The Methode of Physicke

Glossary of Medicial Terms and Definitions

• Alopecia
  • The generic term for hair loss. More Info.
• Alzheimer's Disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The disease leads to loss in connections between nerve cells, progressing to loss in brain tissue. Also, chemical imblances in the brain means that brain signals are not tramsmitted as effectively. More Info.
• Anaesthetics
  • Medications used to numb sensation in certain areas of the body or induce sleep. More Info.
• Anemia
  • Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by lack of iron, often because of blood loss or pregnancy. More Info.
• Anxiety
  • A feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. More Info.
• Aperient
  • To relieve constipation. More Info.
• Apoplexy
  • Unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral haemorrhage or stroke. More Info.
• Asthma
  • A common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. More Info.
• Bile
  • A dark green to yellowish brown fluid produced by the liver that aids the digestion. More Info.
• Biliary Colic
  • Also known as a gallbladder attack or gallstone attack, biliary colic is when pain occurs due to gallstone(s) blocking the bile duct. Pain typically occurs in the right-upper part of the abdomen. More Info.
• Blepharitis
  • An inflammation around the eyelashes - either anterior (around the base of the eyelashes) or posterior (along the eyelid margins behind the base of the eyelashes). More Info.
• Coma
  • A state of unconsciousness where a person is unresponsive and cannot be woken. More Info.
• Conjunctivitis
  • An inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva -the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. Also known as 'pink-eye'. More Info.
• Decoction
  • A concentrated liquor resulting from heating or boiling a substance, especially a medicinal preparation made from a plant. More Info.
• Dementia
  • Describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, and often changes in mood, perception or behaviour. More Info.
• Depression
  • A common mental disorder that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. More Info.
• Detersive
  • To cleanse. More Info.
• Diabetes
  • A lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. More Info.
• Diuretic
  • To promote diuresis, or the increased production of urine. More Info.
• Electuary
  • A medicinal substance mixed with honey or another sweet substance into a syrup or paste, to be administered on the teeth, gums or tongue. More Info.
• Epilespy
  • A common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. More Info.
• Gout
  • A form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint. More Info.
• Insomnia
  • A condition that regularly causes problems with sleeping. More Info.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • A chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea or constipation. More Info.
• Kidneys
  • A pair of organs on either side of the spine which filter the blood into urine and other waste fluids. More Info.
• Lethargy
  • A symptom that causes you to feel sleepy or fatigued and sluggish. More Info.
• Liver
  • A necessary human organ used to detoxify and produces biochemicals necessary for digestion. More Info.
• Melancholy
  • A feeling of pensive sadness with no obvious cause. Classed as a subtype of depression. More Info.
• Migraines
  • A moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. More Info.
• Nausea
  • A sensation of feeling sick. More Info.
• Neuralgia
  • Pain from an irritated or damaged nerve. More Info.
• Palsy/Paralysis
  • Palsy is a medical term which refers to various types of paralysis, often accompanied by weakness and the loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking. More Info.
• Poultice
  • A paste of herbs, clays, charcoals, salts and other beneficial substances, wrapped in a piece of cloth and placed on the skin. More Info.
• Premenstraul Symdrome (PMS)
  • Physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the one to two weeks before a woman's period. Common symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes. More Info.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • A long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. Complications can include inflammation of the lungs and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. More Info.
• Spleen
  • A necessary human organ used primarily as a blood filter. More Info.
• Stroke
  • A serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. More Info.
• Tension/stress headaches
  • The most common type of headache, where a constant ache affects both sides of the head. Neck muscles may also tighten with a feeling of pressure behind the eyes. More Info.
• Tinnitus
  • The sensation of hearing a sound in the absence of any external sound. More Info.
• Tonsilitis
  • An inflammation of the tonsils. It's usually caused by a viral infection or, less commonly, a bacterial infection. More Info.
• Tuberculosis (TB)/Consumption
  • A serious contagious bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. It mainly affects the lungs, with symptoms including persistent coughing and phelgm containing blood. More Info.