Oregano Cures - Medicine and Health Glossary "G"

Welcome to the Pure-le Natural Health Glossary. A thorough and complete guide to conditions and terminology used in natural and allopathic medicine. We have compiled a list of frequently used health, natural health and allopathic terms and have defined them in clear and simple everyday language.

Term	Synonyms	Definition
G6PD		A deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate, a chemical necessary for glucose metabolism. Some people have inherited deficiencies of this substance and have added risks when taking some drugs.
Gait		Pattern of walking.
Galactagogue		A substance that increases the production of milk.
Galactocele		A milk-filled tumor in a blocked breast milk duct.
Galactorrhea		Breast milk production by a woman who is not pregnant and has not just given birth
Galactose		A sugar that is formed from the breakdown of lactose.
Galactosemia		A genetic disorder in which galactose cannot be converted into glucose.
Gallbladder		Structure located under the liver that stores bile and then releases it into the small intestine.
Gallstone		A round, hard mass of cholesterol, bile, or calcium salts that is found in the gallbladder or a bile duct.
Gallstone ileus		An abnormal condition in which a gallstone passes from the gallbladder into the intestines through an abnormal passage and blocks the intestine.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer	GIFT	A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the woman’s ovary, combining it with sperm, and immediately injecting the egg and sperm into the fallopian tube. Fertilization takes place inside the fallopian tube.
Gametes		Sperm or ovum (egg); the cells of reproduction.
Gamma globulin		A protein found in the blood that helps fight infection.
Gamma rays		High-energy rays that come from a radioactive source such as cobalt-60.
Gamophobia		The fear of marriage.
Ganglion		Mass of nerve cells. Also, a cyst in a tendon.
Gangrene		Death of body tissue, usually due to loss of blood supply.
Gastrectomy		The surgical removal of all or part of the stomach.
Gastric		Pertaining to the stomach.
Gastric acid		The digestive acid in the stomach.
Gastric atrophy		A condition in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak. It results in a lack of digestive juices.
Gastric juice		The digestive fluids produced by the lining of the stomach that break down proteins and destroy harmful organisms.
Gastric lavage	Stomach pumping	The washing out of the stomach with water, often to treat poisoning.
Gastric ulcer		A peptic ulcer.
Gastrin		The hormone that stimulates the release of gastric acid in the stomach.
Gastrinoma		A tumor that produces gastrin, making the stomach and duodenum more acidic.
Gastritis		An inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the stomach; can have a number of causes, including viruses, bacteria, and use of alcohol and other drugs.
Gastroenteritis		An inflammatory condition of the stomach and intestines leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Usually of bacterial or viral origin.
Gastroenterologist		A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system.
Gastrointestinal		Pertaining to stomach, small intestine, large intestine, colon, rectum and sometimes the liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
Gastrointestinal series		A set of X-rays, taken at different intervals after a barium sulfate solution is swallowed, to examine the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal tract		The part of the digestive system that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Gastroparesis		A form of nerve damage that affects the stomach. Food is not digested properly and does not move through the stomach in a normal way, resulting in vomiting, nausea, or bloating and interfering with diabetes management.
Gastroscope		A flexible, lighted instrument that is put through the mouth and esophagus to view the stomach. Tissue from the stomach can be removed through the gastroscope.
Gastroscopy		An examination of the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) using an endoscope inserted through the mouth .
Gastrostomy		The surgical creation of an opening in the abdominal wall into the stomach for drainage or a feeding tube.
Gatophobia		The fear of cats.
Gaucher’s disease		A genetic disorder in which lipids cannot be properly broken down and build up in certain cells; causes enlargement of the spleen and liver, bone damage, and anemia.
Gavage		An artificial feeding technique in which liquids are passed into the stomach by way of a tube inserted through the nose.
Gene		Structure within a chromosome that is responsible for inheritance of a particular characteristic.
Gene therapy		Treatment that alters genes (the basic units of heredity found in all cells in the body). In early studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to fight the disease or to make the tumor more sensitive to other kinds of therapy.
General anesthesia		A state of unconsciousness induced by a medication that eliminates pain.
Generalized breast lumpiness	Fibrocystic disease, Benign breast disease	Breast irregularities and lumpiness, commonplace and noncancerous.
Geneirc	Generic drug	The non-trademark name or chemical name of a drug.
Genetic		Having to do with genes, structures found in every cell of the body. Each gene contains information that directs the activities of cells and controls the way an individual develops.
Genetic analysis		The examination of DNA in a laboratory to diagnose genetic disorders.
Genetic change		An alteration in a section of a chromosome.
Genetic counseling		information and advice given to persons considering pregnancy about the risk that a child will have an inheritable birth defect or genetic disorder.
Genetic disorder		A disorder caused partly or completely by a defect in genes, which carry hereditary information.
Genetic engineering		Manufacture, alteration or repair of genetic material by synthetic means.
Genetic marker		An identifiable substance that is associated with a normal or an abnormal gene.
Genital herpes		A viral infection spread by sexual contact and marked by inflammation and blisters in the infected area.
Genitals	Genitalia	The male and female reproductive (sex) organs, primarily the external sex organs.
Genital tract		The organs that make up the reproductive system.
Genital wart		A growth on the skin in or around the vagina, penis, or anus, transmitted by sexual contact; can cause cancer of the cervix.
Genito-urinary		Referring to both the genital and reproductive systems.
Genome		The entire collection of genes.
Geographic tongue		A condition in which the tongue is patchy where surface cells break down.
Gephyrophobia		The fear of crossing bridges.
Germ		A microorganism that causes disease.
Germ cell tumor		A type of brain tumor.
German measles		See Rubella.
