Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An unusually severe form of premenstrual syndrome characterized by drastic mood swings, anger, depression, irritability, tension, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, and physical problems such as pain or bloating. Abbreviated PMDD. Symptoms generally begin the week before menstruation and end a few days after menstruation has begun. Treatment can involve the use of antidepressant medications of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) type.

Just before the start of menstruation. As in a premenstrual headache.

A baby born before 37 weeks of gestation have passed. Historically, the definition of prematurity was 2500 grams (about 5 1/2 pounds) or less at birth. The current World Health Organization definition of prematurity is a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation, counting from the first day of the Last Menstrual Period (the LMP). Premature birth carries greater risks…

Pertaining to tissue that is not yet malignant but is poised to become malignant. Appropriate clinical and laboratory studies are designed to detect premalignant tissue while it is still in a premalignant stage. A battery of techniques are available to remove or kill the tissue, thereby preventing the development of cancer. The proper treatment method depends on the particular…

The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. The word “pregnant” comes from the Latin pre- meaning before + (g)natus meaning birth = before (giving) birth. The word “prenatal” has exactly the same origin.

The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. This condition can be indicated by positive results on an over-the-counter urine test, and confirmed through a blood test, ultrasound, detection of fetal heartbeat, or an X-ray. Pregnancy lasts for about nine months, measured from the date of the woman’s last menstrual period (LMP). It…

Medical words are often put together, cobbled from two or more building blocks. Among these building blocks are the prefixes. Examples of prefixes used in medicine include:

A condition in pregnancy characterized by abrupt hypertension (a sharp rise in blood pressure), albuminuria (leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine) and edema (swelling) of the hands, feet, and face. Preeclampsia is the most common complication of pregnancy. It affects about 5% of pregnancies. It occurs in the third trimester (the last third) of pregnancy. Preeclampsia occurs most frequently in…

To make more likely or render susceptible. Smoking predisposes to a number of diseases, including esophageal cancer.

Forerunner. That which precedes or is derived from an available source. The term “precursor” is applied to an inactive substance converted to an active one (such as an enzyme, vitamin, or hormone). The term “precursor” applies to any chemical that is transformed into another. From the Latin “praecursor,” composed of “prae-” (or pre-), before +…