Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "E"

Echocardiogram

A test that uses ultrasound to evaluate the shape, structure and strength of the heart muscle and the heart valves. This test is noninvasive and can be performed during rest or exertion.

Eclampsia

Preeclampsia (toxemia) accompanied by seizures or coma.

Ectopic pregnancy

A fertilized egg implanted outside the uterus. It is often caused by scarring or blockage of the fallopian tubes. The most common site is within the fallopian tubes, and this is referred to as tubal pregnancy. Although less common, pregnancy can occur in the ovary and abdomen.

Eczema

Also known as atopic dermatitis, this condition causes an itchy, red, cracked, scaly rash with small blisters that weep. It can occur anywhere on the body but is found most commonly on the elbows, hands, face and backs of the knees. It can be triggered by an allergic reaction.

Edema

The swelling of a cell due to an influx of large amounts of fluid.

Elasticity

The ability of the skin to resist and recover from stretching. Loss of elasticity causes skin to appear wrinkly.

Elastin

A protein found in the dermis that provides support and elasticity to the skin.

Elavil

Brand name for the antidepressant amitriptyline (see separate entry).

Elder abuse

The abuse of elderly victims by family members or caregivers.

Eldercare law

An area of law dealing with the elderly.

Electrical stimulation

This therapy involves attaching a small transmitter to the skin around a painful area. The transmitter emits electrical impulses that block pain signals. You feel a tingling or buzzing sensation rather than pain. Electrical stimulation may work by stimulating the release of endorphins.

Electroacupuncture

A variation of acupuncture in which the needle points are stimulated electronically with a very low voltage.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and rests. To record the ECG, a health care professional positions a number of small contacts on the patient's arms, legs and across the chest to connect them to an ECG machine. Abnormal heartbeats and some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow and heart enlargement can be detected on the records. For many patients with angina, the ECG at rest may be normal. This is not surprising, because the symptoms of angina occur during stress. Therefore, the functioning of the heart may be tested under stress, typically exercise. In the simplest stress test, the ECG is taken before, during and after exercise to look for stress-related abnormalities. Blood pressure is also measured during the stress test, and symptoms are noted.

Electrocardiograph

A device to measure heart rate; it uses electrodes placed on the chest.

Electrocautery

This procedure uses electric current passing through an instrument to destroy tissue.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A treatment for depression or mania in which a small amount of electrical current is sent to the brain to help regulate mood.

Electrode

An adhesive sensor patch placed on your body; connected by wires to special machinery, it helps measure physiological activity.

Electrodermal biofeedback

A form of biofeedback that measures subtle changes in the surface of your skin—especially the activity of your sweat glands.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A test that uses electrodes to measure brain activity. EEG's can indicate a malfunction in the brain but cannot usually pinpoint a problem that might be causing headaches.

Electroencephalograph

A device to measure brain-wave activity. It uses electrodes placed on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of different parts of the brain.

Electrolytes

Specific combinations of minerals over which your body must maintain balance to function properly.

Electromagnetic signals

The minute electrical impulses that transmit information through and between nerve cells.

Electromyographic training

Also called EMG training. A type of biofeedback in which the patient learns to control muscle tension in the face, neck and shoulders.

Electromyography

A device used to gauge muscle tension that measures electrical activity in a muscle at rest or during contraction.

Emaciation

Extreme leanness caused by disease or lack of nutrition.

Embolic stroke

A stroke caused by an embolus.

Embolus

A free-roaming clot that usually forms in the heart.

Emergency contraception

Methods of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. These methods include taking a higher-than-normal dose of birth control pills or having an IUD inserted.

Emphysema

A condition of the lung marked by destruction of the air sacs in the lungs, often caused by smoking. It causes shortness of breath.

Enbrel (etanercept)

A genetically engineered protein drug that helps reduce the symptoms of adult moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who have not responded well to other treatments. Enbrel works by binding to and inactivating a compound called tumor necrosis factor that is involved in the cascade of chemical reactions that cause inflammation in RA patients. It can also be used in combination with methotrexate if methotrexate alone isn't doing the job. Remicade also blocks tumor necrosis factor.

Encephalitis

A viral infection of the brain that leads to inflammation.

Endep

Brand name for the antidepressant amitriptyline (see separate entry).

Endocrine

Describes the body system that includes internal organs that secrete hormones that affect other organs.

Endocrinologist

A physicians who cares for patients with complex hormonal disorders and metabolic conditions, including obesity, as well as diabetes, thyroid disorders, metabolic bone disease, pituitary and adrenal conditions and growth and gonadal disorders.

Endometrial

The inner mucous membrane of the uterus that sheds during menstruation.

Endometrial biopsy

Some tissue is removed from the lining of your uterus by a gentle scraping method. The tissue is analyzed under a microscope to identify a potential problem.

Endometriosis

A disease that affects women of all ages. It occurs when pieces of the uterine lining grow outside the uterus and get stuck to other organs or structures within a woman's body. Just as the lining of the uterus is shed each month during menstruation, displaced endometrial tissue also thickens and bleeds. Unlike the uterine lining, however, the displaced tissue cannot be expelled and therefore continues to grow, causing scar tissue to form. Women sometimes have no symptoms. Those who do report mild to severe pain, generally in the pelvic and abdominal region.

Endometritis

Infection of the lining of the uterus.

Endometrium

The inner layer of the uterus that grows and sheds each month.

Endorphin

Any of a group of proteins with potent analgesic properties that occur naturally in the brain.

