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251. precocious puberty

early onset of puberty, the process of sexual maturation triggered by the brain, which usually begins in late childhood and results in reproductive maturity and completion of growth. Early puberty may be a variation of normal development, or may be a result of a disease or abnormal hormone exposure.

252. preeclampsia

Also known as Toxemia, it is a condition that can occur in a woman in the second half of her pregnancy that can cause serious problems for both her and the baby. It causes high blood pressure, protein in the urine, blood changes and other problems.

253. prematurely

before the expected time.

254. primary lactase deficiency

when a person is born with the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose can’t be digested because there is not enough of an enzyme, called lactase, in the body. Consuming milk and dairy products causes diarrhea, bloating, gas, and discomfort. This deficiency can also develop over time, as the amount of lactase in the body decreases with age

255. progesterone

a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Progesterone, along with estrogen, prepares the uterus (womb) for a possible pregnancy each month and supports the fertilized egg if conception occurs. Progesterone also helps prepare the breasts for milk production and breastfeeding.

256. progestin

a hormone that works by causing changes in the uterus. When taken with the hormone estrogen, progestin works to prevent thickening of the lining of the uterus. This is helpful for women who are in menopause and are taking estrogen for their symptoms. Progestins also are prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat unusual stopping of the menstrual periods, help a pregnancy occur or maintain a pregnancy, or treat unusual or heavy bleeding of the uterus. They also can be used to prevent pregnancy, help treat cancer of the breast, kidney, or uterus, and help treat loss of appetite and severe weight or muscle loss.

257. prolactin

a hormone that increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It stimulates the human breast to produce milk. Prolactin also helps inhibit ovulation

258. prostate gland

a gland in a man’s reproductive system. It makes and stores seminal fluid. This fluid is released to form part of semen.

259. protein

any of a group of large molecules that contain primarily carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Proteins are essential to the structure and function of all living cells. Examples of proteins in the body include enzymes, antibodies, and some hormones.

260. psoriasis

a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that mostly affects adults. It occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days. Psoriasis results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches usually itch or feel sore, and most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body.

261. psychiatrist

a doctor (M.D.) who treats mental illness. Psychiatrists must receive additional training and serve a supervised residency in their specialty. They can prescribe medications.

262. psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a professional who treats mental illness, emotional disturbance, and behavior problems. They use talk therapy as treatment, and cannot prescribe medication. A clinical psychologist will have a master’s degree (M.A.) or doctorate (Ph.D.) in psychology, and possibly more training in a specific type of therapy.

263. psychotherapy

counseling or ìtalkî therapy with a qualified practitioner in which a person can explore difficult, and often painful, emotions and experiences, such as feelings of anxiety, depression, or trauma. It is a process that aims to help the patient become better at making positive choices in his or her life, and to become more self-sufficient. Psychotherapy can be given for an individual or in a group setting.

264. puberty

time when the body is changing from the body of a child to the body of an adult. This process begins earlier in girls than in boys, usually between ages 8 and 13, and lasts 2 to 4 years.

265. pudenal block

This procedure anesthetizes, or numbs, the area around the vulva to reduce pain during labor and delivery.

266. purging

forcing oneself to vomit.

267. quinine

a medication used to treat malaria (a disease caused by a parasite that lives part of its life in humans and part in mosquitoes).

268. radiation

treatment using radiation to destroy cancer cells.

269. radioactive drugs

drugs used to look at the internal organs of the body or to treat certain diseases like cancer

270. remission

a period of time without symptoms of a chronic condition.

271. resistant

does not respond.

272. respite care

care and supervision usually provided by volunteer organizations that provides a person’s caregiver some time of rest or relief.

273. rooting

a reflex that newborn babies have, along with the reflexes for sucking and swallowing. Rooting means turning the head to search for the nipple and milk.

274. rubella

also called German measles. Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

275. saturated fats

molecules consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen and containing no double bonds among the carbon atoms. In other words, all of the carbon atoms are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms.

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