Dictionary

heart, artificial A human-made heart that is used to replace a diseased or malfunctioning heart when a donor organ is not available.

heart The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. The heart is positioned in the chest behind the sternum (breastbone); in front of the trachea, esophagus, and aorta; and above the diaphragm. A normal heart is about the size of a closed fist and weighs about 298 grams or 10.5…

hearing aids Small electronic devices worn inside or behind the ear that improve the hearing and speech comprehension of people with hearing loss due to damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear. Hearing aids contain a microphone, amplifier, and speaker.

health outcomes research Research that measures the value of a particular course of therapy.

health care proxy An advance medical directive in the form of a legal document that designates another person (a proxy) to make health care decisions in case a person is rendered incapable of making his or her wishes known. The health care proxy has, in essence, the same rights to request or refuse treatment that…

health, child See child health.

health As officially defined by the World Health Organization, a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

headache, vascular One of a group of headaches felt to involve abnormal sensitivity of the blood vessels (arteries) in the brain to various triggers, resulting in rapid changes in the artery size due to spasm (constriction). Other arteries in the brain and scalp then open (dilate), and throbbing pain is perceived in the head. Migraine…

headache, thunderclap A sudden and excruciatingly painful headache. Some physicians feel that in the absence of a known headache disorder, such as migraines, a thunderclap headache may sometimes signal a ruptured aneurysm in the brain. A person who experiences this type of headache should immediately seek medical attention.

headache, tension A headache previously thought to be caused by contraction of the muscles in the back of the neck, on the scalp, and sometimes in the jaw. The term tension-type headache is now preferred, reflecting the fact that research has shown that these headaches may not be related to muscle tension. Although the cause…

headache, stress See headache, tension.

headache, sinus A headache caused by pressure within the sinus cavities of the head, usually in connection with sinus infection. The sufferer has pain and tenderness in the sinus area, discharge from the nose, and sometimes a swollen face. Treatment involves treating the underlying condition, which is often an allergy, and using nasal vasoconstrictors and…