polar

po·lar

(pō'lăr),

1. Relating to a pole.

2. Having poles, said of certain nerve cells having one or more processes.

[Mod. L. polaris, fr. polus, pole]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

polar

Chemistry
adjective Referring to the uneven distribution of positive and negative charges in small molecules, resulting in an electric dipole moment.

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

po·lar

(pō'lăr)

1. Relating to a pole.

2. Having poles; said of certain nerve cells having one or more processes.

[Mod. L. polaris, fr. polus, pole]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

polar

Of a molecule or chemical group whose electric charges are separated so that one end is positive and one negative (forming a dipole). Cell plasma membranes are made of a double layer of phosopholipid molecules each containing a polar head group with a strong affinity for water (hydrophilic) and a non-polar hydrocarbon tail that avoids water (hydrophobic). The polar head groups in both layers are oriented outwards in the membrane so as to form both free surfaces. So, in this context, the term ‘polar’ is used to refer to a hydrophilic chemical group, and ‘non-polar’ refers to a hydrophobic group.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

polar

situated at one end of a cell.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Patient discussion about polar

Q. Can bi-polar be treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine? Any help would be appreciated. I am a bipolar. I always get side effects from the meds being prescribed by my psychiatrist. I feel better one day but the very next day I feel moody and have outbursts even on meds as if I am not after them. I wish to follow a different system of treatment. Can bi-polar be treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine? Any help would be appreciated.

A. Do a lot of research before coming off your meds. You should consult your doctor about how to come off your meds safely. First arm yourself with information about what the effective treatments are and how to get those treatments.

Q. My brother-in-law named Jacob has bi-polar schizophrenia; please help us by giving some solution for this… My brother-in-law named Jacob has bi-polar schizophrenia; he is currently on his medication and takes them faithfully in a positive mood. We have a hard time communicating with each other and it's destroying our marriage, please help us by giving some solution for this…

Q. Is spending money irresponsibely a sign of impending manic attack? My 32 years-old husband is known to have bi-polar disorder, but for the last ten years he has been on lithium treatment and had no attacks. Last week he bought some very expensive things to our home, without asking me (we usually discuss these things before we do anything). Does this mean he’s getting a new manic attack? Other than that purchase everything else is normal, and he appears and behaves as usual. I don’t want to take him for the psychiatrist just for spending some money.

A. Spending money is not a unique character of bi-polar people... Maybe it was a bit less calculated action. If he has manic attack, usually there'll be more things that would tell you about it.

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