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D GlossaryA | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | MN | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z D and C (dilation and curettage) - Surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (widened) and the endometrium (lining of the uterus) is scraped away. defecation - The passage of bowel contents through the rectum and anus. defibrillator - An electronic device used to establish normal heartbeat. dehydration - Loss of fluids from the body, often caused by diarrhea. May result in loss of important salts and minerals. delayed gastric emptying - Gastroparesis. delusions - A condition in which the patient has lost touch with reality and experiences hallucinations and misperceptions. dementia - Not a disease itself, but group of symptoms that characterize diseases and conditions, it is commonly defined as a decline in intellectual functioning that is severe enough to interfere with the ability to perform routine activities. dendrite - A threadlike extension from a nerve cell that serves as an antenna to receive messages from the axons of other nerve cells. DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) - Imaging technique that uses a very low dose of radiation to measure bone density for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. dermatology - The branch of medicine that is concerned with the physiology and pathology of the skin. descending colon - The part of the colon where stool is stored. Located on the left side of the abdomen. diagnosis - Identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings. diagnostic - Pertaining to, or furnishing, a diagnosis; indicating the nature of a disease. diaphragm - The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing. diarrhea - Frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. Common causes include gastrointestinal infections, irritable bowel syndrome, medicines, and malabsorption. diastolic blood pressure - The lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats. dietitian - A specialist in the study of nutrition. digestants - Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency. digestion - The process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair. digestive system - The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. digital rectal exam (DRE) - Procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer. distention - Bloating or swelling of the abdomen. diuretic - A medication that lowers blood pressure. diverticula - Plural form of diverticulum. diverticulitis - A condition that occurs when small pouches in the colon (diverticula) become infected or irritated. Also called left-sided appendicitis. diverticulosis - A condition that occurs when small pouches (diverticula) push outward through weak spots in the colon. diverticulum - A small pouch in the colon. These pouches are not painful or harmful unless they become infected or irritated. dopa decarboxylase - An enzyme present in the body that converts levodopa to dopamine. dopa decarboxylase inhibitors - Anti-Parkinson drugs that block the enzyme dopa decarboxylase. dopamine - A chemical substance, a neurotransmitter, found in the brain that regulates movement, balance and walking. Doppler ultrasound - A procedure that uses sound waves to evaluate heart, blood vessels, and valves. Dubin-Johnson syndrome - An inherited form of chronic jaundice (yellow tint to the skin and eyes) that has no known cause. dumping syndrome - A condition that occurs when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. Symptoms are nausea, pain, weakness, and sweating. This syndrome most often affects people who have had stomach operations. Also called rapid gastric emptying. duodenal ulcer - An ulcer in the lining of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). duodenitis - An irritation of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). duodenum - The first part of the small intestine. Dupuytren's Contracture - A hereditary thickening of the tough tissue, called fascia, that lies just below the skin of the palm. dysentery - An infectious disease of the colon. Symptoms include bloody, mucus-filled diarrhea; abdominal pain; fever; and loss of fluids from the body. dyskinesia - An involuntary movement including athetosis and chorea. dysmenorrhea - Pain or discomfort experienced just before or during a menstrual period. dyspareunia - Pain in the vagina or pelvis experienced during sexual intercourse. dyspepsia - Indigestion. dysphagia - Problems in swallowing food or liquid, usually caused by blockage or injury to the esophagus. dysplasia - An abnormality of growth. dyspnea - Shortness of breath. dysrhythmia - An abnormal heart rhythm. dystonia - A slow movement or extended spasm in a group of muscles. dystrophin - A protein, a chemical substance made by muscle fibers. |
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