– Glossary of Terms A-M –
Please find below a list of words and terms found within this website and a brief definition of their meaning. The glossary is here to assist in understanding the new terminology and language that comes with learning you have Lyme Disease. In no way is this a complete list of all words and phrases used in the Lyme journey, but rather a brief overview of words found within the Lyme Advise website. The Glossary will be updated regularly to reflect new content.
Acupuncture - a system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Originating in ancient China, acupuncture is now widely practiced in the West.
Acute Illness - a medical problem with rapid onset. The term is used to distinguish cases from chronic conditions.
Advocate - a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.
AIDS - a disease in which there is a severe loss of the body's cellular immunity, greatly lowering the resistance to infection and malignancy.
Algorithm - a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.
Allopathy - a system of medical practice making use of all measures that have proved of value in treatment of disease
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) - a progressive degeneration of the motor neurons of the central nervous system, leading to wasting of the muscles and paralysis.
Alternative Medicine - any of various systems of healing or treating disease (such as chiropractic, homeopathy, etc) not included in the traditional medical curricula of the U.S. and Britain
Anaplasmosis - a disease caused by a rickettsial parasite of ruminants, Anaplasma spp. The microorganism is gram-negative, and infects red blood cells. It is transmitted by natural means through a number of haematophagous species of ticks.
Anger - feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility
Anthroposophy - a formal educational, therapeutic, and creative system established by Rudolf Steiner, seeking to use mainly natural means to optimize physical and mental health and well-being.
Antibiotic - a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.
Antibodies - a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances that the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.
Antimicrobial - An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria and antifungals are used against fungi.
Antiviral - An agent that kills a virus or that suppresses its ability to replicate and, hence, inhibits its capability to multiply and reproduce.
Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
ApoE - Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a class of proteins involved in the metabolism of fats in the body. Apolipoprotein E is a fat-binding protein (apolipoprotein) that is part of the chylomicron and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDLs).
Appeal - a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower court.
Arthritis - joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet. A joint functions to allow movement of the body parts it connects. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain.
Assay - an investigative (analytic) procedure in laboratory medicine, pharmacology, environmental biology and molecular biology for qualitatively assessing or quantitatively measuring the presence, amount, or functional activity of a target entity (the analyte).
Autism - refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.
Autoimmune Disease - An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, including infectious agents.
Ayurveda - the traditional Hindu system of medicine, which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing.
Awareness - knowledge or perception of a situation or fact or concern about and well-informed interest in a particular situation or development
B Cells - also known as B lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell of the lymphocyte subtype. They function in the humoral immunity component of the adaptive immune system by secreting antibodies.
Babesia - any of a genus (Babesia) of sporozoans parasitic in mammalian red blood cells and transmitted by the bite of a tick — called also piroplasm
Babesiosis - a malaria-like parasitic disease caused by infection with Babesia, a genus of Apicomplexa. Human babesiosis is a becoming a common and emerging disease in the United States and Europe, and throughout the rest of the world. Ticks transmit the human strain of babesiosis, so it often presents with other tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease. Babesia is thought to be the second-most common blood parasite.
Bartonella - a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. It is the only genus in the family Bartonellaceae. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people, but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella species are transmitted by vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies, and mosquitoes.
Biochemistry - sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. By controlling information flow through biochemical signaling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical processes give rise to the complexity of life.
Bioenergetics - part of biochemistry concerned with the energy involved in making and breaking of chemical bonds in the molecules found in biological organisms. It can also be defined as the study of energy relationships and energy transformations and transductions in living organisms.
Biofeedback - a process whereby electronic monitoring of a normally automatic bodily function is used to train someone to acquire voluntary control of that function.
Biofilm - a thin, slimy film of bacteria that adheres to a surface.
Biological Dentistry - an alternative approach that focuses on the use of non-toxic restorative materials for dental work, and emphasizes the unrecognized impact that dental toxins and dental infections may have on a person's overall health.
Biomedical Technology - a broad term that combines engineering and technology to solve biological or medical problems involving humans, especially the design and use of medical equipment used to diagnose and treat various diseases.
