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The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary
Written in clear, understandable English, The American Heritage Medical Dictionary can decode the medical lingo that your doctor uses, help you understand an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, or explain the latest disease-of-the-week warning you heard on your favorite daytime talk show. Alternative health is not left out either, as medical definitions for both mainstream treatments and alternative medicine techniques are included. The American Heritage Medical Dictionary features over 45,000 definitions and has been updated to reflect advances in medicine and to provide up-to-date and easily readable definitions for medical and health concepts both new and old.
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Medical Terms You Should Know
noun A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. adjective Of or relating to antibiotics. Of or relating to an…
noun A viral infection characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory passages and usually accompanied by malaise, fever, chills, coughing, and sneezing. Also called coryza, acute rhinitis, common cold, coryza. …
noun The act of depressing or the state of being depressed. A reduction in physiological vigor or activity. A lowering in amount, degree, or position. An inward displacement of a body part. A hollow or sunken area. The condition of feeling sad or despon…
or med·i·care noun A program under the US Social Security Administration that reimburses hospitals and physicians for medical care provided to qualifying people over 65 years old. …
noun The sudden onset of intense anxiety, characterized by feelings of intense fear and apprehension and accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, and trembling. Also called anxiety attack. …