What does inhibit mean in medical terms?

The term inhibit means to stop or weaken something, usually for the good. The word is most commonly used in the area of medicine, where it refers to the process of stopping or reducing the growth of disease-causing or disease-transmitting organisms.

What does inhibit mean in the medical field?

Although the word “inhibit” has a negative connotation, it actually refers to a process that stops or reduces activity. In the context of the body, it can refer to processes that slow or stop disease. In medicine, the word can refer to drugs or processes that stop or slow down disease.

What does inhibiting mean in medical terms?

One of the most common reasons why bacteria develop resistance is because they are exposed to antibiotics. These drugs work by interfering with the function of essential proteins in bacteria and eventually make the germs stop multiplying. However, bacteria can sometimes develop a resistance to drugs by changing a single protein. This protein acts as a ‘gate keeper’, preventing the antibiotic from entering the bacteria. The bacteria are then able to survive the antibiotic treatment and multiply again, to the great annoyance of the doctors and patients.

What does inhibiting mean in cancer treatment terms?

There are two phases in cancer therapy: the primary and the secondary. Primary therapy is the first line of defense against cancer, and it’s usually given by injections, surgery, or radiation. If the primary treatment fails to cure the disease, a secondary therapy is often used. This secondary treatment is designed to extend or maintain the cancer’s remission and improve patients’ quality of life.

What does inhibiting mean in cancer terms?

The term “inhibiting” cancer refers to treatments that reduce the spread of cancerous cells and reduce the growth and spread of tumors. Inhibitors are typically drugs, but they can also be surgery, radiation, or natural or herbal remedies.