Bipolar Disorder Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Bipolar Disorder article.
Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Acquired: Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth. For... See the entire definition of AcquiredAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome: AIDS. AIDS is a disease due to infection with the huma... See the entire definition of Acquired immunodeficiency syndromeAcute: Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease. Acute often also connotes an illness th... See the entire definition of AcuteADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Anorexia: An eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion... See the entire definition of AnorexiaAnorexia nervosa: See Anorexia. Anticonvulsant: A medication used to control (prevent) seizures (convulsions) or stop an o... See the entire definition of AnticonvulsantAntidepressant: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression. Antihypertensive: Something that reduces high blood pressure (hypertension). Antipsychotic: A medication (or another measure) that is believed to be effective in the t... See the entire definition of AntipsychoticAnxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa... See the entire definition of AnxietyAtypical: Unusual, or not fitting a single diagnostic Behavior therapy: A treatment program that involves substituting desirable behavior respon... See the entire definition of Behavior therapyBipolar disorder: A mood disorder sometimes called manic-depressive illness or manic-depr... See the entire definition of Bipolar disorderBirth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p... See the entire definition of Birth controlBlood clot: A mass of coagulated blood. A blood clot can block a major blood vessel, causi... See the entire definition of Blood clotBlood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t... See the entire definition of Blood clotsBlood count: The calculated number of white or red blood cells (WBCs or RBCs) in a cubic m... See the entire definition of Blood countBlood sugar: Blood glucose. See also: High blood sugar; Low blood sugar. Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainBrain tumor: A benign or malignant growth in the brain. Primary brain tumors initially for... See the entire definition of Brain tumorBreastfeeding: Feeding a child human breast milk. According to the American Academy of Ped... See the entire definition of BreastfeedingBulimia: Also called bulimia nervosa. An eating disorder characterized by episodes of secr... See the entire definition of BulimiaCapsule: Capsule has many meanings in medicine including the following:
Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicChronic pain: Pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over ... See the entire definition of Chronic painCocaine: A substance derived from the leaves of the coca plant that is a bitter, addictive... See the entire definition of CocaineCognitive: Having to do with thought, judgment, or knowledge. Cognitive behavior therapy: A therapeutic practice that helps patients recognize and remed... See the entire definition of Cognitive behavior therapyConstipation: Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the op... See the entire definition of ConstipationCT scan: Computerized tomography scan. Pictures of structures within the body created by a... See the entire definition of CT scanCure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou... See the entire definition of CureDehydration: Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that ca... See the entire definition of DehydrationDepression: 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 DiagnosisDiarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ... See the entire definition of DiarrheaDizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ... See the entire definition of DizzinessDopamine: An important neurotransmitter (messenger) in the brain. Dry mouth: The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. This is due to... See the entire definition of Dry mouthDysfunction: Difficult function or abnormal function. EEG: Electroencephalogram. Electroencephalogram: A technique for studying the electrical currents within the brain. E... See the entire definition of ElectroencephalogramEmergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEncephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, which may be caused by a bacterium, a virus, or a... See the entire definition of EncephalitisEpilepsy (seizure disorder): When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses... See the entire definition of EpilepsyEuphoria: Elevated mood. Euphoria is a desirable and natural occurrence when it results f... See the entire definition of EuphoriaExtrapyramidal side effects: Physical symptoms, including tremor, slurred speech, akathesi... See the entire definition of Extrapyramidal side effectsFamily therapy: A type of psychotherapy designed to identify family patterns that contribu... See the entire definition of Family therapyFats: Plural of the word "fat". See the definition of fat. FDA: Food and Drug Administration. Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverFood and Drug Administration: An agency within the US Public Health Service that provides ... See the entire definition of Food and Drug AdministrationGene: 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 Grief: The normal process of reacting to a loss. The loss may be physical (such as a death... See the entire definition of GriefGroup therapy: 1) A type of psychiatric care in which several patients meet with one or m... See the entire definition of Group therapyGrowing pains: Mysterious pains in growing children, usually in the legs, likely occurring... See the entire definition of Growing painsHeart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartHerbal: 1. An adjective, referring to herbs, as in an herbal tea. HIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi... See the entire definition of HIVHomicide: 1. The killing of a person. 