Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we provide a succinct glossary and resource links for more than 150 terms used in discussing health issues, conditions and diseases.

Objective

Be familiar with how health conditions and issues may be categorized, plus have a practical reference tool to quickly confirm definitions for more than 150 terms used in discussing health issues, conditions and diseases.

Big Picture Perspective

Following are some ways we might categorize health issues:

Symptoms, Underlying Conditions, or Root Causes
Localized or Relational
Physiological Systems

Symptoms, Underlying Conditions, or Root Causes

Symptoms

Symptoms are experiences of health imbalance such as low back pain, headache, fever, tiredness, heart palpitations, rash, constipation, anxiety, depression, etc.

Many diagnoses are simply a name given to a list of symptoms. A diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease or depression or rheumatoid arthritis describe symptoms only without reference or implication of the underlying conditions that cause the symptoms. The underlying conditions can certainly be discovered (e.g. microbiome imbalance, chronic stress, chronic inflammation, excessive toxic load, vitamin D deficiency, etc.) but the diagnoses themselves are disconnected from underlying conditions, and therefore are inadequate for defining and addressing the cause(s). More information here.

Underlying Conditions

With chronic disease, there are a few underlying conditions that produce an extravagant number of possible symptom combinations. Chronic disease typically involves one or more of the following underlying conditions.

Root Causes

Health and disease, at its root, is cellular health and cellular dis-ease. Cellular health and underlying conditions are impacted by lifestyle factors:

Sleep quality
Diet and water quality
Movement
Stress management
Toxins
Electromagnetic fields
Social connection
Purpose and/or spiritual health

More on root causes and underlying conditions here. More on cellular health here.

Localized or Relational

Localized

Some musculoskeletal issues such as a bulging disc, sciatica or SI joint pain, for example, are relatively confined to a localized area of injury, and healing may result from localized efforts.

Other musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis (joint inflammation), chronic low back pain, and osteoporosis are nearly always intertwined with other conditions such as chronic inflammation, chronic stress, toxic load or nutrient deficiency, for example.

Relational

Most issues and conditions will involve multiple systems of the body, especially the nervous system, hormonal system, immune system and gut microbiome.

As such, while many strategies may reduce symptoms, to fully resolve the issue will likely require a multi-pronged approach (e.g. reduce inflammation, resolve stress, reduce toxic load, nutritional intervention, etc).

Physiological Systems

Conditions may be considered based on their relationship to various systems of the body:

Examples of how we might consider issues by physiological system follow.

Musculoskeletal

Bone Fracture or Weakness
Bone Spurs
Bulging Disc
Edema
Hernia
Herniated Disc
Hyperlordosis
Kyphosis
Low Back Pain
Muscle Loss, Rehab after Illness or Injury
OPLL
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Pinched Nerve
Sarcopenia
Sciatica
Scoliosis
SI Joint Issues
Spinal Stenosis
Spondy Conditions
Sprains, Strains, Tendonitis
TMJ

Trauma, Mental Health, Emotional Balance

Addiction & Recovery
Anxiety
Depression
Sleep Issues
Trauma & PTSD

Immune System

Allergies
Autoimmune Diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s Disease, psoriasis, etc.
Immune Disorders, other

Digestive System, Gut Health

Acid Reflux & Mild Heartburn
Diverticulitis
Gallstones
GERD
IBS / IBD
Indigestion
Leaky Gut Syndrome
SIBO

Brain, Nervous System

Brain Injury
Concussion
Epilepsy
Headaches
Migraines
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Endocrine (Hormonal) System

Blood Sugar Issues
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Insulin Resistance

Cardiovascular, Circulatory System

“Cardiovascular disease” is an umbrella term for conditions related to the heart and circulatory system. “Heart disease” is another “catch-all phrase” for conditions that affect the heart. [source]

Arrhythmia, A Fib
Atherosclerosis (Clogged Arteries)
Congestive Heart Failure (Heart Failure)
Dysautonomia, Cardiac
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
Myocarditis, Pericarditis
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Stroke
Thrombosis (Blood Clot)
Varicose Veins

Foundational anatomy and physiology terminology is here. Anatomy and physiology lessons are here.

The following list focuses on health issues and conditions. Also included are terms related to toxins and a few unusual anatomy terms that directly relate to health issues.

