ADH

Antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. Also known as Arginine vasopressin; Antidiuretic hormone; AVP; Vasopressin. ADH is also a test (water restriction test) that measures the amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the blood. ADH is found in the body and it is also...

Adhesion

Union of two tissue surfaces. Also, scar tissue that can form in the area of a previous operation. Adhesions are scar-like tissues that form between two surfaces inside the body. Surgery, inflammation, or injury can cause tissues to bond to other tissue or organs,...

Adjuvant

A therapy used in addition to or accompanying another treatment. Adjuvant (therapy). Treatment given after or in addition to the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or...

Adrenal Glands

A pair of endocrine glands which produce small quantities of vital hormones. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and are controlled by the pituitary gland. They produce aldosterone which regulates salt and potassium balance, cortisol which is a stress...

Allergen

A substance that is foreign to the body and, in some people, can cause an allergic reaction. An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Allergens are substances that, in some people, the immune system recognizes as “foreign” or...

Allergy

A hypersensitivity of the body’s immune system in response to exposure to specific substances (antigens). A hypersensitive immune reaction to a substance that normally is harmless or would not cause an immune response in most people. An allergic response may...

Amenorrhea

The failure of a woman to menstruate. Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period. Primary amenorrhea is when a young woman has not yet had a period by age 16. Secondary amenorrhea describes someone who used to have a regular period but then it stopped for at...