Delirium
Delirium is the condition of abrupt mental confusion or significant lost of mental awareness. This condition can be caused by various factors including lack of blood flow to the brain, exhaustion, dehydration, drug influence, and lack of sleep. Delirium is usually temporary and most often exhibited by the elderly. More serious cases of delirium may be the result of physical damage of the brain from strokes or underlying diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Glossary & Definitions
brain, delirium, diseases and conditions, nervous system
Body Systems
Here’s a quick and simple refresher and breakdown of the major body systems.
To assist in remembering these major systems, think of the acronym “IM NERD CURLS“!
Integumentary
Muscular
Nervous
Endocrine
Reproductive
Digestive
Cardiovascular
Urinary
Respiratory
Lymphatic
Skeletal
Let’s get a brief overview of what each system does.
Integumentary System
The integumentary system is responsible for actions such as the defending your body from foreign Read more…
Glossary & Definitions, Human Physiology
body systems, cardiovascular system, digestive system, endocrine system, excretory system, integumentary system, lymphatic system, muscular system, nervous, reproductive system, respiratory, skeletal, urinary
Nosocomial Infection
A nosocomial infection refers to infections that are contracted as a result of hospital or other medical service treatment. Commonly known as hospital acquired infections, nosocomial infections are often acquired by persons who have had surgical procedures performed. Other conditions in the medical space such as poor sanitation, mistakes by health care practitioners, or inadequate decontamination of equipment can lead to patients and other health care employees contracting an infection.
These incidents may lead to disease or even death and among the leading contributors to health care malpractice law suits.
Glossary & Definitions
health care, infection, nosocomial
Palpitation
Palpitation refers to the unusual consciousness of the heart beating. Have you ever woke up suddenly from a nightmare and feel your heart thumping? This alertness of your heart beating, at any speed or rhythm and for a varied lengths of time, is known as palpitation.
Palpitation can be caused by numerous elements including a sudden chemical imbalances in the body such as that of adrenaline, an under lying diseases such as high blood pressure or anemia, or a physical irregularity of the heart’s valves.
Glossary & Definitions
cardiovascular system, diseases and conditions, heart, palpitation
Homeostasis
Homeostasis, in human physiology, includes the variety of internal processes that seek to maintain balance in the body. The body’s systems constantly monitor conditions throughout the body, including temperature and the amount of particular hormones and chemicals in the blood stream. Based on the status of these numerous signals, the body will respond accordingly and make adjustments in order to keep everything stable.
Glossary & Definitions, Human Physiology
homeostasis
Positive Feedback
A positive feedback response is one that magnify a particular change in our bodies.
An allergic reaction to dust or pollen may cause the massive release of the histamine protein, which often causes an inflammation of the cells. This inflammation of the cells may trigger other bodily systems to take a positive feedback reaction by increasing the internal temperature of the body, thus intensifying the inflammation.
Glossary & Definitions
homeostasis, positive feedback
Negative Feedback
In maintaining balance of internal systems in our bodies, a negative feedback response is one that seeks to counteract the course of a change.
Suppose your body temperature is heating up from exercise, your brain will process this temperature change and signal the sweat glands in your skin to start sweating in order to cool you down. This response is considered a negative feedback, because the reaction of your body was one in which the temperature increase is reversed.
Glossary & Definitions
homeostasis, negative feedback