Iatr(o)-: Prefix
relating to a physician or medicine. From the Greek word "iatros"
meaning physician (healer).
Iatrapistic: A lack of faith in doctors. Entirely from the
Greek: "iatr-" indicating a relationship to a physician or
medicine + "a" meaning lack + "pisteuo" meaning I trust in.
-iatrics:
Suffix meaning healing. From the Greek "iatros" meaning healer
or physician. Pediatrics is the healing of children. And
geriatrics is the healing (or at least the treatment) of
disorders characteristic of the aged.
Iatrogenic: Due to the activity of a physician or therapy. From
the Greek "iatros" meaning physician + "gennao" meaning I
produce. Iatrogenic is defined by Merriam-Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary as: "induced inadvertently by a physician or surgeon
or by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures." For example,
an iatrogenic illness is one caused by a medicine or doctor.
Iatromelia: Ineffective or negligent medical treatment. From "iatro-"
meaning a relationship to a physician or medicine + the Greek "meleos"
meaning fruitless or vain.
Iatromisia: An intense dislike of doctors. From "iatro-"
indicating a relationship to a physician or medicine + the Greek
"miseo" meaning I hate.
-iatry:
Suffix meaning medical treatment. From the Greek "iatreia"
meaning healing, which came from "iatros" meaning treatment (or
physician). Psychiatry is literally the medical treatment of the
psyche.
Icterus: Jaundice.
ICU: Intensive Care Unit.
IgE: Immunoglobulin E. The E stands for erythema or redness. See
Immunoglobulin E.
IL-2: Abbreviation for interleukin-2.
Ileitis: Inflammation of the ileus.
Ileus: Part of the small intestine beyond the jejunum and before
the large intestine (colon).
Ileitis, terminal: Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory
disease of the intestine involving only the end of the small
intestine (the terminal ileum). Crohn’s disease affects
primarily the small and large intestines but which can occur
anywhere in the digestive system between the mouth and the anus.
Named after Burrill Crohn who described the disease in 1932. The
disease often strikes persons in their teens or early twenties.
It tends to be chronic, recurrent with periods of remission and
exacerbation. In the early stages. It causes small scattered
shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called apthous ulcers in
the inner surface of the bowel. With time, deeper and larger
ulcers develop, causing scarring and stiffness of the bowel and
the bowel becomes increasingly narrowed, leading to obstruction.
Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to
infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent
organs Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight
loss can be symptoms. Crohn’s disease can be associated with
reddish tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints,
spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is by barium enema, barium
x-ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy. Treatment includes
medications for inflammation, immune suppression, antibiotics,
or surgery.
Ileocolitis, Crohn’s: Crohn’s disease involving both the ileum
(the furtherest part of the small intestine just before the
colon) and the large intestine (the colon). Crohn’s disease is a
chronic inflammatory condition of the intestine primarily
involving the small and large intestines but which can occur
anywhere in the digestive system between the mouth and the anus.
Named after Burrill Crohn who described the disease in 1932. The
disease usually affects persons in their teens or early
twenties. It tends to be a chronic, recurrent condition with
periods of remission and exacerbation. In the early stages,
Crohn’s disease causes small scattered shallow crater-like areas
(erosions) called apthous ulcers in the inner surface of the
bowel. With time, deeper and larger ulcers develop, causing
scarring and stiffness of the bowel and the bowel becomes
increasingly narrowed, leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can
puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the
abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs. When only
the large intestine (colon) is involved, the condition is called
Crohn’s colitis. When only the small intestine is involved, the
condition is called Crohn’s enteritis. When only the end of the
small intestine (the terminal ileum) is involved, it is termed
terminal ileitis. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and
weight loss can be symptoms. Crohn’s disease can be associated
with reddish tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the
joints, spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is by barium enema,
barium x-ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy. Treatment
includes medications for inflammation, immune suppression,
antibiotics, or surgery.
Iliac: Pertaining to the ilium.
Iliac horns: Symmetrical bilateral central posterior iliac
processes. In other words, horn-like malformations of the crest
of both iliac bones of the pelvis. A characteristic finding in
the nail-patella syndrome.
Ilium: Upper part of the pelvis which forms the receptacle of
the hip.
Idiopathic: The cause is unknown.
