Glossary
O
- Obsessive-compulsive Behaviors:
- The performance of certain repetitive actions or rituals in
response to persistent thoughts or impulses. For example,
obsessions may consist of repeated doubts, such as wondering
whether the stove was left on; a need for routine; or impulses to
perform certain inappropriate actions. Compulsions frequently
include repeated checking and rechecking, such as ensuring that
the stove is indeed off; touching particular objects in a
specific pattern or sequence; repetitive hand washing; or other
repetitious behavior performed in an attempt to prevent or
relieve anxiety, distress, or a feeling of dread.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
- A sleep disorder characterized by episodes of temporary
cessation of breathing due to obstruction of the airway.
- Oculomotor:
- Relating to or causing movement of the eyes.
- Off episodes:
- This term refers to the times when people with
Parkinson's disease have a decrease in the ability to move
(hypomobility) and other symptoms that cause difficulty rising
from a chair, speaking, walking, or performing their usual
activities. Off episodes occur because the person's dose of
levodopa has worn off too soon or has suddenly and unexpectedly
stopped providing benefit.
- On–off effect:
- The abrupt and unpredictable onset of symptoms that results from the wearing-off effect in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson’s disease.
- Off time:
- This term refers to the times when people with Parkinson's disease have a decrease in the ability to move (hypomobility) and other symptoms that cause difficulty rising from a chair, speaking, walking, or performing their usual activities. Off episodes occur because the person's dose of levodopa has worn off too soon or has suddenly and unexpectedly stopped providing benefit.
- Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy (OPCA):
- A group of rare hereditary disorders characterized by
neurodegenerative changes of certain brain regions, including the
cerebellum and specialized groups of nerve cells (nuclei) in the
brainstem (e.g., olivary and pontine nuclei). With most forms of
the disorder, initial symptoms become apparent from adolescence
to mid-adulthood; however, a rare form has been identified that
may be evident at birth. Depending upon the type of OPCA,
symptoms may include progressively impaired coordination,
postural instability, slurred speech (dysarthria), and other
associated findings (i.e., cerebellar ataxia); parkinsonism;
rapid, involuntary, rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus); and/or
retinal degeneration. Some affected individuals may also have
additional symptoms and findings, such as involuntary, rapid,
jerky movements (chorea); relatively slow, writhing motions that
appear to "flow" into one another (athetosis);
increased muscle stiffness (rigidity) with associated twisting or
distorted posturing of affected muscles (dystonia); and/or other
abnormalities. Most forms of OPCA are inherited as autosomal
dominant traits; however, autosomal recessive forms have also
been identified.
- Omega:
- The twenty-fourth and final letter of the Greek alphabet. In
naming fatty acids, omega signifies the last carbon on the
chain.
- Omega-3:
- Fatty acids whose first double bond is three carbons away
from the end.
- Omega-6:
- Fatty acids whose first double bond is six carbons away from
the end.
- On-off effect:
- A change in the patient's condition, with sometimes rapid
fluctuations between uncontrolled movements and normal movement,
usually occurring after long-term use of levodopa and probably
caused by changes in the ability to respond to this drug.
- On-off phenomena:
- See on-off effect.
- On-Off Fluctuations:
- See on-off effect.
- On time:
- Motor fluctuations occur when levodopa is used to treat Parkinson’s disease. As the disease becomes worse, the number of cells in the brain that store dopamine decreases, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease worsen, and levodopa is not as effective in controlling the symptoms. When this happens, a person is said to have “off” episodes. The times in which the levodopa is effective and the person with Parkinson’s disease is able to function normally is called “on time.”
- Opiate:
- Any preparation or derivative of opium.
- Opioids:
- Means "like or similar to opium" and refers to
medications with opium-like effects. This term is used to
describe any synthetic drug that possesses the characteristic
properties of opiate narcotics but is not derived from opium.
- Ordinal:
- Refers to ranking of scores along a continuum based on the perceptions of the person taking the test. Numbers are assigned to indicate the relative extent to which a characteristic is experienced. The differences between scores are relative, and the same score doesn’t always mean exactly the same thing. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is an ordinal scale used in MS. There may be small differences between people with a score of 0.0 (normal neurological exam) and 1.0-1.5 (no disability, but some abnormal signs on exam). There may be large differences between people with a score of 2.0-5.5 (disability, but able to walk without assistance).
- Organelle:
- A small structure in the cell. Mitochondria are a type of
organelle.
- Organic:
- (1) Referring to or arising from an organ or organs. (2) Regarding substances that arise or are derived from living organisms. (3) Pertaining to chemicals that contain carbon.
- Original Medicare:
- Also known as "Traditional Medicare." The federal
health insurance program, created in 1965, under which the
government pays providers directly for each service a person
receives (on a fee-for-service basis). About 89 percent of the
Medicare population is enrolled in Original Medicare, as opposed
to a private Medicare plan (HMO, PPO)
- Orthostatic hypotension:
- (1) A sudden decrease in blood pressure that occurs when the
affected individual sits up or stands. In some cases, it may
occur as a side effect of certain medications. (2) A drop in
blood pressure during rapid changes in body position (e.g., from
sitting to standing).
- Osteoporosis:
- A thinning of bone tissue caused by gradual bone loss over a
long period of time. Osteoporosis produces dry, brittle bones
that may easily crack or collapse. Approximately 1 out of every 2
women are at high risk for developing osteoporosis.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs:
- (Medicare) Health care costs that you must pay because
Medicare or other insurance does not cover them.
- Out-of-Network Provider:
- (Medicare) A doctor or hospital that is not part of a managed
care plan's network. If you get services from an
out-of-network provider, it usually means that you likely will
have to pay out of your own pocket for the services you
received.
- Oxidant:
- A substance that causes oxidation.
- Oxidation:
- The process by which a compound reacts with oxygen.
- Oxidative Stress:
- (1) A state characterized by an excess of free radical groups in
the body, which creates a potentially unstable cellular
environment linked to tissue damage, accelerated aging, and
degenerative disease. Oxidative stress can result from many
factors, including exposure to alcohol, medications, poor
nutrition, trauma, cold, toxins, and over-exercise. (2) A process in which substances called free radicals build up in the cells as the cells convert nutrients into energy. The free radicals damage different parts of the cells in a process that is similar to the way in which rust builds up on metal. The free radicals can be counteracted by antioxidants, but if your cells do not have enough antioxidants, the free radicals accumulate and cause damage. Coenzyme Q10 acts as a scavenger of free radicals.
beginning of glossary
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Document last modified:
06/14/08 09:29:06 AM