| ICS | ileocecal sphincter; immotile cilia syndrome; impulse-conducting system; integrated case study; inte... |
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| ICU | infant care unit; immunologic contact urticaria; intensive care unit; intermediate care unit |
| ICW | intensive care ward; intracellular water |
| IIS | intensive immunosuppression; International Institute of Stress |
| IOU | intensive care observation unit; international opacity unit |
| hormonal therapy | Treatment of cancer by alteration of the hormonal balance. Some cancer will only grow in the presence of certain hormones. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| hormone replacement therapy | In females, treatment with sex hormones for a number for reasons, including menopause, partial or full hysterectomy, or amenorrhoea.In women, treatment with sex hormones is indicated for a number of reasons, including menopause, partial or full hysterectomy, or amenorrhoea. After menopause, conjugated oestrogens, estradiol, or estrone sulfate are given to reduce pain during intercourse, limit blood vessel effects, and prevent loss of bone mass. After radical hysterectomy, conjugated oestrogens are given for similar reasons. After menopause or partial hysterectomy, progestin is administered at the same time to offset an increased risk of endometrial cancer. In some amenorrhoeas, oestrogen is given to restore menses; if the therapy is unsuccessful, this may indicate the presence of pathology, for instance, pituitary tumour. Benefits for postmenopausal women include a lowered risk of heart attack (oestrogen lowers LDL and raises HDL levels), and prevention of osteoporosis, since the rate of bone loss is directly linked to a drop in oestrogen levels (see perimenopause). Medical opinion about the hazard posed by such therapy remains divided. Some studies have indicated increased incidence of breast cancer; however, a comprehensive 1992 review of the literature contradicted this finding. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hormone therapy | Treatment which results in the raising or lowering of hormone levels. Changes in levels can effect some breast cancers, those that need hormones for growth. (16 Dec 1997) |
| puva therapy | Photochemotherapy using a psoralen compound as the photosensitizing agent and ultraviolet light type a (uva). (12 Dec 1998) |
| human gene therapy | <molecular biology, technique> Insertion of normal DNA directly into cells to correct a genetic defect. (09 Oct 1997) |
| serum therapy | Treatment of an infectious disease by injection of an antitoxin or serum containing specific antibody. Synonym: serum therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shock therapy | See: electroshock therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| short-wave therapy | The use of focused short radio waves to produce local hyperthermia in an injured person or diseased body area. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hyperbaric oxygen therapy | <physiology> A pressurised chamber that allows for the delivery of oxygen in higher concentrations for therapeutic benefit. Useful in the treatment of severe burns, peripheral vascular disease, carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression illness. (04 Mar 1998) |
| social network therapy | A type of therapy involving the assembling of all persons emotionally or functionally important to the patient for the purpose of affecting behavioural change in the patient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| social therapy | <psychiatry> A psychiatric rehabilitative therapy to improve a patient's social functioning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| socioenvironmental therapy | Therapy whose primary emphasis is on the physical and social structuring of the environment to promote interpersonal relationships which will be influential in reducing behavioural disturbances of patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| solar therapy | Treatment of disease by exposure to sunlight. (05 Mar 2000) |
| somatic cell gene therapy | The repair or replacement of a defective gene within somatic tissue. (09 Oct 1997) |
| specific therapy | Therapy aimed at the cause(s) of a disease process, as opposed to symptomatic therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |