Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click a letter above to view the glossary entries in order.

Abdominal Migraine
A type of migraine, most common in female children, where the pain is over the upper part of the abdomen and lasts a few hours.

Abstract
A concise overview of a study's purpose, methods, major findings, and conclusions

Abuse
To use excessively or without medical justification

Acne
A disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles

Acupuncture
The Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points generally to cure disease or relieve pain

Acute pain
Pain that starts quickly, can be severe, but lasts a relatively brief time

Acute therapy drugs
Drugs given for pain and other symptoms that a person is currently experiencing

Addiction
Psychological and bodily dependence on a substance or practice which is beyond voluntary control

Adjuvant
An agent added to a drug to increase or aid its effect.

Adrenaline
A hormone produced and secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to low blood glucose, exercise and stress

Advanced Practice Nurse
A nurse who can independently issue prescription orders

Aerobic
Involving or improving oxygen consumption by the body

Aging
To cause to become old; to change through use

Agonists
A drug or other chemical that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a reaction typical of a naturally occurring substance.

Americans with Disabilities Act
U.S. civil-rights law, enacted in 1990, that forbids discrimination against people with physical or mental handicaps. People with AIDS and substance abusers who are in treatment are among the groups protected under the Act.

Analgesic
A medication that reduces or eliminates pain

Anesthesiologists
A specialist who administers an anesthetic (an agent that causes loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness) to a patient before he is treated

Aneurysm
a thin, weakened area in a blood vessel or area of the heart

Anti-inflammatory medicines
Medicines that reduce inflammation (pain, redness, or swelling)

Anti-proliferative
Used or tending to inhibit cell growth

Anticipatory Anxiety
Fear of potential fear

Anticonvulsants
A drug used to treat or prevent convulsions, such as epilepsy

Antidepressant
A drug used to prevent or relieve mental depression

Antiemetics
An agent that prevents or stops vomiting

Anxiety
A state of uneasiness and apprehension, generally about future uncertainties

Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint or joints resulting in pain and swelling

Attending physician
A Doctor that has the most significant role in the determination and delivery of medical care to an individual patient

Aura
A sensation, such as a cold breeze or a bright light, that happens just before a disorder begins, such as an epileptic seizure or migraine attack.

Autonomic neuropathy
Symptoms caused by damage to the nerves that supply the internal body structures that regulate functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, bowel and bladder emptying, and digestion.

Autonomy
Independence; self-control

Beta-blockers
A group of drugs that affect the activity of the nervous system by blocking certain receptors at nerve endings. Their effects include reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

Biofeedback
The technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes, such as heartbeat or blood pressure, perceptible to the senses in order to consciously control them. This is taught to pain patients by having them observe bodily functions such as blood pressure, temperature, gastrointestinal functioning, and brain wave activity on monitors. This in turn allows them to learn by trial and error to adjust their thinking and other mental processes in order to control these involuntary bodily processes.

Black cohosh (Actae racemosa)
An herb used to treat symptoms of menopause, specifically hot flashes

Body language
Communication via the movements or attitudes of the body

Cancer
Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and characterized especially by weakness, pain, and disturbances of sensation in the hand and fingers

Causalgia
A persistent, severe burning sensation of the skin, usually following injury to a peripheral nerve

Central Nervous System
The portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord

Central Pain Syndrome
A type of pain that occurs due to injuries to the brain or spinal cord

Cervical disk degeneration
A disease characterized by the deterioration of cartilage around the vertebrae in the cervical region of the spine

Cessation
Coming to an end; ceasing

Chemotherapy
The treatment of cancer using specific chemical agents or drugs that are selectively destructive to malignant cells and tissues.

Chondroitin
A dietary supplement intended to treat arthritis pain

Chronic pain
Pain that lasts a month or more beyond the typical recovery period for an injury or illness or that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition. The pain is generally not constant, but it can still disrupt all aspects of daily life.

Chronic tension headache
A steady aching headache that affects both sides of the head. It usually lasts for several hours and recurs on a daily basis

CLASS
Drug industry sponsored clinical trial to test NSAIDs

Clinical Depression
Severe enough depression to be brought to the attention of a physician and require treatment

Clinical trials
A scientific test of the effectiveness and safety of a therapeutic agent using consenting human subjects

Cluster headache
A recurring headache similar to migraine and characterized by severe pain in the eye or temple on one side of the head, watering of the eye, and a runny nose.

