Chan Health Dictionary

Tropical sexually transmitted disease caused by Haemophilus ducreyi . Also known as “Soft sore”. It is characterised by soft, extremely painful ulcers on the genitals and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes (“buboes”).... chancroid

The primary lesion of SYPHILIS.... chancre

Calcium-channel blockers inhibit the inward ?ow of calcium through the specialised slow channels of cardiac and arterial smooth-muscle cells. By thus relaxing the smooth muscle, they have important applications in the treatment of HYPERTENSION and ANGINA PECTORIS. Various types of calcium-channel blockers are available in the United Kingdom; these di?er in their sites of action, leading to notable di?erences in their therapeutic effects. All the drugs are rapidly and completely absorbed, but extensive ?rst-pass metabolism in the liver reduces bioavailability to around one-?fth. Their hypotensive e?ect is additive with that of beta blockers (see BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR-BLOCKING DRUGS); the two should, therefore, be used together with great caution – if at all. Calcium-channel blockers are particularly useful when beta blockers are contraindicated, for example in asthmatics. However, they should be prescribed for hypertension only when THIAZIDES and beta blockers have failed, are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Verapamil, the longest-available, is used to treat angina and hypertension. It is the only calcium-channel blocker e?ective against cardiac ARRHYTHMIA and it is the drug of choice in terminating supraventricular tachycardia. It may precipitate heart failure, and cause HYPOTENSION at high doses. Nifedipine and diltiazem act more on the vessels and less on the myocardium than verapamil; they have no antiarrhythmic activity. They are used in the prophylaxis and treatment of angina, and in hypertension. Nicardipine and similar drugs act mainly on the vessels, but are valuable in the treatment of hypertension and angina. Important di?erences exist between di?erent calcium-channel blockers so their use must be carefully assessed. They should not be stopped suddenty, as this may precipitate angina. (See also HEART, DISEASES OF.)... calcium-channel blockers

A major surgical operation, usually coupled with the appropriate hormone treatment (see HORMONES), to change a person’s anatomical sex. The operation is done on transsexual individuals or in those whose sexual organs are neither totally female nor male. Male-to-female sex change is the more common. Such operations should not be performed without rigorous physical and mental assessment of the individual, and should be accompanied by extensive counselling. Some subjects make a satisfactory adjustment to the change of anatomical sex, while others may suffer serious psychological problems. Hormone therapy may need to be continued for life.... sex change

(Hebrew) Form of Hannah, meaning “having favor and grace” Chanah, Channa, Chaanach, Chaanah, Chanach, Channah... chana

(American) A moonlike woman Chanall, Chanalle... chanal

(American) One who takes risks Chanci, Chancie, Chancee, Chancea, Chanceah, Chancy, Chancey... chance

(Sanskrit) An enemy of evil Chandy, Chaand, Chand, Chandey, Chandee, Chandi, Chandie, Chandea, Chandeah... chanda

(Hindi) Born with the moonbeams Chandanie, Chandany, Chandaney, Chandanee, Chandanea, Chandaneah... chandani

(French) Resembling a candle Chandel, Chantelle, Chantel, Chandell, Chantell... chandelle

(English) A candlemaker Chandlar, Chandlor... chandler

(Hindi) Of the moon; another name for the goddess Devi Chandara, Chandria, Chaundra, Chandrea, Chandreah... chandra

(French) From the canal; a channel Chanell, Chanelle, Channelle, Chenelle, Chenel, Chenell... chanel

See CLIMACTERIC; MENOPAUSE.... change of life

(Indian) An active woman... changla

(Hebrew) Blessed with grace from God

Chaniah, Chaneah, Chanea, Chaniya, Chaniyah... chania

(American) One who is dearly loved

Chanickah, Chanika, Chanikah, Chaniecka, Chaneicka, Chaneecka, Chanycka, Chaneacka, Chaneeka, Chaneika, Chanieka, Chanyka, Chaneaka... chanicka

(Hebrew) The Lord is gracious Chaninah, Chaneena, Chaneenah, Chanyna, Chanynah, Chaneana, Chaneanah, Chaniena, Chanienah, Chaneina, Chaneinah... chanina

