Category: Sm-St

Common street name for a stimulant drug, especially for an amphetamine. Amphetamines have been used to treat hyperactivity in children, the symptoms of narcolepsy, and as an appetite suppressant and they are also frequently abused as a stimulant of the central nervous system.

A specialist who evaluates and treats patients with speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Speech pathologists have a master’s degree or doctorate in their specialty, as well as a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) earned by working under supervision. Some states in the US also require…

A funnel shaped piece of plastic on a light source that is inserted into the auditory canal of the ear, allowing the examiner to look at the ear canal and ear drum. The auditory canal begins at the circular opening of the ear and continues a distance of about one inch [about 2 1/2 cm]…

A state of increased tone of a muscle (and an increase in the deep tendon reflexes). For example, with spasticity of the legs (spastic paraplegia) there is an increase in tone of the leg muscles so they feel tight and rigid and the knee jerk reflex is exaggerated.

A common gastrointestinal disorder involving an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the years. Although the disorder can cause chronic recurrent discomfort, it does not lead to any serious organ problems. Making…

A brief, automatic jerking movement. A muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the muscle clenching tightly. A spasm of the coronary artery can cause the pain of angina. Spasms in various types of tissue may be caused by stress, medication, and overexercise.

Pain in the throat. Sore throat may be caused by many different causes, including inflammation of the larynx, pharynx, or tonsils. First and foremost in frequency are viruses. Many viruses, and even those that cause mononucleosis (mono) and influenza (the flu), cause a sore throat. Some viruses can also produce painful blisters in the mouth and throat (aphthous stomatitis). A sore throat can also be caused…

1. (adjective) A popular term for painful, such as a sore throat. 2. (noun) A nondescript term for nearly any lesion of the skin or mucous membranes. He has a number of sores in his mouth. The word sore traces its origin to the Anglo-Saxon term sar which meant distressing, grievous, painful.

Sleepy or tending to cause sleep. From the Latin work somnus, meaning ‘sleep.’

Sleepiness, the state of feeling drowsy, ready to fall asleep. A person experiencing somnolence is somnolent and is acting somnolently. Somnolence, somnolent, and somnolently go back to the Latin “somnus” meaning (please don’t yawn) “sleep.”