Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Precordial catch syndrome (PCS)
This non-serious condition involves the nerves and can cause sharp or stabbing pain in the chest. It is most common in children and teens. The pain comes on suddenly, may last for a few minutes, and is usually located in the lower left chest. The exact cause of PCS is unknown, although it may involve…
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Pre-eclampsia
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. Pre-eclampsia is the most common complication of pregnancy. It affects about 5% of pregnancies. It occurs in the third trimester (the last third) of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia occurs most frequently in first…
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Prandial
Of or relating to a meal. Prandial pain is pain while eating. Although medical terms usually have a reasonably logical derivation, this is not the case with “prandial.” It comes from the Latin “prandium” which meant “a late breakfast or lunch.” “Prandium” was derived in turn from the Greek “pro-“, before + “endios”, midday. Now, however, “prandial”…
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PPD
1. Postpartum depression. 2. Purified protein derivative (the PPD skin test for tuberculosis).
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Power outage food safety
If the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If the power is out for longer than 2 hours,…
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Poultice
A soft moist mass about the consistency of cooked porridge that is spread on cloth and applied warm to create moist local heat where applied. Poultices help by increasing blood flow, relaxes tense muscles, soothing inflamed tissues, or drawing toxins from an infected area. The word poultice derives from the Latin pulta and the Greek poltos, both…
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Pouch of Douglas
An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and the back wall of the uterus. Also known as the rectouterine pouch.
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Potts disease
An old term for tuberculosis of the spine that caused softening and collapse of the vertebrae, often resulting in kyphosis, a “hunchback” deformity, which was called “Pott’s curvature.” Named for the English surgeon Sir John Percivall Pott (1714-1788) who described it.
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Potassium
The major positive ion (cation) found inside cells. The chemical notation for potassium is K+. The proper level of potassium is essential for normal cell function. An abnormal increase in potassium (hyperkalemia) or decrease in potassium (hypokalemia) can profoundly affect the nervous system and heart, and when extreme, can be fatal. The normal blood potassium level is 3.5’5.0 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L),…
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Posture
The carriage of the body as a whole, the attitude of the body, or the position of the limbs (the arms and legs). “Postural” pertains to the posture or position. For example, postural hypotension is a drop in blood pressure (hypotension) due to a change in body position (a change in posture) when a person moves to a more vertical position:…
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