Category: S

Irregularity of the heartbeat due to a disturbance in an area of the electrical impulse system (sinoatrial node) that controls the heart’s actions. A rapid heartbeat that may occur following strenuous exercise or as a result of abnormal conditions such as a high fever, hemorrhage, infection, heart disease, and others. A normal variation in the…

A blood test to determine the ability of the platelets to form a plug, the first step in clotting when blood platelets are exposed to air. Delay in forming the plug may be due to platelet deficiency or to a drug such as aspirin.  

A test done on blood to determine the presence of sickle-cell disease or sickle-cell trait. (A person with sickle-cell trait who marries another with this trait needs genetic counseling to prevent having a baby with sickle-cell disease.)  

Abnormality of the heart’s electrical impulse system originating in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). A group of signs and symptoms caused by inadequate function of the heart’s natural pacemaker. In the healthy heart, a region known as the sinus node initiates the heartbeat. If the sinus node malfunctions, the heart may beat too…

A term used to describe a person whose previously positive test for an infection has changed to a negative finding, indicating no infection is currently present. This may occur, for example, in an infant born to an HIV-infected mother, whose antibodies are found in the newborn baby’s blood (giving it a positive test result). Once…

Blood and tissue fluids that drain from a wound.  

Deterioration of the macula, a spot on the retina in the rear of the eye near the ocular nerve, which focuses vision. This condition occurs mainly in elderly people, who experience progressively diminishing vision ending in blindness. If diagnosed early enough, macular degeneration can sometimes be arrested with laser treatment.  

A test done to assess pancreatic function by measuring how much pancreatic juice is secreted in response to stimulation by the chemical secretin.  

A test done by touching the area surrounding the anus with tape to detect the presence of pinworms, tapeworms, or their eggs.  

A test done on the eyes to find out if a person is secreting an adequate amount of moisture (tears).