Glossary terms - A
ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor)
A monitor which is worn by the individual and takes their blood pressure readings at intervals throughout the day and night; especially useful in cases of borderline hypertension, and when blood pressure is hard to control.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: a group of medicines often used to treat high blood pressure by blocking the activity of this enzyme and thereby encouraging the blood vessels to dilate.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
The routine tasks that we all have to perform to live independently, such as washing, dressing, using the toilet, bathing, walking and climbing stairs.
Acupuncture
A traditional Chinese system of healing in which symptoms are relieved by having thin metal needles inserted into selected points beneath the skin. The needles may be stimulated either by rotation or by an electric current and are then removed. If in any doubt about your condition, you should consult your doctor.
Acute stroke
The critical stage of stroke, starting at the onset of symptoms and lasting until the patient's condition is stabilised and they enter recovery.
Adaptations
Modifications to the built environment designed to assist access, mobility and self reliance; such as ramps, rails, roll-in showers and stair lifts.
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Potentially painful condition, which may develop after stroke, when there is restricted movement on the weakened side, and sometimes injury to the joint as well. The associated stiffness and limited mobility may respond to physiotherapy, pain killers or localised injection to loosen the joint.
Adrenal glands
A pair of glands located above each kidney. Through hormonal secretions the adrenal glands regulate many essential functions in the body, including heart rate, blood pressure and the way the body uses food.
Aggregation
"sticking together"; as when platelets aggregate to form the core of a blood clot.
Agnosia
Inability to recognise an object or person, although visual mechanisms remain intact.
Agraphia
Inability to express thoughts in writing or by drawing.
Alexia
Inability to read.
Alpha Blockers
Also called alpha-adrenergic blocking agents; medicines sometimes used in the treatment of high blood pressure. They widen the blood vessels by acting on the nerve signals that contract the muscles surrounding them, causing these muscles to relax. Include indoramin and prazosin.
Amaurosis Fugax
A temporary loss of vision in one eye due to a blood clot blocking the flow of blood to the eye. There is complete recovery within 24 hours.
Amnesia
Loss of memory.
Aneurysm
A balloon-like bulge in the wall of an artery which may burst and cause a haemorrhage (bleeding). Sometimes called "berry aneurysm" because of its resemblance to a berry.
(Aneurysm) clipping
Surgical procedure involving clamping an aneurysm, surgically removing the ballooned part of the blood vessel, and closing the opening in the artery wall.
Angina
A painful heart condition caused by reduced blood supply to a part or parts of the heart muscle, due to atheroma narrowing the coronary arteries.
Angiography
An X-ray or ultrasound examination of the arteries.
Angioma
An abnormal collection of blood vessels that can be a cause of a haemorrhage in the brain.
Angioplasty
A technique whereby a doctor inserts a catheter into the narrowed portion of the artery and stretches the artery by inflating a little balloon on the end of the catheter.
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
Also known as Angiotensin Receptor Blockers; medicines used for the treatment of high blood pressure in patients experiencing intolerable side-effects from taking ACE Inhibitors. They act to widen the blood vessels by relaxing the muscles surrounding them, and include losartan and valsartan.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Also known as Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists; medicines used for the treatment of high blood pressure in patients experiencing intolerable side-effects from taking ACE Inhibitors. They act to widen the blood vessels by relaxing the muscles surrounding them.
Anosognosia
A condition in which a person who has a disability due to brain injury seems unaware of or denies their problem. This is caused by damage to higher level neurocognitive processes, and can happen after stroke.
Anticoagulant
A drug that is used to 'thin' the blood and thus reduce the risk of clots forming within the circulation. The most commonly used is warfarin; another is heparin.
Anticonvulsant
Drug given to prevent or arrest epileptic fits.
Antihypertensive
Designed to lower blood pressure (usually referring to medicines).
Antioxidants
Substances thought to be effective in helping to prevent stroke, cancer and heart disease by acting within the body at a cellular level to destroy harmful free-radicals. They are naturally found in fresh fruit and vegetables, so daily dietary recommendation of at least 5 portions of these should ensure adequate intake.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
See: Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome or Hughes Syndrome.
Anti-platelet drugs/Therapy
Drugs used to stop the platelets in the blood sticking to one another and forming clots. Aspirin is the most widely used. Others include clopidogrel (plavix) and dipyridamole (persantin).
Aorta
The main artery taking the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. All other arteries branch off it.
Aphasia
Inability to use language. It can either be a problem understanding language (receptive) or speaking it (expressive). People are often affected by both sorts. See: Dysphasia.
Appeal tribunals
In cases where benefit claims are turned down, applicants may appeal to the Government's Tribunals Service, which deals with disputes concerning social security (including disability and invalidity benefits, council tax and housing benefits) and child support.
Apraxia
The inability to control and co-ordinate movements or carry out complex tasks when requested, caused by damage to the part of the brain responsible for voluntary movement and not by paralysis of the muscles or lack of comprehension. Can affect sequencing (ability to do things in logical order, to achieve a goal) and even speech.
Aromatherapy
A therapy which employs aromatic plant-derived essential oils, selected according to individual needs, and normally diluted in a vegetable carrier oil for use in massage. Thought to relieve headaches, insomnia, stress and pain, and to aid relaxation and general well-being, by stimulating areas of the brain connected with mood and memory and by absorption of curative plant extracts through the skin and bloodstream. If in any doubt about your condition, you should consult your doctor.
Arrhythmia
Irregular heart beat.
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Aspiration
Caused by incomplete swallowing reflex, where fluid or food enters the lungs through the windpipe. Can lead to lung infection or pneumonia.
Aspirin
Widely prescribed as a medicine when necessary to reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
Asteriognosis
Inability to recognise objects by touch.
Ataxia
Loss of control of the muscle function, leading to unsteadiness, a staggering walk and difficulty performing delicate tasks with the hands.
Atheroma
The fatty deposits that build up inside an artery and eventually lead to it becoming blocked, sometimes called plaque.
Atherosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries due to a build up of cholesterol and other fatty material in the walls of the arteries - the prime cause of cardiovascular disease.
Atrial fibrillation
Heart condition in which the upper left side of the heart beats out of rhythm with the other three chambers. It increases the risk of a blood clot forming inside the heart, which can travel to the brain and cause a TIA or stroke.
Attention span
The length of time a person is able to concentrate on a given task.
Attention problems
Inability to sustain concentration because of competing stimuli or thoughts.
Auditory agnosia
Failure to recognise specific sounds, which may be background noise, words, or even music.
AVM (Arterio-venous malformation)
Localised defects of the circulatory system, taking the form of tangled arteries and veins, that are generally believed to arise before or soon after birth. In most cases there are no serious symptoms, but a small proportion lead to headaches, seizures and even haemorrhage.
