Depression
A potentially serious mental health condition that involves the body, mind and emotions, often characterized by a profound change in mood and/or a profound loss of interest in once-pleasurable things or activities.  Depression can affect the way you eat, sleep and function; how you feel about yourself and others; and what think about the world around you.

Bipolar disorder
Also known as manic depression.  Characterized by cyclical mood changes – extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression) – with periods of normality in between.  When in the manic cycle, you can be overactive, talkative and have a great deal of energy.  When in the depressive cycle, you can exhibit any of the symptoms common to Click for full entry >>

BPH
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate. It is very common in men over 50 and often starts earlier. Some of its symptoms (such as urinating more frequently, difficulty urinating, weak urine stream,) are similar to prostate cancer, which is why it's important to have an accurate diagnosis.

Bracytherapy 
Bracytherapy is a form of radiotherapy (radiation treatment) for cancer in which radioactive material is sealed in seeds, wires, needles or catheters that are then placed directly into or near the cancer. New, computer controlled methods allow for precise placement.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A DRE is a simple test for prostate abnormalities in which a Click for full entry >>

Absence seizures
A type of seizure that typically is distinguishable by short periods ( 5-15 seconds) of staring, blinking, rolling of the eyes, or arm movements. These brief lapses of consciousness are followed by a return to full awareness.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
A category of drugs that can help control the frequency and severity of seizures; they also are known as anticonvulsants.

Aura
An unusual physical sensation that occurs in some people before a seizure occurs, although they are more correctly thought of as the very first symptom of the seizure. Auras, which vary depending on the individual, can be a strange taste or odor, a tense feeling, or even a sound.

Breakthrough Click for full entry >>

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea (or, much less often, the lens) is unevenly curved, causing light to be unevenly refracted. The result is that light may focus on the retina, but not on one focal point. This causes a blurry image, a condition known as astigmatism. A person can have astigmatism alone, or combined with either nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Cornea
The cornea is a clear, rounded surface in the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. It is one of the eye's refractive surfaces, that is, a surface that bends light entering the eye to focus the light on the retina.  The lens is the other refractive surface.

Epithelium
The epithelium is the thin, outer Click for full entry >>

ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are a class of vasodilators, drugs that open ("dilate") the arteries, lowering blood pressure and therefore helping prevent stroke .

Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a localized, blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel caused by a disease or weakening of the vessel's wall.

Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots that can block blood flow to the brain. See "Antiplatelets."

Antiplatelets 
Antiplatelets are drugs that stop blood platelets (substances in blood that promote clotting) from clumping together to form clots.  See "Anticoagulants."

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the Click for full entry >>

Adipose tissue
Fat tissue.

Aerobic
Fat-fueled; aerobic exercise increases basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, firms muscles, improves cardiac and respiratory function, and burns fat.

Adult-onset
Occurring for the first time in those who have reached maturity.

Amenorrhea
The loss of the menstrual cycle. In terms of eating disorders this is usually the result of excessive weight loss and often accompanied by excessive exercise.

Anorectic
A name frequently used for diet medications that curb appetite.

Anorexia Athletica
Eating disorder associated with competitive participation in athletic activity.

Anorexia Click for full entry >>

Acetaminophen
Non-prescription pain reliever and fever reducer, such as Tylenol and Anacin-3.  Does not have anti-inflammatory effect but can help reduce mild to moderate pain.

Acupuncture
An alternative pain-relief therapy involving the insertion of needles into specific exterior body locations.  The National Institutes of Health says acupuncture can reduce pain and improve function for people with arthritis, and serve as an effective complement to more standard care.

Arthritis
A group of bone and joint disorders commonly marked by bone deterioration, joint inflammation, chronic pain, loss of mobility and flexibility, and other skeletal dysfunction.  Arthritis is one of the most common ailments Click for full entry >>

Abdominal fat
Fat that is centrally distributed between the thorax and pelvis.

Atherosclerosis
The process of disease in blood vessels leading to narrowing and diminished blood flow. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol and other lipids are deposited in the artery wall, and inflammation and other degenerative processes cause the vessel to become obstructed. Atherosclerosis involves primarily arteries and reduced blood flow leads to damage of the tissues that do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Also called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
The clinical result of atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke are the most common and significant Click for full entry >>

ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are a class of vasodilators, drugs that open ("dilate") the arteries, lowering blood pressure and therefore helping prevent stroke .

Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots that can block blood flow to the brain. See "Antiplatelets."

Antiplatelets 
Antiplatelets are drugs that stop blood platelets (substances in blood that promote clotting) from clumping together to form clots.  See "Anticoagulants."

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque (deposits of fat or cholesterol) in a blood vessel that eventually blocks the flow of blood through that vessel.

Beta-blockers Click for full entry >>

Acetaminophen
Non-prescription pain reliever and fever reducer, such as Tylenol and Anacin-3.  Helps reduce mild to moderate pain.

Acupuncture
An alternative pain-relief therapy involving the insertion of needles into specific exterior body locations.  There is no compelling evidence that acupuncture can relieve back pain.

Acute
Describes an episode of back pain that lasts six to 12 weeks or less.

Chronic
Describes a long-term episode of back pain.

Degeneration
The breakdown of a vertebra or disc over time due to use, injury or disease.

Disc
The tissue between each vertebrae of the backbone that serves as a cushion and Click for full entry >>

Abdomen
The part of the body that contains organs including the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder.

Anus
The excretory opening of the digestive tract from which waste is passed through the rectum out of the body.

Barium enema
A procedure in which a liquid with barium in it is distributed in the rectum and colon by way of the anus. Barium is a silver-white metallic compound that helps to show the image of the lower gastrointestinal tract on an X-ray.

Benign
Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

Biopsy
The removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of Click for full entry >>

Actinic keratosis
A precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin.

Adjuvant therapy
Any treatment given after the first that is intended to increase the effectiveness of the first treatment.

Angioma
A benign tumor in the skin, which is made up of blood or lymph vessels.

Atypical mole
See dysplastic.

Basal cell carcinoma
Most common and least dangerous type of skin cancer; grows slowly and rarely spreads; usually on face in form of small round lump either red, pale, or pearly color; a type of skin cancer in which the cancer cells resemble the basal cells of the epidermis.

Basal cells
Cells that are found in the outer layer Click for full entry >>

Airways
The airways are part of the respiratory (breathing) system; they are the tubes through which air flows to and from the lungs.

Allergens
Allergens are substances that create abnormal reactions in people who are sensitive to (allergic to) them. 

Allergy
If you have an allergy – or are allergic to something – your body reacts abnormally to that thing; it has an "allergic reaction" to it.  There are a variety of allergic reactions; the symptoms of "hay fever,"  including itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and nasal congestion, are one type of allergic reaction.  The substance(s) you are allergic to are called allergens.

Anti-inflammatory
An anti-inflammatory is Click for full entry >>