ABDOMINAL BLOATING — When the “gastrointestinal (GI) tract gets filled with gas or air causing it to become distended, swollen, painful, and tight” [source]
ACID INDIGESTION— Another name for acid reflux
ACID REFLUX— Stomach acid traveling up toward the throat; occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow back up [source]; also called acid indigestion
ACUTE PAIN— Pain that is immediate and temporary, a protective symptom related to a causal factor; has a “sudden onset, short duration, and is clearly associated with a cause” [source]
ADDICTION— “Any behavior you continue to do despite the fact that it brings negative consequences to your life” [source]
ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS– Another name for structural scoliosis
ALLERGIC REACTION— An immune system over-reaction to an external source, resulting in such symptoms as food sensitivities, allergies, eczema, asthma and sinusitis [source]
ANGINA— A name for pain that’s caused by reduced blood flow to the heart; felt as pain, pressure or burning in chest, neck or arm; “chest discomfort that occurs when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen” [source]
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS (AS)— A type of spondyloarthritis (SpA)
ANXIETY— A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
ANXIETY, CHRONIC— Experienced as worry and fear that can be overwhelming and disabling
AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS— “Aortic valve narrows and doesn’t open as it should”; may result from rheumatic fever (inflammation) or calcification of the valves [source]; the aorta is the largest artery and stenosis means a narrowing or constriction; see more: Aortic Stenosis
ARRHYTHMIA— Irregular heartbeat
ARTHRITIS— Inflammation of one or more joints
ATHEROSCLEROSIS— Also called clogged arteries, refers to the narrowing of arteries due to plaque build-up, thereby reducing normal blood flow
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AFib)— “The most common form of heart arrhythmia… caused when the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly, which can disrupt blood flow to the lower chambers of the heart”; experienced as heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat) or irregular heartbeat [source]
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE— In a healthy, well-functioning immune system, pathogens and harmful cells are identified as distinct from healthy cells, tissues and organs, but in this case, “your body mistakes your own cells for foreign invaders and releases an army of antibodies to attack them” [source]
AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS (AxSpA) — A type of spondyloarthritis (SpA)
BHA & BHT— By-products of petroleum production used to preserve foods; human carcinogen [source and source]
BLOOD CLOT (COAGULATION)— When a blood vessel is injured, blood cells and proteins create a clot over the injury to prevent excessive bleeding; typically, the blood clot naturally dissolves after the injury has healed; clots that do not dissolve naturally and limit the flow of blood are called thrombosis [source]
BLOOD GLUCOSE— The concentration of glucose in the blood, typically measured in milligrams per 100 milliliters [source]
BLOOD SUGAR— Another name for blood glucose [source]
BONE MINERAL DENSITY (BMD)— In the 1990s, the World Health Organization created the diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis using this metric, obtained by scanning bones using an x-ray technology known as the DXA [source]; however, the research is very clear: this has no correlative or causative relationship with fractures
BONE RESORPTION— “The process of breaking down bones into their mineral and collagenous constituents; may be part of the normal regulation of minerals or it could be due to a pathological or disease process, which accelerates the rate of bony breakdown” [source]
BONE SPURS— Another name for osteophytes; bony outgrowths from bones
BOW LEGS— When standing with feet together, the knees are wide apart; also called genum varum
BPA (bisphenol A)— Industrial chemical used in the manufacture of plastics; an endocrine disrupting chemical [source] used in many consumer goods [source]; leaches into food or beverages, found in the urine of 93% of the population over age 6; linked to birth defects, autism, ADHD, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and damage to the reproductive, cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems [source and source]
BRADYCARDIA— Slow heart rate
BULGING DISC— Vertebral disc displacement as a result of dehydration; a loss of structural integrity causing the sides of the disc to bulge out
BUNION— Base of the big toe becomes enlarged
CARCINOGEN— Causes cancer [source]
CARDIAC ARREST— The heart stops beating (electrical issue) [source]; “results in loss of consciousness and absence of a pulse” [source]
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA— See arrhythmia
CARDIOMYOPATHY— Deterioration of the heart muscle’s ability to contract
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)— An umbrella term for conditions related to the heart and circulatory system
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS)— A name (diagnosis) given to symptoms caused by pressure on a particular nerve in the wrist; the compression of the median nerve causes tingling, numbness, and/or pain in the thumb side of the hand. [source]
CELIAC DISEASE— An autoimmune disease caused by an adverse reaction to gluten; the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients
CELLULAR / CELLULAR TERRAIN THEORY— See terrain theory
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT (CVA)— Another name for stroke
CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE— “Conditions that affect the flow of blood through the brain” [source]
