TERMINOLOGY

DEFINITION

Depression

An emotional state of morbid sadness, dejection, inactivity and insomnia. Can lead to psychiatric reaction and can be caused by factors such as loss of a loved one, frustration and stress, rejection, failure etc and can be short term or long term.

Detoxification

Ridding the body of agents that may predispose an individual to illness and chronic and terminal conditions. These are waste products of ordinary metabolic processes such as breathing and immune reactions. Getting rid of these agents not only helps the body to operate optimally but it greatly reduces the risk of disease.

Diabetes

A chronic diseases resulting from the inability to utilize carbohydrates resulting in excess sugar in the blood and urine, excessive thirst, hunger, urination and weakness. It can lead to a number of serious complications if it is not controlled.

Diaphoretic

An agent that promotes perspiration or sweating

Diarrhea/ Dysentry

Frequent passage of loose watery stools. May be accompanied by weakness, stomach pain, nausea and if severe dehydration leading to death if not treated.

Digestive problems

Problems mainly arising in the stomach that cause indigestion of food. Great discomfort can be experienced as a result and if not corrected can lead to malnutrition.

Diuretic

A substance that increases excretion of urine and salts by the kidneys. Especially valuable for the treatment of edema.

Dizziness/vertigo

A sensation of whirling or spinning around in space or the sensation that the world around an individual is spinning around that individual. Can have many causes but may lead to falling, which can lead to severe injury and even lose of consciousness.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination. Sometimes blood may be present indicating an infection in the urinary system

Edema

The abnormal accumulation of fluid around joints and soft tissues. When the area is pressed with a finger, a depression forms that takes a while to level up again.

Energizer

Any substance, which ingested increases the blood glucose levels and thereby availing more energy. One feels energetic and “alive” and fatigue diminishes

Estrogen

Any of several closely related female sex hormones. A steroid secreted by the ovaries, the placenta and the adrenal cortices of both sexes. It produces female effects in the body. Any imbalance in this causes abnormal reactions usually seen just before a period begins and before and during menopause.

Expectorant

A substance that when ingested causes the body to cough out secretions from the respiratory passages and lungs.

Fatigue

Feeling of extreme tiredness. Can be caused by overexertion or disease. Stress and extremities in environmental temperatures especially heat can cause fatigue as well.

Fever

Elevated body temperature beyond 38 degrees centigrade. It indicates a disease state and can be life threatening especially if it rises above 39-40^o C and is prolonged. Convulsions may arise as a result of fever.

Flatulence

Excessive gas formation in the digestive system leading to distention

Free radicals

Notably, rogue oxygen free radicals that are charged up and looking for trouble. They have lost one electron that keeps them stable. In their effort to get another one, they grab it from any where destroying healthy cells and creating bigger gangs of free radicals that soon spiral out of control bring on a host of health complication the most serious of which are cancer, malfunctioning joints and nervous system gradually and systematically bring on death.

Gallstones

A diet induced disease, which arises when bile salts accumulate and form a hard mass commonly referred to as a gallstone.

Genito-urinary disorders

Conditions and diseases found in the reproductive and urinary organs. Can be congenital birth defects or infections and disease caused by microorganisms or drugs and toxic substances.

Glucose Tolerance

The ability of the body to regulate blood glucose levels. When the body is not able to do this due to either a malfunctioning pancreas or insufficient insulin production, diabetes results

Gout

An inflammation of the joints caused by increased concentration of uric acid. The uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints, kidneys and other tissues where they cause considerable damage.

Gut dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis comprises the roots of health and well being.  It concerns two systems: the digestive and the immune system which fail to function properly primarily due to a damaged gut wall that becomes ‘leaky’ affecting not only food uptake and bowel action but also, the efficiency of the immune system.