This
glossary of medical terms is specifically geared for patients with beryllium
disease and their families. Select a letter or scroll below.
A—F
- acute
beryllium disease:
-
Disease resembling pneumonia or bronchitis that causes reddening or
swelling of the lungs.
-
- BeLPT:
- (See
lymphocyte proliferation test.)
-
- beryllium
disease:
-
(See berylliosis.)
-
- berylliosis
(beryllium disease):
-
A group of beryllium—related diseases such as chronic beryllium
disease and acute beryllium disease.
-
- carcinogen:
- A
substance or agent that is known to cause cancer.
-
- CBD:
- (See
chronic beryllium disease.)
-
- chronic
beryllium disease (CBD):
-
An incurable chronic disease causing scaring of the lung tissue.
- granuloma:
- A localized nodular inflammation
found in tissues.
-
- hypersensitivity:
- A greater than normal bodily response
to a foreign agent.
-
- latency period:
- Time
from exposure to a substance such as beryllium to the onset of a related disease.
-
- lymphocytes:
- White
blood cells that fight infection and disease.
-
- lymphocyte
proliferation test (LPT, BeLPT):
-
A blood test to determine how white blood cells (lymphocytes) react
to beryllium. A strong response may indicate the onset of disease.
-
- prednisone:
-
A synthetic corticosteroid with anti—inflammatory and antiallergic
properties. Corticosteroids are substances produced by the adrenal
glands located adjacent to the kidneys.
-
- sensitization:
-
An allergic response. Allergic responses to beryllium may indicate
the onset of beryllium—related diseases.
-
- steroids:
-
Synthetic hormones used for their anti—inflammatory properties.
For
more medical terms, see CancerWeb
On—line Medical Dictionary.
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