CHEMICALS / INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS— Synthetic (man-made) materials that are components and by-products of industrial production and waste incineration; thousands have been used in consumer products, including in foods and food packaging, personal care products and farming supplies [source and source]
CHOLESTEROL— “A substance made by the liver or consumed in the diet from animal-based products”; serves a number of important roles in the body; was incorrectly blamed by western medical establishment as the cause for plaque formation in the arteries when in fact it is simply a symptom of a deeper condition, usually inflammation; “used by the body as a kind of internal bandage when our arterial lining becomes damaged by inflammation… build-up in the arteries may actually be a protective mechanism” [source and source]
CHRONIC ANXIETY— See anxiety, chronic
CHRONIC CONCUSSION— Another name for traumatic brain injury
CHRONIC PAIN— Pain that is persistent and recurring; while it often has roots in an injury or illness, it is a condition related to a sensitized nervous system, leading to pain that is no longer reliably connected to what is happening in the body; it’s like a disease in itself
CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY— Another name for traumatic brain injury
CLINICAL DEPRESSION— A diagnosisbased on symptoms of depression that “last longer than two weeks and adversely affect your ability to carry out your daily routine” [source]
CLOGGED ARTERIES— See atherosclerosis
COLITIS— Inflammation of the colon (large intestine) [source]
COMPRESSION (in yoga & bodywork)— Parts of the body (such as bones, muscles, skin or fascia) coming into contact with each other; for example, two bones coming into contact or a pregnant belly pressing against the legs
CONCUSSION— “A traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth; this sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain” [source]
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE— A heart condition existing from birth
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE— See heart failure
CONSTIPATION— Infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools
CORONARY HEART DISEASE / CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)— See atherosclerosis [source]
CRAMP— Involuntary contraction of one or more muscles; also called muscle spasm [source]
CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA— Another name for traumatic brain injury
CROHN’S DISEASE— An IBD and autoimmune disease affecting part or all of the GI tract [source]
CYTOTOXICITY— How toxic [poisonous] a substance is to cells [source]
DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS— Another name for non-inflammatory arthritis
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE (DDD) / DISC DEGENERATION— Vertebral disc dehydration and/or a loss of space between the vertebrae [source]
DEGENERATIVE SCOLIOSIS– Another name for functional / nonstructural scoliosis
DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS (DOMS)— Muscle soreness or pain that begins a day or two after exercise (not during or immediately after) [source]; it’s a result of exercise that causes micro-traumas in muscles, and is a natural part of muscle building [source]
DEPRESSION— “An ongoing feeling of negativity, sadness, or despair” [source]
DIABETES / DIABETES MELLITUS — Conditions defined by a blood glucose level that is too high; this occurs due to the body not making enough insulin or not using it well, resulting in glucose not being properly transported to cells[source and source]
DIARRHEA— “Loose, watery stools, three or more times a day; may be acute, persistent or chronic” [source]
DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE— “The force between heartbeats when the heart fills with blood, or is at rest” [source]; the force that the heart exerts on the artery walls in between beats; bottom number in blood pressure readings
DISC EXTRUSION— Another name for an extreme manifestation of a herniated vertebral disc
DISC PROTRUSION— Another name for a herniated vertebral disc
DIVERTICULITIS— Pouches in colons (called diverticula) become inflamed or infected
DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE— A thickening of the fibrous tissue layer underneath the skin of the palm and fingers due to collagen deposited in the fascia just below the skin on the palm side of the hand.; may appear as nodules, puckering or cords on palm; contracture of tissue can cause the fingers to curl
DYSAUTONOMIA, CARDIOVASCULAR— Dysautonomia is any malfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS); cardiovascular dysautonomia refers to dysfunction of the cardiac ANS “as evidenced by reduced HRV and baroreflex sensitivity”; a “predictor of cardiovascular death and [heart attack]” [source]
DYSBIOSIS— An imbalance in the gut microbiome
DYSPEPSIA— Another name for indigestion
EDEMA— Swelling caused by fluid retention [source]; often pools in feet, legs, or ankles, due to the gravitational pull downward, but can be experienced in other parts of the body
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG or EKG)— Measures electrical activity of the heart; electrodes are attached to chest, arms, or legs [source]
EMOTIONAL BALANCE— Sometimes used to refer to mental health in general, or it may refer to one specific aspect of mental health: how we respond to emotions that arise
EMOTIONAL IMBALANCE— A state of mental health imbalance that may be experienced as low self-esteem, constant worrying, insomnia, persistent body image issues, chronic pain, or a general sense of malaise [Bo Forbes PsyD]
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS / ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCs)— Chemicals in food, water and consumer products that disrupt our all-important hormonal [endocrine] system; “among the most destructive chemicals in our environment” [source]; “EDCs can disrupt many different hormones, which is why they have been linked to numerous adverse human health outcomes including alterations in sperm quality and fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, altered nervous system function, immune function, certain cancers, respiratory problems, metabolic issues, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more.” [source]
