Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

postpolio syndrome
A constellation of symp-
toms and signs that appear years after an initial
polio infection. Abbreviated PPS. PPS is character-
ized by new muscle weakening in muscles that were
previously affected by polio or in muscles that were
not previously affected. Other symptoms include
fatigue, joint pain, and slowly progressive muscle
weakness. PPS symptoms can be mild or severe. The
exact cause is unknown. Diagnosis is made via his-
tory, via clinical findings, and by ruling out other
diseases that may mimic PPS. Musculoskeletal prob-
lems can sometimes be helped with anti-inflamma-
tory or pain medications, with or without surgical
procedures. See also 
polio.
postprandial
After mealtime. A postprandial rise
in the blood glucose level is one that occurs after
eating.
postremission therapy
Chemotherapy given to
kill cancer cells that survive after remission-induction
therapy.
post
-
term infant
A baby born 14 days or more
after the usual 40 weeks of gestation, as calculated
from the mother’s last menstrual period. This is an
important calculation because if delivery is delayed
3 weeks beyond term, the possibility of infant mor-
tality increases dramatically.
post
-
traumatic stress disorder
A psychologi-
cal disorder that develops in some individuals who
have had major traumatic experiences, such as
those who have experienced serious accidents, sur-
vived or witnessed violent crimes, or been through
wars. Abbreviated PTSD. Typically a person with
PTSD is emotionally numb at first but later has
symptoms that may include depression, excessive
irritability, guilt for having survived if others were
injured or died, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks to
the traumatic scene, and overreactions to sudden
noises. PTSD was known as shell shock during
World War I and battle fatigue during World War II.