Medical Glossary
Understanding medical terminology empowers you to take charge of your health journey.
A
Adaptogen
Adaptogens are a class of herbs and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. They modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ad...
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is a term used in naturopathic medicine to describe a collection of symptoms—chronic fatigue, salt cravings, difficulty waking, aftern...
Amenorrhea
ay-men-oh-REE-ah
Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of menstrual periods. Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation by age 15 in someone wit...
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods that reduce chronic inflammation while minimizing processed foods, refined sugars, an...
Antioxidant
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals and reactive oxygen species, protecting cells from oxidative damage. They include vitamins (C...
Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, perceiving them as foreign. Autoimmune diseases—such as Hashimot...
B
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
Basal body temperature is your body's lowest resting temperature, measured immediately upon waking before any activity. Tracking BBT throughout the me...
Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient or compound that is absorbed and utilized by the body after administration. It depends on facto...
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique that trains you to control physiological processes by providing real-time information about body functions like muscle tens...
Burnout Syndrome
Burnout syndrome is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, particularly work-related stress. It's character...
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation produced by the liver in response to inflammatory signals. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) measures low-g...
Carminative
kar-MIN-uh-tiv
Carminatives are herbs that relieve gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort by relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and facilitating the...
Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour internal biological clocks that regulate sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, body temperature, digestion, and immune ...
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
A comprehensive stool analysis is an advanced functional lab test that evaluates digestive function, gut microbiome composition, inflammation markers,...
Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Constitutional hydrotherapy is a naturopathic treatment involving alternating applications of hot and cold towels to the chest and back, combined with...
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It regulates metabolism, immune response, blood sugar, blood press...
Cycle Syncing
Cycle syncing is the practice of aligning nutrition, exercise, work tasks, and self-care with the four phases of the menstrual cycle—menstrual, follic...
Cytokines
SY-toh-kynes
Cytokines are signaling proteins released by immune cells that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and cell-to-cell communication. Pro-inflam...
D
Detoxification
Detoxification is the body's process of transforming and eliminating toxins, waste products, and harmful substances. The liver, kidneys, gut, skin, an...
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
dee-hi-droh-ep-ee-an-dro-STER-own
DHEA is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. It serves as a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen and plays roles in ener...
Docere
DOH-sair-ay
Docere is a Latin word meaning 'to teach.' This naturopathic principle emphasizes the doctor's role as educator, empowering patients with knowledge ab...
DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
The DUTCH test is an advanced hormone test using dried urine samples collected over 24 hours to measure sex hormones, cortisol rhythm, cortisol metabo...
Dysbiosis
dis-by-OH-sis
Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the composition or function of the gut microbiome, characterized by reduced microbial diversity, overgrowth of pathogenic...
Dyslipidemia
dis-lip-ih-DEE-mee-ah
Dyslipidemia is an abnormal level of lipids (fats) in the blood, including elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high triglycerides. It is...
Dysmenorrhea
dis-men-oh-REE-ah
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual cramps. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs without underlying pelvic pathology and is related to exces...
E
Elimination Diet
An elimination diet is a systematic approach to identifying food sensitivities by removing potential trigger foods for a period (typically 3–6 weeks),...
Emmenagogue
eh-MEN-ah-gog
Emmenagogues are herbs that stimulate menstrual flow and support regular menstruation. They work through various mechanisms including hormonal modulat...
Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance characterized by excessive estrogen relative to progesterone. This can result from high estrogen levels, lo...
F
Fertility Window
The fertility window is the 6-day period during the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible—the 5 days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation. ...
Follicular Phase
The follicular phase is the first half of the menstrual cycle, beginning on the first day of menstruation and ending at ovulation. During this phase, ...
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivity testing measures immune reactions (typically IgG antibodies) to various foods. Unlike IgE food allergy testing (which measures immedi...
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
Free T3 is the active, unbound form of triiodothyronine, the most metabolically active thyroid hormone. It regulates metabolism, energy production, bo...
Free T4 (Thyroxine)
Free T4 is the unbound, bioavailable form of thyroxine, the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland. T4 is a prohormone that must be converted t...
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a systems-oriented medical approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. It views the body as...
G
Galactagogue
guh-LAK-tuh-gog
Galactagogues are herbs, foods, or medications that promote lactation and increase breast milk production. Herbal galactagogues include fenugreek, ble...
Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis is the bidirectional communication network between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, mediated by neural, h...
H
Holistic Health
Holistic health is an approach to wellness that considers the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and emotions—in the quest for optimal health and wellne...
Hypomenorrhea
hy-poh-men-oh-REE-ah
Hypomenorrhea is a menstrual pattern characterized by abnormally light menstrual flow with regular cycle timing. Unlike amenorrhea (absent periods) or...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis is the complex hormonal feedback system that regulates the menstrual cycle and reproductive function. Th...
