A | |
ACTH |
Adreno-cortico-trophic hormone. The natural hormone ("steroid") secreted in the body. |
Adrenal Gland |
A pair of glands situated above the kidney, responsible for making steroids. |
Agoraphobia |
Fear of open spaces. |
Albumin |
A protein, tested for in the urine. Increased amounts "leak" out into the urine when the kidney is inflammed. |
Allergen |
A substance or chemical capable of causing an allergic reaction. |
Alopaecia |
Hair loss. |
ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) |
The main screening test for lupus. |
Anaemia |
A lack of normal amount of red blood. |
Antibodies |
Proteins produced by the body's immune system in defence against infection and other "foreign" invasion. |
Anticoagulant |
Drugs used to thin the blood (e.g. warfarin, heparin). |
Atabrine |
Another name for mepacrine (an antimalarial drug). |
Autoimmune disease |
A disease in which the immune system attacks elements of the patient's own body. |
B | |
B-cell |
One of the group of immune cells (lymphocytes). |
Benign |
Generally used in defining lumps when they are not malignant. |
Beta-blockers |
A group of drugs useful for damping down excessively fast heart rates and reducing high blood pressure. |
C | |
Casein |
One of the proteins in cheese. |
Chilblains |
A term used to describe cold-blisters on or inflammation of the fingers, toes or ears. |
Cholesterol |
One of the body's circulating fat substances. |
Cognition |
Awareness; ability to think methodically. |
CRP (C-reactive protein) |
A blood protein. Raised levels are found in inflammation such as infections. |
Cystitis |
Bladder inflammation.. |
D | |
Dermatomyositis |
Muscle inflammation (skin rashes may also occur - hence the "dermato" - part of the term). |
Dipstick |
Chemical "strip" of filter paper used for standard urine tests. |
Diuretics |
Pills which increase fluid excretion. |
DNA |
The chemical in the nucleus which carries the genetic code. |
E | |
Electro-retinography |
A sensitive screening test for early abnormalities of the retina of the eye. |
Endocarditis |
Inflammation of the inside wall of the heart (most commonly the valves). |
Epilepsy |
Seizures due to abnormal "electrical" discharges from the brain. |
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) |
The blood test used as a "barometer" of inflammation. |
Etiology |
The cause of an illness. |
F | |
Florid |
Gross or extreme. |
H | |
Haemoglobin |
The protein molecule in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. |
Herpes zoster |
See shingles. |
Hydrotherapy |
Physiotherapy in a pool. |
Immunologist |
Doctor and/or scientist who studies the immune response. |
ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) |
Low platelet count ("idiopathic" means the cause is not yet determined). |
J | |
Jaundice |
Yellowness of the skin due to the pigment bilirubin - can mean liver disease. |
L | |
LE |
Lupus erythematosus. |
Livedo reticularis |
A blotchy, purplish discoloration of blood vessels, usually on the wrists and knees. |
Lymph glands |
Glands situated strategically around the body to protect against the spread of infection. |
M |
MCTD |
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (a lupus variant condition). |
ME |
Myalgic encephelopathy. |
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) |
The form of scan using magnetism rather than x-rays. |
N | |
Nephritis |
Inflammation of the kidney. |
Neuropathyropathy |
Disease of the nerves. |
Neuro-psychiatric |
Involving normal and abnormal function of the brain. |
Nivaquine |
One of the trade names for the antimalarial, chloroquine. |
NSAIDs |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (standard anti-rheumatic drugs). |
Nucleoproteins |
The complex proteins found in the nucleus of the cell. |
O | |
Obstetrician |
Specialist dealing with pregnancy. |
Opthalmoscope |
Instrument used to examine the eye. |
Osteoporosis |
Fragile bone. |
P | |
Pericarditis |
Inflammation of the delicate tissue wrapper surrounding the heart. |
Pericardium |
membrane surrounding the heart. |
Petit mal |
A form of epilepsy. Often takes the form of transitory "absences". |
Physiotherapy |
Treatment by physical means. |
Platelets |
The components of the blood responsible for clot formation. |
Pleura |
The delicate tissue wrapper surrounding the lungs. |
Pleurisy |
Inflammation of the pleura, the delicate tissue wrapper around the lungs. |
Potassium |
One of the most important elements in the body's metabolism. |
Proteinuria |
Presence of protein in the urine. |
Psoriasis |
Chronic skin disorder - differs from lupus but is sometimes confused with skin lupus. |
Psychosis |
Grossly abnormal, pathological behaviour pattern. |
Puerperium |
The period of time after delivery of a baby. |
Purpura |
Red spots under the skin - due to "leaky" small blood vessels or to a very low platelet count. |
R | |
Rhinitis |
Inflammation in the nose. |
Ribo-Nucleic-Acid |
One of the molecules of the cell. |
S | |
Sclera |
The white of the eyes. |
Schizophrena |
Severely affected thought processes. Characterised by auditory hallucinations ("voices"). |
SCLE |
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus - a peculiarly UV-light sensitive skin rash in lupus. |
Scleritis |
Inflammation (and rednesses) in the white of the eye. |
Septrin |
An antibiotic - often causes rashes in lupus patients. |
Shingles |
A painful skin rash due to the virus herpes zoster. |
Sodium valproate |
A drug used in epilepsy. |
Sputum |
Phlegm coughed up from the chest. |
Steroids |
The chemical manufactured by the adrenal glands. Now manufactured synthetically for medical use. |
Strepococcal |
Infection with the bacterium strepococcus - can cause sore throats and (rarely) rheumatic fever. |
Sulphonamides |
A group of antibiotics - now largely replaced by newer antibiotics. |
T | |
Tartrazine |
A colouring used in foods which has been suggested can trigger lupus. |
T-cell |
One of the groups of immune cells (lymphocytes). |
Thalidomide |
A drug rarely used because of its disastrous side effects in pregnancy, but proving useful in some lupus with severe skin lupus. |
Thrombocytopenia |
Low platelet count. |
Thrombosis |
Clotting of the blood. |
Tinnitus |
Ringing in the ears - may be associated with over-use of certain drugs such as aspirin. |
V | |
Vasculitis |
Inflammation of the blood vessels. |