(American) One who is adored Chanyse, Chanice, Chanyce... chanise

(Hebrew) One who is ready for battle Chanyt, Chanita, Chanyta... chanit

(Cambodian) Of the full moon Channarie, Channari, Channarey, Channaree, Chantrea, Chantria... channary

(English) An official of the church; resembling a young wolf Channon, Channer, Channery, Channerie, Channerey, Channeree, Channeri, Channe... channing

(American) A singing girl Chansaneek, Chansanik, Chansanike, Chansanyk, Chansani, Chansanie, Chansanee, Chansanea, Chansaneah, Chansany, Chansaney... chansanique

(French) From a stony place; a beautiful singer

Chantalle, Chantel, Chantele, Chantell, Chantelle, Chantrell, Chauntel, Chantay, Chante, Chantae, Chaunte, Chanton, Chauntelle... chantal

(American) A talented singer Chantey, Chanty, Chanti, Chantie, Chantea, Chanteah... chantee

(French) A prized singer Chanterell, Chanterel, Chanterele, Chanterella, Chanterela... chanterelle

(French) Resembling the beautiful lace

Chantilley, Chantilli, Chantillie, Chantillee, Chantilleigh, Chantillea, Chantilleah... chantilly

(French) One who sings... chantou

(American) A renowned singer... chantoya

(French) A singer Chantryce, Chantrise, Chantryse... chantrice

(Hebrew) Blessed with God’s love Chanyah... chanya

Drugs that have the ability to dilate ARTERIES and VEINS and are used to relieve pain in ANGINA of the HEART. Nicorandil is the main example.... potassium-channel activators

An ulcer, usually on the genitals, that develops during the first stage of syphilis.... chancre, hard

(calcium antagonist) a drug that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and smooth-muscle cells; it therefore reduces the strength of heart-muscle contraction, reduces conduction of impulses in the heart, and causes *vasodilatation. Calcium-channel blockers, which include *amlodipine, *diltiazem, *nicardipine, *nifedipine, and *verapamil, are used to treat angina and high blood pressure.... calcium-channel blocker

n. an inherited condition predisposing to arrhythmia that is characterized by a genetic mutation affecting one of the cell membrane channels responsible for transport of ions (e.g. potassium or sodium) into or out of the cardiac cells.... channelopathy

an unusual phenomenon in newborn babies characterized by transient red colour changes to half of the body, well demarcated at the midline. It is seen usually 2–5 days after birth and can last from 30 seconds to 20 minutes before fading away. It may recur when the infant is placed on his or her side as the intensity of the erythema appears to be gravity-dependent.... harlequin colour change

a protein that spans a cell membrane to form a water-filled pore through which ions (e.g. calcium [Ca2+], sodium [Na+], potassium [K+]) can pass into or out of the cell.... ion channel

the commonest cause of *nephrotic syndrome in children and an important cause of this syndrome in adults. The condition is so named because of the apparent lack of abnormalities seen on light microscopy of biopsy samples. Changes can, however, be seen on electron microscopy, with effacement of the *podocyte foot processes along the glomerular basement membrane. It is postulated that minimal change disease is a T-cell disease and that *cytokine damage to the podocytes leads to loss of the selective filtering characteristics of the glomerulus. The condition usually responds to corticosteroids and has a good prognosis, but there is clinical overlap with primary *focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which may have similar histological appearances in its early stages, tends not to respond to steroids, and is associated with a poor renal prognosis.... minimal change nephropathy

any one of a class of drugs that enhance the movement of potassium ions through the *ion channels in cell membranes. In the case of smooth muscle cells, such as those in the walls of arteries, their sensitivity to the normal stimuli to contract is reduced. The result is relaxation of the muscle fibres and widening of the arteries. Potassium-channel activators are used for improving the blood supply to the heart muscle in angina pectoris. Possible side-effects include headache, flushing, vomiting, dizziness, and weakness. A currently available member of the class is nicorandil.... potassium-channel activator

see ion channel.... sodium channel