Anticonvulsants-  drugs used to treat epilepsy

 

Dab- a malevolent spirit

 

Depakene- drug used to treat epilepsy

 

Dermal Treatments- natural/traditional forms of healing. Examples include: accupuncture, scraping the skin with coins, or burning skin with grass

 

Grand Mal Seizure- features a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures in general

 

Hu Plig- a soul-calling ceremony where you name a baby

 

Kua Quav-a beef stew made from cow intestines, heart, liver, and lungs, finely chopped, boiled with lemon grass and herbs; literally translates as "liquid excrement

 

Nasogastric Tube- a tube used to feed Lia that runs through her nose and esophagus into the stomach.

 

Neeb- healing spirit

 

Nyias- baby carrier

 

Pat Ntaub- a traditional Hmong textile art made of geometric or organic designs worked in embroidery, applique, and reverse applique; literally translated as "flower cloth"

 

Plig- soul

 

Quag Dab Peg- literally translated as " The spirit catches you and you fall down"; the Hmong term for epilepsy

 

Qeej- Hmong musical instrument

 

Septic Shock- the result of a bacterial invasion of the circulatory system, is a systematic seige that overwhelmes the entire body

 

Swidden Agriculture- "Slash-and-Burn" agriculture, method of cultivation where forest is burned and cleared for farming