Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "B"

Bacteria

Small, one-cell microorganisms.

Bacterial meningitis

a condition in which the layers lining the brain (the meninges) have become inflamed as a result of infection with bacteria.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

A syndrome of the female genital tract that occurs when a certain type of bacteria grows so fast and widespread that it displaces protective bacteria known as lactobacilli. BV can lead to infertility and premature delivery and increases the likelihood of HIV transmission.

Bacterium

Any one-celled microorganism that multiplies by dividing cells. The plural form is bacteria.

Balloon kyphoplasty

Similar to a technique known as vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty repairs fractured vertebrae and relieves pain by injecting acrylic cement into the bone to help stabilize it. During balloon kyphoplasty, however, a small orthopedic balloon is inserted into the vertebrae and inflated with liquid. This additional step helps to restore the natural shape and height of the bone. The balloon is then deflated and removed, creating a cavity into which the bone cement may be applied in a more controlled way under lower pressure than required by the vertebroplasty procedure.

Barium enema

A liquid called barium and air are introduced into the large bowel through a tube that is inserted into the rectum; x-rays then are taken to identify any abnormalities.

Barrett's esophagus

This is a condition caused by longstanding reflux, where the normal lining of the esophagus is replaced by abnormal cells. Patients with Barrett's have been shown to have a small increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. Most patients with Barrett's do not develop cancer, but because of the small increase in risk, they need to undergo surveillance with endoscopy every two to three years (this allows a diagnosis of cancer, if it occurs, at a curable stage).

Barrier method

Contraceptives that block sperm from passing through the cervix. Barrier methods include condoms (both male and female condoms), diaphragms, cervical caps, spermicides, and the sponge.

Basal metabolic rate

The number of calories your body needs to maintain its basic functions such as breathing and digestion. Or, the rate at which the body expends energy. It is measured 12 hours after a meal and while the body is at rest.

Basilar artery migraine

Basilar artery migraine involves a disturbance of a major brain artery. Preheadache symptoms include vertigo, double vision and poor muscular coordination. This type of migraine occurs primarily in adolescent and young adult women and is often associated with the menstrual cycle.

Battering

A pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.

Beck Anxiety Inventory

A test health care professionals use to determine the cause, type, severity and frequency of anxiety.

Behavioral therapy

The treatment used to help patients substitute desirable responses and behavior patterns for undesirable ones.

Benign

Not cancerous.

Benign tumor

A noncancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body.

Benzodiazepine agonists

A group of hypnotics or prescription drugs that promote sleep.

Benzodiazepines

A class of drugs that act as tranquilizers; the most common side effects are drowsiness and withdrawal symptoms if treatment is ended abruptly.

Bereavement

A state of suffering after the death of a loved one.

Beta-agonists

A treatment for asthma, this bronchodilator medicine opens the airways during an asthma attack.

Beta blocker

These drugs are adrenalin blockers. They lower adrenaline levels and are used for high blood pressure, chest pain, arrhythmias and to prevent a repeat heart attack. They can also be used in drop form to treat glaucoma by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid produced in the eye.

Beta blockers

These drugs are adrenalin blockers. They lower adrenaline levels and are used for high blood pressure, chest pain, arrhythmias, and to prevent a repeat heart attack. They can also be used in drop form to treat glaucoma by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid produced in the eye.

Beta cell

A type of cell in the pancreas in areas called the islets of Langerhans'. Beta cells make and release insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

The procedure in which a woman's ovaries are removed. When this occurs, a woman undergoes surgical menopause and may experience all the symptoms associated with an abrupt decrease in estrogen. When only one diseased ovary is removed, the procedure is called unilateral oophorectomy.

Bile acid resins

One type of cholesterol-lowering medication, including cholestyramine and colestipol. The resins bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines and remove them in bowel movements.

Binge Drinking

The consumption of at least four alcoholic drinks in a row on a single occasion within the past two weeks for women or five drinks in a row for men, according to criteria established by the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study.

Binge eating

Consuming large amounts of food—up to 20,000 calories—in one sitting.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

A procedure during which a health care provider uses a portable instrument called an impedance analyzer to transmit a non-invasive, low frequency electrical current through electrodes placed on your hand and/or foot with a gel to measure body composition. Sophisticated software analyzes your body composition in seconds.

Biofeedback

A behavior training program that teaches a person how to control certain autonomic reactions such as heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and muscular tension. Biofeedback uses electronic or electromechanical instruments to monitor, measure, process and feed back information about how your body is functioning.

Biopsy

The removal and microscopic examination by a pathologist of a sample of tissue to determine if cancer cells are present.

Bipolar disorder

A mood disorder that almost always includes episodes of depression and is characterized by at least one period of elation or sustained irritability sometime during the course of the illness.

Bladder

A muscular, balloon-like organ that stores urine.

Bladder training

A behavior modification program to change urinary habits and patterns.

Blood clotting disorders

A general term for a variety of disorders in which blood cells do not coagulate or clot properly.

Blood glucose

The main sugar that the body makes from the three elements of food—proteins, fats and carbohydrates—but mostly from carbohydrates. Glucose is the major source of energy for living cells and is carried to each cell through the bloodstream. However, the cells cannot use glucose without the help of insulin.