ENTERITIS— Inflammation of the small intestine
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXIN— Another name for toxin
EPILEPSY— A neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures; also called seizure disorder [source]
EPILEPTIC ATTACK— “A series of uncontrolled convulsions or body movements in a repetitive manner” [source]
ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION— See primary hypertension
FACET HYPERTROPHY— Swelling of vertebral facet joints [source]
FACET JOINT SYNDROME— Wearing of joints between vertebrae
FIBRILLATION— See atrial fibrillation
FLAT FEET / COLLAPSED ARCHES— Having a fairly low arch or no arch at all; the entire soles of the feet may touch the ground; may be associated with overpronation
FLUORIDE— “Highly toxic” neurotoxin [source and source]; added to drinking water sources in the U.S. and to toothpaste
FLUOROSIS— An indicator of bodily toxicity from ingesting fluoride as a child [source and source]; It’s characterized by “a change in the mineralization of the (teeth) caused by long-term ingestion of fluoride during the first 8 years of life… Once the tooth erupts, dental fluorosis refers to a range of visually detectable changes in enamel… [including] discoloration and mottling of the teeth, weakened enamel and increased dental decay” [source] In 1986-87, 23% of children age 12–15 had fluorosis; in 1999–2004, 41% had fluorosis [source]
FOREVER CHEMICALS— Another name for PFAS
FUNCTIONAL / NONSTRUCTURAL SCOLIOSIS– Abnormal curve in the spine from side-to-side resulting from a soft tissue asymmetry; generally found in people over the age of 50 and may be connected to changes in vertebrae, discs and ligaments, osteoporosis and loss of bone density
GALLSTONES— “Harder deposits of bile that can occur and pile up in your gallbladder” [source]
GASTROENTERITIS— “Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by infection, food poisoning, bacteria, or viruses” [source]
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER— A potential diagnosisamong a number of anxiety-related manifestations; refers to excessive worry for at least six months plus other symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability and/or sleep disturbance
GENU VALGUM— “A clinical diagnosis of an obvious migration of the knees toward each other, often arising from severe problems like rickets” [source]
GENUM VARUM— See bow legs
GERD (GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE)— Recurrent reflux of acid from stomach into the esophagus
GERM THEORY— A theory of disease that relies on “the idea that disease from germs can strike anybody; the main emphasis is the killing of germs” [source]
GESTATIONAL DIABETES— The development of diabetes among pregnant women who have never had diabetes; typically goes away after the baby is born [source]
GLUCOSE— One of the body’s primary sources of energy, along with fat and protein [source]; “Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins all ultimately break down into [it], which then serves as the primary metabolic fuel of mammals… at the cellular level, most often, [it] is the final substrate that… converts to ATP” [source]
GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI)— A way that foods are measured for their effect on blood sugar; ranges from 0-100 with under 55 being considered low and 70+ high [source]
GLYCEMIC LOAD (GL)— A measurement of how long food will release sugar into the blood; GL of 10 or less considered low and 20+ high; foods may be high GI but low GL or low GI but high GL [source]
GLYPHOSATE— Most widely produced chemical in the world; used in herbicides and over 700 products including Roundup [sourceand source and source and source and source]
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (GBS) — A rare autoimmune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system
HALLUS VALGUS— Another name for bunion
HALLUX LIMITUS— Stiffness of the big toe
HAMMERTOE— Abnormal bend in the middle joint of toe
HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE / CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC THYROIDITIS— An autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland
HEART ATTACK— Blood flow to the heart becomes suddenly blocked (circulatory issue) [source]; also called myocardial infarction
HEART DISEASE— A “catch-all phrase” for conditions that affect the heart’s functioning [source]
HEART FAILURE— The heart muscle weakens and has trouble pumping blood [source]
HEARTBURN— The feeling in the chest caused by acid reflux
HEAVY METALS— Metals with a particular density; includes mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic; accumulation causes adverse effects on organisms; “besides being potentially harmful, they also serve absolutely no beneficial role in the human body” [source]
HEMORRHAGIC STROKE — See stroke
HERBICIDE (WEED KILLER) — An agent, usually chemical, for killing or inhibiting plant growth [source]
HERNIA— A tear in a muscle or other tissue that lets part of an internal organ bulge through it, often in the intestines; may notice a bulge (that is constant or comes and goes) with or without other symptoms [source]
HERNIATED DISC— Vertebral disc displacement that includes a tear, causing the core of the disc to be displaced; may also be called disc protrusion; an extreme manifestation may be called a disc extrusion
HIATAL (STOMACH) HERNIA— A hernia that occurs in the upper part of the stomach, pushing up through the diaphragm [source]
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE— See hypertension
