Barbiturates Health Article

KEY TERMS

Adrenal glands—Two glands located next to the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine and the corticosteroid (cortisone-like) hormones.

Anemia—A lack of hemoglobin—the compound in blood that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body and brings waste carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs, where it is released.

Central nervous system—The brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body.

Hallucination—A false or distorted perception of objects, sounds, or events that seems real. Hallucinations usually result from drugs or mental disorders.

Hypnotic—A medicine that causes sleep.

Porphyria—A disorder in which porphyrins build up in the blood and urine.

Porphyrin—A type of pigment found in living things, such as chlorophyll which makes plants green and hemoglobin which makes blood red.

Sedative—Medicine that has a calming effect and may be used to treat nervousness or restlessness.

Seizure—A sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion.

Withdrawal symptoms—A group of physical or mental symptoms that may occur when a person suddenly stops using a drug to which he or she has become dependent.