Blood glucose monitoring

A way of testing how much glucose (sugar) is in the blood. A drop of blood, usually taken from the fingertip, is placed on the end of a coated testing strip. The strip has a chemical on it that changes color according to how much glucose is in the blood. A person can tell if the level of glucose is low, high, or normal in one of two ways. The first is by comparing the color on the end of the strip to a color chart printed on the side of the test strip container. The second is by inserting the strip into a small machine, called a meter, which "reads" the strip and shows the level of blood glucose in a digital display. Blood testing is more accurate than urine testing in monitoring blood glucose levels because it shows the current level of glucose.

Blood pressure

The force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

A waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.

Body composition

The ratio of lean muscle tissue to fat.

Body Mass Index

The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. The measurement takes your weight in kilograms and divides it by your height squared (BMI=weight (kg)/height (m)2. To calculate using pounds and inches, take your weight in pounds, divide by your height squared and multiply by 703: BMI = weight (pounds)/height (inches)2x703. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and one 30 or above is considered obese. For an idea of what this means, a 5-foot-5 woman who weighs 150 pounds is overweight with a BMI of 25. At 180 pounds she is obese.

Bone density

Refers to the density and strength of bones.

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test

A simple, non-invasive medical test that uses special equipment to predict if your bones are at risk for fracture and to monitor the effects of treatment if the test is conducted at intervals of a year or more.

Bone spurs

Small bony growths called osteophytes that grow on the edges of a joint.

Bouchard's nodes

Small bony knobs that may appear on the middle joints of fingers afflicted with osteoarthritis.

Bowel

The small and large intestines.

Bowel movement

Body wastes passed through the rectum and anus.

Brain plasticity

Theories based on the idea that healthy brain cells may take up the functions of brain cells that have died or been damaged. Brain plasticity may explain why some people recover fully after brain injury.

BRCA

The acronym stands for BReast CAncer gene, although the name is a bit misleading, because mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes also dramatically increase a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. The genes, when functioning normally, inhibit cancer, because they are tumor suppressor genes. If mutated, they can lose that protective ability. About 10 percent of breast cancers are caused by an inherited gene, and researchers estimate that mutations in these genes cause about half of those.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Genes that, when mutated, have been associated with a greatly increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Breakthrough bleeding

Spotting or bleeding that occurs in between periods.

Breast cancer

Uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells within the milk-forming glands of the breast, or within the ducts connecting the glands to the nipple.

Breast compression

The squeezing of the breast during mammography to improve detection of small abnormalities.

Breast conservation

Treatment frequently used in early-stage breast cancer that involves removing the cancerous cells and a sample of axillary lymph nodes. This technique is now often used rather than the more radical removal of the entire breast.

Breast forms

Also called prosthesis. Devices that can be worn under the clothing to look like a breast.

Breast implant

A silicone envelope filled with saline, silicone gel, or other material. Placed beneath the skin of the chest or underneath the chest muscles to simulate breast tissue in breast reconstruction.

Breast prosthesis

An external breast form that is weighted to look and feel like your own breast.

Breast reconstruction

Creating a new breast mound to resemble the removed breast tissue.

Breast self exam (BSE)

An examination a woman performs on her own breasts to look for lumps that may be an early sign of breast cancer.

Breathing retraining

The process of learning measured, controlled breathing to head off hyperventilation in a panic attack.

Brisk walking

Walking at about three to four miles an hour.

Bronchi

Any of the primary airways of the lungs

Bronchial dilating medications (bronchodilators)

These short-acting medications act quickly to open up bronchial tubes—the air passages in the lungs—so that more air can flow through and relieve such asthma symptoms as breathing difficulties, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. These medications typically are metered-dose inhalers, but may also be administered in pill, liquid or injection form.

Bronchial tubes

The air passages in the lungs.

Bronchioles

The smallest branches of airways in the lungs. Bronchioles are a continuation of bronchi and connect to the alveoli (air sacs).

Bronchitis

Chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (large air passages in the lungs).

Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma (BAC)

A form of adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Brucellosis

A disease or infection caused by brucella bacteria.

Bruit

French for "noise," a bruit is a blowing sound heard over an aneurysm, a widening of a vessel.

Bruxism

Grinding or gnashing teeth, usually unconsciously.

Buerger's disease

Buerger's disease is relatively rare in this country. It occurs primarily in young smokers and is considered to be directly related to smoking. This condition, which is also called thromboangiitis obliterans, consists of blockages in the small- and medium-sized arteries of the arms and legs and can lead to gangrene and, frequently, to a loss of a limb. The first symptom of Buerger's disease is often lack of blood circulation to a section of the lower leg and localized gangrene in the toes.

Bulimia

A disorder in which a person eats large amounts of food then forces vomiting or uses laxatives to prevent weight gain. Often called bingeing and purging.

Bulimia nervosa

A serious eating disorder that occurs mostly in females. Bulimia is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression.

Bupropion

An antidepressant. Also shown to help counteract addiction and withdrawal in a smoking cessation effort. Increases smoking cessation success rate. Bupropion is sold under different brand names as an antidepressant (Wellbutrin SR) and as a smoking cessation aid (Zyban).

Butoconazole

An antifungal medication available in some prescription preparations to treat vaginal yeast infections.