GLOSSARY

MENINGITIS

An infection of the brain or spinal cord.


MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

A person who is trained to recognize and treat emotional and psychiatric problems.


MICROALBUMINURIA

The presence of protein in the urine.


MODIFIED EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION

When blood is removed from a vein and replaced with donated blood.


MRI (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING)

A test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of areas inside the body.


NEPHROLOGIST

An expert in diagnosing and treating diseases of the kidney.


NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

A set of written and verbal tests that identifies how well your brain works.


NTPROBNP (N-TERMINAL-PRO B-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE)

A hormone made by your heart that rises when the heart has to work hard to pump blood to the rest of the body.


OPHTHALMOLOGIST

An expert in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries of the eye.


ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

An expert in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries of the muscles and bones.


OSTEOMYELITIS

An infection of the bone.


OXYGEN SATURATION

A measurement of how much oxygen your hemoglobin is carrying.


PAIN ACTION PLAN

A written plan that describes the steps you should take when you have sickle cell pain.


PNEUMONIA

An infection in the lungs caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus.


PRIAPISM

An erection (hard penis) that happens without sexual arousal and lasts for a period of time.


PRE-ECLAMPSIA

A condition when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy.


PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST

When a machine is used to measure how well your lungs are working. It includes spirometry and a measurement of how much air your lungs can hold.


PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

A type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs and on the right side of your heart.