Oregano Cures - Medicine and Health Glossary "H"

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
Haematuria		Blood in the urine.
Haemophilus influenzae		A type of bacteria that causes infection and can lead to serious problems in the child with sickle cell disease. Babies must receive a special vaccine beginning at 2 months of age to protect them from this condition.
Haemorrhoids	Piles	Dilated rectal veins.
Haemostatic		A substance which arrests bleeding.
Hair
Hair follicle		The tiny opening in the skin from which a hair grows
Hairy cell leukemia		A rare type of chronic leukemia in which the abnormal white blood cells appear to be covered with tiny hairs.
Halitosis		Bad breath.
Hallucinogen		Produces hallucinations: apparent sights, sounds or other sensual experiences that do not actually exist or do not exist for other people.
Hallucination		A false perception with no basis in reality; may be seen, heard or smelled.
Hammer toe		An abnormality in the tendons of the toe that causes the toe to be flexed at all times.
Hamstring	Hamstring muscle	Muscles at the back of the thigh. The tendons of the hamstring muscles can be felt behind the knee.
Hand-And-Foot Syndrome		Pain and swelling of the hands and feet caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that plug blood vessels in the hands and feet. Often this will be the baby's first problem caused by sickle cell disease.
Hardening of the arteries		See Arteriosclerosis.
Hashimoto's disease		A disease in which the body’s immune system attacks cells of the thyroid gland, resulting in a decrease in thyroid hormones.
Hay fever		The common name for allergic rhinitis
HCF Diet		A high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet.
HDL	High density lipoprotein	A high-density lipoprotein which removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
HDL cholesterol		A type of cholesterol thought to help protect against atherosclerosis; "good" cholesterol.
Health care providers		Health care professionals who specialize in the management of certain conditions. In the case of gestational diabetes, the health care providers may include an obstetrician, a naturopath, an internist, a diabetologist, a registered dietitian, a qualified nutritionist, a diabetes educator, and a neonatologist.
Heart		The heart is a muscle which pumps blood it receives from veins into arteries throughout the body. The heart is composed of specialized muscle called "cardiac muscle". The heart, veins and arteries make up the circulatory system.
Heart attack		Descriptive term for a myocardial infarction: a painful, and sometimes fatal, incident caused by the blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries resulting in interruption of blood flow to a part of the heart.
Heart block		See Atrioventricular block.
Heartburn		Pain due to regurgitation (reflux) of juices from the stomach into the esophagus; pyrosis.
Heart catheterization		A diagnostic test in which a tube or catheter is placed into the heart.
Heart disease		See Coronary heart disease.
Heart failure		See Congestive heart failure.
Heart murmur		An abnormal sound heard in addition to the normal heartbeat. The cause can be innocent or a diseased heart valve or other defect.
Heart rate		Number of contractions of the heart in one minute.
Heart-lung machine		Machine that oxygenates and circulates blood during some open-heart surgery; See Cardiopulmonary bypass.
Heart valve
Heartwood		The structure at each exit of the four chambers of the heart that allows blood to exit but not to flow back in.
Heat cramps		Painful muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs following strenuous activity. The skin is usually moist and cool and the pulse is normal or slightly raised. Body temperature is mostly normal. Heat cramps often are caused by a lack of salt in the body, but salt replacement should not be considered without advice from a physician.
Heat exhaustion		Fatigue, dizziness, and nausea experienced because of overexposure to heat; if not treated it can result in heat stroke.
Heat fatigue		A feeling of weakness brought on by high outdoor temperature. Symptoms include cool, moist skin and a weakened pulse. The person may feel faint.
Heat stress		Occurs when a strain is placed on the body as a result of hot weather.
Heat stroke		A life-threatening conditionresulting from extreme overexposure to heat, which disrupts the body's system of regulating temperature.
Heat syncope		A sudden dizziness experienced after exercising in the heat. The skin appears pale and sweaty but is generally moist and cool. The pulse may be weakened, and the heart rate is usually rapid. Body temperature is normal.
Heel spur		An abnormal, often painful outgrowth of bone on the back of the heel.
Heimlich maneuver		Abdominal thrusts applied manually to dislodge an object blocking the airway.
Helper T cells	CD4 cells	White blood cells, responsible for regulating other cells in the body's immune system, that are the main targets of the AIDS virus.
