ABDOMEN

(Abdomen) The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

ABSCESS

(Absceso) An enclosed collection of pus in tissues, organs, or confined spaces in the body. An abscess is a sign of infection and is usually swollen and inflamed.

ACETAMINOPHEN

(Acetaminofén) A drug that reduces pain and fever (but not inflammation). It belongs to the family of drugs called analgesics. 

ACYCLOVIR

(Aciclovir) A substance used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed. It belongs to the family of drugs called antivirals. 

BIOPSY

(Biopsia) The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle 

BLOOD

(Sangre) A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

BLOOD CELL COUNT

(Recuento sanguíneo completo) A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called CBC and complete blood count.

BRONCHODILATOR

(Broncodilatador) A type of drug that causes small airways in the lungs to open up. Bronchodilators are inhaled and are used to treat breathing disorders, such as asthma or emphysema.

BYPASS

(Bypass) A surgical procedure in which the doctor creates a new pathway for the flow of body fluids.

CALCIUM

(Calcio) A mineral needed for healthy teeth, bones, and other body tissues. It is the most common mineral in the body. A deposit of calcium in body tissues, such as breast tissue, may be a sign of disease.

CALCIUM GLUCONATE

(Gluconato de calcio) The mineral calcium, combined with a form of the sugar glucose. It is used to prevent and treat bone loss. It is also being studied in the treatment of bone loss and nerve damage caused by chemotherapy.

CELL

(Célula)  The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

DIABETES

(Diabetes) Any of several diseases in which the kidneys make a large amount of urine. Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus in which there is also a high level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood because the body does not make enough insulin or use it the way it should.

EDEMA

(Edema) Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.

EMBOLISM

(Embolia) A block in an artery caused by blood clots or other substances, such as fat globules, infected tissue, or cancer cells.

ENDOSCOPY

(Endoscopia) A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

FATIGUE

(Fatiga) A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.

FEVER

(Fiebre) An increase in body temperature above normal (98.6 degrees F), usually caused by disease.

FISTULA

(Fístula) An abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body. Fistulas may be caused by injury, infection, or inflammation, or may be created during surgery.

FOLIC ACID

(Ácido Fólico) A nutrient in the vitamin B complex that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Folic acid helps to make red blood cells. It is found in whole-grain breads and cereals, liver, green vegetables, orange juice, lentils, beans, and yeast. Folic acid is water-soluble (can dissolve in water) and must be taken in every day. Not enough folic acid can cause anemia (a condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal), diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and defects in the brain and spinal cord in a fetus. Folic acid is being studied with vitamin B12 in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Also called folate.

GASTRITIS

(Gastritis)  Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

GENE

(Gen) The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

GYNECOLOGIST

(Ginecólogo) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.

HALLUCINATION

(Alucinaciones) A sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch that a person believes to be real but is not real. Hallucinations can be caused by nervous system disease, certain drugs, or mental disorders.

HAIR FOLLICLE

(Folículo piloso) A shaft or opening on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.

HEMATOMA

(Hematoma) A pool of clotted or partially clotted blood in an organ, tissue, or body space, usually caused by a broken blood vessel.

HEMATOPOIESIS

(Hematopoyesis) The formation of new blood cells.

HEPATECTOMY

(Hepatectomía) Surgery to remove all or part of the liver.

IBUPROFEN

(Ibuprofeno) A drug used to treat fever, swelling, pain, and redness by preventing the body from making a substance that causes inflammation. It is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Also called Advil and Motrin.

ILEUS

(Íleo) Blockage of the intestines.

IMMUNIZATION

(Inmunización) A technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.

KIDNEY

(Riñón) One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red blood cell production), and play a role in blood pressure regulation.

KIDNEY FAILURE

(Insufiencia renal) A condition in which the kidneys stop working and are not able to remove waste and extra water from the blood or keep body chemicals in balance. Acute or severe kidney failure happens suddenly (for example, after an injury) and may be treated and cured. Chronic kidney failure develops over many years, may be caused by conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and cannot be cured. Chronic kidney failure may lead to total and long-lasting kidney failure, called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A person in ESRD needs dialysis (the process of cleaning the blood by passing it through a membrane or filter) or a kidney transplant. Also called renal failure.

LARYNGOSCOPY

(Laringoscopia)Examination of the larynx (voice box) with a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or with a laryngoscope (direct laryngoscopy).

LARYNX

(Laringe) The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called voice box.

LUPUS

(Lupus) A chronic, inflammatory, connective tissue disease that can affect the joints and many organs, including the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. It can cause many different symptoms; however, not everyone with lupus has all of the symptoms. Also called SLE and systemic lupus erythematosus.

MAGNESIUM SULFATE

(Sulfato de magnesio) A drug used to treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (serious complications of pregnancy). Magnesium sulfate is also being studied for its ability to prevent the toxic side effects of certain drugs used to treat colorectal cancer. It is a type of anticonvulsant agent.

MENOPAUSE

(Menopausia) The time of life when a woman’s ovaries stop working and menstrual periods stop. Natural menopause usually occurs around age 50. A woman is said to be in menopause when she hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating, and infertility.

MENORRHAGIA

(Menorragia) Abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding.

METABOLISM

(Metabolismo) The total of all chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism. These changes make energy and the materials needed for growth, reproduction, and maintaining health. They also help get rid of toxic substances.

NARCOTIC

(Estupefacientes) A substance used to treat moderate to severe pain. Narcotics are like opiates such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium. They bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Narcotics are now called opioids.

NERVE

(Nervio) A bundle of fibers that receives and sends messages between the body and the brain. The messages are sent by chemical and electrical changes in the cells that make up the nerves.

NICOTINE

(Nicotina) An addictive, poisonous chemical found in tobacco. It can also be made in the laboratory. When it enters the body, nicotine causes an increased heart rate and use of oxygen by the heart, and a sense of well-being and relaxation. It is also used as an insecticide.

NUTRITION

(Nutrición) The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. Nutrition is a 3-part process. First, food or drink is consumed. Second, the body breaks down the food or drink into nutrients. Third, the nutrients travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body where they are used as "fuel" and for many other purposes. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.

OBESITY

(Obesidad) A condition marked by an abnormally high, unhealthy amount of body fat.

ONCOLOGY

(Oncología) The study of cancer.

OXYGEN THERAPY

(Oxigenoterapia) Treatment in which a storage tank of oxygen or a machine called a compressor is used to give oxygen to people with breathing problems. It may be given through a nose tube, a mask, or a tent. The extra oxygen is breathed in along with normal air. Also called supplemental oxygen therapy.

PALATE

(Paladar) The roof of the mouth. The front portion is bony (hard palate), and the back portion is muscular (soft palate).

PALLIATIVE CARE

(Cuidados Paliativos) Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management.