Healthcare — page 18 of 69

Healthcare terms

1701. digestion (dy-JES-chun) The process of breaking down food into substances the body can use for energy, tissue growth, and repair.
1702. digestive system (dy-JES-tiv SIS-tem) The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy.
1703. digestive tract (dy-JES-tiv) The organs through which food and liquids pass when they are swallowed, digested, and eliminated.
1704. digital mammography (DIH-jih-tul ma-MAH-gruh-fee) A technique that uses a computer, rather than x-ray film, to record x-ray images of the breast.
1705. digital photography (DIH-jih-tul fuh-TAH-gruh-fee) A type of photography in which images can be viewed on a computer screen.
1706. digital rectal examination (DIH-jih-tul REK-tul eg-zam-ih-NAY-shun) An examination in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.
1707. digitalis (DIH-jih-TA-lis) A substance used to make drugs that are used to treat several heart conditions, including congestive heart failure.
1708. digoxin (dih-JOK-sin) A drug used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
1709. dihematoporphyrin ether (dy-HEE-muh-toh-POR-fih-rin EE-ther) Used in photodynamic therapy, a drug that is absorbed by tumor cells; when exposed to light, it becomes active and…
1710. dihydrotestosterone (dy-HY-droh-tes-TOS-teh-RONE) A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues.
1711. diindolylmethane (dy-IN-doh-lil-MEH-thayn) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
1712. dilatation and curettage (DIH-luh-TA-shun and KYUR-eh-TAHJ) A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
1713. dilate (DYE-late) To widen or enlarge an opening or hollow structure beyond its usual size, such as the pupil of the eye or a blood vessel.
1714. dilation and curettage (DY-LAY-shun and KYUR-eh-TAHJ) A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus.
1715. dilator (DYE-lay-tor) A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening.
1716. dilute (dy-LOOT) To make something thinner, weaker, less concentrated, or less pure by adding something to it.
1717. DIM A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
1718. Dimericine (dy-MAYR-ih-seen) A lotion being studied in the treatment of skin cancer and a skin condition called xeroderma pigmentosum.
1719. dimesna A drug that belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents.
1720. dimethyl sulfoxide A colorless liquid that readily dissolves many chemicals and penetrates animal and plant tissues.
1721. dimethylxanthenone acetic acid (DY-MEH-thil-ZAN-theh-none uh-SEE-tik A-sid) An anticancer drug that is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
1722. diphenhydramine (dy-fen-HY-druh-meen) A drug used to treat allergies and relieve cough and itching caused by insect bites, sunburn, and poison oak or ivy.
1723. diphosphonate (dy-FOS-foh-nayt) A drug or substance used to treat hypercalcemia (abnormally high blood calcium) and bone pain caused by some types of cancer.
1724. diphtheria An acute, contagious disease that causes fever and problems for the heart and nervous system.
1725. Diploidy (dih ploy' dee) is a normal amount of DNA in cells.
1726. Diplopia Objects appear double. Double vision.
1727. dipyridamole A drug that prevents blood cell clumping and enhances the effectiveness of fluorouracil and other chemotherapeutic agents.
1728. direct ophthalmoscopy (… OP-thal-MOS-koh-pee) An exam of the inside of the back of the eye using an ophthalmoscope (a flashlight-sized instrument with a light source…
1729. Direct transmission This type of transmission is, at base, immediate. The transfer of the infectious agent is, as the name implies, directly into the body.
1730. Disability A limit in a range of major life activities. This includes activities like seeing, hearing, walking and tasks like thinking and working.
1731. Discharge (DIS-charj) In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease.
1732. disclosure A disclosure document explains how a financial product or offering works. It also details the terms to which you must agree in order to buy it or use it…
1733. Discontinued Drug Product Products listed in Drugs@FDA as "discontinued" are approved products that have never been marketed, have been discontinued from marketing, are for…
1734. Discount Health Plan A “discount health plan” refers to a type of “buyers’ club” that specifically markets reduced-rate health care services.
1735. Disease A disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors…
1736. Disease managem ent A broad approach to appropriate coordination of the entire disease treatment process that often involves shifting away from more expensive inpatient and…
1737. disease progression Cancer that continues to grow or spread.
1738. disease-free survival (dih-ZEEZ... ser-VY-vul) The length of time after treatment for a specific disease during which a patient survives with no sign of the disease.
1739. disease-specific survival rate (dih-ZEEZ-speh-SIH-fik ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who have not died from a specific disease in a defined…
1740. disorder (dis-OR-der) In medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body. Disorders may be caused by genetic factors, disease, or trauma.
1741. disorientation (dis-OR-ee-en-TAY-shun) A mental state marked by confusion about time, place, or who one is.
1742. disseminate (dih-SEM-ih-NATE) Scatter or distribute over a large area or range.
1743. distal In medicine, refers to a part of the body that is farther away from the center of the body than another part.
1744. distal pancreatectomy (DIS-tul PAN-kree-uh-TEK-toh-mee) Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas.
1745. distant cancer Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes. Also known as distant metastasis.
1746. distant metastasis (...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
1747. distraction In medicine, a pain relief method that takes the patient's attention away from the pain.
1748. distress (dih-STRESS) Extreme mental or physical pain or suffering.
1749. disulfiram A drug that slows the metabolism of retinoids, allowing them to act over a longer period of time.
