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Glossary

Showing 411-420 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Energy therapy

    A form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of energy therapy is to balance the energy flow in the patient. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety and promote well-being. Energy therapy is being studied in patients receiving cancer therapy, to find out if it can improve quality of life, boost the immune system, or reduce side effects. Also called energy healing.

  • Enteral nutrition

    (EN-teh-rul noo-TRIH-shun)

    A form of nutrition that is delivered into the digestive system as a liquid. Drinking nutrition beverages or formulas and tubefeeding are forms of enteral nutrition. People who are unable to meet their needs with food and beverages alone, and who do not have vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea may be given tubefeedings. Tubefeeding can be used to add to what a person is able to eat or can be the only source of nutrition. A small feeding tube may be placed through the nose into the stomach or the small intestine, or it may be surgically placed into the stomach or the intestinal tract through an opening made on the outside of the abdomen, depending on how long it will be used.

  • Enzyme

    (en-zime)

    A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

  • Enzymes

    (en-zimes)

    Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

  • Eosinophil

    (EE-oh-SIH-noh-FIL)

    A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that are released during infections, allergic reactions, and asthma. An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell and a type of granulocyte.

  • Ependymoma

    (eh-PEN-dih-MOH-muh)

    A type of brain tumor that begins in cells lining the spinal cord central canal (fluid-filled space down the center) or the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces of the brain). Ependymomas may also form in the choroid plexus (tissue in the ventricles that makes cerebrospinal fluid). Also called ependymal tumor.

  • Epidural

    (EH-pih-DER-ul)

    Having to do with the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord. An epidural injection is given into this space.

  • Epstein-Barr virus

    (ep-stine-BAR VY-rus)

    A common virus that remains dormant in most people. Epstein-Barr virus causes infectious mononucleosis and has been associated with certain cancers, including Burkitt lymphoma, immunoblastic lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, and stomach (gastric) cancer.

  • Erection

    (eh-REK-shun)

    In medicine, the swelling of the penis with blood, causing it to become firm.

  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

    (eh-RITH-roh-site SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun ...)

    The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube.