anticonvulsants
drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy
bacillum
a bacterium that causes diseases
dab
a malevolent spirit
Depakene
an anticonvulsive drug used to treat epilepsy
dermal treatments
traditional healing techniques such as: acupuncture; massage; pinching; scraping the skin with coins, spoons, silver jewelry, or pieces of bamboo; applying a warm cup to the skin; or burning the skin with grass or cotton wool
febrile seizure
an epileptic seizure associated with a high body temperature, occurring most often in children between 6 months and 5 years of age
grand mal seizure
a full-blown seizure in which electrical disturbance extends throughout a wide area of the brain and the patient loses consciousness for a long period of time
hu plig
a soul-calling ceremony, in which a baby's name is officially conferred
kua quav
a beef stew made from cow's intestines, heart, liver, and lungs, finely chopped and boiled with lemon grass and herbs; literally translated as "liquid excrement"
nasogastric tube
a flexible tube passed through the nose, nasopharynx, and esophagus into the stomach
neeb
a healing spirit
nyias
a Hmong baby carrier
paj ntaub
a traditional Hmong textile art comprised of geometric or organic designs worked in embroidery, applique, and reverse applique; literally translated as "flower cloth"
plig
soul
qaug dab peg
the Hmong term for epilepsy, literally translated as "the spirit catches you and you fall down"
qeej
a Hmong musical instrument, constructed out of six bamboo tubes
septic shock
a potentially fatal medical condition resulting from severe infection and sepsis, in which chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight infection trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body which can lead to organ failure
status epilepticus
a condition in which seizures continue one after another with no intervals of consciousness, instead of spontaneously stopping after a few minutes
swidden agriculture
a method of cultivation used by the Hmong in Laos, in which areas of forest are burned and cleared for farming; also called 'slash-and-burn agriculture'
txiv neeb
a Hmong shaman believed to be able to negotiate with the spirits for his patients' health
VOLAG
an agency which has a cooperative agreement with the State Department to provide reception and placement services for refugees arriving in the United States; abbreviation for "Voluntary Agency"
