Common Medical Terms

This wiki page provides an overview of common medical terms frequently encountered in healthcare settings. Understanding these terms can aid in effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients, as well as facilitate a better understanding of medical documentation and discussions.

A

• Anaesthesia: The administration of medications to induce a loss of sensation or consciousness during medical procedures.
• Antibiotic: Medications used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting the growth or destroying bacteria.
• Arthritis: Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.

B

• Biopsy: The removal and examination of a small sample of tissue from the body for diagnostic purposes.
• Blood Pressure: The force exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels, typically measured using two values: systolic (when the heart contracts) and diastolic (when the heart is at rest).

C

• Cardiovascular: Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
• Cholesterol: A fatty substance found in the blood, necessary for the body's proper functioning, but high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
• CT Scan: Computed Tomography scan, a diagnostic imaging technique that uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body.

D

• Diabetes: A chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, caused by the body's inability to produce or properly use insulin.
• Diagnosis: The identification of a disease or condition based on its signs, symptoms, and medical tests.
• Dose: The specific amount of medication prescribed to be taken at a given time.

E

• EKG/ECG: Electrocardiogram, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Endoscopy: A procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera to visualize the inside of a body cavity or organ.
• Epidemic: The rapid spread of an infectious disease within a specific population or geographic area.

F

• Fever: A temporary increase in body temperature, often associated with an underlying infection or illness.
• Fracture: A break or crack in a bone.
• Fungal Infection: An infection caused by a fungus, commonly affecting the skin, nails, or mucous membranes.

G

• Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• Genetics: The study of genes and heredity, including how traits and diseases are passed down from parents to offspring.
• Glucose: A sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for the body's cells.

H

• Hypertension: High blood pressure, a condition characterized by elevated pressure in the arteries.
• Hypoglycaemia: Low blood sugar levels, often associated with diabetes or certain medications.
• Hypothyroidism: A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to various symptoms.

I

• Immunization: The process of administering vaccines to stimulate the body's immune system to develop immunity against specific diseases.
• Inflammation: The body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area.
• Influenza: A contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, commonly known as the flu.

J

• Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a build-up of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells.
• Joint: The point where two bones meet, allowing movement and flexibility.

K

• Kidney: A pair of organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine.
• Knee: A joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), allowing for movement and support.

L

• Lung: The main organ of the respiratory system responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide during breathing.
• Lymph Nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures distributed throughout the body that filter lymph fluid and help fight infections.

M

• Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast used for screening and detecting breast abnormalities, including tumours.
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body's internal structures.
• Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within an organism to convert food into energy.

N

• Nausea: A feeling of discomfort or unease in the stomach, often preceding vomiting.
• Neurology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
• Nutrition: The process of obtaining and utilizing nutrients from food for growth, development, and maintaining overall health.

O

• Obesity: A medical condition characterized by excessive body weight and an accumulation of fat, often associated with various health risks.
• Oncology: The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
• Orthopaedics: The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention and correction of injuries and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system.

P

• Pneumonia: Inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs, commonly caused by an infection.
• Prescription: A written order from a healthcare professional authorizing the dispensing and administration of a specific medication.
• Psychiatry: The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders.

Q

• Quarantine: A period of isolation or restriction of movement imposed on individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to prevent its spread.

R

• Radiation Therapy: The use of high-energy radiation, such as X-rays or protons, to destroy or shrink cancer cells.
• Respiratory: Relating to the organs and processes involved in breathing and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Risk Factor: Any factor that increases the likelihood of developing a particular disease or condition.

S

• Stroke: A sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to brain damage and potential disability.
• Surgery: The medical specialty that involves operative procedures to treat diseases, injuries, or deformities through incisions and manipulations of body tissues.
• Symptom: Subjective evidence of a disease or condition experienced by the patient, often reported as changes in body function or sensation.

T

• Tumour: An abnormal growth of cells that forms a mass or lump, which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
• Therapy: The treatment or management of a disease or condition, often involving medical interventions or rehabilitation techniques.
• Transplantation: The transfer of an organ, tissue, or cells from one person (donor) to another (recipient) for therapeutic purposes.

U

• Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal structures in the body.
• Urology: The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the urinary tract in both males and females, as well as the male reproductive system.

V

• Vaccine: A biological preparation that stimulates the immune system to produce an acquired immunity to a specific disease.
• Virus: A microscopic infectious agent that can replicate only inside the cells of a living organism, often causing various diseases.

W

• Wound: An injury to the skin or underlying tissues, often resulting in a break in the skin's integrity.
• X-ray: A form of electromagnetic radiation used in diagnostic imaging to produce images of internal structures by passing through the body and being absorbed to varying degrees.

Y

• Yellow Fever: A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing fever, jaundice, and internal bleeding, potentially leading to severe illness or death.
• Yeast Infection: An infection caused by a fungus called Candida, commonly affecting the skin, mouth, throat, or genital areas.

Z

• Zoonosis: A disease or infection that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Note: This wiki page provides an overview of common medical terms. It is advisable to consult medical professionals or trusted sources for in-depth information and clarification on specific medical terms and conditions.