Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "T"

Tae Bo

A popular aerobic activity that incorporates boxing and martial arts moves with traditional aerobic moves.

Tai Chi

Also known as Tai Chi Chuan (pronounced tie chee chwan), this is a Chinese martial art that combines mental concentration, coordinated breathing and slow, graceful body movements to increase well-being, lessen stress and strengthen the body; sometimes referred to as "moving meditation."

Talk test

A test to insure you're not exercising too intensely; you should be able to carry on a conversation without gasping for breath while exercising.

Tamiflu

Brand-name of oseltamivir, the pill form of a new type of antiviral called a neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI). Used to fight the flu; inhibits both A and B influenza viruses.

Tamoxifen

A selective estrogen receptor modulator sold under the brand name Nolvadex. Tamoxifen is FDA-approved for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence and the prevention of initial breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease.

Tan tien

In traditional Chinese medicine, the area of the lower abdominal area believed to be a reservoir for chi (vital energy); considered the center of the body's chi.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

A severe motor side effect caused by some older, more conventional antipsychotic drugs that affects about 20 to 30 percent of people with schizophrenia.

Tartar

Also called calculus, tartar is the hardened plaque that forms on the teeth if they are not cleaned properly.

Tau

The major protein that makes up neurofibrillary tangles found in degenerating nerve cells. Tau helps maintain the internal structure of nerve cells. In people with Alzheimer's disease, tau is abnormally processed.

Taxol

A drug taken from the bark of the Pacific yew tree and used to treat advanced ovarian cancer.

Temporal lobe epilepsy

The most common epilepsy syndrome with partial seizures.

Temporal lobe resection

A type of surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy in which all or part of the affected temporal lobe of the brain is removed.

Tender points

Tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips.

Tendon reconstruction

Surgery that is most frequently performed on the hands and reconstructs the damaged tendon by attaching an intact tendon to it. It can restore some hand function, particularly if done before the tendon is completely ruptured.

Tendons

Tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone.

Terconazole

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

Teriparatide

A medication that is a form of parathyroid hormone and has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to stimulate bone formation instead of slowing the breakdown of bone. Brand name Forteo.

Testosterone

One of the androgen hormones, mistakenly thought of as only a male sex hormone. Androgen also is naturally occurring in the female body, where it is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and other tissues. There are four types of androgens, the most common being testosterone.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

The chemical that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana.

Theophylline

A medication in the "controller medicines" category. Primarily used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other lung diseases.

Thermography

An experimental technique for diagnosing headaches. An infrared camera converts skin temperature into a color picture or thermogram with different degrees of heat appearing as different colors.

Third-party payer

A third-party payer is an entity—usually an insurance company—that pays the health care expenses of its customers or insureds.

Thoracentesis

A procedure performed to find out whether a build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) is the result of cancer spreading to the membranes covering the lungs (pleura). The skin is numbed and a needle placed between the ribs to drain the fluid. The fluid is then examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells.

Thoracoscopy

A procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube connected to a video camera to view the space between the lungs and chest wall to find out whether a build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) is the result of cancer spreading to the membranes that cover the lungs (pleura). A thoracoscopy allows the doctor to see cancer deposits and remove a small piece of the tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. Thoracoscopy can also be used to sample lymph nodes, or to remove small lung tumors.

Thrombolytics

Drugs used to treat an ongoing, acute ischemic stroke. They halt the stroke by dissolving the blood clot that is blocking blood flow to the brain. The leading thrombolytic is a drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a genetically engineered form of a thrombolytic substance made naturally by the body. It can be effective if given intravenously within three hours of the onset of your stroke, but it can only be given after your health care professional has confirmed that the stroke is ischemic, not hemorrhagic.

Thrombolytic therapy

The use of medications to break up or dissolve blood clots.

Thrombosis

The formation or presence of a blood clot in a blood vessel. The vessel may be any vein or artery as, for example, in a deep vein thrombosis or a coronary (artery) thrombosis. The clot itself is termed a thrombus. If the clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it is a thromboembolism.

