Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "H"

H2 blockers

These drugs are often called on to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms of scleroderma, if lifestyle and dietary changes aren't enough. You and your health care professional(s) may want to consider such H2 blockers as Tagamet, Zantac or Pepcid AC, which reduce stomach acidity. Prevacid or Prilosec (omeprazole), stronger acid reducers, may be needed in some cases.

Habit

A behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure.

Hallucination

Seeing, hearing or otherwise experiencing something that isn't real.

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale

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

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

An autoimmune disease that is the main cause of hypothyroidism. It affects about 5 percent of the adult population, especially women as they age.

Hatha yoga

The most common form of yoga in the West. Hatha focuses on the physical, incorporating movement, relaxation techniques, specific postures, breathing techniques and sometimes meditation.

Hay fever

Also called allergic rhinitis, this common seasonal allergy is caused by pollen released into the air by plants, trees, grasses and weeds. Hay fever is neither caused by hay nor associated with fever.

HbcAg

The antigen of the DNA-containing core produced in the nuclei of hepatocytes in HBV.

HbsAG

An antigen present in the serum of those infected with HBV.

HDL cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein; one of the two types of cholesterol. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol, because it helps remove cholesterol from the blood.

Health care proxy

Also called a durable power of attorney for health care, medical power of attorney or appointment of health care agent, this is a legal document that names a person to make medical decisions for you any time you are unable to make your own medical decisions. Unless you formally appoint someone, many health care professionals and institutions will make critical decisions for you that might not be based on your wishes. In some situations, a court may have to appoint a guardian unless you have already done so.

Heart arrhythmia

(Also called cardiac arrhythmia) An abnormal rate of heart beats.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is suddenly and permanently cut off, causing permanent damage to the heart muscle. Chest pain is typically severe and does not go away with rest or medicine that is effective with angina. Symptoms may indicate your heart is in danger many months or years before a heart attack occurs. Persistent symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, great fatigue, angina/chest pain, fainting spells and gas-like discomfort, are red flags.

Heart rate

The number of contractions of the heart per minute. A healthy person's maximum heart rate (during maximal exercise) is 220 minus their age.

Heberden's nodes

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

Hematoma

A collection of blood that must be drained

Hematuria

Blood in the urine, which can be a sign of a kidney stone, infection, tumor or other urinary problem.

Hemiplegic migraine

A type of migraine headache that involves temporary paralysis on one side of the body, a condition known as hemiplegia.

Hemispheres

The right and left halves of the brain.

Hemochromatosis

Also called iron overload disorder, this autosomal recessive disorder is characterized by abnormal retention of iron through increased iron absorption in the intestine, leading to symptoms and complications such as bronzed skin, cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, diabetes and heart failure. Symptoms appear slowly, and the disease is often undiagnosed or diagnosed too late to prevent the worst complications. The disease is thought to be one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States—about one in nine Caucasian Americans carries a recessive mutation in the HFE gene, which regulates the amount of iron absorbed from food. Two mutations, named C282Y and H63D, can cause the disease. A person who inherits the defective gene from only one parent is a carrier for the disease but usually does not develop it. However, carriers might have a slight increase in iron absorption. Not everyone who inherits two such mutations develops the disease, suggesting other factors may be at work.

Hemodialysis

The use of a machine to clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have failed. The blood travels through tubes to a dialyzer, which removes wastes and extra fluid. The cleaned blood then flows through another set of tubes back into the body.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)

The substance of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the cells and sometimes joins with glucose (sugar). Because the glucose stays attached for the life of the cell (about four months), a test to measure hemoglobin A1C shows what the person's average blood glucose level was for that period of time.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

A disease that affects the blood and blood vessels. It destroys red blood cells, cells that cause the blood to clot, and the lining of blood vessels. HUS is often caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium in contaminated food. People with HUS may develop acute renal failure.

Hemophilia

An inherited blood disorder caused by a defect in the clotting ability of blood cells. People with hemophilia bleed profusely and easily, either spontaneously and/or with injury.

Hemorrhagic macular degeneration

Another term for wet macular degeneration.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Sudden bleeding into or around the brain.

Hemorrhoid

An itchy or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue.

HEPA filter (High-efficiency particle arrester)

A special filter that can be integrated into central heating and air-conditioning systems to reduce airborne particles associated with allergies, particularly allergies to pollen, animals, mites and mold. Portable HEPA air purifiers have been shown to reduce household levels of mites or animal allergens.

Heparin

A type of blood thinner or anticoagulant given by injection.

Hepatitis

Any one of several viruses that attack the liver.