HIGH Q ANGLE— Another name for knock knees; refers to “an increased quadriceps angle, or ‘Q angle,’ which determines the pull on the patella (kneecap); the Q angle is measured from the ASIS to the midpoint of the patella” [source]
HYPERCALCEMIA— An abnormally high concentration of calcium in the blood; usually the result of excessive bone resorption (breaking down)
HYPERGLYCEMIA— High blood glucose levels [source]
HYPERKYPHOSIS— Another name for kyphosis
HYPERLORDOSIS— Excessive inward curvature of the lumbar spine, causing a forward (anterior) pelvic tilt
HYPERMOBILITY / HYPERMOBILE JOINTS— One or more joints with a greater than average range of motion; also known as “generalized ligamentous laxity,” it refers to a laxness (looseness) in the ligaments that stabilize joints; this laxity can range from mild “loose joints” and “double jointedness” to systemic pathological conditions
HYPERTENSION EMERGENCY— Systolic blood pressure of 180+ and/or diastolic blood pressure of 120+
HYPERTENSION— A diagnosis of systolic or diastolic blood pressure being persistently higher than normal
HYPERTHYROIDISM— Overactive thyroid [source]
HYPOCHLORHYDRIA— Too little stomach acid (hydrochloric acid)
HYPOTENSION— Chronically low blood pressure; can result in oxygen and nutrient deprivation
HYPOTHYROIDISM— Underactive thyroid [source]
IBD (IRRITABLE BOWEL DISEASE)— A type of autoimmune disease characterized by severe inflammation in part or all of the GI tract; encompasses Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis [sourceand source]
IBS (IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME)— A bowel disorder with no visible abnormality [source]; may also be called spastic colon or spastic bowel
IDIOPATHIC HYPERTENSION— See primary hypertension
IMMUNE OVER-REACTIVITY— An over-reaction to an external source resulting in such symptoms as food sensitivities, allergies, eczema, asthma and sinusitis (called an allergic reaction); another type of over-reaction is when the body attacks and damages its own tissues (called autoimmune disease)
IMMUNE UNDER-REACTIVITY / DEFICIENCY — An under-reactivity, resulting in an inability to effectively maintain balance within the body, causing vulnerability to cancer and infections from bacteria, mold, parasites, viruses, hepatitis, HIV, shingles and TB [source]
INDIGESTION— Digestive issue experienced as burping, bloating, feeling uncomfortably full after eating, heartburn, nausea, only being able to eat a little; also called dyspepsia or upset stomach
INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS— Characterized by an autoimmuneresponse (inflammatory white blood cells are in the joint fluid), thus, it is an autoimmune disorder; includes rheumatoid arthritis and gout
INGUINAL HERNIA— A hernia that occurs in the abdomen near the groin area; weak abdominal and groin muscles are likely a major contributor [source]
INSULIN RESISTANCE / IMPAIRED INSULIN SENSITIVITY— Cells aren’t responding properly to insulin and therefore can’t easily take glucose from the blood; causes pancreas to make more insulin, and impacts nutrient absorption and weight [sourceand source]
INSULIN SENSITIVITY— Characterized by the responsiveness of cells to insulin [source]; required for proper bodily functioning; the opposite of insulin resistance [source]
INSULIN— A hormonemade by the pancreas “that helps glucose in your blood enter cells in your muscle, fat, and liver, where it’s used for energy” [source]
INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY— See leaky gut syndrome
ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE— See coronary heart disease
ISCHEMIC STROKE— See stroke
JOINT HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROME— A condition affecting 3% of the population [source]“typified by the presence of hyperflexibility of multiple joints (usually four or more, but this varies), joint pain (especially in the knees and ankles), and fatigue” [source]
KNOCK KNEES— When the knees point more toward the big toes than middle toes; a more precise term is High Q Angle. [source]
KYPHOSIS— Excessive forward curvature of the thoracic spine (clinically defined as greater than 50 degrees)
LEAKY GUT SYNDROME— The bowel lining becomes irritated, leading to intestinal permeability
LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY (LLD)– Can be associated with both structural and functional scoliosis in the lumbar spine [source]; can be “real” (the leg bone itself is shorter) or “apparent” (misalignments make one leg appear to be shorter)
LOCKED KNEES— This phrase may be referring to hyperextension, but in some uses and styles of yoga is referring to an action that relaxes the hamstrings
LORDOSIS– Sometimes used as another name for hyperlordosis
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE— See hypotension
LOWER CROSSED SYNDROME— A postural pattern in which muscles of the core, back and legs are out of balance; may present as posterior pelvic crossed syndrome or anterior pelvic crossed syndrome [source]
LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS (LSS)— A narrowing of the tunnel that houses the spinal cord, specifically the lumbar spine
LUPUS— An autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs including skin, joints, brain, heart, and kidneys; characterized by fatigue, pain and rashes among other symptoms
LYMPHOEDEMA / LYMPHEDEMA— A chronic increase in “collection of lymphatic fluidin the body, causing swelling, which can lead to skin and tissue changes; the chronic, progressive accumulation of fluid… exceeds the capacity of the lymphatic system to transport the fluid” [source]
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER— See clinical depression
MALIGNANT HYPERTENSION— See hypertension emergency
MENTAL DISORDER— See mental illness
MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS— May sometimes be used to refer to mental illness, but more typically refers to issues that are not deemed frequent enough or impactful enough to be diagnosed as mental illness