IM: Intramuscular. An IM medication is given by needle into the
muscle.
Immune: Protected against infection. The Latin immunis means
free, exempt.
Immune response: Any reponse by the immune system.
Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for
distinguishing us from everything foreign to us and for
protecting us against infections and foreign substances.
Immunity: The condition of being immune. Immunity can be innate
(for example,humans are innately immune to canine distemper) or
conferred by a previous infection or immunization.
Immunization: Immunizations, or vaccinations, work by
stimulating the immune system, the natural disease-fighting
system of the body. The healthy immune system is able to
recognize invading bacteria and viruses and produce substances
(antibodies) to destroy or disable them. Immunizations prepare
the immune system to ward off a disease. To immunize against
viral diseases, the virus used in the vaccine has been weakened
or killed. To immunize against bacterial diseases, it is
generally possible to use only a small portion of the dead
bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the
whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process,
it has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be
improved by periodic repeat injections or "boosters." Also see
Immunizations (in the plural) and Immunization of a specific
type (such Immunization, Polio).
Immunization, anthrax: A series of six shots over six months and
booster shots annually, the anthrax vaccine now in use in the
USA was first developed in the 1950s and approved by the Food
and Drug Administration for general use in 1970. It is produced
by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute of Michigan’s
Department of Health and is given routinely to veterinarians and
others working with livestock. In December, 1997 it was
announced that all US military would receive the vaccine, as do
the military in the UK and Russia, the reason being concern that
anthrax might be used in biologic warfare.
Immunization, children’s: In the United States, it is
recommended that all children receive vaccination against:
Hepatitis B
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
Poliovirus
Measles, mumps, rubella
Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox).
Every child in the U.S. should have these vaccinations except
when there are special circumstances and the child’s doctor
advises specifically against a vaccination.
Immunization, chickenpox: This vaccine prevents the common
disease known as chickenpox (varicella zoster). While chickenpox
is often considered a trivial illness, it can cause significant
lost time on the job and in school and have serious
complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and infection
of the rash with bacteria, inflammation of the brain
(encephalitis) leading to difficulty with balance and
coordination (cerebellar ataxia), damaged nerves (palsies), and
Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal complication. The
vaccination requires only one shot given at about a year of age.
If an older person has not had chickenpox, the shot may be given
at any time. There have been few significant reactions to the
chickenpox vaccine. All children, except those with a
compromised immune system, should have the vaccination.
Immunization, DPT: DPT immunization protects from diphtheria,
pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series
of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age.
Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less
common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals
capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to
others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in
natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also
Immunization, DTaP.
Immunization, DTaP: Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria,
pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. DTaP is the same as DTP,
except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which
is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with
immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more
severe reactions occasionally seen following pertussis
vaccination. DTaP is currently recommended only for the shots
given at 18 months and 4-6 years of age.
Immunization, DT: DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not
protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals
who have had a significant adverse reaction to a DPT shot or who
have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain
disease.
Immunization, flu: The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended
for persons at high risk for serious complications from
influenza infection, including everyone 65 or over; people with
chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes,
immunosuppression, or severe forms of anemia; residents of
nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and
teenagers taking aspirin therapy (and who may therefore be at
risk for developing Reye syndrome after an influenza infection),
and those in close or frequent contact with anyone at high risk.
Persons with an allergy to eggs should not receive influenza
vaccine.
Immunization, German measles: See Immunization, MMR.
Immunization, Haemophilus influenzae type B: See Immunization,
HIB.
Immunization, hepatitis A: When immediate protection against
hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins
are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks
of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be
used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral
hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high
hepatitis A rates, when the traveler has to depart sooner than
the vaccines can take effect (about 2 weeks). Travelers can
receive the immunoglobulin and vaccine simultaneously and be
protected immediately and for longer term. When immediate
protection is not needed, hepatitis A vaccines are considered
for individuals in high-risk settings, including frequent world
travelers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners,
homosexual men, individuals using illicit drugs, employees of
daycare centers, and certain health care workers, and sewage
workers. Two hepatitis A vaccines called HAVRIX and VAQTA are
commercially available in the U.S. Both are highly effective and
provide protection even after only one dose. Two doses are
recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years
of age) to provide prolonged protection.