Hepatocellular adenomas

Noncancerous liver tumors

Herbal medicine

The use of natural plant substances to treat illness or improve health; also called botanical medicine.

Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)

Also known as Lynch syndrome. HNPCC is a more common form of inherited colon cancer, accounting for about 5 to 10 percent of all colorectal cancer cases; HNPCC develops at a younger age than non-inherited colon cancer, although not as young as in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); HNPCC often develops while people are in their 40s and 50s. Women with this disease may be at risk for endometrial or ovarian cancer.

Herpes

An incurable sexually transmitted disease that causes blister-like sores on the genitals, lips and face; in rare cases, it can affect the eyes, fingers or brain.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

An incurable sexually transmitted disease that causes blister-like sores on the genitals, lips and face; in rare cases, it can affect the eyes, fingers or brain.

Herpes virus

Any one of eight members of the herpes virus family. They are: herpes virus simplex type 1 (HSV-1); herpes virus simplex type 2 (HSV-2); cytomegalovirus (CMV); varicella zoster virus; Epstein-Barr virus; human herpes virus type 6; human herpes virus type 7; and human herpes virus type 8, which has been recently linked to Kaposi's Sarcoma, a form of cancer common among HIV-infected homosexual men.

Heterocyclics

A fairly new class of antidepressant drugs that target specific neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate depression and may be more effective than their predecessors, the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, (SSRIs) in treating severely depressed individuals.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. Usually, blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, such as 120/80, and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The first number is the systolic blood pressure, the force used when the heart beats. The second number, or diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure that exists in the arteries between heartbeats. Depending on your activities, blood pressure may move up or down in the course of a day. Blood pressure is considered high when it stays at or above 135/85 mmHg over a period of time. A variety of medications and lifestyle changes can be effective in treating the condition—discuss a plan with your health care professional if you have hypertension. If untreated, hypertension can increase your chance of stroke, coronary heart disease and heart attack, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

HDL is known as "good" cholesterol, because it helps remove cholesterol from the blood.

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

A ranging number of immature cells that are precancerous.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy

Treatment regimens recommended by leading HIV experts to aggressively suppress viral replication and progress of HIV disease. The usual HAART regimen combines three or more drugs such as two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor.

Hirsutism

Male-like hair growth in women. Hairs are usually darker and thicker than is typical for women and may occur in areas such as the upper lip, chin, chest, abdomen or inner thighs.

Histamine

Allergic people produce this potent inflammatory chemical when they come into contact with the aggravating substance, such as pollen, animal dander or dust mites. Histamines trigger most of the symptoms commonly associated with allergies.

HIV

The virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Hives

Skin eruptions marked by small, raised, reddened areas of varying shapes and sizes with clear margins and pale centers, caused by capillary dilation, which is a result of the release of histamines into the bloodstream. Hives are also called urticaria.

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors

Also called statins, these drugs lower cholesterol, particularly LDL, producing reductions of 20 to 60 percent. They are often prescribed with bile acid sequestrants.

Holistic

Refers to the whole person. Holistic health care concerns itself with not only physical health, but with total emotional, physical, spiritual and mental well-being. When you get sick or injured, or when part of your body is not functioning properly, it affects the whole body. Thus, the whole body must be treated rather than focusing only on the illness or body part that is unhealthy. Holistic health care involves the use of natural supplements, diet, exercise and spiritual or emotional therapies. Those who promote this approach say it causes few side effects, costs less than traditional medical health care and leads to a healthier lifestyle, preventing future illnesses.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a natural, noninvasive system of medical treatment based on the theory that substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can—in diluted amounts—cure those symptoms in an unhealthy person.

Homocysteine

An amino acid that is found normally in the body. Recent studies suggest that high blood levels of this substance may increase a person's chances of developing heart disease, stroke and reduced blood flow to the hands and feet. It is believed that high levels of homocysteine may damage the arteries, make the blood more likely to clot and/or make blood vessels less flexible. Homocysteine levels are affected by the consumption of three vitamins—folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. People who consume less than the recommended daily amounts of these vitamins are more likely to have higher homocysteine levels. Recommended daily amounts are as follows: 400 micrograms of folic acid, 2 milligrams of B6, and 6 micrograms of B12. It has not yet been proven that lowering homocysteine levels will help prevent heart or blood vessel disease.

Honeymoon phase

The period after a violent episode during which the abuser apologizes to the victim and promises to stop the abuse. The abuser may blame his or her actions on the victim. Often the victim accepts the abuser's apologies and forgives the behavior. The "honeymoon" phase is the third stage in the cycle of violence and is followed by a period when tension builds up again.