MENTAL HEALTH— Made up of one’s emotional landscape, thinking, self-talk, resilience, self-worth and trust; a foundation of well-being
MENTAL ILLNESS— Changes in emotion, thinking or behavior that are associated with distress or problems functioning in social, work or family situations [source]
MICROPLASTICS / NANOPLASTICS— “Plastic generally isn’t biodegradable… as it breaks down in the environment it gets smaller and smaller until it infiltrates just about everything in the form of micro- and nano-sized particles; they’re everywhere: in the air, water, seas, human bodies, dust, food, plants and animals” [source]
MIGRAINE HEADACHE— Headaches with any of the following symptoms: extreme sensitivity to light, sound or smell; visual disturbances; nausea or vomiting; physical activity aggravates pain; pain can be so severe that only laying down in a dark, quiet place is possible
MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (mTBI)— Sometimes this is the name given to a concussion “because they are usually not life threatening” [source]
MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE— “Mitral valve between the heart’s left atriumand left ventricle doesn’t close properly”‘ [source]
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)— An autoimmune condition in which the body’s defense system perceives the myelin sheaths of neurons in the central nervous systemas foreign and attacks them; symptoms vary depending on the extent of nerve damage and on which nerves are affected and may include problems with walking, balancing, thinking, speaking, or coordination
MUSCLE SPASM— See cramp
MYCOTOXINS— “Small compounds produced by molds.. extremely toxic and can cause a wide range of health problems including weakened immunity… considered carcinogenic and potentially deadly” [source]
MYELOPATHY— Spinal cord compression
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION— See heart attack
MYOCARDITIS— Inflammation of the heart muscle; “an inflammation of the myocardium that can often be associated with cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias, and is even one of the leading causes for sudden cardiac death in athletes” [source]
MYOPATHIES— Muscular disorders
NEUROTOXIN— A poisonous substance that disrupts the normal function of the nervous system [source]
NON-INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS— While there may in fact be inflammation, it’s distinguished from joint inflammation that results from an autoimmune response; also called “mechanical arthritis,” “degenerative arthritis” and “wear-and-tear arthritis”; includes osteoarthritis and arthritis after injury
OPLL — Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; the posterior longitudinal ligament becomes thicker and less flexible, and potentially gradually changes to bone (ossifying), compressing the spinal cord
OSTEOARTHRITIS— Arthritis (joint inflammation) that occurs from usage or injury wearing down or damaging the cartilage on the end of bones
OSTEOCLAST— A type of cell that breaks down bone tissue [source]; associated with bone resorption (breaking down bones)
OSTEOMALACIA— A softening of bones and impaired bone remodeling; may be caused from vitamin D deficiency [source]or aluminum accumulation in bones [source]
OSTEOPENIA— A medical diagnosis resulting from a BMD value between -1 to -2.5
OSTEOPHYTES— Bony outgrowths from bones; also called bone spurs
OSTEOPOROSIS— A medical diagnosis resulting from a BMD value less than -2.5
OVERPRONATION(of foot) — The ankle bone leans inward and the foot rolls to the inner side during standing and walking; puts strainon the big and second toes, creating foot instability
PAIN— A sensation “within the body that is always unpleasant and therefore also an emotionalexperience”; a subjective experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage [source]; see also: acute pain, chronic pain
PATELLO-FEMORAL SYNDROME (PFS)— “Femur cartilage rubbing against kneecap cartilage when the knee is bent”; usually caused by overuse, overload or poor knee alignment [source and source]
PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME— A condition in both men and women that is characterized by varicose veins in the pelvic region [source]
PERICARDITIS— Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)— Clogged arteries that reduce blood flow to the extremities (legs, feet, arms, hands); see atherosclerosis
PERNICIOUS ANEMIA— An autoimmune disease characterized by a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12
PES PLANUS— Another name for flat feet
PESTICIDE— A product for destroying or repelling “any pest” or to deprive a plant of leaves (defoliant) or water (desiccant) [source]; “Nearly every kind of plant in nature is food to one insect or another; when insects feed on plants that we as humans don’t want them to, they become pests” [source]
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)— The name of a category of industrial chemical that includes “thousands of chemicals” [source]“known as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment and ability to bioaccumulate in people and wildlife… As endocrine-disrupting chemicals, they are known to affect hormones and metabolism, interfering with fertility, growth and development; may also contribute to cancer and promote its spread” [source]; used in food packaging and known to leach into food, increasing risk of cancer and damage to the immune and reproductive systems. [source and source and source and source]
PHTHALATES— A group of industrial chemicals that are “incredibly toxic and weaken immunity”; used, among other purposes, to make plastic flexible; found widely in consumer products such as cosmetics, tupperware, detergents, and food packaging, where it migrates into food and beverages and is then ingested, weakening the immune system; linked to numerous health issues [source and sourceand source]
