Alcoholism Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Alcoholism article.
Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ... See the entire definition of AbdominalAbdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ... See the entire definition of Abdominal painAbnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Abstinence: The voluntary self-denial of food, drink, or sex. Today, abstinence most commo... See the entire definition of AbstinenceAddiction: An uncontrollable craving, seeking, and use of a substance such as alcohol or a... See the entire definition of AddictionAlcohol abuse: Use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (binge... See the entire definition of Alcohol abuseAlcoholics Anonymous: A free self-help organization founded to assist people addicted to a... See the entire definition of Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholism: Physical dependence on alcohol to the extent that stopping alcohol use would b... See the entire definition of AlcoholismAnemia: The condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity ... See the entire definition of AnemiaAntidepressants: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression. Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa... See the entire definition of AnxietyAtrophy: A wasting away or diminution. Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle mass, often ... See the entire definition of AtrophyBenzodiazepines: A class of drugs that act as tranquilizers and are commonly used in the t... See the entire definition of BenzodiazepinesBinge drinking: The dangerous practice of consuming large quantities of alcoholic beverag... See the entire definition of Binge drinkingBlood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureBrain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainBreathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ... See the entire definition of BreathingCalcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ... See the entire definition of CalciumCarbohydrate: One of the three nutrient compounds, along with fat and protein, used as ene... See the entire definition of CarbohydrateCarbohydrates: Mainly sugars and starches, together constituting one of the three principa... See the entire definition of CarbohydratesCardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle (myocardium). Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellCerebellar: Pertaining to the cerebellum, the part of the brain in the back of the head be... See the entire definition of CerebellarChild abuse: A complex set of behaviors that include child neglect and the physical, emoti... See the entire definition of Child abuseChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicChronic disease: A disease that persists for a long time. A chronic disease is one lasting... See the entire definition of Chronic diseaseCirrhosis: Liver disease characterized by irreversible scarring. Alcohol and viral hepatit... See the entire definition of CirrhosisCocaine: A substance derived from the leaves of the coca plant that is a bitter, addictive... See the entire definition of CocaineCongestive heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it, with f... See the entire definition of Congestive heart failureDehydration: Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that ca... See the entire definition of DehydrationDelirium: A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometime... See the entire definition of DeliriumDelirium tremens: A central nervous system symptom of alcohol withdrawal that is seen in c... See the entire definition of Delirium tremensDementia: Significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity, that is sev... See the entire definition of DementiaDepression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way... See the entire definition of DepressionDiabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell... See the entire definition of DiabetesDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDopamine: An important neurotransmitter (messenger) in the brain. Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions in solution and acquires the capacity ... See the entire definition of ElectrolyteEmergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEncephalopathy: Disease, damage, or malfunction of the brain. In general, encephalopathy i... See the entire definition of EncephalopathyEssential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur... See the entire definition of EssentialFamily history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform... See the entire definition of Family historyFolate: Folic acid, one of the B vitamins that is a key factor in the synthesis (the makin... See the entire definition of FolateFormication: The illusion or hallucination that ants or other insects are creeping on or u... See the entire definition of FormicationGastritis: Inflammation of the stomach. Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte... See the entire definition of GastrointestinalGene: The basic biological unit of heredity. A segment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) need... See the entire definition of GeneGenetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Hallucination: A profound distortion in a person's perception of reality, typically accomp... See the entire definition of HallucinationHangover: A common nonmedical term for the disagreeable physical effects following excessi... See the entire definition of HangoverHeart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartHeart disease: Any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is ... See the entire definition of Heart diseaseHeart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically... See the entire definition of Heart failureHeart rate: The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually per minute. The heart rate ... See the entire definition of Heart rateHeroin: Semisynthetic drug derived from morphine. Discovered in 1874, it was introduced co... See the entire definition of HeroinHigh blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro... See the entire definition of High blood pressureHygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ... See the entire definition of HygieneIndicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ... See the entire definition of IndicateInjury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot... See