myxedema
myxedema (mĬksədē´mə), condition associated with severe hypothyroidism and lack of thyroid hormone in the adult. In the child it is known as cretinism. Symptoms include a dry swelling of the skin, slowed speech and mental awareness, deepened voice, intolerance to cold, fatigue and weakness, and nonspecific degeneration of the heart. Most cases result from atrophy of the thyroid from unknown causes, although surgical removal or irradiation of the gland also precipitates the disorder. Myxedema is treated by administering synthetic preparations of thyroxine (thryoid hormone), liothyronine (triiiodothyronine), a combination of the two synthetic hormones, and desicated animal thyroid.
More From encyclopedia.com
Adjustment Disorders , Definition
Adjustment disorder is an umbrella term for several mental states characterized by noticeable behavioral and/or emotional symptoms. In ord… Rashes , Rashes
Definition
The popular term for a group of spots or red, inflamed skin that is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder. Often… Tuberous Sclerosis , Definition
Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disorder in which noncancerous (benign) tumors grow on the brain, skin, kidneys, eyes, heart, and lungs.
D… Somatization Disorder , Somatization disorder is a psychiatric condition marked by multiple medically unexplained physical, or somatic, symptoms. In order to qualify for the… Atopic Dermatitis , Definition
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder associated with biochemical abnormalities in the patient's body tissues and immune syste… Schizoaffective Disorder , Definition
One of the most challenging mental disorders to identify accurately and treat appropriately is schizoaffective disorder. This condition in…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
myxedema