Glossary
-
a
Apnea
Lack of breathing; breathing that slows down or stops from any cause is called apnea. Apnea can come once in a while and be temporary.
-
Artery
A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
-
Arthritis
Inflammation of joints that results in severe pain and stiffness. There are several different types of arthritis and various causes for the inflammation.
-
Aspiration
To draw in or out using a sucking motion. There are two medical meanings: 1. breathing in a foreign object (such as sucking food into the airway). 2. a medical procedure that removes harmful or misplaced substances from an area of the body. These substances can be air, body fluids, or bone fragments.
-
Asthma
An inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
-
Atrial Fibrillation
Rapid and irregular contractions of the atria of the heart causing uneven heartbeat.
-
Auditory Nerve
One of the nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain. This nerve transmits impulses concerned with hearing and balance.
-
Autism
A developmental disorder that appears by age 3. It is characterized by impairment in the ability to: form normal social relationships, communicate with others and by fixation on repetitive activities.
-
Autoimmune Processes
A process where the body's immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that it mistakes for foreign matter.
-
Autonomy
The state of being independent and self sufficient. Many of the health problems that the elderly population has to deal with can be a threat to their sense of independence and freedom.