Biophysics - an interdisciplinary science that applies the approaches and methods of physics to study biological systems. Biophysics covers all scales of biological organization, from molecular to organismic and populations.
Bioresonance - practice in which it is proposed that electromagnetic waves can be used to diagnose and treat human illness.
Blood-Brain Barrier - a filtering mechanism of the capillaries that carry blood to the brain and spinal cord tissue, blocking the passage of certain substances.
Blood Pressure - the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.
Body Awareness - is the sense that we have of our own bodies. It is an understanding of the parts that make up one's body, where they are located, how they feel, and even what they can do.
Borrelia - any of several spiral, parasitic bacteria of the genus Borrelia, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans, other mammals, or birds.
Borreliosis - infection with or disease caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia
Brain Fog - a mild to severe episode of mental confusion that can strike without warning. When this occurs, it is common to experience a lack of focus, poor memory recall and reduced mental acuity
Bullseye Rash - A rash that refers to any design or pattern featuring prominent concentric circles, visually suggesting an archery target
Cancer - the disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body
Candida - a yeastlike, parasitic fungus
Cavitation - a cavitation is a cavity or hole of infection in a bone. In surgical nomenclature however, cavitation surgery is the term for the dental surgical procedure that removes diseased bone from within this cavity so that new healthy bone can grow back.
CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - a federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention and preparedness activities in the United States, with the goal of improving overall public health
Celiac Disease - serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications.
Cellular Detoxification - Cellular cleansing is designed to remove harmful toxins from the body where they are causing the problem: at the cellular level.
Cellular Membrane - the semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.
Cellular Metabolism - The sum of all chemical changes that take place in a cell through which energy and basic components are provided for essential processes, including the synthesis of new molecules and the breakdown and removal of others.
Cellular Regeneration - In biology, regeneration is the process of renewal, restoration, and growth that makes genomes, cells, organisms, and ecosystems resilient to natural fluctuations or events that cause disturbance or damage. Cellular Regeneration is specifically the renewal and growth of new cells in the human body
Certification - the action or process of providing someone or something with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement.
Chelation - a chemical process in which a synthetic solution - EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) - is injected into the bloodstream to remove heavy metals and/or minerals from the body.
Chinese Medicine - A medical system that has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Traditional Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, meditation, physical exercise, and massage. Also called Oriental medicine and TCM.
Chiropractor - a practitioner of the system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints.
Chlamydia trachomatis - commonly known as chlamydia, is one of four bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. Chlamydia is a genus of pathogenic bacteria that are obligate intracellular parasites. C. trachomatis is a weakly Gram-negative bacterium.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae - a species of Chlamydophila, an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects humans and is a major cause of pneumonia. It was known as the Taiwan acute respiratory agent (TWAR) from the names of the two original isolates – Taiwan (TW-183) and an acute respiratory isolate designated AR-39.
Cholesterol - a compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues. Cholesterol and its derivatives are important constituents of cell membranes and precursors of other steroid compounds, but a high proportion in the blood of low-density lipoprotein (which transports cholesterol to the tissues) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Chromogenic - (of bacteria) producing some characteristic color or pigment that is useful as a means of identification.
Chronic Illness - An illness that persists for a long time. A chronic illness is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.
Clinical Diagnosis - diagnosis made on the basis of medical signs and patient-reported symptoms, rather than diagnostic tests.
Clinician - a doctor having direct contact with and responsibility for patients, rather than one involved with theoretical or laboratory studies.
Coach / Coaching - form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
Code of Ethics - document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values and the standards to which the professional is held.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - a type of psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought about the self and the world are challenged in order to alter unwanted behavior patterns or treat mood disorders such as depression
Cognitive Distortion - exaggerated or irrational thought patterns that are believed to perpetuate the effects of psychopathological states, especially depression and anxiety. ... These thinking patterns often are said to reinforce negative thoughts or emotions.
Co-infection - concurrent infection of a cell or organism with two organisms
Complex - consisting of many different and connected parts
Complimentary Medicine - any of a range of medical therapies that fall beyond the scope of scientific medicine but may be used alongside it in the treatment of disease and ill health. Examples include acupuncture and osteopathy.
