Glossary of Medical and Health Terms. List G & H

Gallbladder

The storage sac for bile, located below the liver

Gallstone

A stone-like mass that forms in the gallbladder and may cause pain

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the stomach and the intestines, usually producing symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Generic medicine

Medicine that's not a name brand, but manufactured by another licensed company

Gland

An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct

Glaucoma

An eye disease, characterized by increased pressure within the eye that can result in blindness if not treated properly

Gynecology

The branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of reproductive diseases in women

Hair follicle

A small tubular cavity containing the root of a hair; small muscles

Herbs

A plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory or aromatic qualities, often used to make medicines or herbal treatments to cure maladies

Herbal remedies

Those remedies which are devised from use of different herbs for treatment of ailments. They are free of any side effects

HIV

The virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); it replicates in and kills the helper T cells. No cure has been worked out for this kind of infection and it results in death of the patient

Hormones

A product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually remote from its point of origin

Hypertension

Abnormally high arterial blood pressure that is usually indicated by an adult systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood sugar usually associated with diabetes or high blood sugar level

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood sugar usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet and lack of sugar in the blood

Hypotension

Abnormally low pressure of the blood, also called low blood pressure