the entire definition of InjuryInpatient: A patient whose care requires a stay in a hospital. As opposed to an outpatient... See the entire definition of InpatientInsomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ... See the entire definition of InsomniaIntervention: The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modify... See the entire definition of InterventionKetoacidosis: A feature of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus characterized by a combination o... See the entire definition of KetoacidosisKetone: A chemical substances that the body makes when it does not have enough insulin in ... See the entire definition of KetoneKetone bodies: Chemicals that the body makes when there is not enough insulin in the blood... See the entire definition of Ketone bodiesLiver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t... See the entire definition of LiverLungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon... See the entire definition of LungsMagnesium: A mineral involved in many processes in the body including nerve signaling, the... See the entire definition of MagnesiumMalnutrition: A term used to refer to any condition in which the body does not receive eno... See the entire definition of MalnutritionMetabolism: The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within a living organism. ... See the entire definition of MetabolismMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthNarcotic: 1. A drug that causes insensibility or stupor. A narcotic induces narcosi... See the entire definition of NarcoticNausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in... See the entire definition of NauseaNeck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric... See the entire definition of NeckNeuritis: Inflammation of nerves. There are many causes of neuritis, including various vir... See the entire definition of NeuritisNeuropathy: Any disease or malfunction of the nerves. Onset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetOptic: Having to do with vision. Outpatient: A patient who is not hospitalized, but instead comes to a physician?s office, ... See the entire definition of OutpatientPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. Of the many causes of pancreatitis, the most c... See the entire definition of PancreatitisParalysis: Loss of voluntary movement (motor function). Paralysis that affects only one mu... See the entire definition of ParalysisPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPlacebo: A "sugar pill" or any dummy medication or treatment. Potassium: The major positive ion (cation) found inside cells. The chemical notation for p... See the entire definition of PotassiumPrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisProtein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein... See the entire definition of ProteinPsychiatric: Pertaining to or within the purview of psychiatry, the medical specialty conc... See the entire definition of PsychiatricPsychiatry: The medical specialty that is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and tr... See the entire definition of PsychiatryPsychosis: In the general sense, a mental illness that markedly interferes with a person'... See the entire definition of PsychosisPulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is... See the entire definition of PulseReceptor: 1. In cell biology, a structure on the surface of a cell (or inside a cel... See the entire definition of ReceptorRecurrent: Appearing or occurring again. For example, a recurrent fever is a fever that ha... See the entire definition of RecurrentRehab: An abbreviation for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation: The process of helping a person who has suffered an illness or injury rest... See the entire definition of RehabilitationRelapse: The return of signs and symptoms of a disease after a remission. Reuptake: The reabsorption of a secreted substance by the cell that originally produced an... See the entire definition of ReuptakeSeizure: Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, which may produce a physical conv... See the entire definition of SeizureSerotonin: A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Sero... See the entire definition of SerotoninSleep: The body's rest cycle. Stage: As regards cancer, the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spre... See the entire definition of StageStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSubstance: 1. Material with particular features. Succumb: To lose the will to oppose something or to give up and accept something that you ... See the entire definition of SuccumbSuicidal: Pertaining to suicide. the taking of ones own life. As in a suicidal gesture, su... See the entire definition of SuicidalSweating: The act of secreting fluid from the skin by the sweat (sudoriferous) glands. The... See the entire definition of SweatingSymptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin... See the entire definition of SymptomSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization, a procedure in which the blood supply to a tumor is... See the entire definition of TACETactile: Having to do with touch. For example, tactile signs of disease are signs that are... See the entire definition of TactileTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Thiamine: Vitamin B1. Thiamine (vitamin B1) acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of the bo... See the entire definition of ThiamineToxicology: The study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons (toxins) and the tr... See the entire definition of ToxicologyTremor: An abnormal, repetitive shaking movement of the body. Tremors have many causes and... See the entire definition of TremorVertebra: A vertebra is one of 33 bony segments that form the spinal column of humans. Th... See the entire definition of VertebraVitamin B1: Thiamine. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of the bo... See the entire definition of Vitamin B1Vomit: Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, ... See the entire definition of VomitWeight loss: Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (die... See the entire definition of Weight lossWithdrawal symptoms: Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt di... See the entire definition of Withdrawal symptoms
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