| TERM
|
DESCRIPTION
|
| ACID REFLUX |
the return of stomach acid and food to the mouth. Common
in patients with esophageal involvement. |
| ACUTE |
severe but not long lasting. |
| ADULT CELIAC DISEASE
|
A chronic nutritional disorder in which the body
cannot effectively digest fats and wheat gluten. The condition,
which results in a distended abdomen and loose, fatty stools,
is associated with several autoimmune diseases. |
| AMYLOIDOSIS |
A disease in which excessive protein is deposited
around cells in various organs and tissues of the body. |
| ANALGESIC |
a drug or other treatment prescribed for the
relief of pain. |
| ANTIBODIES |
Special proteins produced by the body's immune
system. They recognize and help fight infectious agents, such
as bacteria and other foreign substances that invade the body.
The presence of certain antibodies in the blood can help in
making a diagnosis of some diseases, including some forms of
scleroderma. |
| ANTIGEN |
a protein or carbohydrate substance which when
introduced into the body, stimulates the production of antibodies.
|
| ARTHRALGIA
|
pain in a joint. |
| ARTHRITIS |
inflammation of a joint. |
| ATHEROSCLEROSIS
|
Abnormal fatty deposits in the inner layers of
large or medium-sized arteries, which can lead to hardening
and narrowing of the arteries and blockages of the blood supply
especially to the heart. |
| ATROPHY |
the wasting away of a body part. |
| AUTOIMMUNE |
state in which the body destroys its own tissues.
|
| AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
|
A disease in which the body's immune system turns
against and damages the body's own tissues |
| BIOPSY |
the removal of a bit of tissue for examination
under a microscope. |
| BACTERIA (OMD)
|
Are small (linear dimensions of around 1 m),
noncompartmentalized,
with circular DNA and ribosomes of 70S. |
| BILE (OMD)
|
Bile salts aid in the digestion of fats. Bile
passes out of the liver via the bile duct where it is stored
in the gallbladder and released in response to a fat-containing
meal. |
| BILIARY (OMD)
|
Pertaining to the bile, to the bile ducts or
to the gallbladder |
| BLOOD VESSEL |
a vessel in which blood circulates in the body.
|
| CALCINOSIS
|
The buildup of calcium deposits in the tissues.
It may occur under the skin of the fingers, arms, feet, and
knees, causing pain and infection if the calcium deposits pierce
the surface of the skin. |
| CALCIUM CHANNEL
BLOCKERS |
(MEDICINES) that lower blood pressure, relieve
chest pain, and stabilize normal heart rhythms by inhibiting
calcium movement into the heart muscles and smooth muscle cells.
They are used to treat a variety of conditions and prevent circulatory
and kidney problems in scleroderma. |
| CAPILLARY |
a small blood vessel. |
| CHRONIC |
persisting over a long period of time. |
| CIRCUMSCRIBED |
surrounded by a distinct line: term used in describing
morphea. |
| COLLAGEN |
A fabric-like material of fibrous threads that
is a key component of the body's connective tissues. In scleroderma,
too much collagen is produced or it is produced in the wrong
places, causing stiff and inflamed skin, blood vessels, and
internal organs. |
| COLITIS |
An inflammatory disease of the large intestine
that results in diarrhea, discharge of mucus and blood, cramping,
and abdominal pain. It is characterized by swelling, inflammation,
and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the intestine. |
| CONNECTIVE TISSUE
|
Tissues such as skin, tendons, and cartilage
that support and hold the body parts together. The chief component
of connective tissue is collagen. |
| CONTRACTURE |
a permanent shortening (muscle/tendon) producing
distortion or deformity. |
| CONSTRICT |
to become smaller. |
| CREST SYNDROME |
CREST is an acronym made up of the first letters
of the five most prominent manifestations of this form of scleroderma:
(systemic sclerosis)
C-alcinosis,
R-aynaud's phenomenon,
E-sophageal dysfunction,
S-clerodactyly,
T-elangiectasia
|
| DIALYSIS |
treatment sometimes used in treating severe kidney involvement.
|
| DIFFUSE |
spreading, not confined to one area. |
| DILATE (OMD) |
to make larger. |
| DISTAL (OMD)
|
anatomy, Remote, farther from any point of reference,
opposed to proximal |
| DUODENUM (OMD)
|
(anatomy) The first or proximal portion of the
small intestine, extending from the pylorus to the jejunum,
so called because it is about 12 fingerbreadths in length. |
| DYSPHAGIA |
difficulty swallowing. |
| DYSPNEA |
shortness of breath. |
| EDEMA |
the retention of fluid in the body. |
| En Coup de Saber
|
"The cut of the sword" a term used
to describe linear scleroderma when it occurs on the face of
scalp. The deep scarring resembles a saber wound. |
| ELECTROLYTES (OMD)
|
Substances that dissociate into two or more ions,
to some extent, in water.