Thrombotic stroke

A stroke caused by thrombosis.

Thrush

A surface (throat) fungal infection that is a common side effect of inhalers; can be prevented by rinsing the mouth out with water after using inhaler.

Thyroid

A butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck found on both sides of the trachea. The thyroid secretes the hormone thyroxine which controls metabolism.

Thyroid disease

A disease of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck found on both sides of the trachea. The thyroid secretes the hormone thyroxine, which controls metabolism.

Thyroidectomy

Surgical removal of one or both lobes of the thyroid. The surgery is done with the patient under general anesthesia and takes about two hours.

Thyroid gland

One of the endocrine glands normally situated in the lower part of the front of the neck. It secretes and stores thyroid hormones, which regulate your body's metabolism.

Thyroiditis

An inflammation of the thyroid gland. It can lead to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and goiter. About 12 million Americans are affected by thyroiditis.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland as a signal for the thyroid to produce more or less thyroid hormone.

Tioconazole

An antifungal medication available in some over-the-counter preparations to treat vaginal yeast infections.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

A genetically engineered form of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a thrombolytic, anti-clotting substance made naturally by the body.

Tolerance

The capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance, such as a drug, with repeated use or exposure.

Tolterodine tartrate

Brand name Detrol. A drug to treat bladder conditions that cause urge incontinence; may produce fewer side effects than older medications.

Tonic-clonic seizures

Seizures that cause a mixture of symptoms, including loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body and repeated jerks of the arms and legs. In the past these seizures were sometimes referred to as grand mal seizures.

Tonic seizures

Seizures that cause stiffening of muscles of the body, generally those in the back, legs and arms.

Tonometry

A test to measure your intraocular pressure. In applanation tonometry, a pressure-sensitive tip is placed against the eye to measure its pressure. In Schiotz tonometry, a plunger-like device is applied to the eye, determining pressure by how far the device indents the eye. In noncontact, or "air puff" tonometry, air is blown at the eye and pressure assessed by the eye's resistance to it.

Total abdominal hysterectomy

Removal of the uterus through an incision in the abdomen, including the cervix. The ovaries may or may not be removed at the same time.

Total fat

The sum of the saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats present in food. Foods have a varying mix of these three types.

Tourette's syndrome

A neurological disease with symptoms including multiple tics (uncontrolled movements) and verbal outbursts.

Toxoplasmosis

An infection caused by a parasite in cat feces and raw meat. This infection is considered dangerous to an unborn child. Pregnant women should avoid contact with anything that could put them at risk for toxoplasmosis.

Trabecular meshwork

The mesh-like drain in the eye through which the aqueous humor fluid passes out of the eye.

Trabeculoplasty

A surgical procedure for open-angle glaucoma using a laser to open the trabecular meshwork drainage area in the eye, which allows the aqueous humor fluid to move more freely and reduces intraocular pressure.

Tracheostomy

A surgical procedure in which a small hole is made in the windpipe to facilitate breathing; sometimes used in the treatment of sleep apnea.

Traction

In traction, the act of drawing or exerting a pulling force to help align the spine, eliminate blockages or subluxations and to reduce or eliminate pain. In cervical traction, for instance, a patient lies on a table with a sling under her chin. The sling is attached to a machine that repeatedly but gently pulls the head and then releases it to treat disorders of the spine.

Traction and inflammatory headaches

Symptoms of other disorders, ranging from stroke to sinus infection.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

An ancient system of medicine and health care based on the concept of balanced chi (the body's vital energy). Components of TCM include herbal and nutritional therapy, meditation, acupuncture, acupressure and massage.

