microwave

microwave

 [mi´kro-wāv]

a wave typical of electromagnetic radiation between far infrared and radiowaves.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

microwave

A 1–100 gigaHerz (109) wave on the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength of 1–1000 mm.

Public health
Exposure to microwaves is linked to domestic microwave ovens; leakage of infrared waves ranges from 1 milliWatt/cm2 at the time of sale of a microwave oven to 5 mW/cm2, measured at a distance of 2 inches. Older pacemakers tended to misfire when the wearer was exposed to early microwave ovens, which were also linked to an increase in cataracts.
 
Hazards
Mechanical—eggs and popcorn are particularly hazardous, as they can explode, and the microwaving of metallic objects can result in a fire hazard.
  
There is little data to suggest that microwave exposure is associated with increased morbidity.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

microwave

Therapeutics Deep heat therapy The administration of electromagnetic waves that pass between electrodes placed on the Pt's skin, creating heat that ↑ blood flow and relieves muscle and joint pain

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.