Helicobactor pylori		Bacteria that cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach
Hemangioma		A tumor of blood vessel origin.
Hemarthrosis		The bleeding into and swelling of a joint.
Hematemesis		Vomiting of blood.
Hematocrit		The percentage of total blood volume that consists of red blood cells, which is determined by laboratory testing; can be an indicator of disease or injury.
Hematologist		A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the blood.
Hematoma		Accumulation of large amount of blood beneath the skin or in an organ, usually due to injury.
Hematosalpinx		Pathological accumulation of blood within a fallopian tube.
Hematuria		Blood in the urine.
Hemiparesis		Weakness of one side of the body.
Hemiplegia		Paralysis of one side of the body.
Hemiproctectomy		Removal of the upper half of the rectum.
Hemivertebra		Usually wedge-shaped deformity of a segment of the spinal column, because of the failure of development of the right or left component.
Hemochromatosis		A defect in iron metabolism with build up of iron in the body.
Hemodialysis		Removal of chemical waste from the blood using blood flow through an artificial kidney.
Hemoglobin		A iron-containing protein found in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin transports oxygen to body tissues.
Hemoglobin A1C	HbA1C	The component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's cells, it also carries sugar through the bloodstream. Because the sugar is attached for the life of the cell, about four months, a test of hemoglobin A1C shows the average blood glucose level for that period of time.
Hemoglobinuria		Hemoglobin in the urine
Hemolysis		The breakdown of red blood cells in the spleen, which is normal but can cause jaundice and anemia when the red blood cells are broken down too quickly.
Hemolytic disease		Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a condition in which an excessive number of red blood cells in the fetus are destroyed by the mother's antibodies. It is typically caused by Rh incompatibility.
Hemopericardium		Blood in the potential space between the inner walls of the collapsed-balloon like covering of the heart: it may interfere with the normal pumping mechanism of the chambers of the heart.
Hemoperitoneum		Bleeding into the collapsed-balloon like inner lining of the abdomen or pelvis.
Hemophilia		An inherited bleeding disorder in which blood clotting is abnormal.
Hemoptysis		Coughing up blood.
Hemorrhage		Loss of blood from a blood vessel.
Hemorrhagic		Resulting from bleeding.
Hemorrhoids		Dilated veins in the anal canal.
Hemospermia		The presence of blood in the semen.
Hemostasis		The stopping of bleeding by the body’s mechanisms.
Hemostatic		A substance which prevents bleeding and promotes clotting of blood.
Hemothorax		An accumulation of blood between the chest wall and the lungs.
Heparin		A substance that interferes with blood clotting.
Hepatectomy		The surgical removal of all or part of the liver.
Hepatic		Pertaining to the liver.
Hepatic enzyme induction		Stimulation of liver enzyme activity involved in the metabolism of drugs.
Hepaticojejunostomy Roux-En-Y		The surgical fashioning of a direct connection between hepatic duct and jejunum to drain bile directly from the liver when disease or injury has damaged the bile ducts.
Hepatitis		An infection or inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis A		A form of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus, usually transmitted by contact with contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B		A form of hepatitis (generally more serious than hepatitis A) caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted through sexual contact or contact with infected blood or body fluids.
Hepatitis B Vaccine		A immunization performed primarily by a needle injection which creates antibodies to fight the Hepatitis B virus if the virus later enters the body.
Hepatitis C		A form of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is transmitted through sexual contact or contact with infected blood or body fluids.
Hepatitis D		A form of hepatitis that only causes symptoms when the individual is already infected with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E		A form of hepatitis caused by water contaminated by poor sanitation.
Hepatoma		A cancerous tumor of the liver.
Hepatomegaly		An enlargement of the liver.
Herb		Plant or plant part valued for its medicinal qualities, pleasant aroma or flavouring.
Hereditary spherocytosis		A genetic disorder in which red blood cells are smaller, rounder, and more fragile than normal, causing hemolytic anemia.
Heredity	Hereditary	Genetic transmission of traits from parent to offspring.
Hermaphroditism		A rare condition in which an individual is born with both male and female reproductive organs.
Hernia		Protrusion of an organ or part of an organ into surrounding tissues.