Immunization, hepatitis B: Hepatits B (hep B) vaccine gives
prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually
required. In the U.S., all infants receive hep B vaccine. Two
vaccines (ENGERIX-B, and RECOMBIVAX-HB) are available in the US.
The first dose of hep B vaccine is frequently given while the
newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit
following birth. The second dose is given about 30 days after
the initial dose. A booster dose is performed approximately six
months later. Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep B
receive, in addition, HBIG (hep B immune globulin) for prompt
protection. Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive
a hep B booster as are adults in high-risk situations including
healthcare workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of
patients with chronic hep B infection, male homosexuals,
individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, IV
drug users, and recipients of repeated transfusions. Health care
workers accidentally exposed to materials infected with hep B
(such as needle sticks), and individuals with known sexual
contact with hep B patients are usually given both HBIG and
vaccine to provide immediate and long term protection.
Immunization, H. flu: See Immunization, HIB.
Immunization, HIB: This vaccine is to prevent disease caused by
the Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) bacteria. The H.
influenzae (H. flu) bacteria can cause a range of serious
diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and
epiglottitis with airway obstruction poisoning. The HIB vaccine
is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A final booster is
given at 12-15 months of age. HIB vaccine rarely causes severe
reactions.
Immunization, infectious hepatitis: See Immunization, hepatitis
A.
Immunization, influenza: See Immunization, flu.
Immunization, measles: See Immunization, MMR.
Immunization, MMR: The standard vaccine given to prevent
measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). The MMR vaccine is
now given in two dosages. The first should be given at12-15
months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6
years (or, alternatively, 11-12 years) of age. Most U.S.
colleges require proof of a second measles or MMR vaccination
prior to entrance. Most children should receive MMR
vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an
inability to fight off infection, some children with cancer, on
treatment with radiation or drugs for cancer, on long term
steroids (cortisone). People with severe allergic reactions to
eggs or the drug neomycin should probably avoid the MMR vaccine.
Pregnant women should wait until after delivery before being
immunized with MMR. People with HIV or AIDS should normally
receive MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines may be
administered as individual shots, if necessary, or as a
measles-rubella combination.
Immunization, mumps: See Immunization, MMR.
Immunization, pneumococcal pneumonia: This vaccine, which
prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia,
is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age
of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma) or other chronic
diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys). This
vaccination would rarely be given to children.
Immunization, polio: The vaccines available for vaccination
against polio are OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) and IPV (Inactivated
Polio Vaccine). OPV is still the preferred vaccine for most
children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. IPV, or
Inactivated Polio Vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg.
Infants and children should be given four doses of OPV. The
doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years
of age. Persons allergic to eggs or the drugs neomycin or
streptomycin should receive OPV, not the injectable IPV.
Conversely, IPV should be given If the vaccine recipient is on
long-term steroid (cortisone) therapy, has cancer, or is on
chemotherapy or if a household member has AIDS or there is an
unimmunized adult in the house.
Immunization, rubella: See Immunization, MMR.
Immunization, serum hepatitis: See Immunization, hepatitis B.
Immunization, Td: Td is the vaccine given to children over six
and adults as boosters for immunity to diphtheria and tetanus.
Immunization, varicella zoster: See Immunization, chickenpox.
Immunocompetant: Able to develop an immune response. The
opposite of immunodeficient.
Immunodeficiency: Inabillity to mount a normal immune response.
Immunodeficiency can be due to a genetic disease or acquired as
in AIDS due to HIV.
Immunodeficient: Lacking immunity and so susceptible to
infection.
Immunodepression: See immunosuppression.
Immunogenetics: The genetics (inheritance) of the immune
response. For example, the study of the Rh, ABO and other blood
groups or the HLA system important to kidney and other
transplants.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE): Antibody of a specific class used to
fight invading allergic substances (allergens). An allergic
person frequently has elevated blood levels of IgE. IgE
antibodies attack and engage the invading army of allergens.
Immunologist: A person who is knowledgeable about immunology.
Immunology: The study of all aspects of the immune system
including its structure and function, disorders of the immune
system, blood banking, immunization and organ transplantation.
Immunosuppression: Lowering the immune response, for example,
with radiation or medications.