Germicidal		A substance which destroys germs and micro-organisms such as bacteria.
Germinoma		A type of germ cell tumor.
Gestation		The period of time from conception to birth.
Gestational age		A reference to the age of the fetus, counting from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. It is usually referred to in weeks.
Gestational diabetes	Gestational diabetes mellitus	Diabetes that develops during pregnancy, resulting in improper regulation of glucose levels in the blood.
Giardiasis		An infection with a single-celled parasite, causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.
GIFT		see Gamete intrafallopian transfer.
Gigantism	Giantism	Disorder caused by an overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. It results in excessive size.
Gingivectomy		The surgical removal of a diseased part of the gums.
Gingivitis		Inflammation of the gums surrounding teeth. Signs of gingivitis are inflamed and bleeding gums.
GI series		see Gastrointestinal series
Gland		An organ that produces a hormone or other secretion.
Glands		Glands are groups of cells that make substances enabling body functions. "Glands" generally refer to secreting glands and lymph nodes. Secreting glands manufacture and release chemical substances such as hormones and enzymes. Lymph nodes play an important part in fighting infections.
Glaucoma		A disease in which eye damage is caused by an increase in the pressure of the fluid within the eye.
Glioblastoma multiforme		A fast-growing, cancerous brain tumor.
Glioma		A brain tumor arising from cells that support nerve cells.
Globulin		A category of blood proteins.
Globus		A sensation of a lump in your throat without an actual problem in swallowing; may be related to stress.
Glomerular filtration rate		Measure of the kidneys' ability to filter and remove waste products.
Glomeruli		Microscopic blood vessel structures in the kidney, responsible for filtering waste from the blood.
Glomerulonephritis		An inflammation of the filtering structures in the kidneys, hindering removal of waste products from the blood.
Glomerulosclerosis		A scarring of the filtering structures in the kidneys due to damage
Glossectomy		The surgical removal of all or part of the tongue.
Glossitis		An inflammation of the tongue.
Glottis		The middle part of the larynx; the area where the vocal cords are located.
Glucagon		A hormone produced by the pancreas that releases the body’s stored sugar (glycogen) into the blood.
Glucose		A form of sugar. All of carbohydrate and part of fat can be changed by the body into glucose; used by the body for energy.
Glucose tolerance test		A blood test used to make the diagnosis of diabetes, including gestational diabetes. The test is given in a lab or doctor's office in the morning before the person has eaten. A first sample of blood is taken from the person. Then the person drinks a liquid containing 100 grams of glucose (sugar) in it. After one hour, a second blood sample is drawn, and, after another hour, a third sample is taken. The object is to see how well the body deals with the glucose in the blood over time.
Glycemic response		The effect of different foods on blood glucose (sugar) levels over a period of time. Researchers have discovered that some kinds of foods may raise blood glucose levels more quickly than other foods containing the same amount of carbohydrates.
Gluten		Protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, oats and barley.
Glycogen		Stored form of carbohydrate in the liver and muscles.
Glycogenesis	Glucogenesis	The process by which glycogen is formed from glucose.
Glycoside(s)		Plant substance that produces a sugar and other substances when combined with oxygen and hydrogen.
Glycosuria		The presence of glucose in the urine.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test		A blood test that measures a person's average blood glucose (sugar) level for the 2- to 3-month period before the test. See Hemoglobin.
Goiter		Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Gonadotropin		A hormone that induces, or speeds up, the production of eggs in a woman.
Gonadotropic hormones		The hormones that stimulate activity in the ovaries and testicles.
Gonads		Sexual organs. See Ovaries and Testes.
Gonorrhea		A bacterial disease spread by sexual contact.
Gottron's Sign		Gottron's Sign is a scaly, patchy redness over the knuckles and is seen in patients with dermatomyositis, an inflammatory muscle disorder. See polymyositis.
Gout		A condition in which excess uric acid may lead to arthritis and kidney stones.
Grade (of tumor)		The grade of a tumor reflects the pathologic evidence of the aggressiveness of the tumor.
Graft		Healthy tissue that is used to replace diseased or defective tissue.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease	GVHD	A reaction of donated bone marrow against a patient's own tissue.
Gram		A unit of weight in the metric system, there are 28 grams in 1 ounce.
Grand mal		A generalized convulsion accompanied by loss of consciousness.
Granulocytes		White blood cells (leukocytes), manufactured in the bone marrow, that contain granules. They destroy and digest bacteria.
Granuloma		A mass of tissue that forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection as a part of the healing process.
Graves' disease		An autoimmune disease that causes goiter, overproduction of thyroid hormones, and sometimes bulging eyeballs.
Gravol		An antihistamine medication which reduces nausea and vomiting caused by narcotics, and which enhances their painkilling effect and causes sedation.
Gray		A measurement of absorbed radiation dose; 1 Gray = 100 rads.
Griping		Intestinal cramps.
Groin		The junction of the abdomen and thigh.
Gross motor		Large movement.
Guaic Test	Occult Blood Test	A diagnostic test in which a tiny amount of the material to be tested is rubbed on a slide. A chemical reaction is performed to assess the presence or absence of blood.
Guarding		Involuntary local reflex ("protective") abdominal muscle contraction in the region of an area of peritonitis (inflamed lining membrane of the potential cavity in the abdomen).
Guillain-Barré syndrome		A peripheral nervous system disease in which nerve inflammation causes weakness, loss of movement, and loss of sensation in the arms and legs.
Guthrie test		A blood test performed on babies to test for phenylketonuria.
Gynecologic oncologists		Doctors who specialize in treating cancers of the female reproductive organs.
Gynecologist		A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.
Gynophobia		The fear of women.