Augmentation
Augmentation (Medicine)
Augmentation (pronounced: awg-men-TAY-shun) is a term used in various fields of medicine to denote the process of increasing or enhancing certain aspects of the body's function or structure. The term is derived from the Latin word 'augmentare', which means 'to increase'.
In Surgery
In surgery, augmentation often refers to the process of increasing the size or changing the shape of certain body parts, typically through the use of implants or grafts. For example, breast augmentation involves the use of implants to increase the size or alter the shape of the breasts.
In Psychiatry
In psychiatry, augmentation refers to the practice of adding a second drug to a treatment regimen to enhance the effect of the first drug. This is often done when the first drug is not producing the desired results on its own. For example, in the treatment of depression, a psychiatrist might add a second antidepressant or a mood stabilizer to the patient's treatment regimen to enhance the effect of the first antidepressant.
In Pharmacology
In pharmacology, augmentation can refer to the process of enhancing the effect of a drug by combining it with another substance. For example, the effect of certain pain relievers can be augmented by combining them with caffeine.
Related Terms
- Enhancement: A general term for any process that increases the effectiveness or efficiency of a system.
- Implant: A medical device that is inserted into the body to replace or augment a body part.
- Graft: A piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically.
- Antidepressant: A type of medication used to treat depression.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Augmentation
- Wikipedia's article - Augmentation
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