E.Coli=A bacterial type with many variants. Not all variants are harmful to humans; in fact, some are actually helpful. E.coli 0157:H7 produces a toxin in the human intestines that damages the cells that line the intestines, causing them to bleed. Approximately four-nine days after eating food contaminated with E.coli 0157:, an individual will experience diarrhea that is often bloody, as well as cramps and a low-grade fever. In 2-7 percent of the cases, the toxin enters the blood stream and can cause kidney failure, strokes, and seizures. Death results in 3-5 percent of the cases. Most outbreaks have been traced to undercooked beef. The USDA estimates that between 7,700 and 20,448 people a year in the U.S. become infected with E.coli.
Edema=swelling due to an abnormal amount of fluid in body tissues. Pulmonary edema refers to fluid accumulation in the lungs which causes labored breathing.
Emphysema=a progressive loss of function or rupture of the alveoli of the lung resulting in an increased amount of difficulty in breathing.
Empty calories=calories taken in which contribute few additional nutrients to the cells.
Endocardium=the inner surface of the lining of the heart.
Enzymatic action=the human body contains certain enzymes in body fluid which defend against pathogenic organisms.
Epidemics=infectious diseases that can give rise to large-scale outbreaks.
Epidemiology=the study of the distribution and causes disease.
Epithelial=barriers components of the body with epithelial tissue such as mucous membranes and the skin, in addition to cilia which line the respiratory tract, sweeping out invading organisms thus helping to prevent their introduction to the lungs and bronchial tubes.
Ergogenic drugs=Drug substances used for the purpose of giving athletes an edge in competition. Such use is often illegal or ill-advised.
Ethyl alcohol=Grain alcohol; consumable by humans; produced either synthetically or naturally by a process called fermentation.
Experimental use=The short-term use of any one or combination of drugs.
[F]
Fat=a nutrient composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, which supplies nine calories per gram.
Fat soluble vitamins=vitamins that are transported to and stored by fat cells. Because the body stores them they can build up in the system and become toxic if megadoses are consumed.
Fatty liver=Characterized by the accumulation of fatty acids in the liver cells.
Fermentation=A metabolic form of combustion of grains, with methyl alcohol as one of the end products; can occur in fruits, vegetables, or grains.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)=A pattern of abnormalities found in the newborns of women who drank alcohol during pregnancy. This condition consists of specific congenital and behavioral abnormalities.
Fibrillation=during fibrillation, the pumping action of the ventricles is so irregular and insufficient that adequate circulation cannot be maintained.
Fight or flight=A stress reaction where your body prepares itself to either stay and fight or flee the situation.
Flavoring agents=Chemicals added to tobacco to make the taste more palatable when a cigarette is smoked.
Flexibility=the ability of a specific joint to move through its entire range of motion without pain.
Folci acid=a b vitamin, also known as folacin, that aids in the formation of hemoglobin in the red blood cells and is necessary for the production of genetic material.
Frequency=referring to the number of times per week an individual exercises.
Fully functioning=The fully functioning person, as described by Carl Rogers, is an individual who is able to be open to new experiences, live life to its fullest, accept intuition as a legitimate source of information, make rational choices from alternatives, and engage in creative though and activity.
[G]
Gallstones=cholesterol crystals hardened by inorganic salts that may form in the gallbladder producing pain.
Glucose=converted in the body and stored as glycogen. It is the major energy-supplying molecule, used to convert energy in metabolic reactions.
Glycogen=formed in the body from glucose and stored in the liver.
[H]
HIV=human immunodeficiency virus: this is the virus that causes AIDS. It is able to compromise the infected person's immune system by attacking the body's T-cells and reducing their ability to defend against certain opportunistic diseases.
Heart murmur=the abnormal sound made by the heart, particularly a heart valve, when blood passes through a damaged or constricted area.
Heavy drinking=Consumption of more than two alcohol-containing beverages per day, 8% of the U.S. population.
Herbal drugs=Plants that have drug effects and whose use is not generally regulated by law.
Hypertension=chronically high blood pressure.
[I]
Immune system=specialized cells and molecules that confer protection and resistance to disease.
Immunity=resistance to specific invading pathogens and the toxic substances they may release
Improvement conditioning stage=the second stage of progress for individuals who want to improve their cardiovascular endurance. Duration of exercise sessions and target heart rate are systematically increased during this phase which creates a state of overload.
Incomplete protein=examples include plant foods, such as grains, seeds, peas, and beans. Eating a variety of incomplete proteins (plant foods) in one sitting will help to make the complete proteins that are essential to the diet.
Inflammation=the redness, swelling, heat and sometimes invasion of white blood cells at the point of injury or attack is yet another response of the body to infection.
Inhalants=Gases that can be inhaled into the lungs that provide a temporary high, lightheadedness, and dizziness.
Inhibit=A form of drug interaction where one drug decreases the effects of another drug when taken together.
Initial conditioning stage=the beginning stage of progress for individuals starting a vigorous aerobic exercise program, usually lasting from four to six weeks, which gradually prepares an individual to safely participate in more strenuous physical activity.
Insulin=hormone secretion of the pancreas necessary to convert carbohydrates into energy and sometimes used therapeutically to control diabetes.
Intensified use=Regular long-term use of a drug or several drugs in combination.
Intensity=how strenuously an individual exercises for a given period, usually measured by taking an exercise heart rate and comparing it to a prescribed target heart rate.
Interferon=a protein-containing substance produced by infected cells that has an apparent role in fighting diseases, especially those caused by viruses.
