TERMINOLOGY

DEFINITION

Lactating

Another name for breast feeding

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx (voice box) due to infection or other causes leading to pain and sometimes hoarseness and difficulty in speaking or inability to speak altogether.

LDL

Low density lipoprotein is a type of cholesterol that clogs up arteries leading to arteriosclerosis and stroke.

Lung Cleanser

Anything which ingested or inhaled can clear up clogged lungs or lesions caused by pollutants (e.g. cigarette smoke) or disease

Malaria

A severe illness caused by the female mosquito (anopheles). Characterized by fever, weakness, malaise, chills and sweats, nausea, vomiting, headaches and when severe, confusion and incoherence, mental disturbance and death.

Male baldness

Loss of hair in men especially at the crown moving back and scattered hair-loss

Mental apathy

Conscious or unconscious sluggishness of mental activity. One is unable to think clearly or if they do, unproductivity and error in judgment is observed.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical activities occurring within a cell.

Micturition

Urination – action of eliminating urine from the bladder

Migraine

A recurrent throbbing headache that affects one side of the head. May be accompanied by visual disturbance, numbness or weakness of the limbs and nausea.

Motion sickness

A condition arising from any un-normal sudden and prolonged body motion like riding in a vehicle, plane, roller coaster, merry-go-round, lift etc. may be characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling of weakness and fainting, panic, palpitations, disorientation etc

Muscle spasms

Painful contractions of the muscles.

Nausea

The urge to throw up stomach contents without actually doing so. Usually accompanied by spasms and watery saliva.

Nerve disorders

Any disorder of the nervous system

Nosebleed

The issue of blood through the nose.

Nycturia

Excessive urination during the night

Palpitation

A subjective awareness of a heart irregularity causing an unpleasant sensation such as fluttering, pounding or racing heartbeat. Causes include exertion, excitement, nervousness, psychotic and heart disorders.

Paralysis

A partial or complete loss of motor function usually caused by infection, strokes and heart attacks, accidents and injury especially to the spinal cord. Some drugs can cause damage to the brain, which may lead to paralysis.

Periodontal disease

Degenerative destruction of the supportive tissues surrounding a tooth, characterized by gingival recession, loose teeth, foul breath and inflammation of the gums. In severe cases bleeding is often present.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx, also known as sore throat and can also cause infection to the respiratory system.

Phosphaturia

Presence of phosphate in urine indicating an underlying disease condition.

Platelet agglutination

The clumping together of platelet or red blood cells causing clotting which could lead to cardiovascular complications like stroke.

Pleuritis

Inflammation of the double membrane that covers the lungs.

Pneumonia

An inflammation of the lungs due to bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial infection is more common. The bacteria work as an irritant, producing fluid in the air sacs, which then thickens and makes gas exchange in the lungs impossible.

Polyuria

Abnormal frequency in urination.

Pre-menopausal
syndrome (PMS)

A combination of emotional, physical and mood disturbances that occur before the onset of menopause and through menopause which may cause great discomfort and personality changes and even serious medical conditions in a  

 woman. This is because of hormonal changes and notably the reduction of estrogen.

Pre-menstrual
syndrome (PMS)

A combination of emotional, physical and mood disturbances that occur after ovulation and normally end with the onset of menstrual flow. They can be mild or severe and may include heightened irritability, anger outbursts, depression, water retention and bloating, nausea and vomiting, chills and heat flushes, loss of appetite or increased appetite.

Prophylaxis

The prevention of disease or observance of measures necessary to prevent disease.

Prostrate gland

A gland composed of muscular and glandular tissue that surrounds the male urethra just below or at the neck of the bladder. It produces a milky alkaline fluid and contracts as part of the ejaculatory process.

Prunus Africana

Also known, as Pygeum is a large evergreen tree with large pendulous branches with thick oblong shaped, leather-like, mat-colored leaves and creamy white flowers. The bark is greatly valued for its healing properties of prostrate problems and balding in men.