Lith Health Dictionary

The formation of calculus of any kind... lithiasis

The operation of cutting for stone in the bladder. The operation is of great historic interest, because more has probably been written about it in early times than about any other type of surgery – and because, for a long time, it formed almost the only operation in which the surgeon dared to attack diseases of the internal organs.... lithotomy

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) causes disintegration of renal and biliary stones (see CALCULI) without physical contact, and is therefore an attractive procedure for patients and surgeons alike.

Shock waves generated outside the body can be accurately focused with a re?ector whilst the patient is suspended in water, to facilitate transmission of the waves. These are focused on the calculus. The resultant ?ne fragments are passed spontaneously in the urine with minimal, if any, discomfort. The procedure has been shown to be safe, short and e?ective, and is most acceptable to patients.... lithotripsy

Litholapaxy is the term applied to the operation in which a stone in the URINARY BLADDER is crushed by an instrument introduced along the URETHRA, and the fragments washed out through a catheter (see CATHETERS).... litholapaxy

A drug used in the long-term treatment of mania and manic-depressive illness. High levels of lithium in the blood may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, blurred vision, tremor, drowsiness, rash, and, in rare cases, kidney damage.... lithium

Position in which a patient lies on his or her back with the hips and knees bent and the legs wide apart.

Once used for lithotomy, the position is still used for pelvic examinations and some types of pelvic surgery.... lithotomy position

n. see hyperuricuria.... lithuria

A drug widely used in the PROPHYLAXIS treatment of certain forms of MENTAL ILLNESS. The drug should be given only on specialist advice. The major indication for its use is acute MANIA; it induces improvement or remission in over 70 per cent of such patients. In addition, it is e?ective in the treatment of manic-depressive patients (see MANIC DEPRESSION), preventing both the manic and the depressive episodes. There is also evidence that it lessens aggression in prisoners who behave antisocially and in patients with learning diffculties who mutilate themselves and have temper tantrums.

Because of its possible toxic effects – including kidney damage – lithium must only be administered under medical supervision and with monitoring of the blood levels, as the gap between therapeutic and toxic concentrations is narrow. Due to the risk of its damaging the unborn child, it should not be prescribed, unless absolutely necessary, during pregnancy – particularly not in the ?rst three months. Mothers should not take it while breast feeding, as it is excreted in the milk in high concentrations. The drug should not be taken with DIURETICS.... lithium carbonate

Linn.

Family: Boraginaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir and Kumaon, at altitudes of 1,500-2,700 m.

Folk: Lubis firmun.

Action: Leaves—sedative. Seeds— diuretic, lithotriptic. A decoction of roots and twigs is given in the form of syrup in eruptive diseases, such as smallpox and measles.

The aerial parts contain pyrrolizi- dine alkaloids.

Saline extracts of the aerial parts and roots, administered to experimental animals by injection, inhibit oestrus and the functioning of ovaries and testes; the activity of the thyroid gland is also reduced. The active principle is formed from phenolic precursors like caffeic, chlorogenic, rosmarinic acid as well as luteolin-7 beta-glucuronide by an oxidation step. Other constituents are lithospermic acid and shikonin.

Shikonin and acetyl-shikonin, the pigments of the root, exhibit anti- inflammatory activity comparable to phenylbutazone.

An infusion of leaves is used in Spain as sedative.... lithospermum officinanle

Sw.

Family: Scrophulariaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to an altitude of 900 m, except in acrid areas in the West.

English: Scleria.

Action: Plant—antinephritic. Root—decoction is given after parturition. Young tops—given to children for enlarged stomach.

The roots of Scleria biflora Roxb. smell strongly of camphor or cajeput.

The fruits of S. levis are used for cough and stomach disorders.

A decoction of the sedge of S. per- gracilis (Nees) Kunth (the Himalayas from Garhwal to Assam at altitudes of 1,500 m and in Bihar, West Bengal and Deccan Penninsula) is used for cough.

(Folk names not known. About 28 species are found in India.)... scleria lithosperma

Herb with the ability to dissolve or expel stone, gravel (renal calculi). Bearberry, Buchu, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Golden Rod, Gravel root, Horse Radish, Hydrangea, Nettles, Pellitory of the Wall, Parsley Piert, Sea Holly, Stone root, Violet leaves, Wild Carrot. ... lithagogue

The machine used in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to disintegrate small calculi (stones).... lithotripter

n. see hyperuricaemia.... lithaemia

n. surgical removal of a stone from the kidney. See nephrolithotomy; pyelolithotomy.... lithonephrotomy

n. a fetus that has died in the uterus or abdominal cavity and has become calcified.... lithopaedion

n. a surgical instrument used for crushing a stone in the bladder. See litholapaxy.... lithotrite

adj. see autotrophic.... lithotrophic

n. the passage of small stones or *gravel in the urine.... lithuresis