Endorphins

Natural pain-killing amino acids that the brain produces as a result of exercise or other strenuous activity.

Endoscope

A small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end that is used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue samples from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.

Endoscopy

A procedure during which a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end is used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.

Endothelium

The lining of the arteries.

Endovascular

Within the blood vessels.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Total chronic kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

Endurance

The ability of your muscles to keep moving without becoming exhausted.

Enema

A rectal infusion of fluid intended to clean out the bowel or deliver drugs or nutrients.

Enterocele

When the small intestine prolapses (drops) into the vagina.

Enzyme

A protein produced in a cell and capable of speeding up chemical reactions without being destroyed or altered.

Ephedra or ma huang

An herbal supplement that stimulates the nervous system; it's often found in weight-loss or energy supplements. Not only can it cause potentially deadly side effects in some people, but combining ephedra with any of a variety of other medications can lead to potentially serious problems, especially in people with high blood pressure.

Epidemic

A disease occurring suddenly in a community, region or country, in numbers clearly in excess of normal.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin, the epidermis has four layers: the stratum corneum, the granular layer, the squamous cell layer and the basal cell layer.

Epilepsy

A nervous-system disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of seizures.

Epinephrine

A drug that stimulates the adrenal glands and narrows the blood vessels; it is used to treat extreme allergic reactions, among other things.

Epinephrine compounds

Types of glaucoma medications in drop form that increase the rate of aqueous humor flow out of the eye.

Episiotomy

an incision made in the skin between the vagina and anus (the perineum) to enlarge the vaginal opening and facilitate childbirth.

Epithelial ovarian cancer

Cancer of the cells that make up the outer lining of the ovaries.

Epstein-Barr virus

One of the eight known types of human herpes viruses, also known as human herpes virus 4 (HHV-4). It commonly causes acute mononucleosis and less commonly chronic mononucleosis. Interest in CFS was renewed in the mid-1980s after several studies found slightly higher levels of the antibody to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients with CFS-like symptoms than in healthy individuals. Most of these patients had experienced an episode of infectious mononucleosis (sometimes called mono or the “kissing disease") a few years before they began to experience the chronic debilitating symptoms of CFS. As a result, for a time the CFS-like illness became popularly termed "chronic EBV."

Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)

A self-administered test consisting of eight questions designed to measure an individual's general level of daytime sleepiness, on a scale of zero to 24. A score of 10 or more suggests that further tests may be needed to determine the reason for the sleepiness.

Ergotamine tartrate

One of the most commonly used drugs for the relief of migraines with or without auras. It is a vasoconstrictor, which helps counteract the painful dilation stage of the headache. For optimal benefit, the drug is taken during the early stages of an attack.

Erosive Esophagitis

Irritation of the esophagus with visible damage of the lining documented by endoscopy, usually caused by acid flowing up from the stomach (gastroesophageal reflux).

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

A test that measures the presence of inflammation in the body.

Erythropoietin

A hormone made by the kidneys to help form red blood cells. Lack of this hormone may lead to anemia.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A bacteria that lives in the digestive tract.

Esophagus

The tube extending from below the tongue to the stomach.

Essential fatty acids

A category of fatty acids found in polyunsaturated fats that the body needs but cannot manufacture. Good sources of one type, Omega-3, include certain fish, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts. Good sources of the other type, Omega-6, include corn oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil.

Estrogen

A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics.

Estrogen-progestin shot

A type of long-acting hormonal contraception that contains the same hormones as combination birth control pills. It is taken as a once-a-month injection in the arm or buttocks. Injections are administered by a health care professional.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

The hormone estrogen, usually taken as a pill or skin patch, to relieve menopausal symptoms generally in women without a uterus. It is also approved for the management of osteoporosis.

Ethmoid sinuses

The sinuses that are between your eyes, behind the bridge of your nose. If the ethmoid sinuses are infected, your nose might hurt or feel stuffy or you could lose your sense of smell.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease.

Eudynia

A signal to the body that it's being damaged in some way that needs immediate attention. Usually lasts for a short time and can be treated with rest and over-the-counter medication. Toothaches, sprains, backaches or a broken bone are common sources of eudynia.

Evoked potential test

Noninvasive tests to measure the speed at which messages travel through your body. The time it takes for your brain to receive and interpret messages is a clue to your condition. Visual evoked potential tests are abnormal in approximately 90 percent of people with multiple sclerosis. Auditory and sensory evoked potential tests are abnormal less often.

Exacerbation

In multiple sclerosis, an exacerbation is the appearance of new symptoms or the aggravation of old ones, lasting at least 24 hours.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

The inability to stay awake during the day, even in situations in which wakefulness is required. EDS can be a symptom of narcolepsy, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and circadian rhythm disorder.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Nerve-signaling chemicals that increase activity in neurons.

Exophthalmos

A condition common to patients with hyperthyroidism, characterized by eyes that seem to be popping out of their sockets.

Exposure therapy

A type of treatment that includes gradually bringing patients into contact with a feared object or situation; patients learn that the object or situation can be faced and that avoidance is unnecessary.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)

A nonsurgical procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones.

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS)

Physical symptoms that are primarily associated with improper dosing of or unusual reactions to antipsychotic medications. These symptoms include tremor, slurred speech, akathesia, dystonia, anxiety, distress, paranoia, and bradyphrenia.

Extrusion

In relation to breast implants, it occurs when an implant pushes through the skin.

Exudative macular degeneration

Another term for wet macular degeneration.