Health & Medical Glossary

A

Adrenal Fatigue — Adrenal fatigue is a term used in alternative and integrative medicine to describe a collection of symptoms — including ...

Allergen — An allergen is any substance that triggers an abnormal immune response in a person who is sensitized to it, even though ...

Used in 1 article

Amino Acid — Amino acids are organic molecules that serve as the fundamental building blocks of proteins in your body. There are 20 s...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Anemia — Anemia is a condition in which your blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate ox...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Anti-inflammatory — Anti-inflammatory refers to any substance or treatment that reduces inflammation — the body's natural immune response to...

⭐ Used in 11 articles

Antibody — An antibody is a Y-shaped protein produced by specialized white blood cells called B lymphocytes (B cells) as part of th...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Antigen — An antigen is any molecule or molecular structure that can be recognized by the immune system and trigger an immune resp...

Used in 1 article

Aorta — The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down t...

Arrhythmia — An arrhythmia is any abnormality in the timing or pattern of your heartbeat. Your heart normally beats in a regular, coo...

Used in 2 articles

Atherosclerosis — Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty deposits called plaques build up inside the walls of your arteries — the bloo...

Used in 2 articles

Autoimmune Response — An autoimmune response occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the body's own healthy cells and tissues as f...

Used in 1 article

B

Biomarker — A biomarker (short for biological marker) is a measurable indicator of a biological state or condition. Biomarkers can b...

Blood Glucose — Blood glucose refers to the concentration of glucose (a simple sugar) circulating in your bloodstream. Glucose is your b...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Blood Pressure — Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps it throug...

⭐ Used in 16 articles

Blood-Brain Barrier — The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semi-permeable border of specialized cells that separates the circul...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

BMI — BMI (Body Mass Index) is a numerical value calculated from a person's weight and height that is used as a screening tool...

Used in 1 article

Brain Fog — Brain fog is a term used to describe a cluster of cognitive symptoms including difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, ...

⭐ Used in 8 articles

Bronchodilator — A bronchodilator is a type of medication that relaxes and widens (dilates) the airways (bronchi and bronchioles) in the ...

Used in 1 article

C

Cardiovascular — Cardiovascular refers to anything related to the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular) — the circulatory system th...

⭐ Used in 21 articles

Cholesterol — Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of your body. Despite its bad reputation, cholesterol is e...

⭐ Used in 7 articles

Chronic Inflammation — Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, low-level inflammatory response that persists for weeks, months, or even years — un...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Circadian Rhythm — A circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour internal biological cycle that regulates many of your body's processes, includin...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and...

⭐ Used in 9 articles

Collagen — Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up approximately 30% of all protein and serving as the p...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Cortisol — Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands (small glands sitting atop each kidney) that plays a centra...

⭐ Used in 15 articles

Cytokines — Cytokines are small proteins released by cells that act as chemical messengers of the immune system. They play a crucial...

⭐ Used in 8 articles

D

Detoxification — Detoxification is the physiological process by which your body identifies, neutralizes, and eliminates harmful substance...

DHEA — DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor — a build...

Dopamine — Dopamine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain and throug...

⭐ Used in 9 articles

Dysbiosis — Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the composition or function of the microbial communities (microbiome) that live in a...

Used in 2 articles

E

Ejection Fraction — Ejection fraction is a measurement of how well your heart pumps blood with each beat, expressed as a percentage. Specifi...

Electrolytes — Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids like blood, urine, and sweat. Th...

Used in 2 articles

Endometriosis — Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside...

Endorphins — Endorphins are a group of neurotransmitters produced naturally by the central nervous system and pituitary gland that ac...

Enzyme — An enzyme is a specialized protein that acts as a biological catalyst — it speeds up chemical reactions in the body with...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Epigenetics — Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence. While yo...

Estrogen — Estrogen is a group of steroid hormones that play central roles in the development and regulation of the female reproduc...

Used in 1 article

F

Fascia — Fascia is a thin, tough, web-like connective tissue that wraps around and connects every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and...

Used in 1 article

Free Radicals — Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons in their outer shell. Thi...

Used in 1 article

Functional Medicine — Functional medicine is a patient-centered, systems-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressi...

Used in 1 article

G

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease — Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive condition in which stomach acid frequently flows back up i...

Gluten — Gluten is a group of storage proteins found naturally in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. It gives dough its e...

Used in 1 article

Glycemic Index — The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking system that measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucos...

