Category: N

Upper abdominal discomfort, often chronic, in which endoscopy reveals non-diagnostic, or normal, findings. The role of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in this syndrome is controversial.  

Discoloration of fingernails and toenails. Pigmented bands in the nails may be related to Addison’s disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, pregnancy, use of minocycline, radiotherapy, cytotoxic drugs, antimalarials, and zidovudine therapy in AIDS patients.  

Several methods of drug delivery have been used experimentally. Included are chemical modification of a drug to enable it to penetrate membranes such as the blood-brain barrier; incorporation of microparticles in colloidal carriers made of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, or synthetic polymers; controlled-release systems that permit a drug to be delivered for very long periods; and…

A type of drug used during the administration of anesthesia to allow surgical access to body cavities (esp. in particular the abdomen and thorax) by preventing voluntary or reflex muscle movement. These drugs are also used to facilitate compliance in critically ill patients undergoing intensive therapy such as mechanical ventilation.  

Survival after immersion in water. About 330,000 persons, most of whom are children, adolescents, or young adults, survive an immersion injury in the U.S. each year, and of these, about 10% receive professional attention. Many who suffer near drowning do so because of preventable or avoidable conditions, such as the use of alcohol or drugs…

Medication instilled in or sprayed into the nasal cavity.  

A method of administering fluid slowly to dehydrated babies by means of a catheter with one end placed through the nose into the esophagus.  

A dressing that has little or no tendency to stick to dried secretions from the wound.  

A drain made from various synthetics (e.g., silicones) and dynamic devices (e.g., suction catheters). Types include abdominal, antral, perineal, and suprapubic.  

A douche given at the average surface temperature of the body (i.e., 90° to 97°F [32.2° to 36.1°C]).