ABRASION
A scrape on the skin with surface bleeding or seepage of blood. Abrasions should be gently and thoroughly cleansed then covered with a sterile dressing. If redness, swelling, and pus formation occur, see your doctor.
ABSCESS
a painful, swollen pocket of pus, which forms as a result of tissue destruction complicated by infection. An abscess can occur in any organ or tissue. Common examples are found in the skin (boil or furuncle caused by infection entering through a hair follicle) or when a decayed tooth and its socket become infected. The pus must be drained from an abscess before healing can take place.
ACHE
A dull pain that lasts for a while in contrast to an acute pain that is sharp and sudden.
ACHILLES TENDON
The strong, powerful tendon at the back of the ankle connecting the heel bone to the calf muscles.
ACIDOSIS
A metabolic disturbance resulting from accumulation of acid in or loss of alkali from the body. It is characterized by drowsiness, nausea, and an increased rate of breathing. The condition is serious and may occur as a complication of diabetes, lung, and kidney disorders, and other severe illnesses. Acidosis is treated by attention to the cause and by correcting the body's acid-base balance with oral or intravenous fluids.