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d
decompensated cirrhosis
liver disease in which the liver is damaged to the point where it is cirrhotic and is not functioning normally
deductible
in the case of insurance payments, the amount a person must pay before the coverage from the insurance company is paid
dehydration
excessive loss of water or moisture in the body
dental dam
thin sheet of latex used to reduce the spread of disease during oral stimulation of the vagina or anus
depressants
chemicals or drugs that dampen or suppress physiological response, like reflex time or heart rate
depression
mental condition that includes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and discouragement and may reduce concentration and activity
detoxification
removal of poisonous substances
diagnosis
determining the presence of a specific disease, infection or condition usually based on evaluating a patient's symptoms and results from laboratory tests
diagnostic tests
tests used to identify a disease
dialysis
treatment for kidney disease that removes waste from blood, and is used when the kidneys cannot perform their normal waste removal function; also called hemodialysis
digestion
process where food that has been eaten is broken down into useable forms for the body
dilate
to expand or widen
diluted
when a liquid, such as water, is added to make something weaker and less concentrated
disability
a disability is a health-related challenge that interferes with meaningful, active living. Disabilities fall into three main categories: physical or mental challenges, difficulties with day-to-day activities, and restrictions on social participation
disclose
to tell someone something; Hep C disclosure means to tell someone that you are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Synonyms: disclosure