Insomnia Glossary of Terms
The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Insomnia article.
Acid reflux: A common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up... See the entire definition of Acid refluxAcute: Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease. Acute often also connotes an illness th... See the entire definition of AcuteAdverse effect: A harmful or abnormal result. An adverse effect may be caused by administr... See the entire definition of Adverse effectAlzheimer's disease: A progressive degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementi... See the entire definition of Alzheimer's diseaseAmitriptyline: An antidepressant medication. In some patients with depression, abnormal l... See the entire definition of AmitriptylineAngina: Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The pain is ... See the entire definition of AnginaAntidepressants: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression. Antihistamines: Drugs that combat the histamine released during an allergic reaction by bl... See the entire definition of AntihistaminesAnxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa... See the entire definition of AnxietyApnea: The absence of breathing (respiration). Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro... See the entire definition of AsthmaBenzodiazepines: A class of drugs that act as tranquilizers and are commonly used in the t... See the entire definition of BenzodiazepinesBiofeedback: A method of treatment that uses a monitor to measure patients' physiologic in... See the entire definition of BiofeedbackBipolar disorder: A mood disorder sometimes called manic-depressive illness or manic-depr... See the entire definition of Bipolar disorderBlood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressure
Brain: 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 BreathingCaffeine: A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola... See the entire definition of CaffeineChamomile: An herb often used in the form of a tea as a sedative. Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t... See the entire definition of ChestChest pain: Pain in the chest that can be a result of many things, including angina, heart... See the entire definition of Chest painChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicChronic fatigue syndrome: A debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fa... See the entire definition of Chronic fatigue syndromeChronic insomnia: See Insomnia, chronic. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: COPD. Any disorder that persistently obstructs bron... See the entire definition of Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic pain: Pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over ... See the entire definition of Chronic painCircadian: Refers to events occurring within the span of a full 24-hour day, as in a circa... See the entire definition of CircadianCognitive: Having to do with thought, judgment, or knowledge. Congestion: An abnormal or excessive accumulation of a body fluid. The term is used broadl... See the entire definition of CongestionCongestive heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it, with f... See the entire definition of Congestive heart failure
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Any disorder that persistently obstructs bron... See the entire definition of COPDCough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa... See the entire definition of CoughDepression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way... See the entire definition of DepressionDiagnosis: 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 DiarrheaFatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ... See the entire definition of FatigueFDA: 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 AdministrationGERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy... See the entire definition of GlandHeart: 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 failureHerbal: 1. An adjective, referring to herbs, as in an herbal tea.
High altitude: Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude. So what is high altitude? High blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro... See the entire definition of High blood pressureHormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit... See the entire definition of HormoneHygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ... See the entire definition of HygieneIdiopathic: Of unknown cause. Any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be te... See the entire definition of IdiopathicIncidence: The frequency with which something, such as a disease or trait, appears in a pa... See the entire definition of IncidenceIndicate: 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 InjuryInsomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ... See the entire definition of InsomniaInvoluntary: Done other than in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The ... See the entire definition of InvoluntaryJet lag: A temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a resu... See the entire definition of Jet lagLeg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an... See the entire definition of LegMania: An abnormally elevated mood state characterized by such symptoms as inappropriate... See the entire definition of ManiaMedical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ... See the entire definition of Medical historyMeditation: A typically self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind.... See the entire definition of Meditation
Melatonin: A hormone that is produced by the pineal gland and is intimately involved in re... See the entire definition of MelatoninMemory: 1. The ability to recover information about past events or knowledge. ... See the entire definition of MemoryMenopause: The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop; it is also... See the entire definition of MenopauseMotor: Something that produces or refers to motion. For example, a motor neuron is a nerve... See the entire definition of MotorMPH: Master of public health, a degree designating successful training in analyzing past, ... See the entire definition of MPHMuscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T... See the entire definition of MuscleNasal: Having to do with the nose. Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric... See the entire definition of NeckNicotine: An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produc... See the entire definition of NicotineNursing: 1) Profession concerned with the provision of services essential to the maintena... See the entire definition of NursingNursing home: A residential facility for people with chronic illness or disability, partic... See the entire definition of Nursing homeObjective: In a microscope, the objective (also called the objective lens) is the lens nea... See the entire definition of ObjectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief ... See the entire definition of Obstructive sleep apneaOnset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetOxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen... See the entire definition of Oxygen
Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainParkinson's disease: A slowly progressive neurologic disease that is characterized by a fi... See the entire definition of Parkinson's diseasePhysiologic: Something that is normal, that is due neither to anything pathologic nor sign... See the entire definition of PhysiologicPineal gland: A small gland that is located near the center of the brain. This gland secre... See the entire definition of Pineal glandPregnant: 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 PrescriptionPrescription drug: A drug requiring a prescription, as opposed to an over-the-counter dr... See the entire definition of Prescription drugPrognosis: 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 PsychiatricPulmonary: Having to do with the lungs. Reflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. Resolution: In genetics, the degree of molecular detail on a physical map of DNA. Resoluti... See the entire definition of ResolutionRestless legs: See: Restless leg syndrome. Schizophrenia: One of several brain diseases whose symptoms may include loss of personalit... See the entire definition of SchizophreniaSedative: A drug that calms a patient, easing agitation and permitting sleep. Sedatives ge... See the entire definition of Sedative
Sleep: The body's rest cycle. Sleep apnea: The temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in daytime ... See the entire definition of Sleep apneaSleep disorders: Any disorder that affects, disrupts, or involves sleep. The most common... See the entire definition of Sleep disordersSleep hygiene: A series of practices and non-medical treatments for insomnia. Sleep hygien... See the entire definition of Sleep hygieneSleeplessness: Insomnia. See also Fatal familial insomnia. Snoring: A rough rattling noise made on inspiration during sleep by vibration of the soft ... See the entire definition of SnoringSoothing: Bringing comfort, solace, reassurance, peace, composure, quietude. Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSymptom: 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. Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Transient insomnia: See Insomnia, transient. Trauma: A physical or emotional injury. Trigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose... See the entire definition of Trigger
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