Compounding Pharmay - the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients. Compounded medications are made based on a practitioners prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient.
Consultation - a meeting with an expert or professional, such as a medical doctor, in order to seek advice
Cortisol - a glucocorticoid C21H30O5 produced by the adrenal cortex upon stimulation by ACTH that mediates various metabolic processes
Counseling - the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional.
Cranialsacral Therapy - a system of alternative medicine intended to relieve pain and tension by gentle manipulations of the skull regarded as harmonizing with a natural rhythm in the central nervous system.
Cyst - a tough protective capsule enclosing the larva of a parasitic worm or the resting stage of an organism.
Depersonalization - a state in which one's thoughts and feelings seem unreal or not to belong to oneself, or in which one loses all sense of identity.
Depression - feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
Derealization - a feeling that one's surroundings are not real, especially as a symptom of mental disturbance.
Dermatologist - a medical practitioner qualified to diagnose and treat skin disorders.
Detox - a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances; detoxification.
Diagnosis - the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
Diagnostics - The art or practice of medical diagnosis. A symptom or a distinguishing feature serving as supporting evidence in a diagnosis. An instrument or a technique used in medical diagnosis.
Disability Lawyer - lawyer or attorney who represents claimants in disability cases
Disabled - (of a person) having a physical or mental condition that limits movements, senses, or activities
Disease - disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
Dormant - Something that is dormant is not active, growing, or being used at the present time but is capable of becoming active later on.
Dysfunction - abnormality or impairment in the function of a specified bodily organ or system.
Edema - a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body
EEG Biofeedback - treatment being studied to improve brain function in certain brain disorders and in patients treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer. Sensors are placed on a person's head, which allows brain activity to be shown as patterns on a computer screen.
Ehrlichiosis - an infection caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia
ELISA - An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, also called ELISA or EIA, is a test that detects and measures antibodies in your blood. This test can be used to determine if you have antibodies related to certain infectious conditions.
Emotional Stress - A condition which occurs when a person is under stress affecting their emotions.
Endocrinologist - a physician who specializes in the management of hormone conditions.
Endocrinology - The study of the medical aspects of hormones, including diseases and conditions associated with hormonal imbalance, damage to the glands that make hormones, or the use of synthetic or natural hormonal drugs.
Energy Medicine - the belief that changes in the "life force" of the body, including the electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields, affect human health and can promote healing.
Environmental Medicine - a branch of medicine that studies environmental inputs and the individual's physical, mental, and emotional responses to them.
Environmental Stress - Pressure on the environment caused by human activities (such as generation of pollution) or by natural events (such as occurrence of a drought).
Enzyme - a substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
Epidemic - a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community
Epigenetics - the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
Erythema Migrans - refers to the rash sometimes seen in the early stage of Lyme disease. It can appear anywhere from one day to one month after a tick bite.
Ethics - moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity
Evidence-based Medicine - Evidence based medicine (EBM) is the conscientious, explicit, judicious and reasonable use of modern, best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. EBM integrates clinical experience and patient values with the best available research information. It is a movement which aims to increase the use of high quality clinical research in clinical decision making.
Executive Function - a set of mental skills that help you get things done. These skills are controlled by an area of the brain called the frontal lobe. Executive function helps you: Manage time. Pay attention.
Exercise - activity requiring physical effort, carried out especially to sustain or improve health and fitness.
Experiential Anatomy - a deep, internal study of the body which goes beyond intellectual and classical medical approaches.
Faith - complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Far Infrared - is a region in the infrared spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. Far infrared is often defined as any radiation with a wavelength of 15 micrometers (µm) to 1 mm (corresponding to a range of about 20 THz to 300 GHz), which places far infrared radiation within the CIE IR-B and IR-C bands.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Fibromyalgia - a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.
Flagella - a slender threadlike structure, especially a microscopic whiplike appendage that enables many protozoa, bacteria, spermatozoa, etc., to swim.
