Medical Dictionary: Glossary (D)

What is debilitate?

To enfeeble or weaken. A chronic progressive disease may debilitate a patient.

What is defibrillator?

A device that corrects an abnormal heart rhythm by delivering electrical shocks to restore a normal heartbeat.

What is deformity?

A change from the normal size or shape of an anatomic structure.

What is dehydration?

Excessive loss of body water that can cause even shock . Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that cause vomiting or diarrhea may lead to dehydration.

What is delirium?

A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometimes associated with hallucinations and hyperactivity.

What is depression?

An disorder of the body, mood, and thoughts that affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about herself or himself and thinks.

What is descending aorta?

The descending aorta is the part of the aorta which is the largest artery in the body, that runs down through the chest and the abdomen.

What is dialysis?

The process of removing waste products and excess fluid from the body using a machine . Dialysis is necessary when the kidneys are not able to adequately filter the blood.

What is dizziness?

A feeling of imbalance and giddiness with many causes including disturbances of vision, the brain, balance (vestibular) system of the inner ear, and gastrointestinal system.

What is DOTS?

Stands for Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course. DOTS is used to treat tuberculosis in a short span of time thus avoiding defaulters and relapses.