Hormonal contraceptives

Oral, transdermal and injectable contraceptives are sometimes used to treat less severe cases of endometriosis without intense side effects. Synthetic testosterone is also used but can cause some undesirable side effects including weight gain, hirsutism (hair growth) and lowering of the voice.

Hormone

The body's chemical messengers. Estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) are the main hormones involved in the reproductive process.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone therapy comes in two forms: a combination of estrogen and a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone (progestin) — a combination known as HRT — and estrogen replacement therapy, or ERT, when estrogen alone is prescribed. HRT is typically given to women who have not had hysterectomies because estrogen is known to increase the risk of uterine cancer. The addition of progestin decreases estrogen's effects on the uterine lining, thus reducing this risk. Both HRT and ERT are available in a variety of applications: pills, creams, skin patches, vaginal ring and injections. Recent major scientific studies have found significant health risks, including higher risk for breast cancer, in postmenopausal women using a form of estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy (or combination HRT).

Hormones

Chemicals made by glands that travel through the blood and work as messengers. Estrogen, androgen and progesterone are all hormones.

Hormone therapy

In treating breast cancer, hormone therapy deprives cancer cells of the female hormone estrogen, which some cancers need to grow.

Hormone therapy (HT)

Hormone therapy comes in two forms: a combination of estrogen and a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone (progestin) — a combination known as HT — and estrogen-alone therapy, or ET. HT is typically given to women who have not had hysterectomies, because estrogen is known to increase the risk of uterine cancer. The addition of progestin decreases estrogen's effects on the uterine lining, thus reducing this risk. Both HT and ET are available in a variety of applications: pills, creams, skin patches, vaginal ring and injections. Recent major scientific studies have found significant health risks, including higher risk for breast cancer, in postmenopausal women using a form of estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy (or combination HT).

Hospice

A form of palliative care that can take place in a hospice facility, in a hospital or at home. The focus is not on treating or curing a condition but on making the patient as comfortable as possible. Those in hospice care generally have a life expectancy of less than six months.

HPV (Human papillomavirus)

A common name for a group of viruses that may result in small warts on your cervix, vagina or vulva. More than 70 known forms of this virus exist. HPV is a risk factor in developing cervical cancer.

HPV test

The first FDA-approved test for the human papillomavirus is called the Hybrid Capture II. It detects many HPV types using DNA amplification technology. It is not reliable alone but is a valuable diagnostic tool when used in conjunction with Pap tests.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

A group of viruses that cause the most common sexually transmitted disease — genital warts. Infection can also occur without visible warts and is the major cause of abnormal Pap smears and cervical cancer in women. HPV infection is incurable but often treatable by a health care professional.

Huntington disease

An autosomal dominant genetic disorder that causes neurological degeneration beginning in middle age and is ultimately fatal. Symptoms include involuntary movements, loss of intellectual faculties, mood swings and forgetfulness. Because the mutation is dominant, a person with Huntington disease has a 50 percent chance of having a child with the disease.

Huperazine A

This is a moss extract that has been used in traditional Chinese therapies for centuries. It is being studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, because it has certain properties similar to some of the medical therapies approved by the FDA, such as donepezil, rivastigmine and tacrine.

Hyaluronic acid

A medicine injected in the joints to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. This substance is a normal component of the joint, involved in joint lubrication and nutrition. Many patients experience pain relief after a series of three to five injections.

Hycamtin

A relatively new drug that kills cancer cells by inhibiting an enzyme essential to the replication of human DNA.

Hydrotherapy

Physical therapy or exercise done in water to decrease pain and stiffness. Exercising in a large pool may be easier because water takes some weight off painful joints. Community centers, YMCAs and YWCAs have water exercise classes developed for people with arthritis. Some patients also find relief from the heat and movement provided by a whirlpool. Constitutional hydrotherapy utilizing hot and cold towel applications is often used to detoxify and stimulate the immune system.

Hydroxychloroquine

An antimalarial drug sometimes used to relieve the swelling, stiffness and pain associated with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome.

Hydroxyzine

A type of antihistamine sometimes prescribed for insomnia.

Hyperactivity

Excessive or abnormally increased activity.

Hyperandrogenism

A condition of having above-normal androgen levels, leading to cosmetic symptoms such as facial hair, acne or oily skin and hair thinning. Hyperandrogenism is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, which can increase risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Hypercalciuria

Abnormally large amounts of calcium in the urine.

Hyperglycemia

Too high a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; a sign that diabetes is out of control. Many things can cause hyperglycemia. It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it has to turn glucose into energy. Signs of hyperglycemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth and a need to urinate often. For people with insulin-dependent diabetes, hyperglycemia may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.