Flare-Up - a sudden outburst of something, especially violence or a medical condition.
Flavivirus - a genus of viruses in the family Flaviviridae. This genus includes the West Nile virus, dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus and several other viruses which may cause encephalitis, as well as insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) such as cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), Palm Creek virus (PCV), and Parramatta River virus (PaRV).
Folk Medicine - treatment of disease or injury based on tradition, especially on oral tradition, rather than on modern scientific practice, and often utilizing indigenous plants as remedies.
Free Radicals - an especially reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons; especially : one that is produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from outside (as in tobacco smoke, toxins, or pollutants) and that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure.
Functional Medicine - medical practice or treatments that focus on optimal functioning of the body and its organs, usually involving systems of holistic or alternative medicine. Functional Medicine views us all as being different; genetically and biochemically unique. This personalized health care treats the individual, not the disease. It supports the normal healing mechanisms of the body, naturally, rather than attacking disease directly.
Gastroenterologist - medical specialist devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the digestive system. These disorders may affect the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
Gauss - a unit of magnetic induction, equal to one ten-thousandth of a tesla.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - a psychological disorder characterized by excessive or disproportionate anxiety about several aspects of life, such as work, social relationships, or financial matters.
Gluten Intolerace - Gluten sensitivity or intolerance is a condition that causes a person to react after ingesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Symptoms vary widely and can include gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, fatigue and depression.
Grant - a sum of money given by an organization for a particular purpose.
Grief Counseling - refers to a specific form of therapy, or a focus in general counseling with the goal of helping the individual grieve and address personal loss in a healthy manner.
Hallucination - an experience involving the apparent perception of something not present.
Heparin - a mucopolysaccharide sulfuric acid ester that is found especially in the liver and lungs, that prolongs the clotting time of blood, and that is used medically in the form of its sodium salt.
Herbal Medicine - the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants; herbalism.
Hertx (HZ) - is the derived unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI) and is defined as one cycle per second. It is named for Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, the first person to provide conclusive proof of the existence of electromagnetic waves.
Herxheimer Reaction - A die-off reaction, also called a Herxheimer reaction or Herx, can occur when treating the Lyme germ, some co-infections, and yeast. It occurs as bacteria or yeast die during antibiotic treatment. It is common to have Herxheimer die-off reactions when starting herbal anti-microbials or antibiotics when treating Lyme.
Hippocratic Oath - an oath stating the obligations and proper conduct of doctors, formerly taken by those beginning medical practice. Parts of the oath are still used in most medical schools
HLA - The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system or complex is a gene complex encoding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins in humans. These cell-surface proteins are responsible for the regulation of the immune system in humans.
Homebound - unable to leave one's house, typically due to illness or old age; housebound.
Homeopathy - the treatment of disease by minute doses of natural substances that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of disease.
Hope - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - an increased amount of oxygen in organs and tissues resulting from the administration of oxygen in a compression chamber at an ambient pressure greater than 1 atmosphere of pressure.
Hyperthermia Therapy - A type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs.
Hypnotherapy - combination of hypnosis and therapeutic intervention . The therapist leads the patient to positive change while the patient is deeply relaxed in a state of heightened suggestibility called trance.
Hypoallergenic - designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response, as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances
Hypoperfusion - decreased blood flow through an organ.
IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) - a medical association representing physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases.
IgG - a class of immunoglobulins including the most common antibodies circulating in the blood that facilitate the phagocytic destruction of microorganisms foreign to the body, that bind to and activate complement, and that are the only immunoglobulins to cross over the placenta from mother to fetus.
IgM - a class of immunoglobulins of high molecular weight including the primary antibodies that are released into the blood early in the immune response to be replaced later by IgG and that are highly efficient in binding complement.
Immunoblotting - a technique for analyzing or identifying proteins in a mixture, involving separation by electrophoresis followed by staining with antibodies.
