Category: G

Drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Gold compounds are given by injection to treat rheumatoid arthritis not adequately treated by other anti¬ inflammatory drugs. Gold sodium thiomalate is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis and Felty syndrome, a form of rheumatoid arthritis that includes splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) and leukopenia (reduced…

A device that enables people to monitor their blood glucose levels on a regular basis. Glucose meters are generally used by people with type 1 diabetes and sometimes by people with type 2 diabetes who require insulin. The person using the meter extracts a drop of blood, usually by pricking a fingertip, and places it…

The chemical processes through which the body makes use of glucose. Glucose, a simple sugar or monosaccharide, is the body’s chief source of energy. When consumed, carbohydrates are broken down by digestive juices into simple sugars. These simple sugars are absorbed from the intestines, where some are stored as glycogen while the rest enter the…

A popular nutritional supplement used to treat osteoarthritis. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are found naturally in the joints, where they are assumed to be involved in joint repair: glucosamine is thought to stimulate the formation of cartilage, and chondroitin is believed to stimulate cartilage repair and inhibit enzymes involved in the breakdown of cartilage. The…

An average increase in the Earth’s temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns and a rise in sea level and may have a wide range of effects on humans, wildlife, and plants. The effect of increasing levels of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, on…

The fastest-growing and most malignant type of brain tumor; a type of glioma. Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant tumor of nervous tissue, usually found in the cerebrum area of the brain. Symptoms can include seizures and signs of brain disturbance. The tumors are treated with surgery or surgery with radiation therapy. A type of astrocytoma…

A group of pregnancy-related conditions in which abnormal growths develop inside the uterus from abnormal placental tissue. The conditions include a hydatidiform mole, a type of tumor, and the cancer choriocarcinoma, both of which involve trophoblasts, cells that make up one of the layers of the placenta. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding and excessive morning sickness…

A tumor that develops in the reproductive tissues that become egg cells or sperm cells. Germ cell tumors are a type of ovarian cancer or testicular cancer. About 95 percent of all testicular cancers are germ cell tumors. A small group of cancers known as extragonadal germ cell tumors, which do not involve reproductive tissue,…

A lesion or sore on the external genitals, including the vulva, labia, penis, and anus. Genital ulcerations are caused by one of several infectious organisms, most of which are spread by sexual contact. They require medical attention to prevent the development of later complications and should not be self-treated.  

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. A test of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) designed to identify the presence of genetic defects in a person or, usually, a fetus. In a genetic probe, a particular fragment of DNA is examined for genetic markers, specific base sequences (chemical configurations) that have been associated with a genetic defect. Genetic…