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
T
Tay-Sachs disease — a fatal genetic disorder in which harmful quantities of a fatty substance
called ganglioside GM2 build up in the nerve cells in the brain and damage the cells. In
children, this begins in the fetus early in pregnancy. By the time a child with Tay-Sachs is three
or four years old, the nervous system is so badly affected that death usually results by age five.
testicle (testis) — the male sex gland. There are a pair of testes behind the penis in a pouch of
skin called the scrotum. The testes make and store sperm, and make the male hormone
testosterone.
thalassemia — a group of blood diseases, that are inherited, which affect a person's
hemoglobin and cause anemia. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
and nutrients to cells in the body.
thrush — a yeast infection, caused by the fungus Candida albicans, of the mouth and throat. It's
hallmark is white patches in the mouth. It can also occur in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina,
and causes some types of diaper rash in infants.
thyroid — a small gland in the neck that makes and stores hormones that help regulate heart
rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy.
tonsillitis — inflammation of the tonsils, which are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth at the
top of the throat. Tonsils help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection
in the body. When they become overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection they can become
swollen and inflamed.
toxemia — see preeclampsia.
toxoplasmosis — an infection caused by the parasite named Toxoplasma gondii that can
invade tissues and damage the brain, especially in a fetus and in a newborn baby. Symptoms
include fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph glands, and muscle aches and pains. Can be
contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or
anything that came into contact with cat feces; or by eating raw or partly cooked meat, or
touching the hands to the mouth after touching raw or undercooked meat.
trans fat — also called trans fatty acids, it tends to raise blood cholesterol similarly to saturated
fat. Trans fat is found mainly in foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as many
hard margarines and shortenings. The harder the margarine or shortening, the more likely it is
to contain more trans fat. Hydrogenation is a process in which hydrogen is added to
unsaturated fat to make it more stable and solid at room temperature—and more saturated.
Some trans fat also occurs naturally in animal fats, such as dairy products and some meats.
Common sources of trans fat include stick margarine, baked products such as crackers,
cookies, doughnuts, and breads, and foods fried in hydrogenated shortening, such as french
fries and chicken. Trans fat also may be in some unsuspected places, such as dietary
supplements. Soft margarines (tub and liquid) and vegetable oil spreads have lower amounts
of trans fat than hard margarines. Some margarines are now free of trans fat.
transient ischemic attack (TIA) — a "mini-stroke" where there is a short-term reduction in
blood flow to the brain usually resulting in temporary stoke symptoms. Does not cause damage
to the brain, but puts a person at higher risk of having a full stroke.
trichomoniasis — a very common STD in both women and men that is caused by a parasite
that is passed from one person to another during sexual contact. It also can be passed through
contact with damp, moist objects such as towels or wet clothing. Symptoms include yellow,
green, or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong odor; discomfort during sex and
when urinating; irritation and itching of the genital area; or lower abdominal pain (rare).
trimester — a typical pregnancy is 9 months long. Pregnancy is divided into three time periods,
or trimesters, that are each about three months in duration - the first, second, and third
trimesters.
triple screen — blood test that indicates if there’s an increased risk of a birth defect, or a
condition like Down Syndrome, in the fetus. This test can also show twins.
trisomy 18 — a condition in which a baby is conceived with three copies instead of the normal
two copies of chromosome #18. Children with this condition have multiple malformations and
mental retardation due to the extra chromosome #18. Some of the problems include: low birth
weight, small head, small jaw, malformations of the heart and kidneys, clenched fists with
abnormal finger positioning, and malformed feet. The mental retardation is severe. Ninety five
percent of children with this condition die before their first birthday.
T
Tay-Sachs disease — a fatal genetic disorder in which harmful quantities of a fatty substance
called ganglioside GM2 build up in the nerve cells in the brain and damage the cells. In
children, this begins in the fetus early in pregnancy. By the time a child with Tay-Sachs is three
or four years old, the nervous system is so badly affected that death usually results by age five.
testicle (testis) — the male sex gland. There are a pair of testes behind the penis in a pouch of
skin called the scrotum. The testes make and store sperm, and make the male hormone
testosterone.
thalassemia — a group of blood diseases, that are inherited, which affect a person's
hemoglobin and cause anemia. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
and nutrients to cells in the body.
thrush — a yeast infection, caused by the fungus Candida albicans, of the mouth and throat. It's
hallmark is white patches in the mouth. It can also occur in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina,
and causes some types of diaper rash in infants.
thyroid — a small gland in the neck that makes and stores hormones that help regulate heart
rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy.
tonsillitis — inflammation of the tonsils, which are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth at the
top of the throat. Tonsils help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection
in the body. When they become overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection they can become
swollen and inflamed.
toxemia — see preeclampsia.
toxoplasmosis — an infection caused by the parasite named Toxoplasma gondii that can
invade tissues and damage the brain, especially in a fetus and in a newborn baby. Symptoms
include fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph glands, and muscle aches and pains. Can be
contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or
anything that came into contact with cat feces; or by eating raw or partly cooked meat, or
touching the hands to the mouth after touching raw or undercooked meat.
trans fat — also called trans fatty acids, it tends to raise blood cholesterol similarly to saturated
fat. Trans fat is found mainly in foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as many
hard margarines and shortenings. The harder the margarine or shortening, the more likely it is
to contain more trans fat. Hydrogenation is a process in which hydrogen is added to
unsaturated fat to make it more stable and solid at room temperature—and more saturated.
Some trans fat also occurs naturally in animal fats, such as dairy products and some meats.
Common sources of trans fat include stick margarine, baked products such as crackers,
cookies, doughnuts, and breads, and foods fried in hydrogenated shortening, such as french
fries and chicken. Trans fat also may be in some unsuspected places, such as dietary
supplements. Soft margarines (tub and liquid) and vegetable oil spreads have lower amounts
of trans fat than hard margarines. Some margarines are now free of trans fat.
transient ischemic attack (TIA) — a "mini-stroke" where there is a short-term reduction in
blood flow to the brain usually resulting in temporary stoke symptoms. Does not cause damage
to the brain, but puts a person at higher risk of having a full stroke.
trichomoniasis — a very common STD in both women and men that is caused by a parasite
that is passed from one person to another during sexual contact. It also can be passed through
contact with damp, moist objects such as towels or wet clothing. Symptoms include yellow,
green, or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong odor; discomfort during sex and
when urinating; irritation and itching of the genital area; or lower abdominal pain (rare).
trimester — a typical pregnancy is 9 months long. Pregnancy is divided into three time periods,
or trimesters, that are each about three months in duration - the first, second, and third
trimesters.
triple screen — blood test that indicates if there’s an increased risk of a birth defect, or a
condition like Down Syndrome, in the fetus. This test can also show twins.
trisomy 18 — a condition in which a baby is conceived with three copies instead of the normal
two copies of chromosome #18. Children with this condition have multiple malformations and
mental retardation due to the extra chromosome #18. Some of the problems include: low birth
weight, small head, small jaw, malformations of the heart and kidneys, clenched fists with
abnormal finger positioning, and malformed feet. The mental retardation is severe. Ninety five
percent of children with this condition die before their first birthday.
| Dr Deborah White Email: drdwhite@healthmeditations.com |
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