Immunotherapy, allergy: Stimulation of the immune system with
gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person
is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy "war"
(by reducing the strength of the IgE and its effect on the mast
cells). This form of treatment is very effective for allergies
to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (eg,
bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants).
Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become
effective and "shots" (injections) are usually required for 3-5
years.
Impact: To lodge firmly or wedge in.
Impaction, dental: Teeth pressing together. For example, molar
teeth (the large teeth in the back of the jaw) can be impacted,
cause pain and require pain medication, antibiotics, and
surgical removal.
Impotence: An inability to sustain an erection sufficient for
sexual intercourse or to achieve ejaculation, or both. Impotence
usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, drug
side-effects, or a disorder that impairs blood flow in the
penis. Impotence can also have an emotional cause. Impotence is
treatable in all age groups.
Imperforate anus: Birth defect where the rectum is a blind alley
and there is no anus.
Impetigo: A strep(tococcal) skin infection.
Imprinting: A remarkable genetic phenomenon. The gist is that
gene expression depends on the sex of the transmitting parent.
There is, for example, increased severity of neurofibromatosis
when the gene for it came from the mother.
in: Abbreviation for inch.
Inborn errors of metabolism: Term coined by A. Garrod in 1908
applying to heritable disorders of biochemistry. Examples
include albinism, cystinuria (a cause of kidney stones) and
phenylketonuria (PKU) are a few of the hundreds of inborn errors
of metabolism.
Inbreeding: The mating of two closely related persons. Also
called consanguinity.
Inbreeding, coefficient of: A statistical way of gauging how
close two people are as to their genes. The coefficient of
inbreeding (symbolized as F) is the probability that a person
with two identical genes received both genes from an identical
ancestor. Take, for example, first cousins. They share a set of
grandparents. For any particular allele (gene) in the father,
the chance that the mother inherited the same allele from the
same source is 1/8. For any gene the father passes to his child,
the chance is 1/8 that the mother has the same gene and ½ that
she transmits that gene to the child so 1/8 X ½ = 1/16. Thus, a
first-cousin marriage has a coefficient of inbreeding F =1/16.
The added risks to the offspring of first cousins depend not
only upon this coefficient of inbreeding but also upon the
genetic family history and, in some cases, upon test results (as
to beta thalassemia, for instance, for first cousins of Italian
descent). There are always added risks from the mating of
closely related persons.
Incest: Sexual activity between individuals so closely related
that marriage is prohibited. Incest involving a child is a form
of child abuse.
Inch: In length, 1/12th of foot or 1/36 of a yard or,
metrically, 2.54 centimeters. The inch, along with the foot and
yard, are Old World creations to which the USA has stubbornly
clung. The inch was originally about the length of the last bone
(distal phalanx) in a man’s thumb and served as a measurement of
land. The etymology (word history) of "inch" is remarkable. It
originally meant "one twelfth". The abbreviation is "in."
Incision: A cut. When making an incision, a surgeon is making a
cut.
Incontinence: Inability to control excretions. Urinary
incontinence is inability to keep urine in the bladder. Fecal
incontinence is inability to retain feces in the rectum.
Incontinence, fecal: Inability to hold feces in the rectum. This
is due to failure of voluntary control over the anal sphincters
permitting untimely passage of feces and gas. Also called rectal
incontinence.
Incontinence of urine: Inability to hold urine in the bladder.
This is due to failure of voluntary control over the urinary
sphincters resulting in involuntary passage of urine (wetting).
Incontinence, rectal: Inability to hold feces in the rectum due
to failure of voluntary control over the anal sphincters with
involuntary passage of feces and gas. Also called fecal
incontinence.
Incontinence, urinary: Inability to hold urine in the bladder.
This is due to failure of voluntary control over the urinary
sphincters resulting in involuntary passage of urine (wetting).
Incontinent: Unable to control excretions, to hold urine in the
bladder or keep feces in the rectum. (This is the usual medical
meaning of the word incontinent, not continent. Incontinent can
also refer to a lack of self-restraint in the sexual arena,
failure to refrain from sexual intercourse.)
