Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder article.
Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Alzheimer disease: See: Alzheimer's disease. Benzodiazepines: A class of drugs that act as tranquilizers and are commonly used in the t... See the entire definition of BenzodiazepinesBlind: 1. Unable to see. Without part or all of the sense of sight. Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainCaffeine: A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola... See the entire definition of CaffeineChronic: 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 CircadianCognitive: Having to do with thought, judgment, or knowledge. Contrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra... See the entire definition of ContrastDysfunction: Difficult function or abnormal function. Endocrine: Pertaining to hormones and the glands that make and secrete them into the blood... See the entire definition of EndocrineEpilepsy (seizure disorder): When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses... See the entire definition of EpilepsyExacerbate: To make worse. For example, smoking may exacerbate lung disease. Excessive daytime sleepiness: A neurological disorder in which there is a sudden recurrent... See the entire definition of Excessive daytime sleepinessFamily history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform... See the entire definition of Family historyFatigue: 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 AdministrationGastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte... See the entire definition of GastrointestinalGland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy... See the entire definition of GlandHerbal: 1. An adjective, referring to herbs, as in an herbal tea. Hormone: 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 HygieneImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies. Immunosuppressive: 1. Pertaining to immunosuppression, the suppression of the immun... See the entire definition of ImmunosuppressiveInsomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ... See the entire definition of InsomniaInternal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment ... See the entire definition of Internal medicineIntervention: The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modify... See the entire definition of InterventionJet lag: A temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a resu... See the entire definition of Jet lagMedical 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 MelatoninModafinil: An oral drug first approved by the FDA in 1998 for the treatment of narcolepsy,... See the entire definition of ModafinilMRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder that is marked by the recurrent, sudden, uncontrollabl... See the entire definition of NarcolepsyNeurological: 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 NeurologyObjective: In a microscope, the objective (also called the objective lens) is the lens nea... See the entire definition of ObjectiveOnset: In medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness as, for ex... See the entire definition of OnsetPacemaker: A system that sends electrical impulses to the heart in order to set the hear... See the entire definition of PacemakerPediatric: Pertaining to children. Pediatrics: The field of medicine that is concerned with the health of infants, children, ... See the entire definition of PediatricsPharmacy: 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 drugPrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisProgressive: Increasing in scope or severity, advancing, or going forward. For example, a ... See the entire definition of ProgressivePsychiatry: The medical specialty that is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and tr... See the entire definition of PsychiatryPulmonology: The study and science of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lungs.... See the entire definition of PulmonologyRebound: The reversal of response upon withdrawal of a stimulus. Sensitivity: 1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sen... See the entire definition of SensitivitySleep: The body's rest cycle. Sleep 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 SnoringStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSundowning: also known as Sundown Syndrome, a term used to refer to behavioral changes tha... See the entire definition of SundowningSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Systemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh... See the entire definition of SystemicTherapeutic: 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. Wrist: The part of the hand that is nearest the forearm and consists of the carpal bones a... See the entire definition of WristZeitgeber: An environmental agent or event that provides the cue for setting or resetting ... See the entire definition of Zeitgeber |
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