Category: E
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Endometrial ablation
A surgical procedure used to treat abnormal bleeding from the uterus by eliminating tissue in the lining of the uterus. An alternative to hysterectomy, endometrial ablation is a relatively new approach to abnormal uterine bleeding, especially during menopause. An instrument called a hysteroscope is used to visualize the inside of the uterus and to cauterize…
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End-of-Iife care
Care at the end of life that relieves symptoms and provides comfort but neither hastens nor postpones death. End-of-life care may include a medical decision to withdraw treatment or not to initiate a potentially ineffective treatment. End-of-life care may include stopping delivery of food and fluids by tube. In end-of-life care, medical ethicists think it…
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Emetics
Agents that cause vomiting. Emetics are used to induce vomiting when poisonous or toxic substances have been consumed. They may act directly on the gastrointestinal tract by irritating portions of it, or they may work indirectly, by affecting areas of the brain that control vomiting. An agent that causes vomiting. Strong emetics, such as apomorphine,…
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Emergency department
The department of a hospital that is continuously staffed 24 hours a day by specially trained personnel able to deal with any medical, traumatic, psychiatric, or environmental emergency. It is the center of activity for the region’s ambulance system and regional disaster management. More than 100 million visits to emergency departments in the United States…
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ELISA test
A blood test that detects the presence of specific antibodies or antigens in the bloodstream. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing is frequently used to diagnose Lyme disease and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a laboratory blood test utilized for diagnosing infectious diseases.
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Electrodiagnostic studies
Tests that are used to diagnose diseases of the nerves and muscles. Electrodiagnostic studies record electrical activity in the body. They are used to evaluate symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and muscle cramping. There are a number of possible electrodiagnostic tests, including electromyogram (EMG), evoked responses, nerve conduction studies, which show how the…
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Earwax
Wax in the ear canal that is secreted by special glands in the skin lining the outer part of the canal. This wax, termed cerumen, traps dust and other particles to prevent them from going deeper into the ear where they might injure the eardrum and helps keep the ear canal dry by repelling water.…
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Emergency postcoital contraception
Birth control that a woman may use after having unprotected sex or having been the victim of sexual assault. Two common methods are used, either oral medication or insertion of an intrauterine device (lUD). Both require a visit to a doctor or clinic.
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Electrical burns
Injury caused by contact with electricity. Sources of electricity that can cause burns when an unprotected portion of a person’s body comes in contact with them include power lines, lightning, defective household electrical equipment, and unprotected electrical outlets. As electrical current goes into the body, it is converted to heat that can cause extensive damage…
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Emotional abuse
The intentional use of psychological force to hurt or destroy another person. Emotional abuse can occur between spouses and other sexual partners, between adult children and older parents, or, most commonly, between parents and children. Emotional abuse takes a number of forms, including withholding affection; using threats or terror to control the other; coercive or…