Osteoporosis Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Osteoporosis article.
Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Absorb: 1. To take something in, as through the skin or the intestine. Acid reflux: A common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up... See the entire definition of Acid refluxAcquired: Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth. For... See the entire definition of AcquiredAerobic: Oxygen-requiring. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to grow. Aerobic exercise requires... See the entire definition of AerobicAndrogen: A male sex hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of the male s... See the entire definition of AndrogenAnkle: The ankle joint is complex. It is made up of two joints: the true ankle joint and ... See the entire definition of AnkleAnorexia: An eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion... See the entire definition of AnorexiaAnorexia nervosa: See Anorexia. Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w... See the entire definition of ArthritisBack pain: Pain felt in the low or upper back. Causes of pain in the low and upper back in... See the entire definition of Back painBisphosphonate: A class of drugs used to strengthen bone. Bisphosphonates are used to trea... See the entire definition of BisphosphonateBlood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t... See the entire definition of Blood clotsBone cancer: A malignancy of bone. Primary bone cancer (cancer that begins in bone) is rar... See the entire definition of Bone cancerBone density: Bone density is the amount of bone tissue in a certain volume of bone. It ca... See the entire definition of Bone densityBone mineral density: BMD, a measure of bone density, reflecting the strength of bones as ... See the entire definition of Bone mineral densityBrain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainBreast cancer: Breast cancer is diagnosed with self- and physician-examination of the brea... See the entire definition of Breast cancerBulimia: Also called bulimia nervosa. An eating disorder characterized by episodes of secr... See the entire definition of BulimiaCalcitonin: A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers the levels of calcium and ... See the entire definition of CalcitoninCalcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is ... See the entire definition of CalciumCancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerCascade: A sequence of successive activation reactions involving enzymes (enzyme cascade) ... See the entire definition of CascadeCholesterol: The most common type of steroid in the body. Cholesterol has a reputation for... See the entire definition of CholesterolClinical trials: Trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications or medical... See the entire definition of Clinical trialsCompression: 1. The act of pressing together. As in a compression fracture, nerve c... See the entire definition of CompressionConstipation: Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the op... See the entire definition of ConstipationCushing syndrome: The constellation of symptoms and signs caused by an excess of cortisol ... See the entire definition of Cushing syndromeDEXA: Dual energy X-ray absorptometry. See: DXA. Dowager's hump: An abnormal outward curvature of the thoracic vertebrae of the upper back.... See the entire definition of Dowager's humpEmergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEndocrine: Pertaining to hormones and the glands that make and secrete them into the blood... See the entire definition of EndocrineEsophagus: The tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lie... See the entire definition of EsophagusEssential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur... See the entire definition of EssentialEstrogen: A female steroid hormone that is produced by the ovaries and, in lesser amounts,... See the entire definition of EstrogenEstrogens: Female hormones produced by the ovaries. Estrogen deficiency can lead to osteop... See the entire definition of EstrogensFamily history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform... See the entire definition of Family historyFDA: Food and Drug Administration. Fracture: A break in bone or cartilage. Although usually a result of trauma, a fracture ca... See the entire definition of FractureGastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte... See the entire definition of GastrointestinalGenetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Heart: 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 diseaseHeartburn: An uncomfortable feeling of burning and warmth occurring in waves rising up be... See the entire definition of HeartburnHip fracture: Broken bone in the hip, a key health problem among the elderly, usually due ... See the entire definition of Hip fractureHormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit... See the entire definition of HormoneHot flashes: A sudden wave of mild or intense body heat caused by rushes of hormonal chang... See the entire definition of Hot flashesHumerus: The long bone in the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. Hysterectomy: An operation to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are most commonly performe... See the entire definition of HysterectomyIndicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ... See the entire definition of IndicateInduced menopause (and "menopause, induced"): Menopause induced by an unusual event, suc... See the entire definition of Induced menopauseInternal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment ... See the entire definition of Internal medicineKidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid... See the entire definition of KidneyKneecap: The patella, the small bone in the front of the knee. The patella is a little (se... See the entire definition of KneecapLeg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an... See the entire definition of LegLow back pain: Pain in the lower back area that can relate to problems with the lumbar spi... See the entire definition of Low back painMenopause: The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop; it is also... See the entire definition of MenopauseMenstrual: