Glossary and Definitions
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Baclofen (Lioresal): A muscle relaxant and
antispasmodic that decreases the excitability of nerve cells
in the spinal cord and is used to diminish spasticity in the
lower limbs in persons with spinal cord injury and disease
of the spinal cord. It is
commonly used as an oral medication. Its precise mechanism
of action is unknown although it is thought to inhibit the
transmission of impulses between nerve cells. Since it is a
nervous system inhibitor, it can affect the action of nerve
cells
in the brain and cause confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, and
difficulties with gait and balance.
Baclofen Pump: The pump has been developed to
administer controlled amounts of Baclofen by a tube from
pump to the spinal fluid in the space that surrounds the
spinal cord. The pump is implanted under the skin of the
abdomen and a computer is programmed to release the Baclofen
in the amounts desired.
Basel ganglia: An area deep in the brain that
influences voluntary movement in the arms, legs, hands and
feet.
Bells' Palsy: A form of facial paralysis
resulting from damage to the 7th (facial) cranial nerve.
This nerve disorder afflicts
approximately 40,000 Americans each year. It can strike
almost anyone at any age; however, it disproportionally
attacks
pregnant women and people who have diabetes, influenza, a
cold or some other upper respiratory ailment. In addition to
one-sided facial paralysis with possible inability to close
the eye, symptoms of Bells' Palsy may include pain, tearing,
drooling, hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear and
impairment of taste.
Beneficiary: The person indicated in a trust
or insurance policy to receive any payments that become due.
Berad method: A type of auditory integration
training in which the child listens to music with certain
frequencies filtered out.
Bilateral: Relating to both sides.
Bile Pigments: Yellow-colored substances
produced by the human body as a byproduct of digestion and
red blood cell destruction.
Biofeedback: The technique involves sensory
electrodes being placed on a person's skin over a muscle
group. The electrodes lead to a monitoring device which
informs the person whether the muscle group is contracted or
relaxed; with some apparatus, the degree of contraction can
be demonstrated. There is no pain or discomfort associated
with the technique.
Birth Defects: An imperfection, malformation,
dysfunction or absence present at birth.
Bite reflex: A reflex which causes an infant
to close its mouth tightly, for example, when his gums or
teeth are touched.
Bivalved casts: Removable plaster casts worn
to improve toe walking, stretch out tight muscles, or
improve wrist or elbow flexion and other abnormalities.
Botulinum toxin : A toxin made from
Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that causes a serious
form of food poisoning. The
toxin blocks the transmission of the nerve impulse from a
nerve to a muscle, causing muscle weakness or paralysis,
often causing death. BOTOX TM is the commercial name give to
botulinum toxin and is used to relieve muscle spasm,
generally within three days after its injection into a
spastic muscle.
Bradycardia: Very slow heart rate.
Brain Lesion: A injury to brain cells.
Brain stem: Portion of the brain between the
cerebellum and the spinal cord.
Bruxism: Grinding of teeth repeatedly.
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