[...]... Comments and Suggestions We welcome your comments on Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Please write: Editors, Sick!, U•X•L, 27500 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331–3535; call toll free: 1–800–877–4253; fax: 248–414–5043; or send e-mail via http://www.galegroup.com xii Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Please Read: Important Information Sick! Diseases and Disorders,. ..Reader’s Guide Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections presents the latest information on 140 wide-ranging illnesses, disorders, and injuries Included are entries on familiar medical problems readers might encounter in daily life, such as acne, asthma, chickenpox, cancer, and learning disorders Some rare and fascinating illnesses are covered as well, such as smallpox, hantaviruses, and Creutzfeld... appropriate, healthy rate for individuals of a specific height, gender, and age Idiopathic epilepsy: A form of epilepsy for which no cause is known xxviii Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Immune system: A system of organs, tissues, cells, and chemicals that work together to fight off foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses Immunization: The process of injecting a material into... within the immune system Lymph nodes provide materials that fight disease and help remove bacteria and other foreign material from the body Lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell that is important in the formation of antibodies and that can be measured to monitor the health of AIDS patients xxx Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Lymphoma: A cancerous tumor in the lymphatic system that... control over involuntary body functions xviii Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Biopsy: A procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed and then studied under a microscope wor ds to know Blind spot: An area on the retina that is unable to respond to light rays Blood-brain barrier: A network of blood vessels between the neck and the brain that prevents many chemicals from... bloodstream and connective tissue, that helps the body fight off infections by ingesting the disease-causing organism HIV can infect and kill macrophages Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A procedure that uses electromagnets and radio waves to produce images of a patient’s internal tissue and organs These images are not blocked by bones, and can be useful in diagnosing brain and spinal disorders and other diseases. .. An inflammation of the brain and spinal cord Myelin: A layer of tissue that surrounds nerves and acts as an insulator Myelograph: A test in which a dye is injected into the spinal column to allow examination of the spine with X rays or a computed tomography (CT) scan Myocardial infarction: The technical term for heart attack xxxii Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Myopia: Nearsightedness... The part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx, or voice box It connects the nose and mouth with the upper part of the digestive system Phenylketonuria (PKU): A genetic disorder in which a person’s body is unable to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, causing damage to the brain xxxiv Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Physiological dependence: A condition... nerve cells Gangrene: Death and decay of body tissue Gastrointestinal system: The digestive system, consisting of the stomach and intestines Gel electrophoresis: A laboratory test that separates different types of molecules from each other xxvi Sick! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Gene: A chemical unit found in all cells that carries information telling cells what functions they are to... the diagnosis of brain and spinal disorders, cancer, and other conditions Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan: Another name for a computed tomography (CT) scan Condom: A thin sheath (covering) worn over the penis during sexual activity to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases Conduct disorder: A behavioral and emotional disorder of childhood and adolescence Children . h0" alt="" SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections Sick.tpgsV4 4/5/04 1:47 PM Page 1 SICK! Diseases and Disorders, Injuries and Infections R. 199 Concussion 20 6 Conjunctivitis 21 1 Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 21 5 Crohn’s disease 22 2 Cystic fibrosis 22 6 Cystitis 23 3 VOLUME 2: D–H Decompression sickness 23 9 Depressive