Used in 1 article

Growth Hormone — Growth hormone (GH), also known as human growth hormone (HGH) or somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the ante...

Used in 2 articles

Gut Flora — Gut flora refers to the vast community of microorganisms — primarily bacteria, but also viruses, fungi, and archaea — th...

H

HbA1c — HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) is a blood test that measures the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 2-3 mo...

Used in 2 articles

Histamine — Histamine is a chemical compound produced by the body that serves as both a neurotransmitter and a key mediator of infla...

Homeostasis — Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite constant changes in the external enviro...

Hormone — A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by glands in the endocrine system that travels through the bloodstream to tar...

⭐ Used in 13 articles

Hyperglycemia — Hyperglycemia means abnormally high blood glucose (sugar) levels — generally defined as a fasting blood glucose above 12...

Hypertension — Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure — a condition where the force of blood pushing against the wall...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Hypoglycemia — Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood glucose levels drop below normal — typically defined as below 70 mg/dL. Gluco...

Used in 1 article

Hypoxia — Hypoxia is a condition in which the body or a specific region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the t...

I

Immune Response — The immune response is the organized reaction of the body's immune system to detect, identify, and eliminate foreign sub...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Inflammation — Inflammation is the body's natural immune response to injury, infection, or irritation. When tissue is damaged — whether...

⭐ Used in 21 articles

Insulin — Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans that plays a central role...

⭐ Used in 14 articles

Insulin Resistance — Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body's cells don't respond normally to the hormone insulin, which is prod...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Integrative Medicine — Integrative medicine is an approach to healthcare that combines conventional Western medicine with evidence-based comple...

Used in 1 article

Irritable Bowel Syndrome — Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the large intestine that causes recurring abdominal pain, ...

Used in 2 articles

J

Joint Effusion — Joint effusion refers to an abnormal accumulation of fluid within a joint space — commonly described as 'water on the jo...

K

Ketogenic Diet — The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate eating pattern that shifts the body's primary fuel source from g...

Ketosis — Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body shifts from using glucose as its primary fuel source to burning fat and p...

L

Leaky Gut — Leaky gut, known scientifically as increased intestinal permeability, describes a condition where the tight junctions be...

⭐ Used in 4 articles

Leaky Gut Syndrome — Leaky gut syndrome refers to a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes more permeable than normal, ...

Lipids — Lipids are a broad group of naturally occurring organic molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, sterols (like choleste...

Used in 2 articles

Lymphatic System — The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, organs, and vessels that runs throughout the body, serving two critical fu...

Lymphocytes — Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that form the backbone of the adaptive immune system — the branch of immunity...

Used in 1 article

M

Macronutrients — Macronutrients are the three categories of nutrients that the body requires in large quantities to provide energy, suppo...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Melatonin — Melatonin is a hormone produced primarily by the pineal gland in the brain that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle (c...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Metabolic Syndrome — Metabolic syndrome is not a single disease but a cluster of interconnected metabolic abnormalities that significantly in...

Used in 2 articles

Metabolism — Metabolism encompasses all of the chemical reactions occurring in the body's cells that convert food into energy, build ...

⭐ Used in 8 articles

Microbiome — The microbiome refers to the vast community of trillions of microorganisms — including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and oth...

⭐ Used in 9 articles

Micronutrients — Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that the body requires in small quantities — milligrams or micrograms...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Mitochondria — Mitochondria are specialized organelles found in nearly every cell of the human body that generate the majority of the c...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Myocardial Infarction — A myocardial infarction — commonly known as a heart attack — occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle is bloc...

N

Neuropathy — Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves — the vast network of nerves that extend fro...

Used in 1 article

Neuroplasticity — Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Contrary ...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Neurotransmitter — A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that transmits signals across the synapse (the tiny gap) between nerve cells ...

⭐ Used in 8 articles

Norepinephrine — Norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline) is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone that plays central roles in the body...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

NSAID — NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug — a class of medications that reduce pain, lower fever, and decreas...

Nutrigenomics — Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of how food and nutrients interact with our genes — specifically, how dietary comp...

O

Omega-3 Fatty Acids — Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fats that are essential for human health — meaning your body cannot ...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Osteoporosis — Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weakened bones that are more fragile and susceptible to fractures. The word...

Oxidative Stress — Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) exceeds the b...

Used in 2 articles

Oxytocin — Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neurotransmitter produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary ...

