A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A

albumin - a protein that circulates in the blood. By testing levels of Albumin, we can determine if certain organs are functioning properly.

ankylosing spondylitis - a type of arthritis that affects the spine.

analgesic - a drug that relieves pain.

anemia - When your body doesn't have the normal amount of Red Blood Cells, you have anemia. It can be caused by very many things, including lupus.
 

antibody - a special protein produced by the body’s immune system that recognizes and helps fight infectious agents and other foreign substances that invade the body.  

anticentromere antibodies - antibodies to a particular part of a cell's nucleus. Anticentromere antibodies are associated with a form of Scleroderma called CREST.

 antiphospholipid antibodies - antibodies that target certain parts of a cell membrane. They are detected through special blood tests in about a third of the SLE patients. When found in the presence of certain other factors, these antibodies affect blood clotting, leading to: miscarriages, strokes and low platelet counts.

anti-DNA antibodies- antibodies to DNA. Somewhere between one-half and 75 percent of the patients with SLE have or will have this antibody. It usually indicates more serious activity of the disease. Although there is no "one test" that confirms lupus, when this antibody is found, most healthcare professionals consider "lupus" as the diagnosis.
 

antigen - the substance that triggers the formation of antibodies. I

anti-inflammatory - something that fights inflammation. Such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

antimalarials - drugs, such as Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, that were originally developed to treat Malaria. It was found that they also have benefits in the treatment of Lupus.

anti-neutrophil antibodies (ANCA) -autoantibodies with specificities for proteins found in the primary and secondary granules of neutrophils and in the peroxidase-positive lysosomes of peripheral blood monocytes. They were originally detected by indirect immunofluorescence on ethanol-fixed neutrophils, producing a characteristic staining pattern within the cytoplasm. Two major patterns of immunofluorescent staining have been observed: a classical or cytoplasmic staining, designated cANCA and a perinuclear pattern, designated pANCA.
 

antinuclear antibodies - antibodies that react to the nucleus of the cell. 96 percent of SLE patients have this antibody. However, it can be found in a small percentage of healthy people too.
 

arthralgia - pain in the joint.

arthritis - inflammation of the joint.

arthroscopy - the use of an intra-articular camera inserted into the joint through a small incision to show the inside of a joint; the procedure allows the physician to also assess, repair, or reconstruct various tissues both within and around joints

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B

B cell - a white blood cell that makes antibodies.

bursas - fluid-filled sacs between bones and ligaments, or other adjacent structures.

bursitis - inflammation of the bursas.

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C

cartilage
A resilient tissue that covers and cushions the ends of bones and absorbs shock.
 

CBC or Complete Blood Count, - the test that indicates the amount of Red Blood cells, White Blood cells and Platelets that are in the body.

CNS stands for Central Nervous System.

Collagen - a protein found in cartilage, bone and skin.
Collagen vascular disease, aka Connective tissue disease, is a disease that is caused by antibodies reacting against connective tissue. The usual targets are: skin, joints, muscle, blood vessels.
 

computerized tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called “slices”), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.

connective tissue - the glue that holds the body together. It can be found throughout the body.
 

complement - a group of proteins found in the body. They are activated when the body is fighting perceived invaders. With certain blood tests, you can tell how much is being used in the "fight", which can indicate the severity of the illness.

corticosteroid
Potent anti-inflammatory hormones that are made naturally in the body or synthetically for use as drugs. Also see glucocorticoid.

cortisone - a synthetic, or man-made, corticosteroid

creatinine - a component of urine that is measured in certain tests to determine how well the kidneys are functioning.
 

creatinine clearance - a 24-hour urine collection test, that determines the functioning of the kidneys.

cutaneous -something relating to the skin.

cyclooxygenase (COX)
An enzyme that produces substances called prostaglandins. One form, COX-1, helps maintain the proper function of the stomach and intestinal lining, platelets, and the kidneys. COX-2 is not normally present in most tissues, but is made at sites of inflammation and contributes to inflammation and pain.

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D
 

dermatomyositis - a type of rheumatic disease in which the blood vessels under the skin and muscles are inflamed, causing damage to the muscle tissue.

diagnosis
The determination of the nature of an illness, often by physical examination, laboratory testing, or patient interview.

disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
One of a class of drugs that slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

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E
 

electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.

electromyography (EMG) - electrical test to determine nerve or muscle damage.

enzyme
A protein that speeds the rate of chemical reactions while itself being unchanged in the process.