PINCHED NERVE— Another name for radiculopathy
PLANTAR FASCIITIS— Painful “microtrauma” or “microtearing” of the fascia along the arch of the foot causing inflammation and pain; the most common symptom is a burning sensation around the heel
POLLUTION / ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS — Materials that damage the quality of air, water and land; includes factory runoff, exhaust, and pesticides [source]
POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT — A ligamentthat connects and stabilizes the bones of the spinal column, running along the length of the spine, on the posteriorside of the vertebrae, from the second vertebra of the cervical spine to the sacrum
POTS (POSTURAL ORTHOSTATIC TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME)— “A disorder of the autonomic nervous system” and “a blood circulation disorder marked by an unusually rapid rise in heart rate when transitioning from a sitting or lying position to standing” [source]
PREDIABETES— Blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not as high as the level for a diabetes diagnosis [source]
PRIMARY HYPERTENSION— Hypertension of unknown cause
PSIS— Posterior superior iliac spine; “the rear-most point of bone on the pelvis… above the main mass of the buttock, about two or three inches to the side of the center line of the upper sacrum… a distinct, bony prominence” [source]
PSORIASIS & PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS— An autoimmune disease that affects the skin, resulting in dry red, flaky skin patches on the body, often on elbows, knees and lower back
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER— See mental illness
PTSD (POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER)— A diagnosable disorderthat may be short-term or chronic; “even though it can impact your psychological well-being, it is not a mental disorder; PTSD is a biological problem in the brain” [Amen Clinics]
PTSD (POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER)— A diagnosible disorderthat may be short-term or chronic; “even though it can impact your psychological well-being, it is not a mental disorder; PTSD is a biological problem in the brain” [Amen Clinics]
RADICULOPATHY — Nerve compression, a symptom of spinal conditions such as a herniated disc; also called pinched nerve
RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON— “Abnormal vasoconstriction of the small blood vessels of the fingers and toes; in rare cases, affects ears and nose” [source]
REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY (RSI)— “Stems from excessive and continuous stress on the musculoskeletal system, often brought on by poor postural habits and workplace ergonomics [source]
RESISTANT HYPERTENSION— “Persistent blood pressure readings above 130/80 mm Hg despite… administration of three distinct antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic” [source]
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME (RLS)— “An irresistible urge to move the legs… severity of symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe disruption that affects overall wellness by disrupting sleep, daily activities, and mental health” [source]
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)— An autoimmune diseasein which the body mistakes the lining of the joints as a foreign invader and attacks it
SARCOPENIA— Significant muscle loss [source]
SCIATIC NERVES — Longest nerves in the body; one for each leg, they originate in the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, pass between buttock muscles, down the back of the thighs, through the outer edges of the legs to the feet
SCIATICA / SCIATIC PAIN— While some clinicians use the term in reference only to pain originating from a particular cause, many people use the term for sciatic pain of any cause; ” a number of conditions can cause sciatica, but it commonly comes from nerve compression in the low back” [source]; “a symptom defined as… leg pain with a sharp, shooting or burning quality… down the posterior lateral aspect of the leg, and normally radiating to the foot or ankle” [source]
SCOLIOSIS— An abnormal curve in the spine from side-to-side; on the shorter side of the spinal curvature, the ribs will tend to be compressed and on the longer side, the ribs are spread apart
SECONDARY HYPERTENSION— Hypertension caused by medical conditions, such as renal diseases and endocrine disorders [source]
SEIZURE — “Sudden, temporary bursts of electrical activity in the brain that change or disrupt the way messages are sent between brain cells; can cause involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, behavior or awareness”; not all seizures are considered related to epilepsy, particularly those that are “provoked” meaning there is a known physical cause [source]
SESAMOIDITIS— Pain under the big toe due to an inflammation of the tendons that surround the sesamoid bones under the big toe (which provide pivot points for some of the tendons that move the big toe)
SI (SACROILIAC) JOINT — Located at the two places where the sacrumjoins the ilium (hip) bone; surrounded and supported by “extremely resilient, tough ligaments” to hold the joints in place [source]; they transfer and distribute the weight of the torso to the pelvis and legs
SI JOINT DYSFUNCTION— When “the sacrum moves too much or too little for the joint to be able to function or distribute force optimally, causing pain [source]; exhibits as low back pain on or around the PSIS, on one side of the body only
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)— “Normal bacteria of the microbiomeexpand beyond the large intestine into the small intestine, where they are not supposed to be” [source]
SLEEP APNEA— A condition where one repeatedly stops breathing during sleep; “When a person’s tongue slips back in their throat, blocking the airways and causing them to snore and/or stop breathing, then suddenly gasp for breath” [source]
