Actinic keratosis or keratoses: A precancerous condition of the skin characterized by thick, scaly patches. It is usually associated with solar damage and may turn to basal cell carcinoma.
Aids or AIDS or HIV: A disease, caused by a virus transmitted within body fluids. This serious viral infection results severe loss of cellular immunity which, in turn, makes the sufferer vulnerable to further infections and malignancy.
Aldosterone: A hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. It promotes the retention of sodium in the kidneys and contributes to the regulation of water and salt balance.
Allergy or allergic reaction: An excessive or inappropriate reaction of the body's immune system, when certain substances are eaten, inhaled or come in contact to the skin. Not all the people present allergies and a substance can be allergenic to a part of a population.
Alpha lipoic acid: Antioxidant factor which improves cellular metabolism and helps in proper growth and fast healing.
Aneurysm: A localized thinning of the wall of an artery. This may be dangerous, since the vessel can burst, under certain circumstances, such as very high blood pressure state and lead to internal bleeding, with severe complications, including stroke.
Angioedema: Swelling similar to urticaria but the swelling occurs deep underneath the skin and typically occurs around the eyes and lips and occasionally in hands or feet.
Androgens: Male sex hormones, such as testosterone.
Aphakia: The absence of the eye's natural crystalline lens, typically due to a cataract operation.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeat.
Arthritis: A disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.
Aspartame: An artificial sweetener derived from aspartic acid and phenylalanine with numerous side-effects, such as blindness, marked hearing impairment, severe depression, palpitations, nausea, diarrhea, increased blood glucose, hypoglycemia and menstrual changes.
Atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis: The gradual narrowing and hardening of the body's large and medium arteries.
Atrophy: The waste of body tissue or an organ, especially as a result of the degeneration of cells, due to pathological reasons or evolution.
Autoimmune: Relating to or denoting disease caused by antibodies or lymphocytes produced against substances naturally present in the body.
Basal cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of skin cancer and it occurs mainly in males who spend much of time outdoors. Primarily produces lesions on the head and neck. Although this cancer metastasizes very rarely, it can saturate adjacent bone.
Bipolar: Psychiatric illness characterized by either manic and depressive episodes or manic ones only.
Blepharitis: The inflammation of one or both eyelids.
Bronchitis: A condition of respiratory system characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes, typically accompanied with spasm of bronchial muscle and coughing.
Caesarean section: A surgical operation for delivering a baby by cutting through the wall of the mother's abdomen.
Candidiasis: Infection with Candida, especially as causing oral or vaginal thrush.
Carcinogenic: Having the potential to cause cancer.
Cardiomyopathy: Chronic disease of the heart muscle.
Cardiovascular disease: A group of medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, angina, coronary heart disease and stroke.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: A painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by compression of a major nerve where it passes over the carpal bones.
Catalysts: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
Capillaries: The fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.
Caustic: Able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action.
Celiac: Relating to the abdomen.
Cellulite: Persistent subcutaneous fat, causing dimpling of the skin.
Cellulitis: A common bacterial skin infection.
Ceramide: An important biochemical substance of the cellular lipids. Ceramide promotes the good health of epidermal cells which in turn contributes to maintenance of water balance within the skin.
Chalazion: The obstruction and inflammation of the meibomian gland in an eyelid.
Cholestasis: A pathological condition which involves the prevention of bile flow from the liver to the small intestine.
Cirrhosis: A serious and irreversible damage of liver due to inflammation caused by alcoholism and hepatitis B or C. The organ gets scarred, fibrous and unable to function properly. The condition can lead to liver failure and potentially may be fatal.
Coenzyme: A non-protein organic compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme.
Colitis: Inflammation of the colon internal lining.
Coma: A state of prolonged deep unconsciousness, caused especially by severe injury or illness.
Comedogenic: Tending to cause blackheads by blocking the pores of the skin.
Congestive heart failure: A condition characterized by loss of pumping power of the heart.
Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva which is the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.