Hernia, abdominal		Protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the normally-restraining muscle tissues of the abdominal.
Hernia, diaphragmatic		A pathological protrusion of abdominal organs through a defect in the diaphragm.
Hernia, incisional		The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an inadequately healed surgical scar, usually only the inner layers.
Hernia, inguinal		Protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the normally-restraining tissues of the groin.
Herniated disk		See Disk prolapse
Herpes		Small, painful blisters that erupt on the skin. The herpes simplex virus causes painful blisters around the lips, and genital herpes causes blisters on the sex organs.
Herpes encephalitis		A brain inflammation caused by a herpes simplex virus that has spread from another part of the body
Herpes simplex		An infection by the herpes simplex virus, which causes blisterlike sores on the face, lips, mouth, or genitals; in rare cases, can also affect the eyes, fingers, or brain.
Herpes zoster		See Shingles.
Heterosexual		A person who is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite sex.
Hiatal hernia		A type of hernia in which the stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm.
Hiccup		Involuntary spasm of the diaphragm causing a sharp, sudden intake of breath.
High blood pressure		See Hypertension.
High Dose Rate Remote Brachytherapy	High Dose Rate Remote Radiation Therapy	A type of internal radiation in which each treatment is given in a few minutes while the radioactive source is in place. The source of radioactivity is removed between treatments.
High-density lipoprotein	HDL	A component of blood that is involved in cholesterol transport and that is associated with a lowered risk of developing atherosclerosis; the so-called good cholesterol.
High-grade		Possessing histological features characteristic of pathologically aggressive malignancy.
Hilar adenopathy		Pathological enlargement of the lymphnodes deep in the center of the chest, indicating probable inflammation or cancer of the lungs.
Hippocampus		An area buried deep in the forebrain that helps regulate emotion and memory.
Hirschsprung's disease		A condition that is present at birth in which nerve cells do not develop in parts of the intestine, causing the intestine to narrow and block the passage of feces.
Hirsutism		Excessive growth of body or facial hair.
His-Purkinje system		System of specialized electricity-conducting tissue in the heart.
Histamine		A chemical present in body tissue; when released it stimulates production of gastric juices for digestion, also an active agent of allergic reactions that may lead to hives, asthma or hay fever.
Histamine H_₁ blocker		A substance that blocks the action of histamine; used to treat inflammation.
Histamine H_₂ blocker		A substance used in the treatment of peptic ulcers that blocks histamine from causing acid production in the stomach.
Histology		The study of the microscopic appearance of tissue. (Microscopic anatomy)
Histoplasmosis		A respiratory disease acquired by inhaling the spores of a fungus found in soil, especially where there are bird or bat droppings.
HIV		See HIV virus
HIV antibody		A marker in the blood that indicates previous exposure to the HIV virus. This particular antibody does not protect the body against effects of the HIV virus.
HIV virus	Human Immunodeficiency Virus	The virus that causes AIDS and related conditions.
Hives	Welts, Nettle rash, Urticaria	Raised itching areas on the skin as a result of excessive histamine release, often a sign of an allergic reaction.
HLA Antigens		Proteins on the outer part of the cell that help the body fight illness. These proteins vary from person to person. Scientists think that people with certain types of HLA antigens are more likely to develop insulin-dependent diabetes.
Hoarseness		Interference of the normal working of the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box) resulting in a rough, husky, or croaking voice.
Hodgkin's disease		One form of malignant lymphoma.
Holter monitor		A portable device that records an electrocardiogram on tape or computer chip.
Home blood glucose monitoring	Self-monitoring of blood glucose	A way a person can test how much glucose (sugar) is in the blood.
Homeopathy		The practice of using extremely small doses of medicines and herbs to cause the same symptoms the disease causes. Homeopaths (practitioners of homeopathy) acknowledge no diseases, only symptoms.
Homeostasis		The body's coordinated maintenance of the stable, internal environment by regulating blood pressure, blood sugar, body temperature, etc.
Homocystinuria		A genetic disorder in which an enzyme deficiency causes a substance called homocystine to build up in the blood, leading to mental handicap and skeletal abnormalities.
Homosexual		A person who is sexually attracted to persons of the same sex.
Honeymoon phase		A temporary period (usually < 1 year) when the need for exogenous insulin is diminished or absent.
Hookworm		An infestation by a small, round, blood-sucking parasite; commonly causes a rash on the foot, but can also cause cough, pneumonia, and anemia.
Hormonal implant		The surgical insertion of a small object just under the skin that slowly releases a synthetic hormone for purposes such as birth control.
Hormone		A substance secreted in the body and carried through the bloodstream to various tissues of the body, where it serves a regulatory function.
Hormone receptor assays		Tests that are done on breast cancer cells to tell if they need hormones to grow and if hormone therapy would be useful.
Hormone replacement therapy		The use of natural or artificial hormones to treat hormone deficiencies.
Hormone therapy		A form of treatment that takes advantage of the fact that certain cancers depend on hormones to grow. The treatment may include giving hormones to the patient or decreasing the level of hormones in the body.
Hospice		A clinic, hospital or an area of a hospital dedicated to treating people who are dying, often of a specific cause.
Hot flash		A sudden, temporary feeling of heat and sometimes sweating; usually occurs as a result of low estrogen levels in women because of menopause or after a hysterectomy.
Humalog®	Insulin lispro injection	A man-made human insulin analog in which the positions of two amino acids have been transposed
Human chorionic gonadotropin	HCG	A hormone produced by the placenta.
Human insulin		Man-made insulins that are similar to insulin produced by your own body. It is manufactured by a variety of ways, including the use of a special non-disease-producing strains of bacteria (generally Escherichia coli), recombinant DNA technology, yeast production and semisynthetic chemical reactions. Human insulin has been available since October 1982.
Human leukocyte antigen	HLA	A series of antigens governed by genes important in tissue transplantation.
Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus	HTLV	A virus similar to HIV that affects the same helper T cells, but usually accompanies adult T-cell leukemia or T-cell lymphomas.
Human papillomaviruses		Viruses that generally cause warts. Some papillomaviruses are sexually transmitted. Some of these sexually transmitted viruses cause wartlike growths on the genitals, and some are thought to cause abnormal changes in cells of the cervix.
Humectant		Moistens or dilutes.
Humerus		The long bone of the upper arm.
Humidifier		A machine that puts moisture in the air.
Humoral		Pertaining to substances dissolved in body fluids.
Hyaline membrane disease		Disease of preterm infants in which immaturity of the lung causes deficiency of the naturally occurring detergent Surfactant, resulting in reduced compliance (elasticity) of the lungs and inadequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Hybrid		A plant originating by fertilization of one species or subspecies by another.
Hydatidiform mole		An abnormal growth that may form inside the uterus during pregnancy.
Hydramnios		An excess of amniotic fluid.
Hydrocele		A painless swelling of the scrotum, caused by a collection of fluid around the testicle; commonly occurs in middle aged men.
Hydrocephalus		Increased size of the fluid-filled cavities (ventricles) of the brain.
Hydrocortisone		A corticosteroid drug that is used to treat inflammation and allergies.
Hydrogenation		A process that changes an unsaturated fat to a more saturated one.
Hydronephrosis		Pathological chronic enlargement of the collecting channels of a kidney, leading to compression and eventual destruction of kidney tissue, and diminishing kidney functioning.
Hydrophilicity		Ability to absorb water.
Hydrophobia		The fear of water.
Hydrosalpinx		Pathological accumulation of fluid within a fallopian tub
Hygiene		The practice, maintenance, and study of health; commonly refers to cleanliness.
Hymen		The membrane partially covering the opening to the vagina.
Hymenoptera		Order of insects that includes bees, wasps and ants.
Hyper-		Prefix meaning excessive or increased.
Hyperactivity		A type of behavior characterized by excessive physical activity, sometimes associated with neurological or psychological causes.
Hyperalimentation		A method of providing nutrients by the use of a tube or intravenously to a person who cannot eat food or needs nutrients because of an illness.
Hyperbilirubinemia		A condition in which there is too much bilirubin, a substance produced when red blood cells are broken down; can lead to jaundice.
Hypercalcemia		A condition marked by abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; can lead to disturbance of cell function in the nerves and muscles and, if not treated, can be fatal.
Hypercholesterolemia		Elevated level of cholesterol in the blood.
Hyperemesis gravidarum		Excessive vomiting during pregnancy.
Hyperemia		Increased blood flow, as in an area of inflammation.