SPASTIC COLON / SPASTIC BOWEL— Another name for IBS
SPINAL OSTEOARTHRITIS— Another name for spondylosis
SPINAL STENOSIS— The name given to a narrowing of the tunnel that houses the spinal cord
SPONDY CONDITIONS— Relate to issues of the vertebrae; for example, spondylosis, spondylitis, spondylolisthesis
SPONDYLITIS— Vertebral inflammation
SPONDYLOARTHRITIS (SpA)— Another name for spondylitis
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS— Vertebral slippage
SPONDYLOLYSIS— A break, crack or stress fracture in the vertebral arch
SPONDYLOSIS— Vertebral arthritis; also known as spinal osteoarthritis
SPRAIN— Overstretching or tearing of a ligament; most common location is the ankle joint [source]
STRAIN— Overstretching or tearing of a muscleor tendon; most common locations are the hamstring and lower back [source]
STROKE— A blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds or there’s a blockage in the blood supply to the brain; an ischemic stroke is due to a blood clot or blocked arteries; a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain bursts or leaks [source]
STRUCTURAL SCOLIOSIS– Early onset of abnormal curve in the spine from side-to-side; generally considered more permanent than functional /degenerative scoliosis
SWAYBACK / HOLLOW BACK / SADDLE BACK— Other names for hyperlordosis
SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE— “The force of blood flow when the heart pumps” [source]; the force that the heart exerts on the artery walls; top numberin blood pressure readings
TACHYCARDIA— Fast heart rate
TENDINITIS / TENDONITIS— “Inflammation of a tendon resulting in pain, swelling, and the loss of joint function; most often caused by repetitive motion injuries but may also be due to an infection or inflammatory disease” [source]
TENSION HEADACHE— Mild to moderate pain or pressure in the head that doesn’t also exhibit characteristics of other types of headaches
TERATOGENIC— Causes functional and physical defects in fetuses or embryos [source]
TERRAIN THEORY— In contrast to germ theory, this view of health and disease “examines the host instead of the invader; the idea that an unhealthy bodily environment is more likely to attract and be a good host for disease explains why, for example, the exact same flu virus in the same flu season may affect certain people more than others; [emphasis placed on] creating a healthy body through detoxification, nutrition, and lifestyle [source]
THORACIC KYPHOSIS— Another name for kyphosis
THROMBUS / THROMBOSIS— A blood clot that limits the flow of blood. “Thromboses are the most common cause of death in developed countries.” Heart attacks and strokes account for the highest proportion of thrombosis-associated deaths in the United States. [source]
TMJ (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT) DISORDER— “The TMJ is located in front of each ear, joining the lower jaw to the skull; a disorder may occur when there is a problem with the actual TMJ or with surrounding muscles, causing pain and potentially headache, ear pain, neck stiffness, and popping or clicking of the jaw” [source]
TOXIC— Poisonous, harsh, malicious, harmful [source]
TOXICITY— Capability of being poisonous; how harmful a substance is to life; may be dependent on amount
TOXIN— A poisonous substance [source]
TRAUMA— “An overwhelm of our natural defensive responses that creates something like an injury in our autonomic nervous system, which affects its ability to self-regulate” [source]
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)— The name for when “brain function is altered by an external force” to the head which may be the result of a fall, accident, assault, or other [source]
TRIGLYCERIDES— “A form of fat in your blood that is stored for later energy use; they are absolutely necessary, but can become a problem if you eat more calories than your body burns” [source]
TYPE 1 DIABETES— An autoimmune disorderinvolving the pancreas, resulting in the body making little or no insulin [source and source]
TYPE 2 DIABETES— The most prevalent type of diabetes (comprising 90-95% of cases) wherein the body isn’t using insulin properly [source]and thus, the body’s blood sugar levels are too high [source]
ULCERATIVE COLITIS— An IBD and autoimmune diseaseaffecting the colon and rectum
ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS— “Food products that have been created or altered from their natural state with added sugars or artificial sweeteners, salt, additives, preservatives, or other chemicals” including, for example, high-fructose corn syrup, sucralose, aspartame, food dyes [including Red 40, Yellow 5, and titanium dioxide], sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite, brominated vegetable oil [BVO], potassium bromate, BHA and BHT [source]
UPPER CROSSED SYNDROME— A postural pattern in which muscles around the shoulder girdle are out of balance; may appear as rounded shoulders and upper back, winging shoulder blades and a forward head [source]
VARICOSE VEINS— When veins weaken and flush blood backwards and away from the heart (source)
VIKING DISEASE— Another name for dupuytren’s contracture
VITILIGO— An autoimmune disease that affects the skin, resulting in discoloured patches in different areas of the skin, hair and mucous membranes
WEAR-AND-TEAR ARTHRITIS— Another name for non-inflammatory arthritis
WHITE-COAT HYPERTENSION / SYNDROME— “Increased blood pressure readings that occur only in a medical setting but are normal at other times” likely due to “anxiety or stress related to medical environments” [source]
WILLIS-EKBOM DISEASE— See restless legs syndrome (RLS)
XENOBIOTIC— A chemical compound [such as a drug, pesticide, or carcinogen] that is foreign to a living organism

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Glossary of Health Issues & Conditions — for Health & Wellness Coaches, Holistic Healthcare Providers, Yoga Therapists