Incontinentia pigmenti (IP): A genetic disease with blisters
that develop soon after birth on the trunk and limbs, then heal,
but leave dark (hyperpigmented) streaks and marble-like whorls
on the skin. (The name came from the erroneous idea that the
skin cells were incontinent of pigment and could not contain it
normally.) Other key features of IP include dental and nail
abnormalities, bald patches, and (in about 1/3rd of cases)
mental retardation. IP is an X-linked dominant with male
lethality. The IP gene is in band q28 on the X chromosome.
Mothers with IP have an equal chance of having a normal or IP
daughter or a normal son. The IP sons die before birth. IP is
also known as Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome.
Index case: A person who first draws attention to their family.
For example, if my eye doctor discovers I have glaucoma and
subsequently other cases of glaucoma are found in my family, I
am the index case. Also called the propositus (if male) or
proposita (if female).
Infant: The child up to 24 months of age. The word infant is
from the Latin meaning not speaking.
Infant mortality rate: The number of children dying under a year
of age divided by the number of live births that year. The
infant mortality rate in the United States, which was 12.5 per
1,000 live births in 1980, fell to 9.2 per 1,000 live births in
1990.
Infantile paralysis: Old synonym for polio.
Infarct: An area of tissue death due to a local lack of oxygen.
Infarction: Formation of an infarct. Also means the same as an
infarct.
Infection, urinary tract (UTI): An infection in the urinary
system that begins when microorganisms cling to the opening of
the urethra (the canal from the bladder) and begin to multiply.
Most UTIs are due to one type of bacteria, E. (Escherichia)
coli, a normal denizen of the colon. An infection in the urethra
leads to inflammation called urethritis. From there bacteria may
move up, causing a bladder infection (cystitis) and if the
infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may go up the
ureters to infect the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Factors leading
to UTI include any abnormality of the urinary tract (such as a
urinary tract malformation or a kidney stone) that obstructs the
flow of urine, an enlarged prostate gland that slows the flow of
urine, catheters (tubes) in the bladder, diabetes (due to
changes of the immune system), and any disorder that suppresses
the immune system. Women have more UTI than men, probably
because a woman’s urethra is shorter (allowing bacteria quick
access to the bladder) and nearer sources of bacteria from the
anus and vagina. For many women, sexual intercourse seems to
trigger an infection, as may the use of a diaphragm. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms but symptoms commonly include a
frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning when urinating (dysuria).
The urine may look milky or cloudy, even reddish if blood is
present. Kidney infection can cause pain in the back or side
below the ribs. In children, symptoms may be easily missed or
misunderstood. A child with a UTI may be irritable, not eat
normally, have an unexplained fever, have incontinence or loose
bowels, or just not thrive.
Infectious hepatitis: See Hepatitis A.
Infectious hepatitis immunization: See Immunization, hepatitis
A.
Infectious mono: See infectious mononucleosis.
Infectious mononucleosis: A specific viral infection (with the
Epstein-Barr virus) in which there is an increase of white blood
cells that are mononuclear (with a single nucleus)"Mono" and
"kissing disease" are popular terms for this very common illness
caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). By the time most people
reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in
their blood meaning they have been infected with EBV. The
illness is less severe in young children. The infection can be
spread by saliva. The incubation period for "mono" is 4 to 8
weeks. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen
lymph glands. "Mono" can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis)
and spleen enlargement. Vigorous contact sports should be
avoided to prevent spleen rupture.
Inferior: In medicine, inferior means below or downward. The
opposite of superior.
Infertility: Diminished or absent ability to conceive and bear
offspring (fertility).
Infiltrate: To penetrate. If an IV infiltrates, the IV fluid
penetrates the surrounding tissue.
Inflammation: Inflammation is localized redness, warmth,
swelling and pain as a result of infection, irritation or
injury.
Influenza: The flu is caused by viruses that infect the
respiratory tract which are divided into three types, designated
A, B, and C. Most people who get the flu recover completely in 1
to 2 weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially
life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia. Much
of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by
annual influenza vaccination.
Influenza vaccine: The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended
for persons at high risk for serious complications from
influenza infection, including everyone age 65 or more; people
with chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes,
immunosuppression, or severe forms of anemia; residents of
nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and
teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy (and who may
therefore be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after an
influenza virus infection), people in close or frequent contact
with anyone at high risk. People with an allergy to eggs should
not receive influenza vaccine.
