Pseud Health Dictionary

Pseudocyesis means spurious or false pregnancy, a condition characterised by enlargement of the abdomen, and even enlargement of the breasts and early-morning sickness – the woman being quite convinced that she is pregnant.... pseudocyesis

A space within an organ without a de?ned lining and which contains ?uid. Patients with chronic pancreatitis (see PANCREAS, DISORDERS OF) sometimes develop these pseudocysts which ?ll with pancreatic juice containing enzymes produced by the gland. Abdominal pain usually results; treatment is by surgical draining.... pseudocyst

This is a hereditary disorder of elastic tissue. Degenerating elastic tissue in the skin produces lesions which look like soft yellow papules. Elastic tissue in the eye and blood vessels is also involved, giving rise to visual impairment, raised blood pressure and haemorrhages.... pseudoxanthoma elasticum

A term meaning false joint, used to describe an operation in which the ends of the 2 opposing bones in a joint are removed and a piece of tissue is fixed in the gap as a cushion.

The term also describes a rare childhood condition in which congenital abnormality of the lower half of the tibia leads to spontaneous fracture.... pseudarthrosis

Severe depression in elderly people that mimics dementia. Symptoms include intellectual impairment and loss of memory.... pseudodementia

A form of arthritis that results from the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in a joint.

The underlying cause is unknown; in rare cases, it is a complication of diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism, and haemochromatosis.

Symptoms are similar to gout.

Diagnosis is from a sample of joint fluid.

Treatment is with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).... pseudogout

A congenital abnormality in which the external genitalia resemble those of the opposite sex, but ovarian or testicular tissue is present as normal. A female pseudohermaphrodite may have an enlarged clitoris resembling a penis and enlarged labia resembling a scrotum. A male may have a very small penis and a divided

scrotum resembling labia. (See also hermaphroditism, sex determination.)... pseudohermaphroditism

Species of rod-like bacteria that live in soil and decomposing matter. PSEUDOMONA AERUGINOSA is capable of causing disease in humans and is present in pus from wounds.... pseudomonas

(Bieb.) Desv.

Synonym: A. camelorum Fisch. ex DC.

A. maurorum Medic.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: The drier parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

English: Camel Thorn, Persian Manna Plant.

Ayurvedic: Yavaasaka, Yavaasa, Yaasa, Duhsparshaa, Duraalab- haa, Kunaashak. Substitute for Dhanvayaasa. Yaasa-sharkaraa (Alhagi-manna).

Unani: Jawaansaa. Turanjabeen (Alhagi-manna).

Siddha/Tamil: Punaikanjuri, Kan- chori.

Action: Laxative, antibilious, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant. Leaves—used for fever, headache, rheumatism. Flowers—blood coagulant, used for piles. Alhagi- manna—expectorant, antiemetic, laxative.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of dried whole plant in gout and haemorrhagic disorders.

The aerial parts contain flavonoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, saponins and anthroquinones.

The proanthocyanidins derived from the plant possess hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic properties. The compounds prevented an increase in rat serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and they decreased the manifestation of atherosclerosis.

A polymeric proanthocyanidin, extracted from the plant, improved energy metabolism and increased the work capacity in rats.

Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts produced positive inotropic effect on rabbit heart.

Dosage: Whole plant—20-50 g for decoction. (API Vol. II.) Decoction—50-100 ml. (CCRAS.)... alhagi pseudalhagi

(L.) DC.

Synonym: G. nudicaulis Arn.

Family: Asteraceae, Compositae.

Habitat: Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, Assam, and Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Action: Plant—emollient, resolvent. Used as a poultice in erysipelas and for tumours in the breast. Root—used both externally and internally for enhancing blood circulation especially when blue spots and blotches result from blows. The powdered root, mixed with tea, is given to parturient women. Leaves—used for poulticing pimples. The juice is used asa gargle for inflammations of the throat.... gynura pseudo-china

Linn.

Family: Iridaceae.

Habitat: On river banks, by the side of lakes, ponds. Native to Great Britain.

English: Yellow Flag.

Folk: Paashaanabheda (Gujarat).

Action: Cathartic and acrid. Used in dysmenorrhoea and leucorrhoea. Juice of the root—used for obstinate coughs and convulsions.

Rhizomes contain a glycoside, irisin, iridin or irisine, reportedly present, with myristic acid.... iris pseudacorus

Wall.

Family: Araliaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas, Pithoragarh district of Uttaranchal.

English: Indian Ginseng, Indian Pseudoginseng.

Ayurvedic: In Indian medicine, Panax quinquefolium Linn. and Panax schinseng Knees have been equated with Lakshmanaa.

