Guillain-barre Syndrome

General Weakness
Weakness is the feeling of body fatigue (tiredness). A person experiencing weakness may not be able to move that part of their body properly or they may experience tremors (uncontrollable movement or twitches) in the area of weakness. Some pe  More »
HLCMS

Paralysis
Paralysis is defined as complete loss of strength in an affected limb or muscle group.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Numbness
Numbness and tingling are decreased or abnormal sensations caused by altered sensory nerve function.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Fainting
Fainting is when you lose consciousness for a short time because your brain is not getting enough oxygen. The medical term for fainting is syncope, but it is commonly known as "passing out." A fainting spell generally lasts from a few seconds to a  More »
HLCMS

Shortness of Breath
Breathing difficulties make you feel as though you cannot get enough air. Mild breathing problems, such as fatigue following an aerobics class, are not a concern. Frequently occurring shortness of breath or sudden, intense breathing difficulty ma  More »
HLCMS

AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981. AIDS is the advanced form of infection with the HIV virus, which may not ca...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's disease is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps the immune system get rid of waste and fight infections. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkinmit12  More »
HLCMS

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus or SLE) is a disease where a person's immune system attacks and injures the body's own organs and tissues. Almost every system of the body can be affected by SLE.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Bacterial Infections
Bacteria are prokaryotes (unicellular organisms with no membrane-enclosed nucleus) with simple structures that typically range in size from about 0.5 to 20 micrometers.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health

Infectious Mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can affect the liver, lymph nodes, and oral cavity. While mononucleosis is not usually a serious disease, its primary symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy can...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health

Neurological Examination
A neurological examination is an essential component of a comprehensive physical examination . It is a systematic examination that surveys the functioning of nerves delivering sensory information to the brain and caring motor commands (Peripheral ...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

History and Physical Exam
The health status of populations and of individuals is assessed for many reasons. Assessing needs for care helps guide the allocation of resources— diagnostic assessments guide treatment, prognostic assessments contribute to planning, and assessin...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health

Electromyogram
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic tool that evaluates muscle or nerve problems. It uses surface electrodes to assess the ability of motor neurons (the nerve cells that control your muscles) to transmit electrical signals. It also uses need  More »
HLCMS

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Protein Level Test
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the liquid that cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord. The CSF protein test is used to determine if there is too much protein in your CSF. It can also be used to detect protein levels that are too low.A CSF  More »
HLCMS

Spinal Tap
Lumbar puncture (LP) is the technique of using a needle to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal. CSF is the clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone str...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer

Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a blood purification procedure used to treat several autoimmune diseases. It is also known as therapeutic plasma exchange.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Physical Therapy
Physical therapists provide services to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain , and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities among those suffering from injuries, disabilities, or disease.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health

Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a medical procedure-either temporary or permanent-in which a tube is surgically implanted into a person's windpipe so that he or she can breathe. The tube is inserted through a cut in the neck below the vocal cords, all  More »
HLCMS

Gabapentin
GABAPENTIN (GA ba pen tin) is used to control partial seizures in adults with epilepsy. It is also used to treat certain types of nerve pain.  More »
GOLD

Ibuprofen
IBUPROFEN (eye BYOO proe fen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used for dental pain, fever, headaches or migraines, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or painful monthly periods. It can also relieve minor aches and pains...  More »
GOLD

Pregabalin
PREGABALIN (pre GAB a lin) is used to treat nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia. It is also used to control seizures in epilepsy.  More »
GOLD

PredniSONE
PREDNISONE (PRED ni sone) is a corticosteroid. It is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin, joints, lungs, and other organs. Common conditions treated include asthma, allergies, and arthritis. It is also used for other conditions, such a...  More »
GOLD

Heparin
HEPARIN (HEP a rin) is an anticoagulant. It is used to treat or prevent clots in the veins, arteries, lungs, or heart. It stops clots from forming or getting bigger. This medicine prevents clotting during open-heart surgery, dialysis, or in patien...  More »
GOLD

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. The infection may be caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Pneumonia causes inflammation in your lung's air sacs, also referred to as alveoli. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it d  More »
HLCMS

Paralysis
Paralysis is defined as complete loss of strength in an affected limb or muscle group.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Respiratory failure
Respiratory failure is nearly any condition that affects breathing function or the lungs themselves and can result in failure of the lungs to function properly. The main tasks of the lungs and chest are to get oxygen from the air that is inhaled i...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. A clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid state to a gelatinous like solid state. Deep vein blood clots  More »
HLCMS

Aspiration procedure
Bone marrow aspiration, also called bone marrow sampling, is the removal by suction of fluid from the soft, spongy material that lines the inside of most bones. Bone marrow biopsy , or needle biopsy, is the removal of a small piece of bone marrow.  More »
HLCMS