Hyperextensibility, of joints		Pathologically increased range of movement, in this case because of insufficiency of normally restraining tissues.
Hyperfractionated radiation		Division of the total dose of radiation into smaller doses that are given more than once a day.
Hyperglycemia		Elevated level of sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream.
Hyperlipidemia		Excess of fats (lipids) in the blood.
Hyperparathyroidism		The overactivity of the parathyroid glands, which increases calcium levels in the blood (called hypercalcemia) and decreases calcium in bones (causing osteoporosis).
Hyperinsulinism		Elevated level of insulin in the blood. This term most often refers to a condition in which the body produces too much insulin. Researchers believe that this condition may play a role in the development of noninsulin-dependent diabetes and in hypertension. See : Syndrome X.
Hyperkalemic alkalosis		Pathologically high potassium and bicarbonate in the body fluids, characteristically caused by repeated vomiting: disturbances of potassium concentration in the blood predispose to cardiac arrhythmia.
Hyperlipemia	Hyperlipidemia	Excess of fats (lipids) in the blood.
Hyperosmolar coma		Prolonged unconsciousness resulting from the effects of increased concentration of salts dissolved in the blood on the cells of the brain. A person with this condition is usually older and weak from loss of body fluids and weight.
Hyperphosphatemia		A higher than normal blood level of phosphate. Phosphate molecules are particularly important as part of larger molecules in cell energy cycles. Higher than normal levels can be caused by ingestion of phosphate rich foods (diary products) or kidney failure.
Hyperplasia		Excessive growth of tissues.
Hypersensitivity		An excessive response of the body’s immune system to a foreign protein.
Hypersensitivity		The over-reaction of the immune system to an irritant.
Hypertension		Condition in which the blood is pumped through the body under abnormally high pressure; also known as high blood pressure.
Hypertensive		A substance which raises blood pressure.
Hyperthermia		An an abnormally high body temperature.
Hyperthyroidism		The overactivity of the thyroid gland, causing nervousness, weight loss, fatigue, and diarrhea .
Hypertrophic		Enlarged in size, rather than in the number of components.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy		Overgrowth of heart muscle that may impede blood flow into and out of the heart.
Hypertrophy		Enlargement of an organ or tissue due to increased cell size.
Hyperventilation		Rapid or deep breathing in excess of that needed to supply oxygen to the body.
Hypnotic		A substance or activity which causes sleep.
Hypo-		Prefix meaning inadequate or insufficient.
Hypocalcemia		Abnormally low level of calcium in the blood.
Hypocholesterolaemia		A substance which lowers the cholesterol level in the blood.
Hypochondriasis		Excessive concern about health.
Hypodermic needle	Hypodermic	A thin, hollow needle attached to a syringe; used to inject a medication under the skin, into a vein, or into a muscle.
Hypoglycemia	Hypoglycaemia	Condition in which the sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream falls below normal levels.
Hypokalemia		Pathologically reduced blood levels of potassium.
Hypoplasia		The failure of a tissue or organ to develop normally.
Hyporeflexia		Diminished deep tendon reflex activity
Hypotension		Low blood pressure.
Hypotensive		A substance which lowers blood pressure.
Hypothalamus		A portion of the brain; partly responsible for basic functions including appetite, sleep and body temperature.
Hypothermia		An abnormally low body temperature.
Hypothyroidism		The underactivity of the thyroid gland, causing tiredness, cramps, a slowed heart rate, and possibly weight gain.
Hypoventilation		A slower-than-normal breathing rate.
Hypoxemia		A reduced level of oxygen in the blood.
Hypoxia		Decreased concentration of oxygen in the blood.
Hystaria		A term used to describe symptoms that are caused by mental stress and occur in someone who does not have a mental disorder.
Hysterectomy		The surgical removal of the uterus, with (total) or without (subtotal) removal of the cervix; does not imply removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo oophorectomy).
Hysterosalpingogram		Radiological imaging of the cavity of the uterus and internal architecture of the fallopian tubes after injection of a dye opaque to x-rays into the cervix.
Hysterosalpingography		An X-ray examination performed to examine the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes, in order to investigate and possibly treat infertility.
Hysteroscopy		A method used to examine the inside of the uterus and the cervix using a viewing instrument.