Action: Adaptogen, digestive relaxant, old-age revitalizer. Sustains nerves and immune system in physical exhaustion and during convalescence. Antiarrhythmic (used for angina). Activities comparable with Korean ginseng.

Indian pseudoginseng, including subspecies himalaicus and its varieties, variety angustifolius and variety bipinnatifidus, has been found to be a rich source ofoleanolic acid saponins, while dammarane saponins (panaxa- diol and panaxatriol) are present in minor quantities. Panax burkillianus Bennet & Viswan and P. sikkimensis Banerjee are also related to the commercial ginseng.

Panax quinquefolium (American Ginseng) has been introduced into India in the Kashmir valley during 1983. It is rich in dammarane saponins. The air-dried roots of the plant, introduced in India, contain total saponin content of 11.5%. The saponins isolated include ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1, pseudoginsenoside F11 and chikusetsu saponin V; the major saponin being ginsenoside Rb1. The saponin fraction of the root yielded panaxadiol, panaxatriol and oleanolic acid.

Ginsenosides Rb and Rc are 'diols', while Rg is a 'triol'. ('triol' group is arousing, 'diol' is sedative.) In American ginseng 'diols' predominate.

Panax pseudoginseng, equated with Himalayan ginseng (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007), is believed to dilate the coronary vessels, re duce vascular resistance and improve the coronary collateral circulation. It increased blood flow while reducing blood pressure.

Panax schiseng, synonym P. ginseng Mey. (Asiatic or Chinese Ginseng) is cultivated in northern China, Korea and Japan.... panax pseudoginseng

A person in whom the gonads (testes or ovaries

– see GONAD) of only one sex are present in the body but in whom the external GENITALIA may not be obviously male or female. The condition is a result of a hormonal imbalance and can normally be treated by appropriate surgery and hormone drugs. (See also HERMAPHRODITE.)... pseudohermaphrodite

Wt. & Arn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Orissa throughout South India and Gujarat.

Ayurvedic: Sanaparni, Shaalaparni (Kerala).

Siddha/Tamil: Neermalli.

Action: Root—astringent, febrifuge, antirheumatic. A decoction or powder is used for biliousness and diarrhoea. Used as a substitute for Desmodium gangeticum (Shaalaparni) in South India.

Leucopelargonidin has been isolated from the root.... pseudarthria viscida

A condition in which certain muscles enlarge owing to a fatty and ?brous degeneration, giving a false appearance of increased strength.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

A pathogenic bacterium of the genus pseudomonas – rod-like, motile gram-negative bacteria (see GRAM’S STAIN) – that occurs in pus from wounds and is associated with urinary tract infections. The bacteria mostly live in soil and decomposing organic matter and help to recycle nitrogen in nature. Most of the bacteria in this genus are harmless to humans.... pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas and Jammu & Kashmir.

English: Locust tree, False Acacia, Robinia, Black Locust.

Action: Leaves—laxative, antispas- modic (an infusion is prescribed in digestive disorders). Flowers— diuretic, antispasmodic.

The bark, leaves and roots contain a toxalbumin, robin (1.6% in the bark), which resembles ricin present in the castor seed. The bark also contains a glucoside robinitin (3%), syringin, tannin (up to about 7.0%). Inner bark contains amygdalin and urease.

The leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus and potash. The presence of glycosides, acaciin, apigenin-7-bioside, apigenin-7-trioside and indican, have also been reported.

The flowers are powerfully diuretic due to a glycoside, robinin. Flowers also contain l-asparagine.

The roots are rich in asparagine, also contain robin. Root bark, if taken in excess, is emetic and purgative.

The bark and young shoots are poisonous to livestock.... robinia pseudoacacia

 Itchy rash contracted in swimming pools, sports clubs or public baths caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. Runs a self-limiting course from 7-14 days. Garlic and Echinacea specific. ... dermatitis, pseudomonas

Prefixes meaning false.... pseud-/pseudo-

A decongestant drug used to relieve nasal congestion.

High doses may cause anxiety, nausea, and dizziness.

