Ready for CAE p. 78 Narcolepsy

Mr Baechi (Switzerland)
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20 words 15 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. surge
    a sudden forceful flow
    The attacks of cataplexy usually take place after a sudden surge of emotion such as happiness, anger or fear.
  2. paralysis
    loss of the ability to move a body part
    During the night, narcoleptics can also suffer from sleep paralysis - an inability to move just before falling asleep or just after waking up - and hallucinations.
  3. inability
    lack of capacity to do something
    During the night, narcoleptics can also suffer from sleep paralysis - an inability to move just before falling asleep or just after waking up - and hallucinations.
  4. pitch
    the high or low quality of a sound
    He finds it hard to describe the sleep paralysis and hallucinations, but says he begins 'to 'go cold from the toes up, and then get these horrible noises in my head - babies crying and a high-pitched squeal. word formation: high-pitched = a very high, piercing sound
  5. estimate
    judge tentatively
    At their worst, she estimates, the attacks can occur around 50 times a night.
  6. occur
    come to pass
    At their worst, she estimates, the attacks can occur around 50 times a night. group of nouns: "Event" is a normal word for something that happens. "Occurence" is a more formal word, and has a "statistical" touch to it, and refers to how often sth happens. "Incident" is often used for something negative or unpleasant. "Happening" is related to sth unusual or strange: "strange happenings in the town"
  7. level
    become even
    phrasal verb: to level out But since he started taking amphetamine-free Modafinil, his moods have levelled out and his attacks have decreased to just five or six times a night, three or four nights a week.
  8. disability
    a condition that prevents one from performing some task
    'Narcolepsy is not a disability,' he says, forlornly.
  9. pursue
    follow in an effort to capture
    'But people's perceptions of It as one have led me to be a bit scared of trying to pursue any other career opportunities, in case I get turned down.
  10. nod off
    change from a waking to a sleeping state
    phrasal verb As a teenager, Dan Butler-Morgan used to nod off during lessons at school.
  11. doze off
    change from a waking to a sleeping state
    phrasal verb None of his colleagues dozed off while servicing a car or spent their lunch break snoozing in a corner.
  12. baffled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    Dan's GP was equally baffled and immediately sent him to a sleep centre.
  13. blind
    a protective covering that keeps things out or hinders sight
    But with me, it's like a blind is drawn. I can be having a conversation with the most interesting person, but inside I am fighting a constant battle to stay awake. collocation: draw a blind Blinds are often used to cover windows against sunlight; unlike curtains they are usually flat and fairly stiff, or made of horizontal pieces of metal. The big wooden boards that can cover windows are called "shutters".
  14. due
    that which is deserved or owed
    The dictionary here does not know "due to". It is a synonym of "because of": indicates a reason. Dan once fell off his bike due to an attack [of narcolepsy].
  15. deficiency
    lack of an adequate quantity or number
    Research has shown that sufferers have a deficiency of hypocretin, a small hormone.
  16. slump
    fall or sink heavily
    Cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscular control, can cause their heads to slump.
  17. buckle
    fold or collapse
    He holds onto the door for support as his legs buckle.
  18. come round
    change one's position or opinion
    here: wake up from unconsciousness I put a hand on his shoulder and he will come round, but it can happen again and again during the night.
  19. fluctuate
    move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
    His moods fluctuated too much because of the medication that he was taking.
  20. condition
    an illness, disease, or other medical problem
    He is amazed at people's lack of knowledge about the condition.
Created on Sat Oct 27 09:02:37 EDT 2012 (updated Sat Oct 27 09:26:48 EDT 2012)

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