Nit Health Dictionary

Nit: From 1 Different Sources


n. the egg of a *louse. The eggs of head lice are firmly cemented to the hair, usually at the back of the head; those of body lice are fixed to the clothing. Nits, 0.8 × 0.3 mm, are visible as light white specks.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Nitrazepam

A tranquilliser introduced as a hypnotic. It is long-acting and may produce drowsiness next day. Addiction can occur. (See TRANQUILLISERS; HYPNOTICS; BENZODIAZEPINES.)... nitrazepam

Nitrofurantoin

A synthetic nitrofuran derivative which has a wide range of antibacterial activity and is e?ective against many gram-positive and gram-negative (see GRAM’S STAIN) micro-organisms. It is used mainly in the treatment of infections of the lower URINARY TRACT.... nitrofurantoin

Amyl Nitrite

A volatile, oily liquid prepared by the action of nitric and nitrous acids on amyl alcohol. It was used for many years to treat angina but has been superseded by other nitrate drugs such as glyceril trinitrate. The substance is misused by drug abusers to produce a ‘high’ and is referred to as ‘poppers’.... amyl nitrite

Nitrates

Chemical compounds that have a valuable role in the treatment of ANGINA PECTORIS. They are very e?ective in dilating the ARTERIES supplying the HEART; their prime bene?t, however, is to reduce the return of venous blood to the heart (via the superior and inferior venae cavae), thus reducing the demands on the left ventricle, which pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Undesirable side-effects such as ?ushing, headache and postural HYPOTENSION may restrict the use of nitrates. Among the nitrate drugs used is GLYCERYL TRINITRATE which, taken under the tongue (sublingually), provides quick, symptomatic relief of angina, lasting for up to half an hour. Alternative administration can be via a spray product. Isorbide dinitrate taken sublingually is a more stable preparation, suitable for patients who need nitrates infrequently. The drug’s e?ect may last for 12 hours in modi?ed-release form. Patients taking long-acting nitrates or preparations absorbed through the skin (transdermal) may develop TOLERANCE.... nitrates

Nitric Oxide

(NO) A gas that is produced both outside the body as a pollutant (for example, in car exhaust fumes), and inside the body, where it takes the form of a molecule that acts as a messenger between cells.

Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, affecting the flow of oxygenated blood and regulating blood pressure.

Overproduction of nitric oxide is associated with various disorders, including toxic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus; underproduction may cause impotence and angina.

The control of nitric oxide is an important element of many drug treatments.... nitric oxide

Nitrogen

A colourless, odourless gas that makes up 78 per cent of the Earth’s atmosphere. Although nitrogen gas cannot be utilized by the body, compounds of nitrogen, such as amino acids, are essential to life.... nitrogen

Nitrous Oxide

(NO) A colourless gas, sometimes called laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is used with oxygen to provide analgesia (pain relief) and light anaesthesia (see anaesthesia, general).

Adverse effects of nitrous oxide and oxygen may include nausea and vomiting during the recovery period.... nitrous oxide

Nita

(Native American / Spanish / Hebrew) Resembling a bear / God is giving / having grace

Nitah, Neeta, Nyta, Neetah, Nytah, Neata, Neatah... nita

Nitara

(Indian) One who is deeply rooted Nitarah, Nitarra, Nitarrah, Nytara, Nytarra... nitara

Nitika

(Native American) As precious as a gem

Nitikah, Nityka, Nytika, Nytyka... nitika

Nitric Oxide (no)

A naturally occurring chemical that performs a wide range of biological roles. It is involved in the laying down of memories in the BRAIN; in killing viruses, bacteria and cancer cells; and in helping to control blood pressure. NO, comprising a nitrogen atom attached to an oxygen one, is one of the smallest of biologically active compounds as well as having such diverse functions. The chemical is a muscle relaxant and is important in maintaining the heart and circulation in good condition. NO is also the toxic agent released by macrophages (see MACROPHAGE) to kill invading germs and spreading cancer cells. It acts as an essential NEUROTRANSMITTER and protects nerve cells against stress. Researchers are studying how it might be used to treat diseases, for example by using it as an inhaled gas in certain respiratory conditions.... nitric oxide (no)

Nitrogen Mustards

The nitrogen analogues of mustard gas are among the most important ALKYLATING AGENTS used in the treatment of various forms of malignant disease. They include chlormethine, busulphan, chlorambucil and melphalan.... nitrogen mustards

Nitrogenous

A compound or molecule that contains nitrogen; in my context, a substance that is or was a part of protein metabolism.... nitrogenous

Nitrous Oxide Gas

Also known as laughing gas, this is (at ordinary pressures) a colourless, sweetish-smelling gas. It is used with oxygen to provide relief of pain (see ANALGESICS; PAIN) and mild ANAESTHESIA during childbirth, during painful dental procedures, and at the site of major accidents. It has a rapid action and the effects do not last for long.... nitrous oxide gas

Nitsa

(German) Form of Irene, meaning “a peaceful woman” Nitsah, Nytsa, Nytsah... nitsa

Nituna

(Native American) My daughter Nitunah, Nytuna, Nytunah, Nitunna, Nitoona, Nytoona, Nitouna, Nytouna... nituna

Nitya

(Indian) An eternal beauty Nithya, Nithyah, Nityah... nitya

Nitza

(Hebrew) A budding young woman; a blossom

Nitzah, Nitzana, Nitzanna, Nitzaniya, Nytza, Nytzana, Nytzaniya, Nizana... nitza

Nitrate Drugs

A group of vasodilator drugs used to treat angina pectoris (chest pain as a result of impaired blood supply) and severe heart failure (reduced pumping efficiency of the heart). Two commonly used nitrate drugs are glyceryl trinitrate and isosorbide.

Possible side effects of nitrate drugs include headache, flushing, and dizziness. Tolerance (the need for greater amounts of a drug for it to have the same effect) may develop when the drug is taken regularly.... nitrate drugs

Nitrites

Salts of nitrous acid (a nitrogen-containing acid). Sodium nitrite is used in meat preservation. In large amounts, nitrites can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.... nitrites

Nits

The eggs of lice. Both head lice and pubic lice produce eggs, which they stick to the base of hairs. Nits measure only about 0.5 mm in diameter. They are light brown when newly laid, and white when hatched. (See also lice; pubic lice.)... nits

Nitric Acid

a strong corrosive mineral acid, HNO3, the concentrated form of which is capable of producing severe burns of the skin. Swallowing the acid leads to intense burning pain and ulceration of the mouth and throat. Treatment is by immediate administration of alkaline solutions, followed by milk or olive oil.... nitric acid

Nitrogen Balance

the relationship between the nitrogen taken into the body and that excreted, denoting the balance between the manufacture and breakdown of the body mass. A negative nitrogen balance, when excretion exceeds intake, is usual after injury or operations as the energy requirements of the body are met disproportionately from endogenous sources.... nitrogen balance

Nitroglycerin

n. see glyceryl trinitrate.... nitroglycerin

Nitroprusside

(sodium nitroprusside) n. a cyanide-containing drug used mainly in the emergency treatment of high blood pressure. It is the most effective known means of reducing dangerously high pressure, but its effects and level in the blood must be closely monitored. Possible side-effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, palpitations, sweating, and chest pain.... nitroprusside

Silver Nitrate

a salt of silver with *astringent, *caustic, and *disinfectant properties. It is used to destroy warts and umbilical granulomas.... silver nitrate

Sodium Nitrite

a sodium salt used, with sodium thiosulphate, to treat cyanide poisoning. Both drugs may cause headache and flushing.... sodium nitrite



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