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Psychotherapy especially for depression that focuses on changing negative or faulty patterns of thinking into accurate, desirable ones

Cognitive behavioral treatment
A therapeutic technique that aims to help people understand that their negative beliefs or 'negative self-talk' are often inaccurate and can lead to self-defeating emotions and behaviors

Cognitive dysfunction
Difficulty with thinking, memory loss, distractibility, difficulty in multitasking, and trouble with arithmetic and language skills.

Cognitive restructuring
A therapy technique where a person identifies negative, irrational beliefs and substitutes them with truthful, rational ones

Colorectal cancer
A disease where malignant (cancer) cells are found in the colon or rectum

Communication
The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information through speech, signals, writing, or behavior.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Pain that may occurs after an injury to an arm or a leg, or, more rarely, after surgery, heart attack, stroke or other medical problem. The pain is often described as a burning feeling and is much worse than expected for the injury.

Comprehensive Care
A collaborative, coordinated approach to care

Compulsion
An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation

Compulsive use
Repetitive and obsessive use

Constipation
Irregular and infrequent or difficult bowel movements

Coping skills
Strategies to deal with internal and external demands that exceed a person’s natural capacity.

Corticosteroids
A natural anti-inflammatory hormone

Cortisol
A natural stress-fighting and anti-inflammatory hormone

Cortisone
A natural anti-inflammatory hormone

Cumulative Trauma Disorder
A condition caused by the overuse of particular muscles, tendons, or nerves in repeated activities, such as typing

Degenerative joint disease
The most common form of arthritis; the chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints

Dementia
Deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, resulting from a disease or a disorder of the brain, and often accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes.

Dependence
A compulsive or chronic need

Depression
A disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite, time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness.

Diabetic neuropathy
A combined sensory and motor neuropathy, usual symmetric and segmental and involving autonomic neurons, seen frequently in older diabetic patients

Dietary supplements
A product taken orally containing one or more ingredients intended to supplement one's diet and are not considered food specifically according to the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act

Discussion
The section at the end of a scientific paper that pulls all of the information together

Disk degeneration
A disease characterized by the deterioration of cartilage around the vertebrae in the spine

Dong Quai
An herb intended to treat gynecological complaints such as premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms

Echinacea
An herb intended to help stimulate the immune system.

Ecstasy
A feeling of great happiness, supremacy and perfection

Electrical Stimulation
The use of electrical pulses to trigger muscle contractions

Endorphins
Hormones that reduce the feeling of pain and affect emotions.

Epidemiological research
Studies the determinants of health in human populationsepilepsy. A central nervous system disorder characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions

Episodic tension headache
A headache of moderate intensity that is usually associated with a stressful event and can be treated with nonprescription drugs.

Ergonomics
An applied science concerned with the human characteristics that need to be considered when designing things that people use. This is to ensure that the interactions between people and the things they use are effective and safe.

Ergotamines
Migraine medications available in different forms depending on the drug, but include tablets, nasal spray, or injections

Estrogen
The female sex hormone which is produced by the ovaries. A hormone used primarily in the treatment of estrogen deficiency

Euphoria
A feeling of great happiness

Exercise
Active bodily movement

Fad diet
A diet that is temporarily popular

Fatigue
To tire from physical or mental exertion

Fellows
A physician who has completed training as an intern and as a resident and has been granted a stipend and position allowing him or her to do further study or research in a specialty

Feverfew
An herb intended to treat migraine headaches, arthritis pain, menstrual pain or to reduce fever.

Fibromyalgia
A syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body

Fight or flight response
The human body’s natural response system for dealing with dangerous situations. The response prepares humans for vigorous muscular activity in response to a perceived threat

Flexibility
The capability of being bent repeatedly without injury or damage

Gender identity
The condition of being female or male

Gingko
An herb believed to aid in many facets of mental performance

Ginseng
An herb believed to reduce stress, boost energy levels and stimulate the immune system, as well as combat mental and body fatigue. It is also believed to normalize blood pressure, increase blood circulation and help prevent heart disease.

Glucosamine
A dietary supplement intended to treat arthritis pain

Habit
A recurring and often unconscious pattern of behavior resulting from frequent repetition

Headache
A pain in the head

Headache diary
A journal to record the frequency, duration, and severity of the headache, as well as any factors which may have triggered the headache

Healthcare system
An organization by which health care is provided

Herniated disk
Also known as a “slipped disc.” The protrusion of a degenerated or fragmented intervertebral disk into the intervertebral foramen, compressing the nerve root

Herpes Zoster