Myxedema Coma Glossary of Terms

1. Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz
3. Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

Bioinformatics: The sum of the computational approaches to analyze, manage, and store biol...

Blood sugar: Blood glucose. See also: High blood sugar; Low blood sugar.

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Carbon dioxide: A gas which is the byproduct of cellular metabolism and which collects in ...

Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c...

Coma: A state of deep, unarousable unconsciousness. A coma may occur as a result of head t...

Consultant: An individual to whom one refers for expert advice or services. The use of con...

Cortical: Having to do with the cortex, the outer layer of an organ.

Cortisol: A metabolite of the primary stress hormone cortisone. Cortisol is an essential f...

Discharge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag...

Dry skin: Abnormally dry skin. Can be caused by a dry climate, winter weather, deficiency...

ECG: Electrocardiogram.

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

Endocrinology: The study of the medical aspects of hormones, including diseases and condit...

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Gland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy...

Glucose: The simple sugar that is the chief source of energy. Glucose is found in the bloo...

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

Hypothyroid: Deficiency of thyroid hormone which is normally made by the thyroid gland wh...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Informatics: The application of computers and statistics to the management of information....

Intensive care: See critical care.

Internal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment ...

Iodide: The chemical form to which iodine in the diet is reduced before it is absorbed thr...

Lithium: A naturally occurring salt that, in purified form, is used to treat certain psych...

Liver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t...

Metabolism: The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within a living organism. ...

Myxedema coma: A rare and life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism (low levels of t...

Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric...

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ...

Stroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Thyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland. 2. A p...

Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, b...

Thyroid hormone: A chemical substance made by the thyroid gland for export into the bloods...

Thyroid hormones: Chemical substances made by the thyroid gland, which is located in the...

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Urine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm...

Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood that is low in oxygen content from the body back t...