Tranquilizers

A drug used to reduce mental disturbances such as anxiety and tension.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

An experimental treatment for depression similar to electroconvulsive therapy (in which electrical currents are sent to the brain) but not causing seizures. It is also used, experimentally, for stroke. A small magnetic current is delivered to an area of the brain to promote plasticity and healing.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

TENS passes electricity to nerve cells through electrodes placed on the patient's skin. TENS is used to relieve pain. Home machines can be used by patients to treat restless legs syndrome.

Trans-fatty acids

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as those used in many margarines and shortenings, contain a particular form of unsaturated fat known as trans-fatty acids that may raise blood cholesterol levels, although not as much as saturated fat.

Transient insomnia

Short-term insomnia, lasting a few weeks or less.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A short-lived stroke that lasts from a few minutes up to 24 hours; often called a mini-stroke.

Transvaginal ultrasound

A painless diagnostic procedure that utilizes a vaginally placed, ultrasonic wave-emitting probe to image pelvic structures including the ovaries and uterus.

Treatment group

The group that receives the new treatment being tested during the study.

Trichomoniasis

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the protozoa T. vaginalis. It is transmitted through vaginal intercourse, sharing sex toys and any other means of exchanging genital fluids. Symptoms include itching, frequent urination and malodorous discharge.

Trichotillomania

a psychological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to pull out one's hair or eyebrows

Tricyclic agent

Medications often used to help sleep. This classification of medications also appears to help relieve pain. Examples include doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon, Limbitrol, Triavil), desipramine (Norpramin), and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Tricyclic antidepressants

A class of antidepressants thought to work by regulating several neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that affect mood). Also used to treat sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.

Tricyclics

A class of antidepressants thought to work by regulating several neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that affect mood). Also used to treat sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.

Trigger

Something that initiates a process or reaction. For example, certain hormonal and environmental factors are known to provoke the biology that causes migraines. They include menstrual and ovulatory cycles, certain foods, weather changes, inadequate rest, strong odors, bright or flashing lights and stress.

Triglycerides

A lipid found in the blood and in food. Produced in the liver, triglycerides are made up of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. More research is needed to determine whether high triglycerides themselves cause narrowing of the arteries or are simply associated with other blood fat abnormalities and other risk factors (such as low levels of HDL cholesterol and being overweight), which may increase the risk for heart disease. Most people with raised triglycerides are also overweight, and weight reduction usually lowers the elevated levels.

Trisomy 18

An extra copy of chromosome 18 causes this multiple anomaly/mental retardation syndrome, which usually proves fatal during the first year of life.

Tryptophan

An amino acid involved in the production of serotonin, a chemical in the brain.

Tubal ligation

A surgical procedure in which fallopian tubes are tied to prevent pregnancy; it can also help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Tubo-ovarian abscess

With pelvic inflammatory disease, infection in the fallopian tubes or ovaries can develop cavities of pus formed by tissue disintegration. If the abscess breaks open, emergency surgery may be needed.

Tubular carcinoma

An invasive ductal type carcinoma characterized by tubular structures ringed with a single layer of cells. Only 2 percent of all breast cancers fall into this category.

Tumescent technique

A liposuction technique in which the amount of fluid infused before suctioning is two to three times the amount of fat to be removed.

Tumor

An abnormal overgrowth of cells; tumors can be either benign or malignant.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)

A compound involved in the cascade of chemical reactions that cause inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. A new drug called Enbrel (etanercept) works by targeting TNF.

Turbinate

Also called a concha, these are structures in the nasal cavity that help humidify and filter air as it passes through the nose.

Turner's syndrome

A genetic disorder in which a girl is born with a missing or incomplete X chromosome. Normally, girls have two full X chromosomes (boys have an XY), which determine sex characteristics. Girls with Turner's develop slowly or incompletely and may need treatment with growth hormone and hormone replacement therapy. The disorder affects about one in 2,000 girls.

Type

The general or prevailing character of any particular substance or disease; a broad class of influenza.

Tyramine

A chemical produced in foods from the natural breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine. It is widely viewed as a migraine provoker. Tyramine levels increase in foods when they are aged, fermented or stored for long periods of time