A measure of the number of mature neutrophil granulocytes (also known as polymorphonuclear cells, PMN's, polys, granulocytes, segmented neutrophils or segs) and immature neutrophils (bands) present in the blood.

The process of absorbing or assimilating substances (e.g., food and medications) into cells or across tissues and organs through bio-chemical processes in the body.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is an enzyme produced in the body to help regulate blood pressure. ACE inhibitors expand blood vessels and decrease resistance by lowering levels of angiotensin II. Allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient. Commonly prescribed include: Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Capoten), Enalopril (Vasotec), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Moexipril (Univasc), Peridopril (Aceon), Quinapril (Accupril), Ramipril (Altace) and Trandolapril (Mavik)

Addison's disease (also chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism, and hypoadrenalism) is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralcorticoids).

A condition in which the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones (chemicals produced by the body that regulate organ function), primarily cortisol; but may also include impaired production of aldosterone (a mineralcorticoid), which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention.

A device implanted in the body that detects heart arrhythmias and counters them with an electric shock that resets the heart's rhythm.

A medical practitioner who specializes in the treatment of allergies or immune system responses. An allergist is sometimes referred to as an immunologist.

An allergic response is an extreme immunological response when the body is hypersensitive to an allergen. In some cases if left untreated an allergic response can be lethal. Allergic symptoms include hives, swelling, itchy skin, itchiness/tingling in the mouth, metallic taste in the mouth, coughing, trouble breathing or wheezing, throat tightness, diarrhea, vomiting.

Skin prick using small amounts of suspect allergy triggers through the skin of the arm or back by pricking or puncturing the skin with a needle or similar device are the most commonly used allergy tests. The RAST (radioallergosorbent test) and related blood tests use radioactive or enzyme markers to detect levels of IgE antibodies are used when a skin test is difficult due to: A widespread skin rash, anxiety about skin pricks and/or potential for a sudden and severe allergic response to test allergens.

A substance that reduces or eliminates pain (Also called pain killers or pain medication).

A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.

An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.

A substance that neutralizes stomach acid. Antacids come in various forms: Aluminum salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts and sodium bicarbonate. Commonly prescribed aluminum salts include, aluminum carbonate: Basaljel, hydroxide salt: AlternaGEL, combination products (aluminum and magnesium): Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Di-Gel. Commonly prescribed magnesium salts include, hydroxide salt: magnesium hydroxide (MOM), carbonate salt: Gaviscon (also a combination product) and combination products such as Maalox, Mylanta (aluminum and magnesium)

A substance used to reduce the inflammatory response to infectious agents, trauma, surgical procedures or in musculoskeletal disease.

A substance used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm. Commonly prescribed include: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), dronedarone (Multaq), flecainide (Tambocor), ibutilide (Corvert), lidocaine (Xylocaine), procainamide (Procan, Procanbid), propafenone (Rythmol), propranolol (Inderal), quinidine (many trade names), sotalol (Betapace) and tocainide (Tonocarid)

A substance (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys harmful microorganisms.

A substance that decreases the clotting (coagulating) ability of the blood. Sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They do NOT dissolve existing blood clots. Commonly prescribed include: Dalteparin (fragmin), Danaparoid (Orgaran), Enoxaparin (Lovenox), Heparin (various), Tinzaparin (Innohep) and Warfarin (Coumadin).

A substance used to prevent or treat diarrhea. Antidiarrheal medications come in various forms. Intestinal flora modifiers: L. acidophilus (Lactinex): Opiates: paregoric, opium tincture, codeine, loperamide (Imodium), diphenoxylate (Lomotil): Adsorbents: bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), kaolin-pectin, activated charcoal, attapulgite (Kaopectate) and Anticholinergics: belladonna alkaloids (Donnatal), atropine

A substance taken to prevent or treat nausea and/or vomiting. Antiemetic medications come in various forms. Anticholinergic agents (ACh blockers): Scopolamine: Antihistamine agents (H1 receptor blockers): Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), meclizine (Antivert), promethazine (Phenergan): Neuroleptic agents: chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine): Prokinetic agents: Metoclopramide (Reglan): Serotonin blockers: Dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran) and Tetrahydrocannabinoids: dronabinol (Marinol)

Any outside substance that causes an immune response.

A medication or other therapy that lowers blood pressure.

Keeps blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together. Commonly prescribed include: Aspirin, Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel and Dipridamole.

Incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke.

A drug used to prevent levels of angiotensin II from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels. This keeps blood pressure from rising. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (or inhibitors) are also known as ARBs, Angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists and AT-2. Commonly prescribed include: Candesartan (Atacand), Eprosartan (Teveten), Irbesartan (Avapro), Losartan (Cozaar), Telmisartan (Micardis) and Valsartan (Diovan).

An abnormal rhythm of the heart.

A blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body.

When a person with swollen or irritated airways has trouble breathing normally because not enough oxygen is going into their lungs.

The chamber of the heart that collects blood returning from the rest of the body. In all vertebrates but fish, there are two atria, left and right. The right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the body and passes it to the right ventricle. The left atrium collects oxygenated blood from the lungs and passes it to the left ventricle.

Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system goes awry and attacks the body itself.

A portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

A technique that uses X-ray film to visualize radioactively labeled molecules or fragments of molecules; used in analyzing length and number of DNA fragments after they are separated by gel electrophoresis.