Move+it+MV

Molly Vaughn 7 October 2008

Problems Moving It Define each of these; you will need to know what they are for the test

Hypertension 97: Hypertension occurs when blood moves through the arteries at a higher pressure than normal. Also called high blood pressure, hypertension is sometimes called a silent killer because it may not be detected until it has caused a heart attack, stroke, or even kidney failure. Hypertension is present when the systolic blood pressure is 140 or greater or the diastolic blood pressure is 90 or greater. While both systolic and diastolic pressures are considered important, it is the diastolic pressure that is emphasized when medical treatment is being considered. The best safeguard against developing hypertension is regular blood pressure checks and a lifestyle that lowers the risk of CVD. If already present, a physician can prescribe various drugs that help lower blood pressure. Diuretics cause the kidneys to excrete water; beta-blockers and angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors counteract hormones that tend to raise the blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis 97: Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of soft masses of fatty materials, including cholesterol, beneath the inner linings of arteries.

Embolus 97: An embolus is when and it a clot dislodges and moves along with the blood.

Stroke 97: A cerebrovascular accident, also called a stroke, often results when a small cranial arteriole bursts or is blocked by an embolus. A lack of oxygen causes a portion of the brain to die, and paralysis or death can result. A person is sometimes forewarned of a stroke by a feeling of numbness in the hand or the face, difficulty in speaking, or temporary blindness in one eye.

Myocardial infarction 97: A myocardial infarction, also called a heart attack, occurs when a portion of the heart muscle dies due to lack of oxygen. If a coronary artery becomes partially blocked, the individual may then suffer from angina pectoris, characterized by a radiating pain in the left arm. Nitroglycerin or related drugs dilate blood vessels and help relieve the pain. When a coronary artery is completely blocked, perhaps because of thrombeombolism, a heart attack occurs.

Aneurysm 99: An aneurysm is a ballooning of a blood vessel, most often the abdominal artery or the arteries leading to the brain. Atherosclerosis and hypertension can weaken the wall of an artery to the point that an aneurysm develops. If a major vessel such as the aorta should burst, death is likely. It is possible to replace a damaged or diseased portion of a vessel, such as an artery, with a plastic tube.

Sinusitis 180: Sinusitis develops when nasal congestion blocks the tiny openings leading to the sinuses. Symptoms include postnasal discharge, as well as facial pain that worsens when the patient bends forward. Pain and tenderness usually occur over the lower forehead or over the cheeks. If the latter, toothache is also a complaint. Successful treatment depends on restoring proper drainage of the sinuses. Even a hot shower and sleeping upright can be helpful. Otherwise, spray decongestants are preferred over oral antihistamines, which thicken rather than liquefy the material trapped in the sinuses.

Bronchitis 180: Acute bronchitis is an infection of the primary and secondary bronchi. Usually, it is preceded by a viral URI that has led to a secondary bacterial infection. Most likely, a nonproductive cough has become a deep cough that expectorates mucus and perhaps pus.

Pneumonia 180: Pneumonia is a viral or bacterial infection of the lungs in which the bronchi and alveoli fill with thick fluid. Most often, it is preceded by influenza. High fever and chills, with headache and chest pain, are symptoms of pneumonia. Rather than being a generalized lung infection, pneumonia may be localized in specific lobules of the lungs; obviously, the more lobules involved, the more serious is the infection. Pneumonia can be caused by a bacterium that is usually held in check but has gained the upper hand due to stress and/or reduced immunity.

Emphysema 181: Emphysema is a chronic and incurable disorder in which the alveoli are distended and their walls damaged, so that the surface area is available for gas exchange is reduced. Emphysema, which is most often caused by smoking, is often preceded by chronic bronchitis. Air trapped in the lungs leads to alveolar damage and a noticeable ballooning of the chest. The elastic recoil of the lungs is reduced, so not only are the airways narrowed, but the driving force behind expiration is also reduced. The victim is breathless and may have a cough. Because the surface area for gas exchange is reduced, less oxygen reaches the heart and the brain. Even so, the heart works furiously to force more blood through the lungs, and an increased workload on the heart can result. Lack of oxygen to the brain can make the person feel depressed, sluggish, and irritable. Exercise, drug therapy, supplemental oxygen, and giving up smoking may relieve the symptoms and possibly slow the progression of emphysema.

Asthma 182: Asthma is a disease of the bronchi and bronchioles that is marked by wheezing, breathlessness, and sometimes a cough and expectation of mucus. The airways are unusually sensitive to specific irritants, which can include a wide range of allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust, tobacco smoke, and industrial fumes. Even cold air can be irritant. When exposed to the irritant, the smooth muscle in the bronchioles undergoes spasms. It now appears that chemical mediators given off by immune cells in the bronchioles cause the spasms. Most asthma patients have some degree of bronchial inflammation that further reduces the diameter of the airways and contributes to the seriousness of an attack. Asthma is not curable, but it is treatable. Special inhalers can control the inflammation and hopefully prevent an attack, while other types of inhalers can stop the muscle spasms should an attack occur.

Sprain 240: A sprain is a twisting of a joint leading to swelling and injury, not only of muscles but also of ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. The ankle and knee are often subject to sprains.

Tendinitis 240: In tendinitis, the normal, smooth gliding motion of a tendon is impaired, the tendon is inflamed, and movement of a joint becomes painful. The most common cause of tendinitis is overuse. A new exercise program or an increased level of exercise can bring on the symptoms of tendinitis. As we age, tendonitis is usually associated with the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

Muscular dystrophy 240: Muscular dystrophy is a broad term applied to a group of disorders that are characterized by a progressive degeneration and weakening of muscles. As muscle fibers die, fat and connective tissue take their place.

ALS 240: ALS is better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease because Lou Gehrig is a famous 1930-era baseball player who died of the disease. ALS sufferers experience gradual loss of the ability to walk, talk, chew, and swallow. Mental abilities and sensations are not affected, however. Drugs are available that slow the progression of the disease, but it cannot be cured.