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Glossary

Showing 381-390 out of 1202 Terms

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  • Drug interaction

    (drug-IN-teh-RAK-shun)

    A change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, herbals, or foods, or when taken with certain medical conditions. Drug interactions may cause the drug to be more or less effective, or cause effects on the body that are not expected.

  • Drug resistance

    (drug-reh-ZIH-stunts)

    The failure of cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria to respond to a drug used to kill or weaken them. The cells, viruses, or bacteria may be resistant to the drug at the beginning of treatment, or may become resistant after being exposed to the drug.

  • Drug therapy

    (drug-THAYR-uh-pee)

    Treatment with any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.

  • Drug tolerance

    (drug-TAH-leh-runts)

    A condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.

  • Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

    (DUK-tul KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SY-too)

    A noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, ductal carcinoma in situ may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues. At this time, there is no way to know which lesions could become invasive. Also called DCIS and intraductal carcinoma.

  • Duodenum

    (DOO-ah-DEE-num)

    The first part of the small intestine. It connects to the stomach. The duodenum helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.

  • Dye/contrast

    A substance comparatively opaque to X-rays introduced into the body to compare to an internal part with its surrounding tissue in radiographic visualization.

  • Dyscrasia

    (dis-KRAY-zhuh)

    Disease. Usually refers to diseases of the blood.

  • Dyskeratosis congenita

    (dis-KAYR-uh-TOH-sis kun-JEH-nih-tuh)

    A rare, inherited disorder that can affect many parts of the body, especially the nails, skin, and mouth.

  • Dysphagia

    dis-FAY-jee-uh

    Difficulty swallowing.