Convulsion: A sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body caused by involuntary contraction of muscles.
Contact dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin due to an allergic reaction triggered by any irritating substance, when the latest comes in contact to the skin.
Corpus cavernosum: Either of two masses of erectile tissue forming the bulk of the penis and the clitoris.
Cortisone: A steroid hormone formed from hydrocortisone in the liver or made synthetically, used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy agent.
Crohn’s disease: A chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially the colon and ileum, associated with ulcers and fistulae. Crohn’s disease, along with ulcerative colitis, consist the so-called inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Cryotherapy: A range of therapeutical methods that involves the use of cold.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or mycosis fungoides: A cancerous condition affecting the lymph system. The first signs of the disease appear on the skin.
Cystic fibrosis: A hereditary disorder which affects the exocrine glands and results in the production of abnormally thick mucus, leading to the blockage of the pancreatic ducts, intestines and bronchi.
Dementia: A chronic, persistent mental disorder characterized by memory failures, personality changes and impaired reasoning.
Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin as a result of irritation or allergic reaction to an external agent.
Detergent: A cleansing agent which binds with impurities and dirt to render them more soluble and removable.
Dialysis: The blood purification by mechanical means, in cases of kidney failure.
Digitalis: A drug prepared from foxglove leaves, containing substances that stimulate the heart muscle.
Diphtheria: A serious bacterial disease causing inflammation of the mucous membranes and formation of a false membrane in the throat which hinders breathing and swallowing.
DNA: The full name is deoxyribonucleic acid. This is a substance present in nearly all living organisms as the carrier of genetic information, and consisting of a very long double-stranded helical chain of sugars joined by phosphate bonds and cross-linked by pairs of organic bases.
Dysesthesia: A distortion of a sense, especially that of touch, which can cause a spontaneous, unpleasant or painful response to a normal stimulus.
Dysmorphia. Deformity or abnormality in the shape or size of a specified part or the whole body.
Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
Dystrophy: A disorder in which an organ or tissue wastes away.
Eclampsia: A dangerous condition, in which one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by coma and posing a threat to the mother's and baby's health.
Eczema: A medical, dermatological condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed with blisters that cause itching and bleeding. Learn more...
Edema: A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or soft tissues of the body.
Emphysema or pulmonary emphysema: A condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, leading to breathlessness.
Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine, usually accompanied by diarrhea.
Endometriosis: A gynecologic painful condition characterized by the appearance of the internal mucous layer outside of the womb.
Endoscope: An illuminated, flexible instrument which can be inserted into the body through an incision or a natural opening and help a doctor to see internal anatomical elements.
Epilepsy: A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness or convulsions.
Epinephrine or adrenaline: A hormone produced in adrenal glands with numerous effects. For instance, it results in increase of heart beat and blood pressure, dilation of airways in the lungs, release of glucose in the blood stream and helps the body to cope with stress.
Epispadias: A rare congenital abnormality in males in which the urethra is on the upper surface of the penis.
Epithelium: The thin tissue forming the outer layer of the body's surface and lining the alimentary canal and other hollow structures, including vagina and womb.
Erythroderma: Any skin condition characterized by generalized redness.
Estrogens: A group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
Fasciculation: A brief spontaneous contraction of a small number of muscle fibers.
Fibromyalgia: A chronic, widespread, painful condition which affects the muscles and ligaments but not the joints.
Flatulence: The accumulation of gas in the alimentary track.
Flavonoid: A colorless crystalline organic compound which is the basis of a number of white or yellow plant pigments and with antioxidant properties.
Gangrene: Localized death and decomposition of body tissue, resulting from either obstructed circulation or bacterial infection.
Gastritis: Inflammation of the internal lining of the stomach.
Gastroparesis: Malfunction of the stomach due to damaged nerves that enervate the organ. Gastroparesis can lead to impaired digestion and vomiting.
Gingivitis: Gum disease, often due to bacterial infection.
