomen with the other hand to check for cysts or growths on the
ovaries and uterus. STD tests may also be done.
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — a general term that refers to infection of the female
reproductive organs that are above the cervix, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is the
most common and serious problem caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The
scarring that results from PID can cause ectopic pregnancies, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and
other serious problems. Symptoms include fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, extreme
pain, and vaginal bleeding.
penis — the male organ used for urination and sex.
peptic ulcers — a sore on the lining of the stomach or duodenum (beginning of the small
intestine). Peptic ulcers are common -- one in 10 Americans develops an ulcer at some time in
his or her life. One cause of peptic ulcer is bacterial infection, but some ulcers are caused by
long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen. In
a few cases, cancerous tumors in the stomach or pancreas can cause ulcers. Peptic ulcers are
not caused by stress or eating spicy food.
perinatal depression — depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after deliver.y
peripartum depression — depression after pregnancy.
peripheral neuropathy — classification of disorders that involve damaged or destroyed nerves.
These disorders do not include the nerves of the brain or spinal cord.
peripheral vascular disease (also called peripheral arterial disease (PAD)) — a common
disorder in which the arteries supplying oxygen rich blood from the heart to a limb (typically one
or both legs) are blocked. As a result, the organs do not get enough blood flow for normal
function. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis.
pesticides — any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or
repelling any pest. It also includes herbicides, fungicides, and various other substances used to
control pests.
phobias — an anxiety disorder in which a person suffers from an unusual amount of fear of a
certain activity or situation.
phototherapy — treatment with light. Prescription phototherapy exposes the baby's skin to
special fluorescent lights. In mild cases of jaundice, exposing the baby's skin to sunlight (taking
care to avoid sunburn) is sometimes recommended.
physical therapy — therapy aimed to restore movement, balance and coordination.
pituitary gland — a small gland in the head that makes hormones that control other glands and
many body functions including growth.
placenta — during pregnancy, a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus. The placenta
transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and permits the release of carbon
dioxide and waste products from the fetus. The placenta is expelled during the birth process
with the fetal membranes.
plaque — a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that accumulate in the walls of the
arteries.
plugged (milk) duct — when the small milk ducts in the breast become blocked, or plugged.
This is often caused by mastitis.
pneumoccocal vaccine — pneumococcal vaccine is an injection that is very good at preventing
severe disease, hospitalization, and death from a lung infection called pneumococcal
pneumonia. However, it is not guaranteed to prevent all symptoms in all people.
pneumonia — inflammation of the lungs cause by infection with bacteria or viruses.
pornography — pictures, videos, and written material that openly shows sexual situations and
causes sexual excitement.
postpartum depression (PPD) — a serious condition that requires treatment from a health care
provider. With this condition, feelings of the baby blues (feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused
after having a baby) do not go away or get worse.
post-traumatic stress disorder — a psychological condition that can happen when a person
sees or experiences something traumatic, such as rape, murder, torture, or wartime combat. A
person can have many symptoms including flashbacks (re-living the event), nightmares, fatigue,
anxiety, and forgetfulness. A person can also withdraw from family and friends.
preeclampsia — also known as Toxemia. A condition that can occur in a woman in the second
half of her pregnancy that can cause serious problems for both her and the baby. It causes high
blood pressure, protein in the urine, blood changes and other problems.
prematurely — before the expected time.
primary lactase deficiency (lactose intolerance) — when a person is born with the inability to
digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose can't be digested because
there is not enough of an enzyme, called lactase, in the body. Consuming milk and dairy
products causes diarrhea, bloating, gas, and discomfort. This deficiency can also develop over
time, as the amount of lactase in the body decreases with age.
progesterone — a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Progesterone, along with
estrogen, prepares the uterus (womb) for a possible pregnancy each month and supports the
fertilized egg if conception occurs. Progesterone also helps prepare the breasts for milk
production and breastfeeding.
progestin — a hormone that works by causing changes in the uterus. When taken with the
hormone estrogen, progestin works to prevent thickening of the lining of the uterus. This is
helpful for women who are in menopause and are taking estrogen for their symptoms.
Progestins also are prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat unusual stopping of the
menstrual periods, help a pregnancy occur or maintain a pregnancy, or treat unusual or heavy
bleeding of the uterus. They also can be used to prevent pregnancy, help treat cancer of the
breast, kidney, or uterus, and help treat loss of appetite and severe weight or muscle loss.
prolactin — a hormone that increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It stimulates the
human breast to produce milk. Prolactin also helps inhibit ovulation.
prostate gland — part of a man's reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and
under the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows. A healthy
prostate is about the size of a walnut. The prostate makes part of seminal fluid. During
ejaculation, seminal fluid helps carry sperm out of the man's body as part of semen.
psoriasis — a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that mostly
affects adults. It occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the
skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement
takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days. Psoriasis results in
patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches usually itch or
feel sore, and most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back,
face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body.
psychiatrist — a doctor (M.D.) who treats mental illness. Psychiatrists must receive additional
training and serve a supervised residency in their specialty. They can prescribe medications.
psychologist — A clinical psychologist is a professional who treats mental illness, emotional
disturbance, and behavior problems. They use talk therapy as treatment, and cannot prescribe
medication. A clinical psychologist will have a master's degree (M.A.) or doctorate (Ph.D.) in
psychology, and possibly more training in a specific type of therapy.
psychotherapy — counseling or "talk" therapy with a qualified practitioner in which a person can
explore difficult, and often painful, emotions and experiences, such as feelings of anxiety,
depression, or trauma. It is a process that aims to help the patient become better at making
positive choices in his or her life, and to become more self-sufficient. Psychotherapy can be
given for an individual or in a group setting.
puberty — time when the body is changing from the body of a child to the body of an adult. This
process begins earlier in girls than in boys, usually between ages 8 and 13, and lasts 2 to 4
years.
pudenal block — a procedure that anesthetizes, or numbs, the area around the vulva to reduce
pain during labor and delivery.
pulmonary embolism — a sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually due to a blood clot that
traveled to the lung from the leg. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can cause
permanent damage to part of the lung from lack of blood flow to the lung tissue, low oxygen
levels in the blood, and damage to other organs in the body from not getting enough oxygen. If a
clot is large, or if there are many clots, pulmonary embolism can cause death. Rarely, an air
bubble, part of a tumor or other tissue travels to the lung and causes pulmonary embolism
purging — forcing oneself to vomit.
| Dr Deborah White Email:drdwhite@healthmeditations.com |
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