| abracadabra |
a nonsense word thought to produce a magical effect such as the warding off of disaster or disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
a serious viral disease of the body's immune system, transferred through blood, sexual contact, contaminated hypodermic needles, or the like; AIDS. |
| Acremonium |
the genus of fungi, formerly known as Cephalosporium, from which the antibiotic cephalosporin was originally isolated. Several species may cause disease in humans, esp. pneumonia. |
| acromegaly |
a chronic disease causing abnormal enlargement of the hands, feet, and parts of the face, usu. caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland. |
| actinomycosis |
an infectious disease of animals and humans that is caused by parasites and produces abscesses, esp. in the jaws. |
| active immunity |
an organism's immunity to a disease because of its production of antibodies. |
| acupressure |
a process or technique intended to relieve pain or cure disease by the application of pressure with the hands to specific parts of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| acupuncture |
a traditional Chinese practice of pricking certain parts of the body with fine needles to relieve pain or cure disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| acute |
of a disease, occurring suddenly, then rapidly progressing to a peak and coming shortly to an end. (Cf. chronic.) [1/7 definitions] |
| Addison's disease |
a disease caused by disturbance or failure of the adrenal glands, resulting in anemia, low blood pressure, weakness, and an abnormal brownish tinge to the skin. |
| adenovirus |
any of a group of viruses that causes disease of the upper respiratory tract. |
| aeroembolism |
nitrogen or air bubbles in the bloodstream, caused by severe decompression, surgery, or injury, and resulting in severe pain and sometimes convulsions; bends; decompression sickness; caisson disease. |
| af flicted |
suffering from a disease or from harm caused by another. |
| aflatoxin |
any of a group of toxic compounds produced by certain molds, esp. those in the genus Aspergillus. Consumption of food contaminated with these molds can cause liver disease and cancer. |
| AIDS |
acronym of "acquired immune deficiency syndrome," a serious viral disease of the body's immune system, transferred through blood, sexual contact, contaminated hypodermic needles, or the like. |
| alchemy |
an ancient exploration and practice of chemistry which flourished particularly during medieval times. Practitioners used chemical processes in the hope of, for example, producing gold from base metals, finding the key to eternal life, and uncovering a single cure for all disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| allopathy |
treatment of disease with agents intended to produce effects that are different from those of the disease. (Cf. homeopathy.) |
| Alzheimer's disease |
a severe, progressive disease that causes the brain cells to degenerate, often leading to dementia. |
| amoebic |
caused by or involving amoebas, as a disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
a disease that causes loss of control in muscle movement because of the degeneration of nerve cells; Lou Gehrig's disease. |
| analeptic |
of medication, restoring strength to the body after a disease or after the effects of sedatives. [2 definitions] |