Glucagon: A hormone produced in pancreas, responsible for the breakdown of the polysaccharide glycogen to glucose. The latest reaction takes place in liver.
Glycogen: A polysaccharide that is the principal storage form of glucose in body’s cells.
Gout: A painful condition associated with defective uric acid metabolism. It is characterized by the development of inflammation of foot joints, especially in the big toe.
Granuloma: A mass of granulated connective tissue typically produced in response to infection, inflammation, or a foreign substance.
Hematuria: The presence of blood in the urine.
Hemiparesis or hemiplegia: The paralysis of one side of the body.
Hemoglobin: A protein containing iron and found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for transfer of oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissues.
Hepatitis: A serious acute or chronic medical condition characterized by inflammation of the liver.
Herpes simplex: A disease caused by a herpes virus, affecting the nervous system or skin, often resulting in blisters.
Herpes zoster or shingles: An acute painful inflammation of nerve endings, with a skin eruption often forming a girdle around the body, caused by the varicella zoster virus.
Histamine: A compound which is released by cells in response to injury and in allergic and inflammatory reactions, causing muscle contraction and capillary dilation, among other effects.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable, normal equilibrium, especially through a physiological process.
Humectant: A substance, especially a skin lotion or a food additive, used to reduce the loss of moisture.
Hydrocortisone or cortisol: An anti-inflammatory hormone produced by the adrenal cortex.
Hyperemia: An excess of blood in an organ or other part of the body.
Hyperparathyroidism: Abnormally high concentration of parathyroid hormone in the blood due to hyperactive one or more parathyroid gland, resulting in loss of calcium, which in turn leads to osteoporosis and potentially kidney stones.
Hypertension: Abnormally high blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism: Overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in a rapid heartbeat and an increased rate of metabolism.
Hyperuricosuria: Excessive concentration of uric acid in the urine.
Hypesthesia: Reduced sensation.
Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
Hypothyroidism: Abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in delay of growth and mental development.
Hysterectomy: A surgical operation which is performed for the removal all or part of the womb.
Ileus: A painful obstruction of ileum, a particular part of the small intestine.
Immune system: The body’s defensive system.
Immunity: The ability of the body to defend itself against infections.
Interferon: A protein which inhibits reproduction of viruses.
Irritable bowel syndrome: A condition involving recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation, often associated with stress or preceded infection.
Ischemia: Inadequate blood supply to a part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
Ichthyosis: A congenital skin condition which causes the epidermis to become dry and horny like fish scales.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin due to an excess of bile pigments in the blood stream. Although it can happen in adults as an aftermath of a liver condition, it is very common in newborn babies.
Keratoderma: Pathological thickening and hardening of the skin, with great variety of causes.
Keratosis follicularis or Darier's disease: A rare hereditary disease characterized by crusted, scaly, and dark red patches affecting the skin and occasionally the buccal mucosa.
Leukemia: A malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leucocytes, suppressing the production of normal blood cells.
Leukoplakia: White patches that develop on mucous membranes. These lesions may potentially be precancerous.
Lichen sclerosis: A skin disease in which small, round, hard lesions occur close together.
Lupus: An ulcerous skin condition, especially one due to direct infection with tuberculosis.
Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymph nodes.
Macular degeneration: An eye condition in which the central area of the retina gets progressively damaged, leading to loss of sight. The condition is mainly related to smoking and old age.
Malabsorption: Reduced absorption of food substances through the gastrointestinal track.
Mastectomy: A surgical breast removal.
Megaloblast: Large, abnormal red blood cell typical of certain forms of anemia.
Melanoma or malignant melanoma: A tumor of melanin-forming cells, especially a malignant tumor associated with skin cancer. It is the rarest type of skin cancer but is considered the
deadliest.
Metabolic acidosis: A pathological condition, characterized by increase of acidity in tissues.
Microdermabrasion: An exfoliation technique in which the skin gets smoother and looks younger. With this method an aesthetician can abrade the skin surface very gently by using tiny, powder-like crystals of aluminum-oxide, diamond dust or other materials, in order to trigger new cell development and to minimize fine wrinkles.