2. Strictly speaking, the killing of a... See the entire definition of HomicideHormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit... See the entire definition of HormoneHuman immunodeficiency virus: HIV, the cause of AIDS. HIV has also been called the human... See the entire definition of Human immunodeficiency virusHyperglycemia: A high blood sugar. An elevated level specifically of the sugar glucose in... See the entire definition of HyperglycemiaHypomania: A condition similar to mania but less severe. The symptoms are similar with ele... See the entire definition of HypomaniaImmunodeficiency: The inability to form a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be ... See the entire definition of ImmunodeficiencyInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInsomnia: 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 InterventionKidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid... See the entire definition of KidneyLaboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a... See the entire definition of LaboratoryLipids: Another word for "fats." (Please see the various meanings of Fat.) Lipids can be m... See the entire definition of LipidsLithium: A naturally occurring salt that, in purified form, is used to treat certain psych... See the entire definition of LithiumLiver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t... See the entire definition of LiverLumbar: Referring to the five lumbar vertebrae, the disks below them, and the correspondin... See the entire definition of LumbarLupus: A chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by autoimmunity. Patients with lupus ... See the entire definition of LupusMania: An abnormally elevated mood state characterized by such symptoms as inappropriate... See the entire definition of ManiaManic: In a state of mania. Meningitis: Inflammation of the meninges, the three membranes that envelop the brain and t... See the entire definition of MeningitisMigraine: Usually, periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These ... See the entire definition of MigraineMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in... See the entire definition of NauseaNerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an... See the entire definition of NerveNeurosyphilis: Neurological complications in the third (tertiary) and final phase of syp... See the entire definition of NeurosyphilisOnset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetOutpatient: 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 PainPanic: A sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought or action. The wor... See the entire definition of PanicPanic disorder: An anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden attacks of fear and pa... See the entire definition of Panic disorderPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPhobia: An unreasonable sort of fear that can cause avoidance and panic. Phobias are a rel... See the entire definition of PhobiaPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancyPregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev... See the entire definition of PrescriptionPrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisPsychiatric: Pertaining to or within the purview of psychiatry, the medical specialty conc... See the entire definition of PsychiatricPsychiatrist: A physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of m... See the entire definition of PsychiatristPsychiatry: 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 PsychosisPsychotherapy: The treatment of a behavior disorders, mental illness, or any other conditi... See the entire definition of PsychotherapyRash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c... See the entire definition of RashRelapse: The return of signs and symptoms of a disease after a remission. Rule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera... See the entire definition of Rule outScan: As a noun, the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of... See the entire definition of ScanSchizoaffective disorder: A mood disorder that is coupled with some symptoms that resemble... See the entire definition of Schizoaffective disorderSchizophrenia: One of several brain diseases whose symptoms may include loss of personalit... See the entire definition of SchizophreniaSeizure: 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 SerotoninSexually transmitted disease: Any disease transmitted by sexual contact; caused by microo... See the entire definition of Sexually transmitted diseaseSleep: The body's rest cycle. Social phobia: A paralyzing fear of interacting with others. Symptoms include excessive bl... See the entire definition of Social phobiaSodium: The major positive ion (cation) in the fluid surrounding cells in the body. The ch... See the entire definition of SodiumSpinal tap: Also known as a lumbar puncture or "LP", a spinal tap is a procedure whereby ... See the entire definition of Spinal TapStress: 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. Substance abuse: The excessive use of a substance, especially alcohol or a drug. (There is... See the entire definition of Substance abuseSuicidal: Pertaining to suicide. the taking of ones own life. As in a suicidal gesture, su... See the entire definition of SuicidalSuicide prevention: Diminishing the risk of suicide. It may not be possible to eliminate e... See the entire definition of Suicide preventionSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a microscopic orga... See the entire definition of SyphilisSystemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh... See the entire definition of SystemicSystemic lupus erythematosus: A chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune di... See the entire definition of Systemic lupus erythematosusTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Thyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland. 2. A p... See the entire definition of ThyroidTongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ... See the entire definition of TongueTrauma: A physical or emotional injury. Tremor: An abnormal, repetitive shaking movement of the body. Tremors have many causes and... See the entire definition of TremorTrigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose... See the entire definition of TriggerTumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be ... See the entire definition of TumorUrine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm... See the entire definition of UrineVirus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar... See the entire definition of VirusWithdrawal symptoms: Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt di... See the entire definition of Withdrawal symptoms
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