delirium tremens A central nervous system symptom of alcohol withdrawal that is seen in chronic alcoholism. Symptoms include uncontrollable trembling, hallucinations, severe anxiety, sweating, and sudden feelings of terror. Abbreviated DTs. DTs can be both frightening and, in severe cases, deadly. Treatment includes observation, comfort care, and in some cases medication.
delirium A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometimes associated with hallucinations and hyperactivity, during which the patient is inaccessible to normal contact. Delirium can be due to a number of conditions, including infection, drug toxicity or withdrawal, seizures, brain tumor, poisoning, head injury, and metabolic disturbances.
deletion Loss of a segment of DNA from a chromosome. A chromosome deletion can cause disease. An example is the cri du chat (cat cry) syndrome, which is due to loss of part of chromosome 5. The opposite of duplication.
delay, developmental See developmental delay.
déjà vu A disquieting feeling of having been somewhere or done something in the past, even though one has not. Although most people have experienced this feeling at one time or another, in some people sensations of déjà vu are part of a seizure or migraine aura; in others, the sensations are a seizure phenomenon….
dehydroepiandrosterone Also DHEA; a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands, that acts on the body much like testosterone and is converted into testosterone and estrogen. The blood levels of DHEA decline with age. DHEA is sold in the US without a prescription as a “nutritional supplement.” It has been claimed to improve mood, boost…
dehydration Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that cause vomiting or diarrhea may lead to dehydration. There are a number of other causes of dehydration, including overheating (hyperthermia), prolonged vigorous exercise (as in a marathon), kidney disease, and medications (diuretics). One clue to dehydration is a rapid drop in weight. Symptoms…
dehisce To burst open or gape. A surgical wound may partially or completely dehisce after surgery, depending upon whether some or all of the layers of tissue come open.
deglutition The act of swallowing, particularly of swallowing food. The muscles of deglutition are the muscles employed in the act of swallowing.
degenerative joint disease See arthritis, degenerative.
degenerative arthritis See arthritis, degenerative.
degeneration, macular See macular degeneration.