Multiple sclerosis: A chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech, reduced muscular coordination, blurred vision and severe fatigue.
Myelin: A whitish phospholipid substance forming an insulating sheath which covers nerve fibers.
Myeloma: A malignant tumor of the bone marrow.
Myocardium: The heart muscle.
Myoskeletal: Referring to both muscles and bones.
Nanoparticle: A tiny piece of material which is less than 100 nanometers, or one millionth of a millimeter.
Narcissism: The exaggerating somebody’s interest for his/her body and appearance, in general.
Necrosis: The death of most or all of the cells in tissue or an organ due to disease, injury, or failure of the blood supply.
Neuromuscular junction: The point, where a nerve touches a muscle fiber, in order to transmit micro-electric signals, causing contraction or relaxation of the fiber.
Neuron: A specialized cell to transmit nerve signals.
Neurotransmitter: Specialized chemical compound that facilitates signal transfer between nerves or from a nerve to a muscle.
Nevus: A birthmark or a mole on the skin, especially a birthmark in the form of a raised red patch.
Noradrenaline or norepinephrine: A hormone produced in adrenal glands. It functions as a neurotransmitter and is also used as a drug to raise blood pressure.
Orthostatic or postural: Relating to or caused by an upright posture.
Oral mucosa: The internal lining of the mouth.
Osmolarity: The concentration of a solution expressed as the total number of solute particles per liter.
Osteitis: Inflammation of a bone as a consequence of infection.
Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most common from middle age onward, causing pain and stiffness.
Osteomyelitis: Inflammation of the bone marrow and the bone itself due to an infection.
Osteoporosis: A medical condition in which the bones become brittle from loss of tissue, typically due to hormonal changes or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D.
Ozone: An unstable form of oxygen containing three atoms, usually found in the stratosphere and being responsible for filtering out much of the sun's UVB radiation.
Palpitations: A noticeably rapid, irregular, strong or mild heartbeat.
Paresis: Muscular weakness or partial paralysis due to nerve damage or disease.
Paresthesia: An abnormal sensation caused by pressure on or damage to a peripheral nerve.
Perimenopause: The phase preceding menopause. It takes place, as soon as ovarian hormone synthesis starts declining or fluctuating, causing numerous symptoms.
Periodontal: Related to the gum and bone surrounding a tooth.
pH: This is a figure which presents the activity of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution and it is associated with the acidity or the alkalinity of this solution. The pH values can be ranging between 0 and 14. If the figure is pH7, the solution is neutral. From that point, the lower the figure, the higher the acidity is. Accordingly, the higher the value, the more alkaline the solution is.
Phagocyte: A cell which engulfs and absorbs bacteria and other small particles.
Photorejuvenation: A method which uses high energy CO2 and Erbium YAG lasers or intense pulsed light to treat fine wrinkles and skin pigmentation. This can be achieved by the improvement of collagen production or by reduction of the amount of melanin in a particular area of the skin.
Phyto-: Relating to plants.
Phytoestrogen: A substance found in certain plants which can produce effects like that of the hormone oestrogen when ingested.
Phytohormones: Botanical hormones are compounds manufactured in plants, in order to regulate the plants' growth and other biochemical reactions and functions.
Pityriasis: A skin condition characterized by the shedding of fine flaky scales.
Pityriasis rubra pilaris: A mild itchy chronic skin condition that may be the aftermath of a hereditary metabolic disorder.
Plantar: Related to the sole of the foot.
Plasma: The portion of blood which is free of red or white cells.
Pneumonia: A severe and potentially fatal lung infection.
Polypeptide: A linear organic polymer consisted of a large number of amino-acids and forming all or part of a protein molecule.
Polyphenols: Botanical compounds consisted of certain groups of biochemical molecules known as phenols. Polyphenols are very potent antioxidants and they are abundant in green tea, grapes and cocoa.