1750. diuretic A drug that increases the production of urine.
1751. Diurnal During the daytime.
1752. diverticulosis A condition marked by small sacs or pouches (diverticula) in the walls of an organ such as the stomach or colon.
1753. Dividend See Dividends
1754. Division of Community Based Programs (DCBP) (DCBP) The division within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that is responsible for administering Part C, Part D, and the HIV/AIDS Dental Programs (the Dental…
1755. Division of Science and Policy (DSP) (DSP) The office within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that administers the Part F (SPNS) Program, HIV/AIDS evaluation studies, policy, and data reporting.
1756. Division of Service Systems (DSS) (DSS) The division within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that administers Part A and Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
1757. Division of Training and Technical Assistance (DTTA) (DTTA) The division within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that administers the AIDS Education and Training Centers (Part F) and technical assistance and training…
1758. DJ-927 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of taxane derivative.
1759. DNA The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.
1760. DNA cytometry (si tom" eh tree') is a test sometimes used to help predict the aggressiveness of a tumor.
1761. DNA gene-expression microarray (… JEEN-ek-SPREH-shun MY-kroh-uh-RAY) A process that allows thousands of pieces of DNA that are fixed to a glass slide to be analyzed at one…
1762. DNA methylase (… MEH-thih-LAYZ) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
1763. DNA methyltransferase (... MEH-thul-TRANZ-fer-ayz) An enzyme (a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) that attaches a methyl group to DNA.
1764. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid substances in the body that make up the genes and carry gentic (inherited) information.
1765. DNA replication (… reh-plih-KAY-shun) The process by which a copy of the DNA in a cell is made before the cell divides.
1766. DNR order A type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (restarting the heart) if…
1767. do not resuscitate order (…ree-SUH-sih-TAYT…) A type of advance directive in which a person states that healthcare providers should not perform…
1768. docetaxel (doh-seh-TAK-sel) A drug used together with other drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, and certain types of…
1769. dock A plant that has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have anticancer effects. The scientific name is Rumex acetosella .
1770. Doctor Visits For some plans, you can receive benefits like doctor visits before you meet your deductible.
1771. dolasetron (doh-LAH-seh-tron) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
1772. dolasetron mesylate (doh-LAH-seh-tron MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
1773. dolastatin 10 (DOH-luh-STA-tin …) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
1774. Domestic Partnership Two people of the same or opposite sex who live together and share a domestic life, but aren't married or joined by a civil union.
1775. donepezil (doh-NEP-eh-zil) A drug that is used to treat Alzheimer disease and is being studied in the treatment of side effects caused by radiation therapy to the…
1776. dong quai (dahng-kwye) An herb native to China. A substance taken from the roots has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual and menopausal…
1777. Donning To put on gloves, gown and mask.
1778. donor lymphocyte infusion (DOH-ner LIM-foh-site in-FYOO-zhun) A type of therapy in which lymphocytes from the blood of a donor are given to a patient who has already received a…
1779. Donut Hole, Medicare Prescription Drug Most plans with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) have a coverage gap (called a "donut hole").
1780. Dopamine A brain chemical, classified as a neurotransmitter, found in regions that regulate movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure.
1781. dornase alfa inhalation solution (DOR-nayz AL-fuh in-huh-LAY-shun suh-LOO-shun) A drug given in an aerosol mist to decrease the thickness of mucus in the lungs of patients with cystic…
1782. Dosage Form A dosage form is the physical form in which a drug is produced and dispensed, such as a tablet, a capsule, or an injectable.
1783. dose The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.
1784. dose-dense chemotherapy (DOSE-dents KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) A chemotherapy treatment plan in which drugs are given with less time between treatments than in a standard chemotherapy…
1785. dose-dependent Refers to the effects of treatment with a drug. If the effects change when the dose of the drug is changed, the effects are said to be dose-dependent.
1786. dose-limiting Describes side effects of a drug or other treatment that are serious enough to prevent an increase in dose or level of that treatment.
1787. dose-rate The strength of a treatment given over a period of time.
1788. dosimetrist (do-SIM-uh-trist) A person who determines the proper radiation dose for treatment.
1789. dosimetry (doh-SIH-muh-tree) Measurement of radiation exposure from x-rays, gamma rays, or other types of radiation used in the treatment or detection of diseases…
1790. double-blinded A clinical trial in which neither the medical staff nor the person knows which of several possible therapies the person is receiving.
1791. Double-contrast barium enema A procedure in which x-rays of the colon and rectum are taken after a liquid containing barium is put into the rectum.
1792. doubling time (DUH-bling...) In biology, the amount of time it takes for one cell to divide or for a group of cells (such as a tumor) to double in size.
1793. douche (DOOSH) A procedure in which water or a medicated solution is used to clean the vagina and cervix.
1794. Down syndrome (...SIN-drome) A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 and characterized by mental retardation and distinguishing physical features.
1795. Dox-SL A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
1796. doxazosin (dox-AY-zoh-sin) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
1797. doxazosin mesylate (dox-AY-zoh-sin MEH-zih-layt) A drug used to treat high blood pressure and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
1798. doxercalciferol A substance being studied in the prevention of recurrent prostate cancer. It is a type of vitamin D analog.
1799. Doxil (DOK-sil) A form of the anticancer drug doxorubicin that is contained in very tiny, fat-like particles.
1800. doxorubicin (DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin) A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.