naturopathy A system of therapy that is based on preventive care and on the use of physical forces such as heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease. Some naturopaths use no medications, either pharmaceutical or herbal. Some recommend herbal remedies only. A few who are licensed to prescribe may recommend pharmaceuticals…
naturopathic Pertaining to naturopathy.
naturopath A person who practices naturopathy. A naturopathic doctor (ND) has been trained to care for well and ailing patients by using naturopathic methods. In some US states, NDs must complete a program equivalent to the training received by MDs, and they are therefore licensed to practice medicine. In other states, the term ND is…
natural killer cell A cell that can react against and destroy another cell without prior sensitization to it. Abbreviated NK cell. NK cells are part of our first line of defense against cancer cells and virusinfected cells. NK cells are small lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow and develop without the influence of the…
natural family planning Birth control without the use of contraceptive medications or barrier methods. There are several natural family planning methods. The most common natural family planning method is the use of basal temperature to detect ovulation, accompanied by abstention from intercourse during and after ovulation. Because a sperm may live in the female’s reproductive…
natriuretic An agent or disease that promotes natriuresis. For example, a diuretic with natriuretic action could be helpful for someone retaining water and salt. See also diuretic.
natriuresis The excretion of an excessively large amount of sodium in the urine. Natriuresis is similar to diuresis (the excretion of an unusually large quantity of urine), except that in natriuresis the urine has an exceptionally high salt concentration. Natriuresis occurs with some diuretics and diseases (as of the adrenal gland) and can lead to…
NIH Clinical Center As the clinical research facility of NIH, this center provides the patient care, services, and facilities to support human subjects research by the NIH. Also known as the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIHCC).
National Library of Medicine (NLM) The world’s largest medical library, the NLM collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical science information to investigators, educators, and practitioners. It also carries out programs to strengthen medical library services in the US. Its electronic databases, including MEDLINE, are used extensively throughout the world.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) The NIDA conducts and supports research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of drug abuse and addiction.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) The NIDCD conducts and supports biomedical research and research training on normal mechanisms as well as diseases and disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) The NIAAA conducts research into improving the treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.