YOU ARE HERE:
A
- abscess
- acute
- adherence
- adverse event
- AIDS
- amylase
- anabolic
- anaemia
- anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN)
- anergy
- anorexia
- anoscopy
- antenatal
- antibiotic
- antibody
- anticoagulants
- antigen
- antioxidant
- antiretroviral
- antiviral
- arthralgia
- arthritis
- assay
- asymptomatic
- ataxia
- atherogenic
- atherosclerosis
- atrophy
- autonomic nervous system
(ab-sess)
A collection of pus formed as the product of infection.
acute
(a-kute)
A recently developed condition.
adherence
(add-hear-runce)
The act of taking a treatment exactly as prescribed.
adverse event
An unwanted side-effect of a treatment.
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A collection of specific illnesses and conditions which occur because the body's immune system has been damaged by HIV.
amylase
(am-ee-laze)
An enzyme produced in the pancreas and saliva which assists in the digestion of starch.
anabolic
(anna-bol-ick)
The metabolic processes that build new tissues.
anaemia
(a-nee-me-uh)
A shortage or change in the size or function of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to cells of the body.
anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN)
(ay-null in-tra-ep-i-thee-lee-ull nee-o-play-zee-uh)
An abnormal growth on the surface of the rectum or anal canal which, when observed with a microscope, suggests that the cells could be malignant.
anergy
(an-er-gee)
Lack of reaction by the body's defence mechanisms when foreign substances come into contact with the body. This may indicate the inability of the immune system to mount a normal allergic response.
anorexia
(an-nor-rex-ee-uh)
Loss of appetite.
anoscopy
(an-os-ku-pee)
Examination of the anal canal and lower rectum using a short speculum.
antenatal
(an-tea-nay-tul)
Before birth.
antibiotic
(an-tea-by-ot-ick)
A drug that affects bacteria.
antibody
(an-tea-bo-dee)
Protein substance produced by the immune system in response to a foreign organism.
anticoagulants
Drugs that prevent the clotting of blood.
antigen
(an-ti-jen)
Something the immune system can recognise as 'foreign' and attack.
antioxidant
(an-tea-ox-i-dant)
A vitamin, mineral or drug which can reduce the activity of free radicals, the unpaired electrons produced as a consequence of burning energy in a cell.
antiretroviral
(an-tea-ret-tro-vy-rul)
A substance that acts against retroviruses such as HIV.
antiviral
(an-tea-vy-rul)
A drug that acts against viruses.
arthralgia
(arth-ral-jure)
Pain in the joints.
arthritis
(arth-ry-tuss)
Inflammation in the joints.
assay
(ass-ay)
A test used to measure something.
asymptomatic
(ay-symp-toe-mat-ick)
Having no symptoms.
ataxia
(ay-tax-ee-uh)
A lack of muscular co-ordination.
atherogenic
Producing the most degenerative changes in artery walls.
atherosclerosis
(ath-er-ro-sklur-ro-sis)
Hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
atrophy
(at-tro-fee)
Wasting due to nutritional imbalance, e.g. due to absorption problems caused by chronic diarrhoea.
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily actions.