Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

This was a popular term for the next generation of analgesics. They were drugs that had the multiple positive effects of aspirin, but not have the negative effects such as intestinal bleeding. Aspirin binds and inhibits two isoforms of the enzyme Cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2. Super aspirins bind and inhibit COX-2 only. Cox-2 inhibitors (refecoxib [Vioxx…

Prefix meaning meaning above, more than normal, or excessive. As in superaspirin, superbug, superjacent, supernumerary, supersize, supertaster. From the Latin preposition super meaning above.

This rare form of epilepsy is also known as self-induced photosensitive epilepsy. This condition is characterized by seizures that occur under specific circumstances, such as looking at a bright light source and waving the hand in front of the eyes, opening and closing the eyes rapidly, playing video games, or changing television channels quickly when sitting close…

Sundowning: also known as Sundown Syndrome, a term used to refer to behavioral changes that often occur in the late afternoon or evening in people with Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. The behavioral changes make take the form of aggression, agitation, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, increased disorientation, or wandering and pacing about. Experts are not sure why these changes…

A triptan drug for the treatment of migraine.

A class of oral hypoglycemic agents (medications that lower the level of blood glucose) taken by people with type 2 diabetes. The sulfonylureas increase the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. There are two generations of sulfonylureas. The main difference between the first- and second-generation sulfonylureas is in the way they are ‘eliminated from the body. As a consequence, second-generation sulfonylureas…

The sulfa-related group of antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infection and some fungal infections. Examples of sulfonamides includes sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole (brand name: Thiosulfil Forte), sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and various high-strength combinations of three sulfonamides. Sulfa drugs kill bacteria and fungi by interfering with cell metabolism. They were the wonder drugs before penicillin and are still…

Adverse reactions of an allergic nature to sulfites. Sulfites occur in fermentation and also occur naturally in a number of foods and beverages including wine. Sulfites are used for their preservative properties. Sulfite sensitivity occurs most often in asthmatic adults — predominantly women. It is uncommon in preschool children. Adverse reactions to sulfites in nonasthmatics are rare. Sulfite…

A groove, furrow, or trench. The plural is sulci. In anatomy, there are many sulci; an example is the superior pulmonary sulcus.

To lose the will to oppose something or to give up and accept something that you first opposed. In the context of illness, to succumb to an illness is to stop opposing it, to no longer battle it, but to die from it. Succumbing, like passing, has become a euphemism (an inoffensive substitute) for dying. As with…