Physi Health Dictionary

Physiology is the branch of medical science that deals with the healthy functions of di?erent organs, and the changes that the whole body undergoes in the course of its activities. The teaching of physiology is a basic part of the medical student’s initial education.... physiology

An important treatment involving the use of physical measures, such as exercise, heat, manipulation and remedial exercises in the treatment of disease. An alternative name is PHYSICAL MEDICINE. It is an essential part of the rehabilitation of convalescent or disabled patients. Those who practise physiotherapy – physiotherapists – have a recognised training and, on successful completion of this, are placed on the profession’s o?cial register (see APPENDIX 8: PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS.)... physiotherapy

That part of a patient’s consultation with a doctor in which the doctor looks, feels (palpates) and listens to (auscultates) various parts of the patient’s body. Along with the history of the patient’s symptoms, this enables the doctor to assess the patient’s condition and decide whether an immediate diagnosis is possible or whether laboratory or imaging investigations are needed to reach a diagnosis. A full physical examination may take 30 minutes or more. Physical examination, along with certain standard investigations, is done when a person attends for a ‘preventive’ check-up of his or her state of health.... physical examination

A medical specialty founded in 1931 and recognised by the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1972. Physical-medicine specialists started by treating rheumatic diseases; subsequently their work developed to include the diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with physical handicaps. The specialty has now been combined with that of RHEUMATOLOGY. (See also PHYSIOTHERAPY.)... physical medicine

Professional person qualified by education and authorised by law to practise medicine. In certain countries refers to a specialist in internal medicine.... physician

A doctor who works in the specialty that encompasses PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, EPIDEMIOLOGY and PUBLIC HEALTH.... community physician

Any form of exercise or movement.... physical activity

1 Treatment of pain, disease or injury by physical means. 2 The profession concerned with promotion of health; prevention of physical disabilities; evaluation and rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain, disease or injury; and with treatment by physical therapeutic measures, as opposed to medical, surgical or radiologic measures.... physical therapy / physiotherapy

A health care professional who provides patient services ranging from taking medical histories and doing physical examinations to performing minor surgical procedures. Physicians’ assistants work under the supervision of a physician.... physician assistant

See SUICIDE.... physician-assisted suicide

Started by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries 1673, the Chelsea Physic Garden is the second oldest herb garden in England devoted to the scientific study of plants. It provides a silent four-acre oasis in the heart of London for enjoyment by the public, but especially for research into herbs. For over 300 years the garden has supplied drugs to London doctors for relief of the sick.

Records provide one of the few sources of information about medicinal plants in cultivation during the 18th century. The famous gardener Philip Miller took over in 1722 and developed it as the finest botanic garden in the world for its amazing variety of plants. In the 18th century cotton seeds were sent from the garden to form the crop of the new colony of Georgia, America.

From Chelsea, Madagascan Vinca rosea was distributed and which earned a place in modern medicine (vinplastine) for the treatment of leukaemia. After many years neglect, medical botany enjoys a renaissance during which the skills of the garden’s scientific staff are again in demand for the training of pharmacists and students of other disciplines. Its buildings house a valuable collection of botanical books, including John Parkinson’s “Paradisus”. ... chelsea physic garden

A branch of medicine concerned with caring for patients who have become disabled through injury or illness.... physical medicine and rehabilitation

adj. (in medicine) relating to the body rather than to the mind. For example, a physical sign is one that a doctor can detect when examining a patient, such as abnormal dilation of the pupils or the absence of a knee-jerk reflex (see also functional disorder; organic disorder).... physical

see saline.... physiological saline

one of a group of solutions used to maintain tissues in a viable state. These solutions contain specific concentrations of substances that are vital for normal tissue function (e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, bicarbonate, and phosphate ions, glucose, and oxygen). An example of such a solution is *Ringer’s solution.... physiological solution

(growth plate) a horizontal band of tissue located between the ends (*epiphyses) of a long bone and the growing zone (*metaphysis) of the shaft. It is composed of cartilaginous, bony, and fibrous components that combine to allow for longitudinal and latitudinal growth and remodelling of the developing bone (endochondral *ossification). See also Salter-Harris classification.

physo- combining form denoting air or gas.... physis

The part of a medical consultation in which the doctor looks, feels, and listens to various parts of the patient’s body to assess the patient’s condition or to gather information to help make a diagnosis.

Most examinations include palpation, by which the doctor examines relevant parts of the body for signs such as swelling, tenderness, or enlargement of organs. In some cases, percussion of the chest, or other parts of the body, may be performed by tapping with the fingers and then listening to the sound produced. Auscultation may be used to listen to blood flow through arteries and sounds made by the heart and lungs. The doctor may take the pulse or blood pressure, examine the eyes and ears, and assess the strength and coordination of the muscles.... examination, physical

describes the natural biological processes of a living organism.... physiological