Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy > Conditions and therapies > Multiple sclerosis > Glossary
Multiple sclerosis glossary
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
antibody: A protein secreted by cells of the immune system in response to an infection
autoimmune: Condition in which the body's immune system causes disease by mistakenly attacking itself
axon: The long part of a nerve cell that helps transmit nerve impulses
B
bladder dysfunction: Problems with the bladder, the organ responsible for storing urine before it is eliminated from the body
bowel dysfunction: Problems with the bowels, or small and large intestines, which are responsible for digestion and the elimination of solid waste from the body
C
CAT scan: Acronym for computerized axial tomography, a test used to view internal body structures; also known as a CT scan
central nervous system (CNS): Part of the nervous system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and brain stem
chronic: Long-lasting, long-term, or recurring frequently
cognition: Functions carried out by the brain, including memory, planning, problem-solving, construction, calculation, and attention
cognitive problems: with or changes in memory, learning, or thinking
conduction: Movement or transmission of a nerve impulse
constipation: A condition in which bowel movements become difficult and infrequent due to small, hard, or difficult-to-pass stools
coordination: Organized control of muscles and the skeletal system that causes purposeful movements, such as standing or walking
corticosteroid (steroid): Medication that suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation
CSF: Abbreviation for cerebrospinal fluid, a clear liquid in the spinal cord that is used to diagnose certain diseases
D
demyelination: Damage to the insulating material that surrounds the nerves
depression: Condition characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement
E
evoked potential (EP): Test of how quickly electrical impulses travel from the brain to other parts of the body; sometimes used to diagnose MS
F
fatigue: Overwhelming tiredness or exhaustion
flu-like symptoms: Group of symptoms that may include fever, muscle aches, chills, headaches, and fatigue
G
gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity that is passed from parent to child
genetic: Relating to something that is inherited
H
hormone: Substance in the body that controls some bodily functions; examples include estrogen or testosterone
I
IV: Abbreviation for intravenous, a method of giving a substance through a vein
immune system: The body’s defense against infection and disease
incidence: The number of new cases of a condition that occur in a given time
incontinence: The inability to control urination or bowel movements
infection: A disease that results from the presence of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria or a virus in the body
inflammation: Swelling, part of the body’s protective response to injury or tissue damage
influenza: A highly contagious disease caused by various types of viruses; characterized by sudden onset of fever, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches, cough, and sore throat
injectable: Capable of being forced into the body through the surface of the skin and into a blood vessel, fat, or muscle
interferon: A protein released by the immune system that works to slow or prevent infection caused by a virus
intramuscular: Injection into a muscle
intravenous: Injection into a vein
M
MRI: Abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnostic test used to view images of the body without using X-rays
MS: An abbreviation for multiple sclerosis
migraine: Severe, throbbing headache usually on one side of the head, and commonly associated with irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and often, sensitivity to light
multiple sclerosis: Thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting electrical signals traveling from the brain to other parts of the body
muscle tone: The tension present in muscles at rest
myelin: Fatty insulating material that surrounds the nerves
N
nerve: Connection between the brain and nervous system and other parts of the body
nerve conduction: The passage of electrical impulses through nerves in the body
nervous system: System containing all the nerves in the body, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body
neurologist: Doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system
neurons: Building blocks or basic nerve cells of the nervous system
O
optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve
P
paralysis: Inability to move a part of the body
physical therapy: Treatment that helps improve a person’s ability to move, reduce pain, and help restore posture and balance
plaque: Scar created by areas of demyelination or inflammation in the central nervous system
primary-progressive MS: MS that worsens over time
progressive-relapsing MS: MS that steadily worsens with clear, acute relapses with or without remissions
protein: A large, complex molecule composed of amino acids; required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's cells, tissues, and organs
R
reflex: The body’s involuntary response to stimulation
relapse: A period of time when symptoms become worse; may come and go without warning and may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks at a time
relapsing-remitting MS: Type of MS characterized by sudden, periodic attacks interspersed with remissions that can last for a few months or years; some go into permanent remission but have a slow accumulation of permanent neurological damage
remission: A period of time when symptoms subside or go away completely
S
sclerosis: Hardening or scarring of tissue
secondary-progressive MS: Gradual but steady deterioration in nerve function that eventually affects half of the people with relapsing-remitting MS
spasticity: Abnormal increase in muscle tone that leads to muscle stiffness and rigidity
spinal cord: Thick, long cord of nervous tissue enclosed within the spine that serves as a pathway for electrical impulses to and from the brain and as the center for coordinating reflexes
subcutaneous: Just under the surface of the skin
symptom: A physical or mental feeling, such as pain or tiredness, that may indicate a disorder or disease
T
tremor: Repetitive, involuntary movements of one or more parts of the body
V
vertigo: Feeling that one’s surroundings seem to be spinning
virus: An organism that can cause infection in the body
W
weakness: Lack of strength, feeling of tiredness, or muscle fatigue
Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.