diabetes pillsPills or capsules that are taken by mouth to help lower the blood glucose level. These pills may work for people whose bodies are still making insulin.
DiabeticRelating to or suffering from diabetes. The medical condition term "diabetic" should not be used to describe a person who has a diabetes disease.
Diabetic ComaDevelops when insulin and blood glucose are so out of balance that ketones accumulate in the blood.
diabetic eye diseaseA disease of the small blood vessels of the retina of the eye in people with diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis(DKA, also see Diabetic Coma) The basis for DKA is either absolute deficiency of insulin or acute resistance to insulin developing when absolute insulin…
diabetic nerve damageDamage to the nerves of a person with diabetes. Nerve damage may affect the feet and hands, as well as major organs.
Diabetic Neuropathy(Peripheral and Autonomic Neuropathies) Damage to the nervous system which affects the peripheral nervous system causing impairment of motor nerves…
Diabetic RetinitisInflammation of the retina of the eye caused or complicated by diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy(Background and Proliferative Retinopathy) A progressive disorder of the retina damaging the receptor cells and small blood vessels in the eye that can…
Diabetologist(Diabetology) A specialist in the field of medicine concerned with diabetes.
diagnoseDoctors look at many things to find out if you have breast cancer. For example, they look at different physical signs, ask questions about your symptoms…
DiagnosisThe process of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms using patient history, examination, and laboratory and other test results.
diagnostic mammogramX-ray of the breasts used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.
diathermy(DY-uh-THER-mee) A procedure in which tissue is heated to destroy abnormal cells.
diazepam(dy-A-zeh-pam) A drug used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is a type of benzodiazepine. Also called Valium.
diaziquoneAn anticancer drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and kill cancer cells in the central nervous system. Also called AZQ.
diclofenac(dy-KLOH-fen-ak) The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and…
diclofenac sodium(dy-KLOH-fen-ak SOH-dee-um) A drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some…
diclofenac sodium gel(dy-KLOH-fen-ak SOH-dee-um JEL) The gel form of a drug that is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and is being studied in the prevention…
didanosineA drug used in the treatment of infections caused by viruses.
DIEP flapA type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP), and the skin and fat connected to them are…
dietary counseling(DY-uh-TAYR-ee KOWN-suh-ling) A process by which a health professional with special training in nutrition helps people make healthy food choices and form…
dietary protocol(DY-uh-TAYR-ee PROH-tuh-KOL) A detailed diet plan that states what, how, and when a person will eat and drink.
Dietary Reference Intakes(DY-uh-TAYR-ee REH-feh-rens ...) A set of guidelines developed by U.S. and Canadian scientists to give information about the role of nutrients in human…
dietary supplement(DY-uh-TAYR-ee SUH-pleh-ment) A product that is added to the diet. A dietary supplement is taken by mouth, and usually contains one or more dietary…
diethylstilbestrol(dye-EH-thul-stil-BES-trol) A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was…
dietitian(dy-eh-TIH-shun) A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called nutritionist.
DifferentiationIn cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread…
Differientiated(dif fer ren' che ay ted) tumor cells look very similar to normal cells. Pathologists look to see if tumor cells are well differentiated or poorly…
diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis(dih-FYOOS HY-per-PLAS-tik payr-ee-LOH-ber NEH-froh-blas-TOH-muh-TOH-sis) A childhood condition in which abnormal tissue grows on the outer part of one or…
diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(lim-FOH-muh) A type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that is usually aggressive (fast-growing).
difluoromethylornithineA substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Also called DFMO.
digestion(dy-JES-chun) The process of breaking down food into substances the body can use for energy, tissue growth, and repair.
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.
digestive tract(dy-JES-tiv) The organs through which food and liquids pass when they are swallowed, digested, and eliminated.
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.
digital photography(DIH-jih-tul fuh-TAH-gruh-fee) A type of photography in which images can be viewed on a computer screen.
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.
digitalis(DIH-jih-TA-lis) A substance used to make drugs that are used to treat several heart conditions, including congestive heart failure.
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.
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…
dihydrotestosterone(dy-HY-droh-tes-TOS-teh-RONE) A hormone made from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, and some other tissues.
diindolylmethane(dy-IN-doh-lil-MEH-thayn) A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
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.
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.
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.
dilator(DYE-lay-tor) A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening.
dilute(dy-LOOT) To make something thinner, weaker, less concentrated, or less pure by adding something to it.
DIMA substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer and in the prevention of cervical cancer.
Dimericine(dy-MAYR-ih-seen) A lotion being studied in the treatment of skin cancer and a skin condition called xeroderma pigmentosum.
dimesnaA drug that belongs to the family of drugs called chemoprotective agents.
dimethyl sulfoxideA colorless liquid that readily dissolves many chemicals and penetrates animal and plant tissues.
dimethylxanthenone acetic acid(DY-MEH-thil-ZAN-theh-none uh-SEE-tik A-sid) An anticancer drug that is a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.
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.
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.
diphtheriaAn acute, contagious disease that causes fever and problems for the heart and nervous system.
Diploidy(dih ploy' dee) is a normal amount of DNA in cells.
dipyridamoleA drug that prevents blood cell clumping and enhances the effectiveness of fluorouracil and other chemotherapeutic agents.
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…
Direct transmissionThis type of transmission is, at base, immediate. The transfer of the infectious agent is, as the name implies, directly into the body.
Discharge(DIS-charj) In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease.
Discontinued Drug ProductProducts listed in Drugs@FDA as "discontinued" are approved products that have never been marketed, have been discontinued from marketing, are for…
DiseaseA disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors…
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.
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…
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.
disorientation(dis-OR-ee-en-TAY-shun) A mental state marked by confusion about time, place, or who one is.
disseminate(dih-SEM-ih-NATE) Scatter or distribute over a large area or range.
distalIn medicine, refers to a part of the body that is farther away from the center of the body than another part.
distal pancreatectomy(DIS-tul PAN-kree-uh-TEK-toh-mee) Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas.
distant cancerRefers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes. Also known as distant metastasis.
distant metastasis(...meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Refers to cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
distractionIn medicine, a pain relief method that takes the patient's attention away from the pain.
distress(dih-STRESS) Extreme mental or physical pain or suffering.
disulfiramA drug that slows the metabolism of retinoids, allowing them to act over a longer period of time.
diureticA drug that increases the production of urine.
diverticulosisA condition marked by small sacs or pouches (diverticula) in the walls of an organ such as the stomach or colon.
Division of Community Based Programs (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…
Division of Science and Policy (DSP)The office within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that administers the Part F (SPNS) Program, HIV/AIDS evaluation studies, policy, and data reporting.
Division of Service Systems (DSS)The division within HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau that administers Part A and Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.