LACTAGOGUE Meaning and
Definition
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A lactagogue refers to a substance or agent that is believed to stimulate or increase the production, flow, or letdown of breast milk in lactating individuals, primarily women. The term lactagogue is derived from the Greek words "laktos," meaning milk, and "agos," meaning to lead or bring forth. It is commonly used in the field of medicine and lactation to describe various natural or pharmaceutical interventions that aim to enhance lactation.
Lactagogues can be classified into different categories based on their origin and mode of action. Herbal lactagogues include plants and herbs such as fenugreek, blessed thistle, and fennel, which have traditionally been used to promote milk production. Prescription medications, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, are examples of pharmaceutical lactagogues that are occasionally prescribed to individuals experiencing inadequate milk supply.
The use of lactagogues is often recommended when a breastfeeding individual is facing challenges with low milk supply or needs to stimulate milk production due to circumstances like premature birth, illness, or separation from the baby. While lactagogues can be beneficial in certain situations, they should be used under the guidance of healthcare professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Overall, a lactagogue is a term used in the context of lactation to denote substances or agents that are purported to enhance the production or flow of breast milk.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LACTAGOGUE
- kactagogue
- pactagogue
- oactagogue
- lzctagogue
- lsctagogue
- lwctagogue
- lqctagogue
- laxtagogue
- lavtagogue
- laftagogue
- ladtagogue
- lacragogue
- lacfagogue
- lacgagogue
- lacyagogue
- lac6agogue
- lac5agogue
- lactzgogue
- lactsgogue
- lactwgogue
Etymology of LACTAGOGUE
The word "lactagogue" is derived from the combination of two ancient roots. The first part of the word, "lacto-", originates from the Latin word "lac" meaning "milk". This root is also found in various other English words related to milk, such as "lactose" (a sugar found in milk) and "lactation" (the production of milk).
The second part of the word, "-agogue", comes from the Greek word "agōgos" meaning "leading" or "inducing". This root is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to substances or actions that stimulate or promote a particular function. For example, "hemagogue" refers to a substance that promotes the flow of blood.
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