Informatics: The application of computers and statistics to the
management of information. For example, in the Human Genome
Project, informatics includes the development and use of methods
to search databases quickly, analyze DNA sequence information,
and predict protein sequence and structure from DNA sequence
data.
Inguinal: Having to do with the groin.
Inguinal canal: A passage in the lower anterior abdominal wall
which in the male allows passage of the spermatic cord and in
the female contains the round ligament. Because of the weakness
it creates in the abdominal wall, it is the most frequent site
for a hernia.
Inguinal orchiectomy: Surgery to remove the testicle through the
groin.
Insect stings: Stings from large stinging insects such as bees,
hornets, yellow jackets and wasps can trigger allergic reactions
varying greatly in severity. Avoidance and prompt treatment are
essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is
highly effective. (The three "A’s" of insect allergy are
Adrenaline, Avoidance and Allergist.)
Insertion: Chromosome abnormality due to insertion of a segment
from one chromosome into another chromosome.
In situ hybridization: The use of a DNA or RNA probe to detect
the complementary DNA sequence.
Insulin: A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas.
Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood.
Interatrial septum: The partition separating the upper chambers
(the atria) of the heart.
Intercostal muscle: Muscle tissue between two ribs. This muscle
is a type called skeletal muscle.
Interferon: A substance used in biological therapy. Interferon
helps the immune system slow the rate of growth and division of
cancer cells, causing them to become sluggish and die. There are
a number of interferons. All are proteins (lymphokines) produced
by the body in response to infection. these substances interfere
with cell infection. There are 3 main classes of interferon,
alpha, beta, and gamma. The interferons have been synthesized
using recombinant DNA technology.
Interleukins: Substances used in biological therapy.
Interleukins stimulate the growth and activities of certain
kinds of white blood cells.
Interleukin-2: A type of interleukin, a chemical messenger, a
substance that can improve the body’s response to disease. It
stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in
the immune system. Also called IL-2.
Internal medicine: A medical specialty dedicated to the
diagnosis and medical treatment of adults. A physician who
specializes in internal medicine is referred to as an internist.
A minimum of seven years of medical school and postgraduate
training are focused on learning the prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases of adults. Subspecialties of internal
medicine include allergy and immunology, cardiology (heart),
endocrinology (hormone disorders), hematology (blood disorders),
infectious diseases, gastroenterology (diseases of the gut),
nephrology (kidney diseases), oncology (cancer), pulmonology
(lung disorders), and rheumatology (arthritis and
musculoskeletal disorders).
Internal radiation therapy: Radiation therapy in which
radioactive material is placed in or near a tumor.
Internist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and
medical treatment of adults. This specialty, called internal
medicine, is dedicated to adult medicine. A minimum of seven
years of medical school and postgraduate training are focused on
learning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of
adults. Subspecialties of internal medicine include allergy and
immunology, cardiology (heart), endocrinology (hormone
disorders), hematology (blood disorders), infectious diseases,
gastroenterology (diseases of the gut), nephrology (kidney
diseases), oncology (cancer), pulmonology (lung disorders), and
rheumatology (arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders).
Interphase: The interval in the cell cycle between two cell
divisions when the individual chromosomes cannot be
distinguished, interphase was once thought to be in resting
phase but it is far from a time of rest for the cell. It is the
time when DNA is replicated in the cell nucleus.
Interstitial cystitis (IC): Disease that involves inflammation
or irritation of the bladder wall. This inflammation can lead to
scarring and stiffening of the bladder, and even ulcerations and
bleeding. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, findings on cystoscopy
and biopsy, and eliminating other treatable causes such as
infection. Because doctors do not know what causes IC,
treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Most people are
helped for variable periods of time by one or a combination of
treatments.
Interstitial radiation: Radiation therapy in which a radioactive
material is placed directly into a tumor.
Intervening sequence: See intron.
Interventricular septum: The stout wall separating the lower
chambers (the ventricles) of the heart fromone another. A hole
in the interventricular septum is termed a ventricular septal
defect (VSD).
Intestinal obstruction: Blockage of the intestine.
Intestine: The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that
completes the process of digestion. It consists of the small and
large intestines.
Intestinal gas: The complaint referred to as "intestinal gas" is
a common one and the discomfort can be quite significant.
