Dictionary

diuresis Excretion of urine, typically in large volumes. See also diuretic.

diuretic Something that promotes the formation of urine by the kidney. All diuretics cause a person to “lose water,” but they do so by diverse means, including inhibiting the kidney’s ability to reabsorb sodium, thus enhancing the loss of sodium and consequently water in the urine (loop diuretic); enhancing the excretion of both sodium and…

diuretic, loop A diuretic that works by encouraging the loss of sodium (salt) and water by affecting sodium transport at the loop area of the kidneys. As the sodium is removed, it takes water with it. Loop diuretics are very strong, and they should be used only under constant medical supervision. They can deplete the…

diuretic, potassium-sparing A diuretic that blocks the exchange of sodium (salt) and potassium, encouraging the excretion of sodium and therefore of water, but generally allowing potassium to be retained. See also diuretic.

diuretic, thiazide A diuretic that works by encouraging excretion of both sodium (salt) and chloride. See also diuretic.

diurnal Occurring in the daytime. A patient may have a diurnal fever rather than a nocturnal one. Diurnal also refers to something that recurs every day.

diverticula The plural of diverticulum.

diverticulitis Inflammation of diverticula along the wall of the the large intestine (colon). For diverticulitis to occur, there must be outpouchings of the large intestine (diverticulosis). Diverticulitis can be diagnosed with barium X-rays of the colon or with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Antibiotics are usually needed to treat acute diverticulitis. Liquid or low-fiber foods are advised…

diverticulosis The condition of having diverticula, small outpouchings from the large intestine (colon). Diverticulosis can occur anywhere in the colon but is most typical in the sigmoid colon, the Sshaped segment of the colon located in the lowerleft part of the abdomen. The incidence of diverticulosis increases with age. As a person ages, the walls…

diverticulum A small bulging sac that pushes outward from the bowels. The plural is diverticula. As a person ages, pressure within the large intestine (colon) causes diverticula. Diverticula can occur throughout the colon but are most common near the end of the S-shaped segment of the colon located in the lower-left part of the abdomen…

diverticulum, Meckel An outpouching of the small bowel. About 1 in every 50 people has a Meckel diverticulum. Meckel diverticula are usually located about 2 feet before the junction of the small bowel and the colon (the large intestine) in the lower-right abdomen. Meckel diverticula can become inflamed, ulcerate, and perforate (break open or rupture),…

dizziness Painless head discomfort with many possible causes, including disturbances of vision, the brain, the balance (vestibular) system of the inner ear, or the gastrointestinal system. Dizziness is a medically indistinct term. Laypersons use it to describe a variety of conditions, ranging from lightheadedness or unsteadiness to vertigo. See also lightheadedness; unsteadiness; vertigo.