Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Involuntary movements and prolonged muscle contraction that result in twisting body motions, tremors, and abnormal posture. These movements may involve the entire body or only an isolated area. Dystonia can be inherited, may occur sporadically without any genetic pattern, may be associated with medications (particularly antipsychotic drugs), or may be a symptom of certain diseases (for example, a specific form of…

A type of depression involving long-term, chronic symptoms that are not disabling, but keep a person from functioning at “full steam” or from feeling good. Dysthymia is a less severe type of depression than what is accorded the diagnosis of major depression. However, people with dysthymia may also sometimes experience major depressive episodes, suggesting that there is a…

Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. Dyspnoea may be a sign of serious disease of the airway, lungs, or heart. The onset of dyspnoea should not be ignored and is reason to seek medical attention. Dyspnoea is the British spelling. The American spelling is dyspnea.

Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a sign of serious disease of the airway, lungs, or heart. The onset of dyspnea should not be ignored; it is reason to seek medical attention.

Abnormality in form or development. For example, retinal dysplasia is abnormal formation of the retina during embryonic development.

Anxiety.

An impairment of the voice. Difficulty in speaking. Hoarseness caused by a virus is a common form of dysphonia.

One in a group of speech disorders in which there is impairment of the power of expression by speech, writing, or signs, or impairment of the power of comprehension of spoken or written language. More severe forms of dysphasia are called aphasia. From dys- meaning difficult, painful, bad, disordered, abnormal + the Greek phasis meaning speech.

Difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia is due to abnormal nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a stroke. Dysphagia can compromise nutrition and hydration and may lead to aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.

Pertaining to dyspepsia, a term that is probably more often encountered today in advertising than in medicine. “Dyspepsia” refers to nondescript, nonspecific upper abdominal symptoms which may include discomfort, bloating, a feeling of unusual fullness with very little intake of food (early satiety) or following meals (postprandial fullness), nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn, regurgitation of food or acid, and belching. The…