I
Inflammation
Inflammation is the immune system's protective response to injury, infection, or irritation. Acute inflammation is beneficial and self-limiting. Chron...
Informed Consent
Informed consent is the ethical and legal requirement that healthcare providers fully explain proposed treatments, including benefits, risks, alternat...
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells in the body become less responsive to insulin, requiring the pancreas to produce more insulin to main...
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine combines conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies such as nutrition, botanical medicine, acupu...
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting. Common approaches include 16:8 (16-hour fast, 8-hour...
K
L
Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)
Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions between intestinal cells become compromised, allowing undigested food...
Liver Support
Liver support refers to nutritional, lifestyle, and herbal interventions that enhance liver function, detoxification capacity, and hepatic health. The...
Luteal Phase
The luteal phase is the second half of the menstrual cycle, occurring after ovulation and lasting approximately 12–14 days. During this phase, the cor...
M
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern based on traditional cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It emphasizes vegetables, frui...
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, regulating sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. Melatonin levels natu...
Menorrhagia
men-oh-RAY-jee-ah
Menorrhagia is abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding occurring at regular intervals (21–35 days). It is defined as blood loss exceeding 80 ...
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions—including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and low HD...
Methylation
Methylation is a biochemical process involving the transfer of methyl groups (one carbon and three hydrogen atoms) to DNA, proteins, and other molecul...
Metrorrhagia
meh-tro-RAY-jee-ah
Metrorrhagia is irregular bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods. Unlike menorrhagia (heavy but regular bleeding), metrorrhagia describes unpr...
Microbiome
The microbiome refers to the trillions of microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes—that live in and on the human body, particularly...
Mind-Body Medicine
Mind-body medicine uses the power of thoughts and emotions to influence physical health. It includes practices like meditation, yoga, tai chi, biofeed...
N
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare that emphasizes prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeu...
Nervine
Nervines are herbs that support the nervous system, promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep quality. They include nervine relaxant...
Nutraceutical
Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They include dietary supplements, functiona...
O
Oligomenorrhea
ol-ih-go-men-oh-REE-ah
Oligomenorrhea is a medical term describing infrequent menstrual periods occurring at intervals greater than 35 days. The term 'oligo' means 'few' in ...
Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses, leading to cellular damage. Free radicals ...
P
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care is a healthcare approach that respectfully partners with patients, considering their preferences, values, cultural beliefs, and ...
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic floor are too tight, too weak, or uncoordinated, causing symptom...
Polymenorrhea
pol-ee-men-oh-REE-ah
Polymenorrhea is a menstrual cycle pattern characterized by periods occurring more frequently than normal—specifically at intervals shorter than 21 da...
Praevenire
pry-veh-NEER-ay
Praevenire is a Latin word meaning 'to prevent.' This naturopathic principle emphasizes disease prevention through education, lifestyle optimization, ...
Preconception Health
Preconception health refers to optimizing both partners' physical, nutritional, and lifestyle health before attempting conception. It includes address...
Primum Non Nocere
PREE-mum non no-SAIR-ay
Primum non nocere is a Latin phrase meaning 'first, do no harm.' This naturopathic principle emphasizes using the least invasive, most gentle therapie...
Progesterone
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the corpus luteum after ovulation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It prepares ...
S
Seed Cycling
Seed cycling is a food-based approach to supporting hormonal balance by consuming specific seeds during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Durin...
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
SIBO is a condition in which excessive bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, where bacterial populations are normally low. These bacteria fermen...
Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene refers to habits and environmental factors that promote consistent, quality sleep. Key components include maintaining regular sleep-wake...
Standardized Extract
A standardized extract is a botanical preparation processed to contain a consistent, guaranteed amount of specific active compounds or marker constitu...
Sympathetic Nervous System
sim-puh-THET-ik NER-vus SIS-tem
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for the body's 'fight-or-flight' response...
T
Telehealth
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services remotely using telecommunications technology, including video consultations, phone appointments, sec...
Thyroid Antibodies
Thyroid antibodies are immune proteins that attack thyroid tissue. The two most common are thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and thyroglobulin antib...
Tolle Causam
TOL-ley KOW-sahm
Tolle causam is a Latin phrase meaning 'identify and treat the cause.' This core principle of naturopathic medicine emphasizes addressing the underlyi...
Tolle Totum
TOL-ley TOH-tum
Tolle totum is a Latin phrase meaning 'treat the whole person.' This naturopathic principle recognizes that health and disease involve the complex int...
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). TSH levels ar...
V
Vagus Nerve
VAY-gus
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, extending from the brainstem to the abdomen, controlling the parasympathetic ('rest-and-digest') nervous...
Vis Medicatrix Naturae
viss meh-dih-KAY-triks nah-TOOR-eye
Vis medicatrix naturae is a Latin phrase meaning 'the healing power of nature.' It is one of the foundational principles of naturopathic medicine, rec...