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - a measurement of how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. When swelling and inflammation are present, the blood's proteins clump together and become heavier than normal. Thus, when measured, they fall and settle faster at the bottom of the test tube. Generally, the faster the blood cells fall, the more severe the inflammation.

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F

familial
Relating to an event that occurs more commonly within families than would have been expected by coincidence. Familial medical conditions are not necessarily caused by inherited genes.

fibromyalgia (Also called fibrositis.) - chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, accompanied by fatigue.

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G

gene
The basic unit of inheritance. Genes occupy specific sites on chromosomes.

genetic
Relating to one or more genes.

genetics
The study of heredity.

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H

hereditary
Transferred from parent to child by means of genes.
 

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) - a form of vasculitis, a condition which involves inflammation of the blood vessels.

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I

immune system
A complex organization of organs, cells, and naturally produced chemicals that is intended to protect the body from infections, diseases, and foreign substances by attacking the invaders or the abnormal cells.

inflammation
A protective reaction of tissue to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.

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J

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K

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L

ligament
A flexible band of tissue that connects two or more bones and supports the joint.

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M

magnetic resonance imaging
A special diagnostic procedure for viewing internal structures, especially in soft tissue. During the procedure, a magnetic field is used to "excite" molecules in the tissues being examined. The molecular energy is translated into high-quality cross-sectional images of a structure of the body.

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N

nodule – bump

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
A medicine that relieves the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, redness, warmth, and swelling. Examples include aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAIDs are a different class of medicine from steroids such as prednisone, that also reduce inflammation.

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O

obesity
Excessive body weight due to accumulation of fat.

osteoarthritis
A chronic joint disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to fray and wear. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and loss of movement in the joint.

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P

patella - the knee-cap.

pauciarticular - a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that affects four or less joints.

pericarditis - inflamed sac around the heart.

platelet
A microscopic blood particle that initiates blood clotting after an injury.

pleurisy - inflamed membranes around the lungs.

polyarticular - a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that affects five or more joints.

prostaglandins
A class of naturally occurring chemicals that are made in many tissues of the body. They contribute to proper function of the stomach and intestinal lining, platelets, and the kidneys.

psoriatic arthritis - a form of arthritis associated with psoriasis, a skin and nail disease.

purines - components of certain foods that metabolize into uric acid in the body.

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R

rheumatic disease
A general term that refers to any condition associated with pain, inflammation, or deterioration of the joints, muscles, or bones.

rheumatic fever - a systemic disease accompanied by fever and inflammation that varies in severity, duration, and outcomes. It is frequently followed by serious heart or kidney disease.

rheumatoid arthritis - a crippling form of arthritis characterized by painful and stiff joints on both sides of the body.

rheumatoid factor (RF) - detects whether rheumatoid factor is present in the blood (an antibody found in the blood of most, but not all, people who have rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other rheumatic diseases).

rheumatologist - a physician who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues.

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S

salicylate
A type of drug developed from salicylic acid that reduces pain, inflammation, and fever. Aspirin is the most commonly used salicylate.

scleroderma (Also called systemic sclerosis.) - chronic, degenerative disease that affects the joints, skin, and internal organs.

septic (infectious) arthritis - an infection in the joint fluid and tissues.

spondylitis - inflammation of the spine.

spondyloarthropathy - one of a group of rheumatic diseases characterized by inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints, a family history of the disease, similar non-arthritic signs, and the absence of rheumatoid factor (FR) in the blood.

susceptibility
State of having greater than normal vulnerability to disease.

symptom
An indication of disease or a change of condition that is felt or recognized by the patient (e.g., pain, dizziness, nausea). Indications of disease that can be seen or measured by others are called signs (e.g., high blood pressure, fever, skin rash).

synovium
A thin membrane that lines a joint and releases a fluid that allows the joint to move more easily.

synovial fluid - a clear, sticky fluid secreted by the synovial membrane and released into movable joints.

synovial membrane - a tissue that lines and seals the joint.

systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that affects joints and sometimes internal organs.

systemic lupus erythematosus (Also called SLE or lupus.) - an autoimmune disorder characterized by periodic episodes of inflammation of joints, tendons, and other connective tissues and organs.

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T

tendon
A strong, flexible band of fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone.

tumor necrosis factor
A protein produced by the body that targets and kills cancer cells, and participates in the process of inflammation.