Hypermastia

Very large breasts.

Hyperoxaluria

Unusually large amounts of oxalate in the urine, leading to kidney stones.

Hyperplasia

A precancerous condition in which there is an increase in the number of normal cells lining the uterus.

Hypertension

Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. Usually blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, such as 120/80, and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The first number is the systolic blood pressure, the force used when the heart beats. The second number, or diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. Depending on your activities, blood pressure may move up or down in the course of a day. Blood pressure is considered high when it stays at or above 135/85 mmHg over a period of time. A variety of medications and lifestyle changes can be effective in treating the condition—discuss a plan with your health care professional if you have hypertension. If untreated, hypertension can increase your chance of stroke, coronary heart disease and heart attack, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

Hyperthyroidism

A disorder characterized by an overactive thyroid gland.

Hyperuricosuria

Excretion of excessive amounts of uric acid in the urine.

Hypnagogic hallucinations

Vivid, often frightening, dream-like experiences that occur while dozing or falling asleep; a symptom of narcolepsy although people without narcolepsy may experience this symptom as well.

Hypnosis

A deeply relaxed trance-like state (usually guided by a hypnotist or hypnotherapist) during which you are extremely open to suggestions.

Hypnotherapist

A trained professional (usually in a healthcare field) who uses hypnosis to improve a client's health.

Hypnotherapy

the use of hypnosis to help an individual overcome feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Utilizing a state of deep relaxation, the therapist helps the patient explore and uncover memories, emotions and past events that may affect the person's conscious mind.

Hypnotic medications

Prescription drugs that promote sleep.

Hypnotizability

This is a measure of how likely you are to be hypnotized and depends on how open you are to suggestion under hypnosis. Where you fall on the continuum of hypnotizability depends on whether you respond to many or few suggestions. Most people are average in hypnotizability, and that’s good enough for most clinical applications.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Persistent, recurrently reduced or absent sexual fantasies or thoughts and desire for sexual activity that cause distress or interpersonal difficulties.

Hypoandrogenism

Androgen deficiency, characterized by low libido, fatigue and a decreased sense of well-being. Hypoandrogenism can contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.

Hypodermis

The deepest layer of skin. A layer of fatty tissue that provides nourishment to the dermis and upper skin layers. It also conserves body heat and cushions internal organs against trauma. Blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, and deeper hair follicles are found in the hypodermis.

Hypogammaglobulinemia

A weakness in the immune system.

Hypoglycemia

Too low a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. A person with hypoglycemia may feel nervous, shaky, weak or sweaty, and have a headache, blurred vision and hunger. Taking small amounts of sugar, sweet juice, or food with sugar will usually help the person feel better within 10 to 15 minutes. It is also thought to contribute to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Hypomania

A milder form of mania with behavioral changes significant enough to be noticed by others but not severe enough to impair function markedly; no psychosis is present.

Hypothyroidism

A disorder characterized by an underactive thyroid gland.

Hysterectomy

The surgical procedure in which your uterus is removed. After a hysterectomy, you will no longer menstruate and you will be infertile. The procedure may or may not include removal of your ovaries, called an oopherectomy. Removing your uterus does not cause menopause. If your ovaries are left intact, they continue to produce eggs and release hormones until menopause. If they are removed, menopause begins.

Hysterosalpingogram

(HSG) A diagnostic test that uses radiopaque dye and an x-rays to provide an outline of the interior of the uterus. HSG is typically performed in a radiology suite with no anesthesia.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

A diagnostic test that uses radiopaque dye and an x-rays to provide an outline of the interior of the uterus. HSG is typically performed in a radiology suite with no anesthesia.

Hysterosalpingography

A dye is injected into your uterus and then x-rays are used to get a look at the uterine cavity.

Hysteroscope

A small camera on the end of a long tube that enables health care professionals to look directly into the uterus.

Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

This procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia, typically in an out-patient setting. The uterine lining is viewed through a hysteroscope during this procedure and burned away (ablated) with an electrosurgical tip called a "roller ball" or with a laser. It is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Women are no longer fertile after uterine ablation, as the uterine lining is burned away. Risks include uterine perforation, injury to the cervix, and fluid overload (a rare condition that occurs when the fluid used to expand the uterus during surgery leaks out into the blood vessels).

Hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection (EMR)

A procedure performed with the aid of a lit telescope inserted into the uterine cavity (hysteroscope). The entire uterine lining (endometrium) as well as a quarter inch of the underlying muscle tissue (myometrium) is carved out of the uterine cavity.

Hysteroscopy

A procedure in which health care professionals look at the uterine cavity by inserting a hysteroscope into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. No incision is necessary.