Polymorphonuclear - Polytetrafluoroethylene

polymorphonuclear

(pol″ē-mor″fō-noo′ klē-ăr) [polymorph + nuclear] Possessing a cell nucleus consisting of several parts or lobes.

polymorphous

(pŏl″ē-mor′fŭs) Polymorphic.

polymyalgia rheumatica

(pŏl″ē-mī-ăl′ j(ē-)ă) ABBR: PMR. A rheumatologic illness marked by fevers, malaise, weight loss, muscle pain, stiffness (esp. of the shoulders and pelvis), and morning stiffness. It occurs primarily, but not exclusively, in white people over 60. The cause of PMR is unknown. Although there is no single diagnostic test for PMR, patients typically have a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (>50 mm/hr) and no evidence of another disease (such as infection, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus). Patients obtain rapid and durable relief from corticosteroids but usually require a course of treatment lasting 6 to 18 months. Pathologically, and sometimes clinically, PMR is related to giant cell arteritis. Mild cases may sometimes respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. SYN: polymyalgia arteritica.

polymyositis

(pol″ē-mī″ŏ-sī′tĭs) [poly- + myositis] A relatively uncommon inflammatory disease of skeletal muscles, marked by symmetrical weakness of the proximal muscles of the limbs, elevated serum muscle enzymes, evidence of muscle necrosis on biopsy, and electromyographic abnormalities.

 PATIENT CARE: Treatment regimens may include corticosteroids, methotrexate, or other immunosuppressive agents. Physical therapy is employed after the active disease lessens.

polymyxin

(pol″ē-mik′sĭn) [polymyxa + -in] Any of the group of cationic polypeptide antibiotics produced by the bacterium Bacillus polymyxa. Although these antibiotics are toxic to the brain and kidney and are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, they are occasionally used to treat resistant infections caused by gram-negative microorganisms.

polyneural

(pŏl″ē-nū′răl) [″ + neuron, nerve, sinew] Pert. to, innervated, or supplied by many nerves.

polyneuritic

(pŏl″ē-nū-rĭt′ĭk) [″ + ″ + itis, inflammation] Inflammation of several nerves at once.

polyneuritis

(pol″ē-noo-rīt′ĭs) [poly- + neuritis] Multiple neuritis.

 acute idiopathic p. Guillain-Barré syndrome.

 diabetic p. Diabetic neuropathy.

 Jamaica ginger p. Jamaica ginger paralysis.

 metabolic p. Polyneuritis due to metabolic disorders such as nutritional deficiency, esp. the lack of thiamine; gastrointestinal disorders; or pathologic conditions such as diabetes, pernicious anemia, and toxemias of pregnancy.

 toxic p. Polyneuritis due to poisons such as heavy metals, alcohol, carbon monoxide, or organic compounds.

polyneuropathy

(pol″ē-noo-rop′ă-thē) [poly- + neuropathy] Any disease that affects multiple peripheral nerves.

 acute inflammatory demyelinating p. Guillain-Barré syndrome.

 amyloid p. Polyneuropathy characterized by deposition of amyloid in nerves. Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease, primarily ...