Glossary of Terms Used with ME
Select a letter or click on a word in the glossary to branch to for the complete definition.

Select a Letter 
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

Achlorhydria
Absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric secretions of the stomach.
Aetiology
The science and study of the causes or origins of disease. The cause or origin of a disease or disorder as determined by medical diagnosis
Anaphylaxis
Hypersensitivity especially in animals to a substance, such as foreign protein or a drug, that is caused by exposure to a foreign substance after a preliminary exposure. See anaphylactic shock.

Return to the top



B

   

Return to the top 



C

Cardiac Arrhythmia
Any abnormality in the rate, regularity, or sequence of cardiac activation.
Cardiomyopathy A disease or disorder of the heart muscle
CFIDS Chronic Fatigue And Immune Dysfunction Syndrome - used in USA to describe ME/CFS.
CFS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in the International Classification (ICD-10; G93.3).  It is also used by psychiatrists to enable them to broaden their area of interests and thus claim it is a psychiatric disorder.
Costochondritis Costochondritis is an inflammation and associated tenderness of the cartilage (i.e., the costochondral joints) that attaches the front of the ribs to the breastbone.
Co-trimoxazole Co-trimoxazole is an approved antibiotic treatment. It consists of a mixture of two drugs, trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole, which both prevent bacteria from reproducing by preventing the production of folic acid (vitamin B9).
The tablet form of co-trimoxazole is most commonly used by people with HIV as prophylaxis (preventative medicine) against Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). It also offers a high level of protection against toxoplasmosis.  
creatine A nitrogenous organic acid found in the muscle tissue of vertebrates mainly in the form of phosphocreatine and which supplies energy for muscle contraction

Return to the top



D

Demyelination destruction of the protective insulation round nerve fibres,as seen in multiple sclerosis and sometimes also in ME
   

Return to the top

 

E

Encephalomyelitis inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Encephalopathy relating to disorder of the brain

see also article Encephalopathy or Apathy
   
Enteroviruses
A virus of the genus Enterovirus. Also called enteric virus.

What are enteroviruses - see popup.
Epidemiology
The branch of medicine that deals with the study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations.

 
   

Return to the top



F

Fukuda associated with the Fukuda guidelines

see ME Information Centre Guidelines
   

 

Return to the top

 

G

   

Return to the top



H

Helminth A worm, especially a parasitic roundworm or tapeworm.
HHV-6 see HHV-6 article
   

Return to the top

 

I

Immunoglobulins Any of a group of large glycoproteins that are secreted by plasma cells and that function as antibodies in the immune response by binding with specific antigens.
Itis on the end of a word = inflammation (e.g. hepatitis = inflammation of the liver)
Ivermectin An anti-parasite medication

Return to the top



J

   

Return to the top

 

K

   

Return to the top



L

Lymphadenopathy A chronic, abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes, usually associated with disease.
   

Return to the top

 

M  

Maculopapular A lesion with a sessile base that slopes from a papule in the center
Mononuclear Having only one nucleus
   
Myalgia pain in muscles (pain that is called "myalgic")
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
A complex illness adversely affecting multiple systems including the brain, heart, immune, neuroendocrine and circulatory systems.

The true term for ME.
Myalgic Encephalopathy
A name appearing here only for completeness.
   
Myelitis inflammation of the spinal cord (N.B. Not to be confused with the other meaning of myelitis (inflammation of the bone marrow, as in osteomyelitis)
Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of heart muscle
Myopathy any disease or disorder of muscle
   
Myocoplasma pneumoniae A microorganism causing primary atypical pneumonia in humans.
   
Myositis inflammation of muscle
   
   

Return to the top



N

Neurasthenia
A psychological disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and weakness, loss of memory, and generalized aches and pains, formerly thought to result from exhaustion of the nervous system. No longer in scientific use.
Neurotropism The tendency to affect, be attracted to, or attack the nervous system
Nystagmus
A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball.
   

Return to the top


O

Organophosphate
Any of several organic compounds containing phosphorus, some of which are used as fertilizers and pesticides.
Onchocerciasis A disease caused by infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, especially a disease of humans caused by O. volvulus and characterized by nodular swellings on the skin and lesions of the eyes.

Return to the top



P

PACE trials
The development of a disease or morbid condition.
Pathogenesis
The development of a disease or morbid condition.
Pericarditis Pericarditis is an inflammation of the two layers of the thin, sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart.

Return to the top

 

Q

Quackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices.
   

Return to the top



R

   

Return to the top

 

S

Scistosomiasis Any of various generally tropical diseases caused by infestation with schistosomes, widespread in rural areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America through use of contaminated water, and characterized by infection and gradual destruction of the tissues of the kidneys, liver, and other organs.
Septrin Septrin or Bactrim are brand names for a combination of antibiotics called called co-trimoxazole. Co-trimoxazole is the main drug used to treat and to prevent PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia).
Somatoform
The development of a disease or morbid condition.

see ME Information Centre Guidelines
SPECT
single photon emission computed tomography - a means to evaluate the flow and volume of blood in the brain,  to detect bleeding and blockage of blood vessels in the brain or diagnose epilepsy and evaluate its severity.

Return to the top



T
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Impaired functioning of the temporomandibular articulation of the jaw.
TMJ See Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Return to the top

 

U

   

Return to the top



V
 
Vasculopathy
Disease of the blood vessels
  Wolbachia is a type of inherited bacterium that infects arthropod species, including a high proportion of all insects. It is one of the world's most common parasitic microbes and the most common reproductive parasite in the biosphere.

Return to the top

 

W
 

Wolbachia A a type of inherited bacterium that infects arthropod species, including a high proportion of all insects. It is one of the world's most common parasitic microbes and the most common reproductive parasite in the biosphere.

Return to the top



X

XMRV  

Return to the top

 

Y

Return to the top



Z

   

Return to the top


        Last Updated: 2/11/2008