Health, diseases terms glossary - Starting with P

Photophobia: Photophobia- an abnormal sensitivity of the eyes to light.
Pica: Pica- a desire to eat materials that are not food.
Pickwickian syndrome: Pickwickian syndrome- extreme obesity along with shallow breathing, sleep apnea, excessive sleepiness, and heart failure.
Pituitary gland: Pituitary gland- a small, round gland located at the base of the brain that releases hormones that control other glands and body processes.
Plasma: Plasma- the liquid part of the blood, containing substances such as nutrients, salts, and proteins.
Platelet: Platelet- the smallest particle found in the blood, which plays a major role in forming blood clots.
PMS: PMS- see Premenstrual syndrome
Polycystic kidney disease: Polycystic kidney disease- a condition in which there are multiple, slow-growing cysts on both kidneys
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome- a hereditary disease characterized by multiple cysts on the ovaries, obesity, excessive hairiness, infertility, and irregular menstruation
Polydactyly: Polydactyly- the presence of an excessive number of fingers or toes
Polydypsia: Polydactyly- the presence of an excessive number of fingers or toes
Polysaccharide: Polysaccharide- a complex carbohydrate composed of three or more simple carbohydrate molecules joined together
Polyunsaturated fat: Polyunsaturated fat- a fat or oil that contains well below the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible; thought to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA): Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA)- A type of fat which tends to lower blood cholesterol level. Edible oil seeds are major source of PUFA.
Polyuria: Polyuria- the excessive production of urine; can be a symptom of various diseases, most notably diabetes mellitus
Positron emission tomography scanning: Positron emission tomography scanning- an imaging method in which substances emitting positrons (positively charged particles) are introduced into the body, and detectors connected to a computer are used to form images of the tissues
Postcoital contraception: Postcoital contraception- the prevention of pregnancy after sexual intercourse has occurred
Postnatal: Postnatal- describes something that occurs after birth, usually to the baby
Postpartum: Postpartum- a term that describes something that occurs after childbirth, usually to the mother
Postural hypotension: Postural hypotension- unusually low blood pressure that occurs after suddenly standing or sitting up

Glossary