Glossary terms - B
Barthel Index
Widely used in hospitals to assess patients' level of dependence and need for support in activities of daily living, such as toilet use, dressing, feeding, mobility, etc.
Beta Blockers
Class of drug used to treat angina, hypertension, irregular heart rhythms, migraine and anxiety by blocking the reaction of the body's beta receptors to the "fight or flight" hormone, noradrenaline. Once used as first-line treatment to reduce high blood pressure, but since June 2006 less widely prescribed for this, especially for older people.
Bilateral
On both sides of the body.
Binge drinking
Heavy intoxication caused by high alcohol intake over a short period of time, leading to raised blood pressure and brain and liver damage. Can cause stroke.
Bleeding disorders
Also called: Clotting disorders, Hypercoagulability, Coagulopathy. A group of disorders of the blood clotting (coagulation) system, in which bleeding following an injury is prolonged and excessive. May be inherited or acquired.
Blood pressure
The pressure of the blood against the walls of the main arteries. Pressure is highest when the ventricles in the heart contract (systole) and lowest when they relax (diastole). The two pressures are measured in millimetres of mercury and shown as follows eg. 120/80mmHg expressed as “120 over 80”. This is given as a guideline optimal reading for healthy adults, but blood pressure varies throughout the day, and from person to person.
Blood vessels
Together with the heart and lungs, blood vessels form the circulatory system, which transports blood throughout the body. The most important types are arteries and veins, which carry blood away from and towards the heart, respectively.
Body image
The perception a person has of their own physical appearance, including their beliefs about how others perceive it. With people who have had a stroke, parts of their body may disappear from their conscious perception, due to the damage caused by the stroke.
Botox (botulinum toxin)
A highly toxic protein, sometimes used in minute amounts as a muscle relaxant in cases of painful spasm. See: Spasticity.
Brain scan
Computerised imaging technique used to create pictures of the brain: using X-rays (CT scan) or magnetic fields and radio waves (MRI scan, f-MRI scan).
Brainstem
The stem-like part of the brain, which links the two halves of the brain to the spinal cord. It contains some vital nerve cells involved with breathing, the heart, the eyes and many other important functions.
Brainstem stroke
A stroke in the brainstem, either from a clot or haemorrhage, resulting in the interruption of messages to and from the brain.
Breath control
Technique of controlling the breath used for relaxation and in meditation.
Bruit
The noise that can be heard when listening over a narrowed artery, eg. when a doctor puts a stethoscope to the neck to listen for bruit in the carotid arteries, which would indicate partial blockage. Pronounced "brewee", as in the French word for noise.
Bush medicines
Tradition of herbal medicine, practised by indigenous people of Australia. Also brought by enslaved people from Africa to the Caribbean, notably the Bahamas, where it was practised using native plants. Other traditional systems include Ayurveda, Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan medicine. If in any doubt about your condition and treatment, you should consult your doctor.
