Category: P

Absorption of a substance normally excreted (e.g., urine) or of a product of disease processes (e.g., pus) into the blood or lymph.  

Absorption of fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients from a site other than the gastrointestinal tract.  

A lay term for a second or third trimester abortion, sometimes referred to medically as “dilation and extraction.” The cranial contents of the fetus are evacuated prior to the removal of the fetus from the uterus.  

An abdomen with folds of fatty tissue that drape over the pubis. A protruding abdomen that may droop below the level of the groin.  

Abasia in which the leg muscles are paralyzed.  

An antituberculous drug used in combination, usually with rifampicin and isoniazid, as the treatment regime for tuberculosis. It penetrates the meninges so is valuable in treating tuberculous meningitis. An occasional medication utilized for tuberculosis treatment. Potential negative effects include nausea, joint discomfort, gout, and liver impairment.  

Naturally produced in the lungs by cells called pneumocytes, this substance is a mixture of phospholipids and lipoproteins. Present in fluid lining the alveoli in the lungs, their action helps keep them open, rather than sticking together, particularly after breathing out. Premature babies may have a deficiency of surfactant, a disorder which causes severe breathing…

Also called postnatal depression, this is the state of depression that may affect women soon after they have given birth. The condition often occurs suddenly a day or so after the birth. Many women suffer from it and usually they can be managed with sympathetic support. If, however, the depression sometimes called ‘maternal blues’ persists…

The nerve that operates the lowest muscles of the floor of the pelvis and also the anal sphincter muscle. It may be damaged in childbirth, resulting in incontinence.  

Taken at face value, the term ‘psychosomatic’ simply means the interaction of psyche (mind) and soma (body). As such it is a non-controversial concept that points out the many ways in which psychological factors affect the expression of physical disorder and vice-versa. Few doubt that stress makes many physical illnesses worse, at least as far…