Immunosuppressive - partially or completely suppressing the immune response of an individual
Immune System - the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response and that includes especially the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of lymphoid tissue (as in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow), macrophages, lymphocytes including the B cells and T cells, and antibodies
Immunoglobulin Deficiency - a genetic immunodeficiency, a type of hypogammaglobulinemia. People with this deficiency lackimmunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody that protects against infections of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways, and digestive tract.
Infection - invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
Inflammation - a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
Infrared - wavelength just greater than that of the red end of the visible light spectrum but less than that of microwaves. Infrared radiation has a wavelength from about 800 nm to 1 mm, and is emitted particularly by heated objects.
Infusion - the introducing of a solution especially into a vein
Infusion Nurse - gives patients medication and fluids via injection. They monitor patients, manage their tubing, maintain infusion catheters, and stay aware of potential drug complications.
Insomnia - habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep.
Insurance - a contract, represented by a policy, in which an individual or entity receives financial protection or reimbursement against losses from an insurance company.
Integrative Medicine - is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.
Internal Family Systems Therapy - is an approach to psychotherapy that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities or families within each person's mental system
Internist -a specialist in internal medicine.
Intracellular - located or occurring within a cell or cells.
Intraocular - implanted in, occurring in, or administered by entering the eyeball.
Intravenous - existing or taking place within, or administered into, a vein or veins
Intuition - a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.
Isolation - (a person or place) to be or remain alone or apart from others.
IV - an apparatus used to administer a fluid (as of medication, blood, or nutrients) intravenously
Laboratory Diagnosis - diagnosis based significantly on laboratory reports or test results, rather than the physical examination of the patient.
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) - A social worker usually has a master's degree in social work and has studied sociology, growth and development, mental health theory and practice, human behavior/social environment, psychology, research methods
Limbic System - a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood. It controls the basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, dominance, care of offspring).
LLMD - LLMD stands for Lyme Literate Medical Doctor. This refers to doctors that are educated in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi.
Lumbar Puncture - the procedure of taking fluid from the spine in the lower back through a hollow needle, usually done for diagnostic purposes.
Lyme Disease - an acute and chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. dammini), that is sometimes characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders — called also Lyme
Lyme Literate Certified Clinician - therapist able to competently educate clients about Lyme, identify psychiatric medical needs out of your scope, confidently work with Lyme Literate Medical Doctors and provide the full spectrum of emotional support your clients need ranging from individual to family and group formats.
Lymphatic Drainage - to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart.
Major Depressive Disorder - a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of low mood that is present across most situations. It is often accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, low energy, and pain without a clear cause
Malaria - an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite that invades the red blood cells.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage - type of massage based on preliminary evidence which is hypothesized to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart.
Meditation - the act or process of spending time in quiet thought: the act or process of meditating
Meningoencephalitis - Meningitis + encephalitis, inflammation of the meninges and brain.
Mental Health - a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Memoir - a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources
Metabolism - The complex of physical and chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized.
Microbe - a microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation.
Midline - Same as a PICC Line with the exception that a Midline (ML) catheter is a vascular access device measuring 8 inches or less with the distal tip dwelling in the basilic, cephalic, or brachial vein, at or below the level of the axilla, and distal to the shoulder.
Migraines - a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.
Mindfulness - involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there's a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - to help people who suffer repeated bouts of depression and chronic unhappiness. It combines the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindfulness.
Mitochondria - an organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner layer being folded inward to form layers (cristae).
Mobility - the ability to move or be moved freely and easily.
Modality - A therapeutic method or agent, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or electrotherapy, that involves the physical treatment of a disorder.
Mold - a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts. The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds.
Molecular diagnostics (testing) - a collection of techniques used to analyse biological markers in the genome and proteome—the individual's genetic code and how their cells express their genes as proteins—by applying molecular biology to medical testing. The technique is used to diagnose and monitor disease, detect risk, and decide which therapies will work best for individual patients
Multiple Sclerosis - a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.
Mycology - the scientific study of fungi.
Mycoplasma - any of a group of small typically parasitic bacteria that lack cell walls and sometimes cause diseases.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae - a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes. It is a human pathogen that causes the disease mycoplasma pneumonia, a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia related to cold agglutinin disease.