Used in 1 article

P

Pathogen — A pathogen is any microorganism that can cause disease in a host organism. The major categories of human pathogens inclu...

Used in 2 articles

PCOS — Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregul...

Used in 2 articles

Peptides — Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds — typically containing between 2 and 50 amino acids. Th...

Used in 2 articles

Peristalsis — Peristalsis is the wave-like muscular contractions that move food, liquid, and waste through your digestive tract. These...

Phytonutrients — Phytonutrients (also called phytochemicals) are bioactive compounds produced by plants that, while not essential nutrien...

Placebo Effect — The placebo effect is a measurable improvement in health or symptoms that occurs in response to a treatment that has no ...

Probiotics — Probiotics are live microorganisms — primarily bacteria, but also some yeasts — that, when consumed in adequate amounts,...

Used in 2 articles

Progesterone — Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the corpus luteum in the ovaries after ovulation, and by the pla...

Used in 1 article

Q

Q-angle — The Q-angle (quadriceps angle) is a clinical measurement used in orthopedic and sports medicine to assess the alignment ...

R

REM Sleep — REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is one of the five stages of sleep, characterized by rapid movements of the eyes behind c...

Used in 2 articles

Remission — Remission is a medical term describing a period during which the signs and symptoms of a disease are reduced or disappea...

⭐ Used in 3 articles

Resilience — Resilience is the capacity to adapt successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sour...

⭐ Used in 7 articles

Resting Metabolic Rate — Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the number of calories your body burns at rest to maintain basic physiological functions...

S

Saturated Fat — Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat in which the fatty acid chains have no double bonds between carbon atoms — they a...

Used in 2 articles

Serotonin — Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a wide-ranging role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, digestio...

⭐ Used in 7 articles

Sleep Apnea — Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common for...

⭐ Used in 5 articles

Sleep Cycle — A sleep cycle is a recurring pattern of sleep stages that the brain progresses through during a typical night of sleep, ...

Spirometry — Spirometry is the most common pulmonary (lung) function test, used to measure how much air you can breathe in and out an...

Stem Cells — Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the remarkable ability to develop into many different specialized cell types ...

Stress Response — The stress response is the body's integrated physiological reaction to perceived threats or challenges, designed to mobi...

⭐ Used in 9 articles

Systemic Inflammation — Systemic inflammation refers to an inflammatory response that affects the entire body rather than a single localized are...

⭐ Used in 7 articles

T

T-Cells — T-cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the adaptive immune system — the branch of immunity ...

Telomeres — Telomeres are protective caps of repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of each chromosome, functioning much like ...

Tendinitis — Tendinitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon — the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. Tendon...

Testosterone — Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone (androgen), though it is produced in smaller amounts in women as well and p...

⭐ Used in 4 articles

Thyroid — The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Despi...

⭐ Used in 9 articles

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone — Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland (a small pea-sized gland at the base of t...

Used in 2 articles

Toxin — A toxin is any substance that can cause harm to biological systems — whether produced by living organisms (biological to...

Triglycerides — Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body and in the foods you eat. They circulate in the bloodstream a...

⭐ Used in 4 articles

U

Ulcer — An ulcer is an open sore or lesion that develops on the skin or mucous membranes when the tissue's protective surface is...

Uric Acid — Uric acid is a chemical compound produced when the body breaks down purines — natural substances found in certain foods ...

Urobilinogen — Urobilinogen is a colorless byproduct of bilirubin metabolism — formed when bilirubin (a yellow pigment produced from th...

V

Vagus Nerve — The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex cranial nerve in the body, running from the brainstem through the neck a...

⭐ Used in 4 articles

Visceral Fat — Visceral fat is the fat stored deep inside the abdominal cavity, surrounding and cushioning vital organs including the l...

⭐ Used in 6 articles

Vitamin D Deficiency — Vitamin D deficiency occurs when blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D — the primary circulating form of vitamin D — fall ...

Used in 2 articles

W

White Blood Cells — White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, are the cells of the immune system responsible for defending the body against i...

Used in 2 articles

Whole Food Diet — A whole food diet is an eating pattern centered on minimally processed foods in their natural or near-natural state — as...

X

X-linked Disorder — An X-linked disorder is a genetic condition caused by a mutation on the X chromosome — one of the two sex chromosomes th...

Y

Yoga Therapy — Yoga therapy is the clinical application of yoga principles, practices, and techniques to address specific health condit...

Z

Zinc Deficiency — Zinc deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough zinc — an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymat...