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Glossary

Showing 331-340 out of 1154 Terms

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  • Diagnostic technique

    (DY-ug-NAH-stik tek-NEEK)

    A type of method or test used to help diagnose a disease or condition. Imaging tests and tests to measure blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are examples of diagnostic techniques.

  • Diagnostic trial

    (DY-ug-NAH-stik TRY-ul)

    A research study that evaluates methods of detecting disease.

  • Dialysis

    (dy-A-luh-sis)

    The process of filtering the blood when the kidneys are not able to cleanse it.

  • Diamond-Blackfan

    (DY-uh-mund-BLAK-fan)

    A very rare disorder in which the bone marrow doesn’t make enough red blood cells. It is usually seen in the first year of life. Patients may have deformed thumbs and other physical problems. They also have an increased risk of leukemia and sarcoma, especially osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

  • Diaphragm

    (DY-uh-fram)

    The thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest from the abdomen.

  • Diarrhea

    (dy-uh-REE-uh)

    Frequent, loose and watery stools.

  • Diet

    (DY-et)

    The things a person eats and drinks.

  • Dietary counseling

    (DY-uh-TAYR-ee KOWN-suh-ling)

    A process by which a health professional with special training in nutrition helps people make healthy food choices and form healthy eating habits. In cancer treatment, the goal of dietary counseling is to help patients stay healthy during and after treatment and to stay strong enough to fight infections and the recurrence of disease. Also called nutritional counseling.

  • Dietary protocol

    (DY-uh-TAYR-ee PROH-tuh-KOL)

    A detailed diet plan that states what, how, and when a person will eat and drink. It may be used to test how a specific diet affects a health outcome, such as lower cholesterol.

  • Dietary supplement

    (DY-uh-TAYR-ee SUH-pleh-ment)

    A product that is added to the diet. A dietary supplement is taken by mouth, and usually contains one or more dietary ingredient (such as vitamin, mineral, herb, amino acid, and enzyme). Also called nutritional supplement.