Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Also called kala-azar, a chronic, potentially fatal parasitic disease of the viscera (the internal organs) due to infection by an agent called Leishmania donovani. Leishmania donovani is transmitted by sandfly bites in parts of Asia (primarily India), Africa (primarily Sudan) and South America (primarily Brazil) where all together there are an estimated half million cases per year. There are also…

Brand name for duloxetine hydrochloride, a drug approved by the FDA to treat major depresssion in adults and to manage the pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage in diabetes. The drug acts as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, believed to be important in regulating a person’s…

A walled passageway, such as a lymph duct, that carries fluid from one place to another. Also known as a ductus.

The best-known form of muscular dystrophy, due to mutation in a gene on the X chromosome that prevents the production of dystrophin, a normal protein in muscle. DMD affects boys and, very rarely, girls. DMD typically appears between the ages of two with weakness in the pelvis and upper limbs, resulting in clumsiness, frequent falling, an unusual gait and general weakness.…

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine.

Direct-to-consumer, as in DTC advertising of prescription drugs.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis vaccine.

Diphtheria-Tetanus vaccine.

Abbreviation for the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” a comprehensive classification of officially recognized psychiatric disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association , for use by mental health professionals to ensure uniformity of diagnosis. DSM describes symptoms and does not discuss the causes of the disorders. DSM-IV designates the 4th edition. Issued in 1993,…

The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. This is due to inadequate function of the salivary glands. Everyone has dry mouth once in a while when they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if someone has a dry mouth most all of the time, it can be uncomfortable and lead to serious health problems.…