Sleep Disorders and Aging Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Sleep Disorders and Aging article.
Aging: The process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environ... See the entire definition of AgingAirway: The path that air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are... See the entire definition of AirwayAllergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ... See the entire definition of AllergyAlzheimer disease: See: Alzheimer's disease. Antidepressant: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression. Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa... See the entire definition of AnxietyApnea: The absence of breathing (respiration). Benzodiazepines: A class of drugs that act as tranquilizers and are commonly used in the t... See the entire definition of BenzodiazepinesBlood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureBrain: 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 CaffeineChin: Medically, the mentum. The lower portion of the face below the lower lip including t... See the entire definition of ChinChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicCircadian: Refers to events occurring within the span of a full 24-hour day, as in a circa... See the entire definition of CircadianCommon cold: A contagious viral upper respiratory tract infection. The common cold can be ... See the entire definition of Common coldCongestion: An abnormal or excessive accumulation of a body fluid. The term is used broadl... See the entire definition of CongestionConstipation: Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the op... See the entire definition of ConstipationCor pulmonale: Heart disease that results from abnormally high resistance to the passage o... See the entire definition of Cor pulmonaleDementia: Significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity, that is sev... See the entire definition of DementiaDepression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way... See the entire definition of DepressionDizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ... See the entire definition of DizzinessECG: Electrocardiogram. EEG: Electroencephalogram. Emphysema: 1) A lung condition featuring an abnormal accumulation of air in the lung's ma... See the entire definition of EmphysemaEnlarged heart: Enlargement of the heart. An enlarged heart is a descriptive term that is ... See the entire definition of Enlarged heartFatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ... See the entire definition of FatigueFDA: Food and Drug Administration. Food and Drug Administration: An agency within the US Public Health Service that provides ... See the entire definition of Food and Drug AdministrationGastroesophageal: Pertaining to both the stomach and the esophagus, as in the gastroesopha... See the entire definition of GastroesophagealGastroesophageal reflux: The return of stomach contents back up into the esophagus This fr... See the entire definition of Gastroesophageal refluxGERD: 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 GlandHangover: A common nonmedical term for the disagreeable physical effects following excessi... See the entire definition of HangoverHeart: 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 failureHeart rate: The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually per minute. The heart rate ... See the entire definition of Heart rateHigh 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 HygieneInsomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ... See the entire definition of InsomniaLaboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a... See the entire definition of LaboratoryLeg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an... See the entire definition of LegLimb: An arm or a leg. Long-term care facility: A facility that provides rehabilitative, restorative, and/or ongo... See the entire definition of Long-term care facilityMedical school: A school with a curriculum leading to a medical degree. The mission of eve... See the entire definition of Medical schoolMelatonin: A hormone that is produced by the pineal gland and is intimately involved in re... See the entire definition of MelatoninMPH: 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 MuscleMyoclonus: A condition of abnormal contraction of muscles or portions of muscles. Nasal: Having to do with the nose. Neurological: Having to do with the nerves or the nervous system as, for example, a neurol... See the entire definition of NeurologicalNeurology: The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders o... See the entire definition of NeurologyNicotine: An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produc... See the entire definition of NicotineObstruction: Blockage of a passageway. See, for example: Airway obstruction; Intestinal o... See the entire definition of ObstructionOnset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetOverweight: The term "overweight" is used in two different ways. In one sense it is a way ... See the entire definition of OverweightOxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen... See the entire definition of OxygenPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPalpitations: Unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. In ... See the entire definition of PalpitationsPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPineal gland: A small gland that is located near the center of the brain. This gland secre... See the entire definition of Pineal glandPrescription: 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 drugPsychosis: In the general sense, a mental illness that markedly interferes with a person'... See the entire definition of PsychosisPulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is... See the entire definition of PulseQuality of life: The patient's ability to enjoy normal life activities. Quality of life is... See the entire definition of Quality of lifeReferral: The recommendation of a medical or paramedical professional. If you get a refer... See the entire definition of ReferralReflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. REM sleep: REM sleep is the portion of sleep when there are rapid eye movements (REMs). Restless legs: See: Restless leg syndrome. Sedative: A drug that calms a patient, easing agitation and permitting sleep. Sedatives ge... See the entire definition of SedativeSensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming... See the entire definition of SensationSinus: 1. An air-filled cavity in a dense portion of a skull bone. The sinuses decr... See the entire definition of SinusSleep: 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 hygieneSleepwalking: Purposeful moving, usually but not always including walking, while in a deep... See the entire definition of SleepwalkingSnoring: A rough rattling noise made on inspiration during sleep by vibration of the soft ... See the entire definition of SnoringSomnambulism: Sleepwalking. Purposeful moving, usually but not always including walking, ... See the entire definition of SomnambulismSoothing: Bringing comfort, solace, reassurance, peace, composure, quietude. Stage: As regards cancer, the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spre... See the entire definition of StageStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressStroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood... See the entire definition of StrokeSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Tension: 1) The pressure within a vessel, such as blood pressure: the pressure within t... See the entire definition of TensionTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th... See the entire definition of ThroatTired: A feeling of a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment,... See the entire definition of TiredTiredness: See: Tired. Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen. Urinary: Having to do with the function or anatomy of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or ur... See the entire definition of UrinaryWeight loss: Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (die... See the entire definition of Weight lossWithdrawal symptoms: Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt di... See the entire definition of Withdrawal symptoms |
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