Solutions of electrolytes
thus conduct an electric current and can be decomposed by
it (electrolysis). |
| ENFARCTION |
inadequate blood supply. |
| EOSINOPHILIC FASCIITIS
|
A scleroderma like disorder (often considered
to be a localized form of scleroderma) featuring inflammation
of fascia (the thin, sheet-like connective tissue surrounding
the muscles and other body structures) and an abnormally high
number of a specific kind of white blood cells (eosinophils).
The results of the inflammation may be fibrous buildup in the
skin of arms and legs, contractures, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
|
| EPIDERMIS |
the outer layer of the skin. |
| ERYTHEMA |
redness of the skin because of blood vessel congestion. |
| ESOPHAGEAL DYSFUNCTION |
Improper functioning of the esophagus (the tube
that attaches the throat to the stomach) that can lead to heartburn
and swallowing problems. |
| ESOPHAGUS |
a muscular tube leading from the mouth to the
stomach. |
| ETIOLOGY |
dealing with the cause of the disease. |
| FIBROMYALGIA (OMD) |
A disorder characterized by muscle pain, stiffness
and easy fatigability. The cause is unknown and an estimated
3 million are affected in the USA. |
| FUNDOPLICATION (OMD) |
Mobilization of the lower end of the esophagus
and plication of the fundus of the stomach around it (fundic
wrapping) in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux may be
associated with various disorders, such as hiatal hernia. |
| FIBROBLAST |
A type of cell in connective tissue that secretes
proteins, including collagens. |
| FIBROSIS |
A condition marked by increased fibrous tissues
that develops between the cells of various organs or tissue.
It is a common feature of scleroderma and some other diseases.
Fibrosis causes hardening or stiffening of tissues in the skin,
joints, and internal organs. |
| GAMMA GLOBULIN |
a small amount of blood plasma containing antibodies. |
| GANGRENE (OMD) |
Death of tissue. |
| GASTRIC ACIDITY
(OMD) |
Gastric analysis for determination of free acid
or total acid. |
| HIATAL HERNIA |
a condition which may occur with esophageal involvement.
The stomach is allowed to protrude into the esophagus because
of weakened tissue. |
| HYPERTENSION |
high blood pressure. |
| INCONTINENCE (OMD) |
The inability to control excretory functions,
as defecation (fecal incontinence) or urination (urinary
incontinence). |
| INDURATION |
hardness. |
| INFLAMMATION |
swelling of any part of the body accompanied by
heat and redness. |
| IMMUNE |
bearing a high resistance to disease. |
| IMMUNOLOGY |
dealing with the cause of immunity. |
| ISCHEMIA |
atrophy of tissue caused by impaired circulation.
|
| LESION |
an injury or change to a body part by disease.
|
| LINEAR |
a form of localized scleroderma, usually a band-like
thickening of skin limited to one area such as an arm or leg.
|
| LUMEN |
the cavity of a blood vessel. |
| MALABSORPTION |
a condition in which the nutrients from food
are not absorbed. |
| MORPHEA |
a form of localized scleroderma appearing in
plagues or patches. |
| MOTILITY |
the ability to move. |
| OSTEOPOROSIS (OMD)
|
A reduction in the amount of bone mass, leading
to
fractures after minimal trauma. |
| PATHOGENESIS |
regarding the origin and development of a disease.
|
| PERISTALSIS |
the action along the walls of the esophagus or
intestine which forces the contents on. |
| PROLIFERATION |
rapid growth of new parts or cells. |
| PROXIMAL (OMD)
|
Nearest to, closer to any point of reference,
opposed to distal. |
| PULMONARY |
pertaining to the lungs. |
| PYROSIS |
heartburn. |
| RAYNAUD's PHENOMENON
|
a disturbance of the circulation within small
blood vessels thereby
affecting the extremities, primarily the hands and feet. |
| REGURGITATION (OMD)
|
A backward flowing, as the casting up of undigested
food |
| REFLUX |
a flowing back. |
| REMISSION |
a temporary freedom from disease symptoms. |
| RENAL |
pertaining to the kidneys. |
| SALIVA (OMD)
|
The secretion from the salivary glands. |
| SCLERODACTYLY
|
a condition in which the skin of the fingers
become hard. |
| SCLEROSIS |
pathological hardening of tissue. |
| SERUM |
the clear liquid portion of the blood. |
| SPHINCTER |
a valve-like muscle found in the esophagus and
other organs. |
| STASIS
|
slowing or stoppage. |
| STRICTURE |
a narrowing. |
| SYMPATHECTOMY (OMD)
|
Excision of a sympathetic nerve. Occasionally
used for the treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
|
| TELANGIECTASIA
|
the appearance of small blood vessels near the
surface of the skin. |
| TOXIC |
poison. |
| TRAUMA |
a wound. |
| ULCERATION |
open, festering sores. |
| VASCULAR |
pertaining to blood vessels. |
| VISCERAL |
internal organ. |
| NIFEDIPINE (OMD) |
A calcium channel blocker (346 D) used experimentally
and as a coronary vasodilator. |
| NSAID's (OMD) |
(DRUGS) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory |
|
|