Everyone has gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it
through the rectum. In many instances people think they have too
much gas when in reality they have normal amounts. Most people
produce 1 to 3 pints of intestinal gas in 24 hours and pass gas
an average of 14 times a day. It is made up primarily of
odorless vapors such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen,
hydrogen, and in some families, methane. The unpleasant odor is
due to bacteria in the large intestine that release small
amounts of gases containing sulfur.
Intracranial: Inside the skull (the cranium). Intracranial
hemorrhage A bleed inside the head.
Intractable: Unstoppable. For example, intractable diarrhea or
intractable pain.
Intradermal: In the skin. An intradermal injection is given into
the skin.
Intraepithelial: Within the layer of cells that forms the
surface or lining of an organ.
Intrahepatic: Within the liver.
Intramuscular: See IM.
Intraocular: In the eye. The intraocular pressure is the
pressure within the eye.
Intraoperative radiation therapy: Radiation treatment given
during surgery. Also called IORT.
Intraperitoneal: Within the peritoneal cavity, the area that
contains the abdominal organs.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Treatment in which anticancer
drugs are put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube.
Intrathecal chemotherapy: Treatment with drugs that are injected
into the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cort
(cerebrospinal fluid).
Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD): A device inserted into
the uterus (womb) to prevent conception (pregnancy). The IUD can
be a coil, loop, triangle, or T-shape. It can be plastic or
metal.
Intravenous: Injected into a vein. Also called IV.
Intravenous pyelogram: An x-ray of the kidneys and urinary
tract. Structures are made visible by the injection of a
substance that blocks x-rays. Also called IVP.
Intrauterine: In the uterus (the womb).
Intraventricular: In the ventricle of the heart or brain.
Intron: Part of a gene that is initially transcribed into the
primary RNA transcript but then removed from it when the exxon
sequences on either side of it are spliced together. Also called
an intervening sequence.
Intubate: To put a tube in.
Intussusception: A segment of intestine is prolapsed
(telescoped) within another, which may lead to intestinal
obstruction.
Invasive cervical cancer: Cancer that has spread from the
surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other
parts of the body.
Inversion: A chromosome segment is clipped out, turned upside
down and reinserted.
In situ: In the normal location. An in situ tumor is one that is
confined to its site of origin and has not invaded neighboring
tissue or metastasized elsewhere.
Invest: In medicine, this has nothing to do with the stock
market. It means to envelop, cover, or embed.
In vitro: The opposite of in vivo, it literally means in glass,
that is in a test tube, in the laboratory. An in vitro test is
one done in the lab, not in a living organism.
In vivo: In the living organism.
Involution: A retrograde change. After treatment, a tumor may
involute. With advancing age, there may be physical and
emotional involution.
Iodide: The form to which iodine in the diet is reduced before
it is absorbed through the intestinal wall into bloodstream and
carried to the thyroid gland. See Iodine.
Iodide goiter: See Iodine excess.
Iodine: Essential element in the diet. The thyroid gland uses
iodine to make thyroid hormones. The two most important thyroid
hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroxine
(T4) has four iodine molecules attached to its structure, while
triiodothyronine (T3) has three iodine molecules attached.
Iodine is found in seafood, bread, salt, and seaweed.
Iodine deficiency: Iodine is a natural requirement of our diets.
Iodine deficiency can lead to inadequate production of thyroid
hormone from the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). For example, in
some parts of Zaire, Ecuador, India, and Chile, remote,
mountainous areas, such as in the Alps (in the past), Andes and
the Himalayas have a particular predisposition to severe iodine
deficiency, goiter, and hypothyroidism. Since the addition of
iodine to table salt, iodine deficiency is rarely seen in the
United States.
Iodine excess: Just as too little iodine can cause thyroid
disease, so may prolonged intake of too much iodine also lead to
the development of goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland) and
hypothyroidism (abnormally low thyroid activity). Certain foods
and medications contain large amounts of iodine. Examples
include seaweed; iodine-rich expectorants (such as SSKI and
Lugol’s solution) used in the treatment of cough, asthma,
chronic pulmonary disease; and amiodarone (CARDORONE), an
iodine-rich medication used in the control of abnormal heart
rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias).
