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Glossary - I

Displaying glossary terms beginning with the letter I: 1 - 50 of 74 in total
iatrogenic
Complications or poor effects caused by medical treatment.
ice-pick headache
Stabbing, very intense headaches that come on suddenly and are very brief.
idiopathic
A condition or disease of unknown origin.
ileum
The final section of the small intestine.
iliopsoas muscles
Two muscles, running from the end of the spine to the thighbone, that are responsible for lifting the knee.
immediate hypersensitivity
A category of allergic reaction, triggered by specific allergens and involving IgE. The majority of allergic reactions to pollens, pets, dust, mold, food, and insect venom are of this type.
immobilize
To restrict the movement of a limb or other part of the body to help in healing.
immunity
The body's ability to resist infection and disease.
Related health topics: Female Infertility
immunization
Injection of harmless bacteria or viruses to spur the body to produce antibodies so it can resist a particular disease.
Related health topics: Hepatitis B
immunoglobulin
Substances made by the immune system that attack foreign substances. Also known as antibodies.
Related health topics: Gallbladder and bile duct cancer, Hepatitis Overview, Multiple Sclerosis
immunoglobulin E (IgE)
The substance responsible for most allergic reactions.
immunologically privileged site
A part of the body?such as the eye or ovaries?where the immune system isn't able to function because it may damage the tissue there.
immunosuppressant drug
Medication that stifles the body's immune response; often given after an organ transplant to prevent rejection of the new organ.
immunotherapy
Treating disease by enhancing or suppressing the body's immune system.
impacted
Something firmly fixed into place, such as a wisdom tooth.
impaction
A mass of hardened feces blocking the rectum or colon.
impaired fasting glucose
Blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. This term is used when the high blood sugar levels are found with a fasting plasma glucose test.
impaired glucose tolerance
Blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. This term is used when the high blood sugar levels are found with an oral glucose tolerance test.
impedance hearing testing
A test that sends sound waves to the eardrum to determine if a problem in the middle ear is causing hearing loss.
implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
A device implanted in the chest and connected to the heart that delivers a shock to stop a potentially deadly rhythm and restore a normal (sinus) rhythm.
Related health topics: Cardiomyopathy
impotence
The inability of the penis to become firm or to stay firm enough to have sexual intercourse.
Related health topics: Prostate Cancer, Radiation Therapy
in situ
Latin for in place.
inactivated (killed) vaccines
Vaccines containing microbes that have been killed, and, therefore, are unable to cause disease.
incision
A cut made into the skin or an organ during surgery.
incontinence
Involuntary passing of urine or feces.
Related health topics: Prostate Cancer
incubation period
The time between when a person is exposed to an infection and when symptoms appear.
infarct
An area of dead tissue caused by insufficient blood supply.
infarction
The death of tissue due to a lack of blood.
infection
The growth of harmful organisms that can cause disease, such as bacteria, in the body.
infectious arthritis
Arthritis caused by harmful organisms such as bacteria.
inferior myocardial infarction
Heart attack involving the back part of the heart-muscle wall.
inferior vena cava
The large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.
Related health topics: Kidney Cancer
infiltrating cancer
A cancer that has spread from where it first developed into surrounding tissue.
inflammation
The body's reaction to injury or infection. It is characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain.
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
A general term for two disorders, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, that cause the intestines to become swollen and inflamed.
Related health topics: Anorexia Nervosa , Colorectal Cancer, Crohn's Disease
infusion
The slow injection of a fluid into a vein or tissues.
ingrown toenail
A condition in which the side of a toenail pierces the skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection.
inhibitory neurochemical
A chemical that stops the transmission of a message from one nerve cell to another.
injectable fillers
Substances injected into the skin to fill in wrinkles or add plumpness to the lips.
injection
Inserting fluids, such as medications, into the body by means of a hollow needle and syringe.
innate immunity
The body's basic defenses against disease or infection that are present from birth.
inner ear
The deepest part of the ear, consisting of the cochlea and the labyrinth.
inoperable
A condition that cannot be treated by surgery.
insomnia
The inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested.
Related health topics: Alcohol Withdrawal , Substance Abuse (Depressants or Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs)
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Related health topics: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Pancreatic Cancer, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
insulin resistance
A condition in which the body produces insulin but can't use it properly. This leads to diabetes.
insulin-dependent diabetes
Now called type 1 diabetes. It occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels properly.
Related health topics: End-Stage Renal Disease
intense pulsed light (IPL)
A device that emits broadband light to improve the look of the skin or remove unwanted hair.
intensity
In exercise, a measure of how hard the body is working. Cues like breathing, talking, and sweating help measure intensity through perceived exertion.
interferons
Proteins made by the body to protect against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful agents.