Pertaining to menstruation (the menses), as in last menstrual period, menstrua... See the entire definition of MenstrualMetabolism: The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within a living organism. ... See the entire definition of MetabolismMortality: A fatal outcome or, in one word, death. The word "mortality" is derived from "m... See the entire definition of MortalityMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMuscle: 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. Nausea: 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 NeckNeck pain: Neck pain is the sensation of discomfort in the neck area. Neck pain can result... See the entire definition of Neck painOccupational therapist: A licensed health professional who is trained to evaluate patients... See the entire definition of Occupational therapistOffspring: The progeny, or young, born to a person. In a larger sense, the offspring are c... See the entire definition of OffspringOsteopenia: Mild thinning of the bone mass. Osteopenia represents a low bone mass and is n... See the entire definition of OsteopeniaOsteoporosis: Thinning of the bones, with reduction in bone mass, due to depletion of calc... See the entire definition of OsteoporosisPaget disease: A chronic bone disorder that typically results in enlarged, deformed bones ... See the entire definition of Paget diseasePain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPain management: The process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain. Mi... See the entire definition of Pain managementParathyroid hormone: See Parathormone. Pelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h... See the entire definition of PelvicPelvis: The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. Structures in the fe... See the entire definition of PelvisPeripheral: Situated away from the center, as opposed to centrally located. Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPhosphate: A form of phosphoric acid. Calcium phosphate makes bones and teeth hard. Phosphorus: An essential element in the diet and a major component of bone. Postmenopausal: After menopause, the period of time after a woman has experienced 12 conse... See the entire definition of PostmenopausalPosture: The carriage of the body as a whole, the attitude of the body, or the position of... See the entire definition of PosturePrevalence: The proportion of individuals in a population having a disease or characterist... See the entire definition of PrevalenceProbability: The likelihood that something will happen. For example, a probability of less... See the entire definition of ProbabilityProgestin: Any one of a group of steroid hormones that have the effect of progesterone. Radiate: To spread out from a central area. For example, sciatic pain may radiate outward ... See the entire definition of RadiateReceptor: 1. In cell biology, a structure on the surface of a cell (or inside a cel... See the entire definition of ReceptorReflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. Resorption: The process of losing substance. For example, when bone is surgically reshaped... See the entire definition of ResorptionRheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joint... See the entire definition of Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatology: A subspecialty of internal medicine that involves the nonsurgical evaluation... See the entire definition of RheumatologyRisk factor: Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. For exam... See the entire definition of Risk factorShin: 1. The tibia, the larger of the two bones in the lower leg. Shinbone: The larger of the two bones in the lower leg (the smaller one being the fibula).... See the entire definition of ShinboneSkeletal: Pertaining to the skeleton, the bones of the body that collectively provide the ... See the entire definition of SkeletalSpinal compression: The act of exerting an abnormal amount of pressure on the spinal cord... See the entire definition of Spinal compressionSpine: 1) The column of bone known as the vertebral column, which surrounds and protects ... See the entire definition of SpineStroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood... See the entire definition of StrokeSurgeon: A physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual meth... See the entire definition of SurgeonSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Testosterone: A "male hormone" -- a sex hormone produced by the testes that encourages th... See the entire definition of TestosteroneTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Thromboembolism: Formation in a blood vessel of a clot (thrombus) that breaks loose and is... See the entire definition of ThromboembolismThyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland. 2. A p... See the entire definition of ThyroidTrauma: A physical or emotional injury. Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves. Ultra-sound waves can be bounced off tissues by us... See the entire definition of UltrasoundUrine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm... See the entire definition of UrineUterine lining: The inner layer of the uterus (womb); the cells that line the womb; anatom... See the entire definition of Uterine liningUterus: A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman's lower abdomen, between th... See the entire definition of UterusVertebrae: The preferred plural of vertebra. (The alternate plural is vertebras.) See also... See the entire definition of VertebraeVitamin D: A steroid vitamin which promotes the intestinal absorption and metabolism of ca... See the entire definition of Vitamin DVitamins: The word "vitamin" was coined in 1911 by the Warsaw-born biochemist Casimir Funk... See the entire definition of VitaminsWorld Health Organization: The subagency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with... See the entire definition of World Health OrganizationWrist: The part of the hand that is nearest the forearm and consists of the carpal bones a... See the entire definition of WristX-ray: High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used... See the entire definition of X-rayYouth: The time between childhood and maturity.
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