Dictionary

diaphragmatic hernia Passage of a loop of bowel through the diaphragm muscle. This type of hernia occurs as the bowel from the abdomen protrudes (herniates) upward through the diaphragm into the chest (thoracic) cavity.

diarrhea A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. The opposite of constipation. There are many infectious and noninfectious causes of diarrhea. Persistent diarrhea is both uncomfortable and dangerous to the health because it can indicate an underlying infection and may mean that the body is not able to absorb some nutrients…

diarrhea, antibiotic-induced Diarrhea caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), one of the most common causes of infection of the large bowel (colon). Patients taking antibiotics are at particular risk of becoming infected with C. difficile. Antibiotics disrupt the normal bacteria of the bowel, allowing C. difficile and other bacteria to become established and…

diarrhea, rotavirus A leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children, often accompanied by fever and dehydration. Treatment includes frequent administration of fluids to prevent dehydration, rest, good nutrition, and in some cases medication. A preventive vaccine has been developed but is not in use at this time. See also rotavirus.

diarrhea, travelers’ Illness, including diarrhea, that is associated with travel to a foreign country. Causes include viruses and the bacterium Escherichia coli, which may be transmitted via food or water. Prevention involves drinking bottled water; filtering tap water or, if camping, water from natural sources; washing fruits and vegetables purchased in local markets with a…

diarrhea and dermatitis, zinc deficiency See deficiency, zinc.

diastolic Referring to the time when the heart is in a period of relaxation and dilation (expansion), which is called diastole. Diastolic pressure is the minimum arterial pressure during relaxation and dilation of the ventricles of the heart when the ventricles fill with blood. In a blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is typically the…

diathermy See cauterization.

diathesis An elegant term for a predisposition or tendency. For example, hemorrhagic diathesis means a tendency to bleed.

dicentric chromosome See chromosome, dicentric.

diet Food and drink. A specific diet can be prescribed for medical reasons according to a certain type, volume, and timing. For examples, specific diets are commonly prescribed for persons affected by hypoglycemia, gout, celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, lactose intolerance, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, kidney disease, and difficulty in swallowing.

diet, DASH See DASH diet.