Porphyria: A rare hereditary disorder of hemoglobin metabolism causing mental disturbance, extreme sensitivity to light, and excretion of dark pigments in the urine.
Priapism: A pathological and painful incident or a sequence of them of persistent erection in males.
Progesterone: A steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum that stimulates the uterus to prepare for pregnancy.
Prostaglandins: A group of compounds with various biological effects, including the promotion of uterine contractions.
Prostatectomy: A surgical operation to remove all or part of the prostate gland.
Psoriasis: A skin disease characterized by red, itchy, scaly patches. Learn more...
Pulmonary: Relating to the lungs.
Pyelonephritis: Inflammation of the renal pelvis and one or both kidneys.
Quinine: A bitter crystalline compound present in cinchona bark, used as a tonic and formerly as a herbal remedy against malaria.
Reticuloendothelial system: A body system of fixed and circulating phagocytic cells involved in the immune system response.
Reye's syndrome: A life-threatening metabolic disorder in young children, of uncertain cause.
Rheumatism: Any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility. See also Psoriatic arthritis...
Rhinitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by a viral infection or an allergic reaction.
Rickets: A condition that occurs in children due to vitamin D deficiency. It is characterized by bones softening and distortion typically resulting in bow legs.
RNA: The full name is ribonucleic acid, a substance in living cells involved in the synthesis of proteins encoded by genes.
Sarcoidosis: A chronic disease in which the lymph nodes become enlarged and granulomas appear in the reticuloendothelial system.
Seborrheic: Excessive discharge of sebum from the sebaceous glands.
Septicemia: A potentially fatal condition caused by the spread of bacteria and their toxins into the bloodstream.
Serum: A liquid which remains after blood coagulation occurs.
Sinusitis: The inflammation of the sinus. The latest is a cavity within the skull, located in the facial part and connecting with the nasal cavities.
Sprue: A disease characterized by ulceration of the mouth and chronic enteritis, suffered by visitors to tropical destinations.
Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the second most common skin cancer. It develops from actinic keratosis and mainly affects individuals with fair colors.
Stent: A device that is added in the artery or ureter to keep the passage open and facilitate adequate blood or urine flow respectively. An endoscope is used for such addition.
Sterols: A group of naturally occurring unsaturated steroid alcohols, typically of waxy consistency.
Stretch marks: Marks on the skin, especially on the abdomen, caused by distension of the skin due to obesity or pregnancy.
Sudden infant death syndrome: The unexplained and sudden death of a baby in its sleep.
Testosterone: An anabolic steroid hormone stimulating development of male secondary sexual characteristics.
Trachoma: A contagious bacterial infection of the eye, causing inflamed granulation on the inner surface of the lids.
Trichomoniasis: Infection with parasitic trichomonads.
Thrombosis: The formation of blood clot within arteries or veins.
Thrush: Infection of the mouth, throat or genitals by a yeast-like fungus of the Candida genus, causing whitish patches.
Tuberculosis: An infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles) in the tissues, especially the lungs.
Ulcerative colitis: A serious chronic condition characterized by ulceration of the intestinal mucous and irritation of both colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis, along with
Crohn’s disease, consist the so-called inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Urea: a colourless crystalline compound which is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in urine.
Uric acid: An almost insoluble nitrogenous byproduct of protein metabolism.
Urticaria or hives: A rash of round, red weals on the skin which itch intensely, caused by an allergic reaction.
Varicose veins: A condition which involves swollen, twisted and lengthened veins, as a result of poor circulation.
Vasoconstrictor: An agent that causes the constriction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.
Vasodilator: An agent which can cause the dilation of vessels and consequently, decrease blood pressure.
Vertigo: A sensation of whirling and loss of balance, caused by looking down from a great height or by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve.
Virilization: The development, in females, of male physical characteristics as an aftermath of excessive presence of androgens in the body.
Weal: A temporarily raised and reddened area of skin, usually accompanied by itching.
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