Occasionally, hypertension, headache, and palpitations occur.... pseudoephedrine

An outbreak of an illness in a community or in an institution that is thought to be due to a form of hysteria. Typical symptoms are headache and a general feeling of sickness.... pseudoepidemic

n. the misleading appearance of clumping that occurs during an antiserum-antigen test as a result of incorrect temperature or acidity of the solutions used.... pseudoagglutination

n. see aneurysm.... pseudoaneurysm

n. an enzyme found in the blood and other tissues that – like *cholinesterase – breaks down acetylcholine, but much more slowly. Not being localized at nerve endings, it plays little part in the normal breakdown of acetylcholine in synapses and at neuromuscular junctions.... pseudocholinesterase

n. see Legg–Calve?–Perthes disease.... pseudocoxalgia

n. a false *crisis: a sudden but temporary change in a condition, such as a fall of temperature in a patient with fever.... pseudocrisis

n. apparent absence of the testes. This is quite common in young boys, who retract their testes into the groin due to involuntary or reflex contraction of the cremasteric muscle of the suspensory cord (also known as retractile testes). The condition is only important in that it needs to be distinguished from true failure of descent of the testes into the scrotum, which requires early surgical treatment (see cryptorchidism).... pseudocryptorchidism

the appearance of white dandruff-like deposits on structures in the anterior chamber of the eye, which are especially prominent around the pupil margin and on the anterior lens capsule. It is a sign of zonular weakness and indicates an increased risk of secondary glaucoma.... pseudoexfoliation syndrome

n. a controversial term, commonly used in *mental state examinations, for an experience described by the patient as a *hallucination but judged by the psychiatrist as not perceived as such by the patient. It may sometimes be seen as an attempt by patients to pretend that they suffer from genuine hallucinations. The term is generally unhelpful because it implies a value judgment.... pseudohallucination

n. increase in the size of an organ or structure caused by excessive growth of cells that have a packing or supporting role but do not contribute directly to its functioning. The result is usually a decline in the efficiency of the organ although it becomes larger. —pseudohypertrophic adj.... pseudohypertrophy

n. a syndrome of learning disability, restricted growth, and bony abnormalities due to a genetic defect that causes lack of response to the hormone secreted by the *parathyroid glands. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D can reverse most of the features. See also Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy.... pseudohypoparathyroidism

n. a false membrane, consisting of a layer of exudate on the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane. In diphtheria a pseudomembrane forms in the throat. In pseudomembranous colitis, a disease caused by *Clostridium difficile that usually follows antibiotic therapy, pseudomembranes develop in the colon, resulting in profuse diarrhoea.... pseudomembrane

see Clostridium; pseudomembrane.... pseudomembranous colitis

n. a mucoid tumour of the peritoneum, often seen in association with *myxomas of the ovary. In pseudomyxoma peritonei there are recurrent deposits of mucin-producing cells in the abdomen, which can be difficult to clear by surgery and may prove fatal.... pseudomyxoma

n. a condition that resembles *retrobulbar neuritis but is not due to inflammation. The most usual cause is blockage of blood vessels in the optic nerve (ischaemic optic neuropathy).... pseudoneuritis

(Ogilvie’s syndrome) n. functional impairment of intestinal peristalsis without evidence of an obstructing lesion (acute colonic pseudo-obstruction). It presents with vomiting, marked abdominal distension, and constipation. It commonly occurs in hospitalized patients with serious illness, probably caused by abnormalities in colonic autonomic regulation and often associated with trauma, sepsis, the postoperative state following abdominal, pelvic, or orthopaedic surgery, or cardiac dysfunction (heart failure, myocardial infarction). Management is usually conservative and involves treatment of the underlying condition, the ‘drip and suck’ approach (see ileus), decompression of the colon, and prokinetic agents (such as neostigmine). Surgery is required when the conservative approach fails or in cases of perforation.... pseudo-obstruction

n. the state of the eye after the natural lens has been replaced by a synthetic lens implanted inside the eye, approximately in the position previously occupied by the natural lens. This is the current form of surgery for *cataract. —pseudophakic adj.... pseudophakia

n. (pl. pseudopodia) a temporary and constantly changing extension of the body of an amoeba or an amoeboid cell (see phagocyte). Pseudopodia engulf bacteria and other particles as food and are responsible for the movements of the cell.... pseudopodium

n. a condition in which the bowel lining (mucosa) is covered by elevated or protuberant plaques (pseudopolyps) that are not true *polyps but abnormal growths of inflamed mucosa. It is usually found in patients with longstanding *ulcerative colitis during endoscopy or barium enema examination.... pseudopolyposis

n. a mass in the pituitary gland region that is associated with a raised blood prolactin level due to interference of the pituitary stalk (through which the chemical dopamine, the inhibitor of prolactin release, passes from the hypothalamus) rather than to increased prolactin production from a pituitary *prolactinoma.... pseudoprolactinoma

n. a condition in which all the symptoms of *pseudohypoparathyroidism are present but the patient’s response to parathyroid hormone is normal. It is often found in families affected with pseudohypoparathyroidism.... pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism

see non-epileptic seizure.... pseudo seizure

see idiopathic intracranial hypertension.... pseudotumour cerebri