Psoriasis Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Psoriasis article.
Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the... See the entire definition of AbdomenAlcoholism: Physical dependence on alcohol to the extent that stopping alcohol use would b... See the entire definition of AlcoholismAllergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ... See the entire definition of AllergyAntipsoriatic: Directed against psoriasis. Sunlight is antipsoriatic, as are a number of d... See the entire definition of AntipsoriaticAnxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa... See the entire definition of AnxietyArms: An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm. Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w... See the entire definition of ArthritisAspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a... See the entire definition of AspirinBacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection. Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureBody surface area: BSA. The total surface area of the human body. The body surface area is... See the entire definition of Body surface areaBreathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ... See the entire definition of BreathingCalcipotriene: A synthetic form of vitamin D3 that can be applied to the skin to treat pso... See the entire definition of CalcipotrieneCalcitriol: The active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol is formed in the kidneys or made in t... See the entire definition of CalcitriolCancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerCell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellCholesterol: The most common type of steroid in the body. Cholesterol has a reputation for... See the entire definition of CholesterolChronic: 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 diseaseClinical trials: Trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications or medical... See the entire definition of Clinical trialsContrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra... See the entire definition of ContrastCortisone: A naturally occurring adrenocorticoid hormone that is produced in minute amount... See the entire definition of CortisoneDepression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way... See the entire definition of DepressionDermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, either due to direct contact with an irritating sub... See the entire definition of DermatitisDermatologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems... See the entire definition of DermatologistDermatology: 1. The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and... See the entire definition of DermatologyDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDry skin: Abnormally dry skin. Can be caused by a dry climate, winter weather, deficiency... See the entire definition of Dry skinElbow: The juncture of the long bones in the middle portion of the upper extremity. The bo... See the entire definition of ElbowErythrodermic psoriasis: A particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that often affects ... See the entire definition of Erythrodermic psoriasisExcimer laser: A laser that emits very concentrated light in the ultraviolet (UV) region o... See the entire definition of Excimer laserFamily history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform... See the entire definition of Family historyFDA: 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 FeverFlare: 1. an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Sometimes referred to as a flare-up, a fla... See the entire definition of FlareGeneric: 1. The chemical name of a drug. 2. A term referring to the chemical... See the entire definition of GenericGeneric drug: The term "generic" has several meanings as regards drugs:
Genes: The basic biological units of heredity. Segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nee... See the entire definition of GenesGuttate psoriasis: A type of psoriasis characterized by red, scaly plaques of inflamed ski... See the entire definition of Guttate psoriasisHeart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartHeart failure: Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically... See the entire definition of Heart failureHepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, irrespective of the cause. Hepatitis is caused by a ... See the entire definition of HepatitisHepatitis B: Inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), once thought t... See the entire definition of Hepatitis BHigh blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro... See the entire definition of High blood pressureHIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi... See the entire definition of HIVHormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit... See the entire definition of HormoneIbuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa... See the entire definition of IbuprofenImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies. Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every... See the entire definition of Immune systemIndication: 1. In medicine, a condition which makes a particular treatment or proce... See the entire definition of IndicationInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ... See the entire definition of InflammationInjury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot... See the entire definition of InjuryItching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ... See the entire definition of ItchingJoint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m... See the entire definition of JointJuvenile: Between infantile and adult. Used in medicine to indicate onset in childhood, as... See the entire definition of JuvenileKidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid... See the entire definition of KidneyLaser: A powerful beam of light that is used in some types of surgery to cut or destroy ti... See the entire definition of LaserLeg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an... See the entire definition of LegLips: Aside from the lips of the mouth, there are two pairs of lips at the entrance to the... See the entire definition of LipsLithium: 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 LiverLymphoma: A tumor of the lymphoid tissue. The major types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's diseas... See the entire definition of LymphomaMalaria: An infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites from the Plasmodium family th... See the entire definition of MalariaMalignancy: A tumor that is malignant (cancerous), that can invade and destroy nearby tiss... See the entire definition of MalignancyMembrane: A very thin layer of tissue that covers a 'surface. Menopause: The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop; it is also... See the entire definition of MenopauseMolecule: The smallest unit of a substance that can exist alone and retain the character o... See the entire definition of MoleculeMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMucous: Pertaining to mucus, a thick fluid produced by the lining of some tissues of the b... See the entire definition of MucousNail: In medicine, there are two types of nails. One is just a plain old metal nail used t... See the entire definition of NailNausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in... See the entire definition of NauseaNose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c... See the entire definition of NoseOintment: An oil-based preparation that is applied to the skin. Whereas an ointment has an... See the entire definition of OintmentOutpatient: 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 PainPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPhototherapy: Treatment with light. For example, a newborn with jaundice may be put under ... See the entire definition of PhototherapyPlaque: 1. An semi-hardened accumulation of substances from fluids that bathe an a... See the entire definition of PlaquePlaque psoriasis: The most common form of psoriasis -- about 80% of people with psoriasis ... See the entire definition of Plaque psoriasisPostpartum: The period just after delivery, as with postpartum depression. Postpartum refe... See the entire definition of PostpartumPregnancy: 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 PrognosisProtein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein... See the entire definition of ProteinProteins: Large molecules composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific orde... See the entire definition of ProteinsPsoralen: Any of a number of drugs and other substances containing chemicals that react wi... See the entire definition of PsoralenPsoriasis: A reddish, scaly rash often located over the surfaces of the elbows, knees, sca... See the entire definition of PsoriasisPsoriatic arthritis: Joint inflammation that is associated with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthr... See the entire definition of Psoriatic arthritisPuberty: Adolescence, the period in which the human body first becomes capable of reproduc... See the entire definition of PubertyPus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells... See the entire definition of PusPustular psoriasis: A type of recurring psoriasis characterized by the appearance of pus-... See the entire definition of Pustular psoriasisPUVA: PUVA stands for psoralen (P) and ultraviolet A (UVA) therapy in which the patient is... See the entire definition of PUVAQuality of life: The patient's ability to enjoy normal life activities. Quality of life is... See the entire definition of Quality of lifeRash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c... See the entire definition of RashRegimen: A plan or a regulated course, such as a diet, exercise, or treatment, that is des... See the entire definition of RegimenRegistry: A collection of information. A registry is usually organized so that the data in... See the entire definition of RegistryRemission: Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer or other disease. A remission... See the entire definition of RemissionResistance: Opposition to something, or the ability to withstand something. For example, s... See the entire definition of ResistanceRetinoid: 1. Vitamin A (retinol) or a naturally occurring or synthetic substance ch... See the entire definition of RetinoidRheumatologist: A specialist in the non-surgical treatment of rheumatic illnesses, espec... See the entire definition of RheumatologistRisk factor: Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. For exam... See the entire definition of Risk factorRule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera... See the entire definition of Rule outSalicylic acid: A substance obtained from plants (white willow back and wintergreen leaves... See the entire definition of Salicylic acidScaling: Abnormal shedding or accumulation of an upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum)... See the entire definition of ScalingSeborrheic dermatitis: A medical name for what is popularly called seborrhea. Sensitivity: 1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sen... See the entire definition of SensitivitySperm: A sperm is the male "gamete" or sex cell. It combines with the female &qu... See the entire definition of SpermStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSunburn: Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that develops in response to exposure to u... See the entire definition of SunburnSurgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj... See the entire definition of SurgerySystemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh... See the entire definition of SystemicSystemic therapy: Treatment that reaches cells throughout the body by traveling through th... See the entire definition of Systemic therapyTherapeutic: Relating to therapeutics, the branch of medicine that is concerned specifical... See the entire definition of TherapeuticTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Thigh: The thick, muscular portion of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee. The t... See the entire definition of ThighThroat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th... See the entire definition of ThroatTongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ... See the entire definition of TongueTopical: Pertaining to a particular surface area. For example, a topical agent is applied ... See the entire definition of TopicalToxicity: The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. ... See the entire definition of ToxicityTrigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose... See the entire definition of TriggerUltraviolet A: One of the three types of invisible light rays (together with ultraviolet ... See the entire definition of Ultraviolet AUltraviolet B: One of the three types of invisible light rays (together with ultraviolet ... See the entire definition of Ultraviolet BVitamin A: Vitamin A is retinol. Carotene compounds (found, for example, in egg yolk, butt... See the entire definition of Vitamin AVitamin D: A steroid vitamin which promotes the intestinal absorption and metabolism of ca... See the entire definition of Vitamin DWhite blood cell: One of the cells the body makes to help fight infections. There are seve... See the entire definition of White blood cell
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