| periodic oedema | A vascular reaction involving the deep dermis or subcutaneous or submucal tissues, representing localised oedema caused by dilatation and increased permeability of the capillaries and characterised by development of giant wheals. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| periodic ophthalmia | An acute iridocyclitis of horses, involving one or both eyes; it subsides only to recur at intervals of varying length and usually ends in blindness; the cause is uncertain but some have associated it with leptospires; does not appear to be contagious. Synonym: moon blindness. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodic paralysis | Term for a group of diseases characterised by recurring episodes of muscular weakness or flaccid paralysis without loss of consciousness, speech, or sensation; attacks begin when the patient is at rest, and there is apparent good health between attacks. See: hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis, hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, normokalaemic periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodic peritonitis | familial paroxysmal polyserositis |
| periodic polyserositis | familial paroxysmal polyserositis |
| periodic system | The arrangement of the chemical elements in a definite order as indicated by their respective atomic numbers in such a way that groups of elements with similar chemical properties (similar valence shell electron number) are grouped together. See: Mendeleeff's law. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is elevated during attacks; onset occurs in infancy, attacks are frequent but relatively mild, and myotonia is often present; autosomal dominant inheritance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hypokalaemic periodic paralysis | <biochemistry> A rare inherited disorder, affecting men more often than women, characterised by intermittent episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. One form, known as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterised by bouts of muscle weakness (or paralysis) accompanied by low serum potassium levels. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. Incidence: 1 in 100,000. (11 Jan 1998) |
| sodium-responsive periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is within normal limits during attacks; onset usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 years; there is often severe quadriplegia, usually improved by the administration of sodium salts; autosomal dominant inheritance. Synonym: sodium-responsive periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| normokalaemic periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is within normal limits during attacks; onset usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 years; there is often severe quadriplegia, usually improved by the administration of sodium salts; autosomal dominant inheritance. Synonym: sodium-responsive periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial periodic paralysis | <neurology> A rare inherited disorder, affecting men more often than women, characterised by intermittent episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. One form, known as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterised by bouts of muscle weakness (or paralysis) accompanied by low serum potassium levels. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. Incidence: 1 in 100,000. (27 Sep 1997) |
| absorption fever | An elevation of temperature often occurring, without other untoward symptoms, shortly after childbirth, assumed to be due to absorption of uterine discharges through abrasions of the vaginal wall. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acclimating fever | Elevated temperature with malaise that occurs upon working in a very hot environment. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aden fever | <virology> A tropical disease caused by dengue virus (Arbovirus), that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito of the genus Aedes). Four severity grades of the illness are seen: Grade I: fever and constitutional symptoms. Grade II: grade I plus spontaneous bleeding of skin, gums or gastrointestinal tract. Grade III: grade II plus agitation and circulatory failure. Grade IV: profound shock. Grade I infection is seen most frequently in world travelers, where it is usually self-limited and rarely fatal. The other grades are referred to as dengue haemorrhagic fever and are often fatal. Dengue haemorrhagic fever appears to be an infection by one of the other dengue viruses. Prior immunity to a different dengue virus type appears to be important in the development of the more serious haemorrhagic form. Vaccines are available. Protection from mosquitoes is an important preventive measure. (15 Jan 1998) |
| aestivoautumnal fever | <infectious disease> A tropical parasitic disease caused by one of the genus Plasmodium and carried by infected mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. This parasite uses red blood cells to complete its reproductive cycle. Common symptoms of an attack include high fever, chills, sweats and body aches. (27 Sep 1997) |