Glossary P to Q

Palpation

The examination of the body using the sense of touch.

Palpitations

A sensation in which a person is aware of an irregular, hard, or rapid heartbeat.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that slows heart rate, increases digestive and gland activity, and relaxes the sphincter muscles that close off body organs. In general, it inhibits or opposes the physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

Parkinson's disease (PD)

A neurological motor system disorder resulting from of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Medications for it include dopamine agonists.

PD

See Parkinson's disease (PD)

Periaqueductal gray

A core of gray matter nervous tissue surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain.

Peripheral nervous system

Part of the nervous system outside of the central nervous system.

PET scan

See Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan).

Pharmaceutical

Relating to pharmacy or drugs.

Physiological

Of or relating to physiology. Pertaining to the functioning of an organ, as governed by the interactions between its physical and chemical conditions. Relating to the action of a drug when given to a healthy person, as distinguished from its therapeutic action.

Physiology

The science which deals with the functions of the living organism and its parts, and of the physical and chemical factors and processes involved.

Pituitary

A gland located at the base of the brain that produces a number of hormones, including those that regulate growth and reproductive functions.

Placebo

Any dummy medical treatment; a substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well; an inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug.

Placebo controlled

Referring to experiments or clinical trials where some of the participants are given a placebo so that the drug in question can be tested to see that it works better than the placebo effect.

Placebo effect

The effect where the taking of a placebo produces a positive response in a patients.

Plasma

The liquid part of the blood and lymph.

PMR

See Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR).

Polymorphism

Occurring in different forms. Or genetic variants.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

An Inflammatory, possibly Autoimmune, disorder of the muscles and joints characterized by pain and stiffness, affecting both sides of the body, and involving the shoulders, arms, neck, and buttock areas. Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica are typically over the age of 50 years.

Polypharmacology

Using more than one medication. When used as a deliberate treatment option, the aim is often to use lower doses to avoid intolerable side effects, whilst using more than one medication to combat symptoms.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan)

A scanning technique used in conjunction with small amounts of radiolabeled compounds to visualize brain anatomy and function.

Posterior

Directed toward or situated at the back; opposite of anterior.

PPI

See Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI).

Prevalence

The number of cases of a specific disease present in a given population at a certain time.

PRN

From the Latin "pro re nata" meaning to give as needed.

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

A medication that works to reduce levels of acid in the stomach. E.g. omeprazole, lansoprazole.

Psychiatry

The branch of medicine dealing with the study, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.

Psychology

The branch of science dealing with the mind and mental processes, especially in relation to human and animal behaviour.