Ipsilateral: On the same side. The opposite of contralateral
(the other or opposite side). For example, a tumor involving the
right side of the brain may affect vision ipsilaterally (that
is, in the right eye).
IPV: Inactivated Polio Vaccine. The polio virus in IPV has been
inactivated (killed). Also called the Salk vaccine (after the
American physician-virologist Jonas Salk). See Immunization,
polio.
Iridectomy: Making a hole in the iris.
Iris: The circular, colored curtain of the eye. Its opening
forms the pupil.
Iritis: Inflammation of the iris. The iris is the circular,
colored curtain in the front of the visible of the eye. (The
opening of the iris forms the pupil.)
Iron: An essential mineral. Iron is necessary for the transport
of oxygen (via hemoglobin in red blood cells) and for oxidation
by cells (via cytochrome). Deficiency of iron is a common cause
of anemia. Food sources of iron include meat, poultry, eggs,
vegetables and cereals (especially those fortified with iron).
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended
Dietary Allowances of iron are 15 milligrams per day for women
and 10 milligrams per day for men. Iron overload can damage the
heart, liver, gonads and other organs. Iron overload is a
particular risk in people who may have certain genetic
conditions (hemochromatosis) sometimes without knowing it and
also in people receiving recurrent blood transfusions. Iron
supplements meant for adults (such as pregnant women) are a
major cause of poisoning in children.
Iron deficiency: Deficiency of iron results in anemia because
iron is necessary to make hemoglobin, the key molecule in red
blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen. In iron
deficiency anemia, the red cells are unusally small (microcytic)
and pale (hypochromic). Characteristic features of iron
deficiency anemia in children include failure to thrive (grow)
and increased infections. The treatment of iron deficiency
anemia , whether it be in children or adults, is with iron and
iron-containing foods. Food sources of iron include meat,
poultry, eggs, vegetables and cereals (especially those
fortified with iron). According to the National Academy of
Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of iron are 15
milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men.
Iron excess:Iron overload can damage the heart, liver, gonads
and other organs. Iron overload is a particular risk in people
who may have certain genetic conditions (hemochromatosis)
sometimes without knowing it and also in people receiving
recurrent blood transfusions. According to the National Academy
of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of iron are 15
milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men.
Iron poisoning: Iron supplements meant for adults (such as
pregnant women) are a major cause of poisoning in children. Care
should be taken to keep iron supplements safely away from
children.
Irrigate: To wash out as, for example, a wound to clean it.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A common gastrointestinal
disorder, also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis or nervous
colon syndrome, IBS is an abnormal condition of gut contractions
(motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in
stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and
constipation, symtoms that tend to be chronic and wax and wane
over the years. Although IBS can cause chronic recurrent
discomfort, it does not lead to any serious organ problems.
Diagnosis usually involves excluding other illnesses. Treatment
is directed toward relief of symptoms and includes high fiber
diet, exercise, relaxation techniques, avoidance of caffeine,
milk products and sweeteners, and medications.
Ischemia: Inadequate blood supply (circulation) to a local area
due to blockage of the blood vessels to the area.
Ischium: Bone making up the lower down back part of the pelvis.
Islets of Langerhans: Insulin-producing tissue in the pancreas.
Isochromosome: An abnormal chromosome with two identical arms
due to duplication of one arm and loss of the other arm. (Found
in some girls with Turner syndrome and in tumors.)
Isodisomy: Remarkable situation where both chromosomes in a pair
are from one parent and neither from the other. Isodisomy causes
some birth defects and, we suspect, plays a role in cancer. Also
called uniparental disomy.
Isolate: A group in which mating is always between members of
the group. For example, the Amish.
Isotonic solution: One that has the same salt concentration as
cells and blood.
Isotope: A form of a chemical element with a different atomic
mass. Isotopes are used in a number of medical tests.
Itching: Medically known as pruritis. Something that is itchy is
pruritic.
itis: Word ending (suffix) meaning inflammation. For example,
colitis is literally colon inflammation or figuratively
inflammation of the colon. The ending -itis is one of the
building blocks derived from Greek (in this case) or Latin used
to construct medical terms.
ITP: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
IUD: Intrauterine contraceptive device.
IV: Inside a vein (blood vessel). Also called intravenous.
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