Ischemic heart disease=Ischemia is a lack of sufficient blood flow to an organ resulting in an inadequate oxygen supply to that organ.
Isopropyl alcohol=Rubbing alcohol; used as a disinfectant and solvent, highly toxic if consumed in large quantities.
[J]
Jaundice=the yellowish appearance in skin tone that suggests liver impairment.
[K]
Kaposi's sarcoma=an unusual cancer affecting the lining of blood vessels, causing pink to purple flat or raised blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, eyelids, or rectum.
Kidney failure=the inability of a kidney to excrete metabolites or to retain electrolytes under normal conditions of cleaning the blood of waste results in a toxic condition that leads to nausea, vomiting, coma, convulsions, and ultimately death.
[L]
Lacto-ovo-vegetarians=eat dairy foods and eggs but no animal flesh.
Lacto-vegetarian=eats diary foods but no eggs or animal flesh.
LDL cholesterol=low density lipoprotein: a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the digestive tract to other body cells. A high level of LDL cholesterol is associated with coronary artery disease.
Leukemias=cancers of the blood-forming parts of the body, primarily the bone marrow and the spleen.
Leukoplakia=white,patchy lesions of the mouth or the tongue considered sometimes to be a precursor of oral cancer.
Life management=Everything a person does to adapt and attain optimal functioning. Life management involves channeling stress so that it leads to high levels of wellness.
Light drinking=Consumption of two alcohol-containing beverages or less per week;35% of the U.S. population.
Listeria=caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and is a potentially fatal type of food-borne infection. According to the CDC, approximately seven cases per million occur each year in the U.S. The most common sources of Listeria contaminated foods include unpasteurized dairy products and processed meats, including Mexican-style cheese, feta cheese, undercooked chicken, and deli counter food items. Approximately two-four weeks after eating Listeria contaminated foods, individuals will experience flu-like symptoms. Pregnant women, people older than sixty, people with depleted immune systems, those who have had organ transplantation, and those who take corticosteriods should take special precautions to prevent Listeria infection.
Lymphomas=An abnormal growth of lymphoid tissue that is usually malignant but in rare cases may be benign.
[M]
Mainstream smoke=The smoke drawn into the lungs when a pipe, cigar, or cigarette is inhaled.
Maintenance conditioning stage=final stage of progress for individuals participating in a vigorous aerobic exercise program. During this stage individuals continue at the intensity of exercise to which they have become accustomed in order to maintain their level of fitness, but do not continue to overload for improvement.
Major minerals=needed by the body in large amounts (but not megadoses). Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, and chloride are examples.
Malignant=cancerous tumor that are almost always life threatening. These tumors do not confine themselves to the site of the body in which they originate. They are not encapsulated and do not resemble surrounding cells, failing to respond to normal growth-control mechanisms.
Mammography=X-ray examination of the breasts used in early detection of breast cancer.
Melanoma=a serious type of skin cancer of the pigment-forming cells. A change in the appearance of a mole may signal the development of melanoma.
Metabolism=The physical and chemical processes of the body that contribute to the growth, maintenance, repair, and breakdown of body tissues, as well as making energy available.
Metastasis=the spread of a previously localized cancer to new sites in the body, thereby increasing the life threatening potential of the disease.
Methyl alcohol=Wood alcohol; used in many industrial products such as antifreezes and fuels; highly toxic to humans even in small quantities.
Minerals=inorganic substances vital to many body functions.
Mixed foods=food items that fall into several of the USDA's pyramid groups, such as lasagna and burritos.
Moderate drinking=Consumption of one-half to two alcohol-containing beverages per day; 22% of the U.S. population.
Monoclonal antibodies=special factors which bolster the body's response to disease, especially by carrying targeted drugs and radiation to specific disease sites.
Monounsaturated fats=sometimes found in food from animals, most come from plants. Liquid at room temperature.
Muscular endurance=the ability to lift light to moderate amount of weight repeatedly over a period of time. In weight training, this would be many repetitions with less weight.
Muscular strength=the amount of weight that an individual can safely life in one all-out effort. For weight training this would be high weight with few repetitions.
[N]
Naturally acquired passive immunity=during pregnancy it is possible for selected antibodies to pass from the maternal bloodstream to the fetal bloodstream, where the fetus acquires a temporary immunity to the pathogens for which the mother has developed active immunity.
Neonatal death=The death of an infant during the first six weeks after birth.
Neural tube defects=Defects to the neural tube that occur during the embryonic period of human development. The embryonic neural tube eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord under normal conditions.
Neurotransmitters=Chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. The neurotransmitters thought to be related to depression include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Nicotine=The active ingredient in tobacco with addictive potential that acts as a potent central nervous system stimulant.
Nicotine dependence=A physical and psychological need to continue using tobacco products containing nicotine.
Nicotine fading=Involves progressive reduction of nicotine by switching to brands containing less nicotine and tapering off the number of cigarettes smoked.
Nicotine gum=A chewing gum product that contains nicotine, used sometimes to assist the tobacco cessation effects of a person addicted to the nicotine found in tobacco.
Nicotine patch=A pad that adheres to the skin and delivers a measure dose of nicotine to assist the tobacco cessation efforts of a person addicted to the nicotine found in tobacco.
Nicotine poisoning=Causes dizziness, faintness, rapid pulse, cold clammy skin, nausea, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea; in severe cases tremors can occur, followed by convulsions and death.
Nutrients=Chemical materials that your body either cannot make itself or cannot make in sufficient quantities, found in foods that provide the body with energy and the materials necessary for growth and maintenance body tissues.
Nutrition=Eating the proper food for optimal growth and development.
