Glossary
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Abscess
A localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue.
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Acetaminophen
A drug that is used in medicine to relieve pain and fever.
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Acute
1: Characterized by sharpness or severity (as in acute pain) 2: Having a sudden onset, sharp rise and short course
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Acute Care
Providing or concerned with medical care of short-term, serious illness or injury
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Advance Directive
A legal document (for example a living will or Durable Power of Attorney for health care) which when signed by a person of sound mind, provides guidance about medical and health-care decisions (such as termination of life support if there is no prospect of improvement) in the event the person is no longer able to make such decisions
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Agitation
Agitation refers to an unpleasant state of extreme arousal, increased tension, and irritability.
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Allergen
A substance that causes allergies. An example of an inhaled allergen would be pollen, and an example of a food allergen would be shellfish.
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Alveoli
Alveoli are small, balloon-like sacs at the end of the small air passages in the lungs.
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Amnesia
Usually a memory loss of events and/or personal identity due to brain injury, shock, fatigue, illness or repression of unpleasant memories.
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Amyloid
A fibrous protein substance found in almost any organ in humans and other animals with certain chronic diseases (for example in the brain in Alzheimer's dementia).