Terms and phrases used by Medical Professionals

Here are some vocabulary words and phrases used by Medical Professionals:

Abscess

Swollen, inflamed, tender area of infection filled with pus.

Acidosis

Pathologic condition resulting from accumulation of too much acid in the body.

Acute pulmonary edema

Set of dramatic, life-threatening symptoms, including extreme shortness of breath, rapid breathing, anxiety, cough, bluish lips and nails, and sweating. Usually caused by congestive heart failure.

Angina (Angina pectoris)

Chest pain or pressure usually beneath the sternum (breastbone). Caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart. Often brought on by exercise, emotional upset or heavy meals in someone who has heart disease

Arthritis

Inflammatory condition of the joints, characterized by pain and swelling

Asphyxia

Loss of consciousness due to too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in the blood. If not corrected, it results in death.

Asthma

Chronic disorder with recurrent attacks of wheezing and shortness of breath

Autoimmune disease

Disease in which the immune system produces antibodies that attack the

body's own tissues

Beta-blockers

Medications that reduce heart or blood vessel overactivity to improve blood

circulation.

Bone marrow

Specialized soft tissue that fills the core of bones. Most of the body's red and white blood cells are produced in bone marrow

Bronchitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, although secondary bacterial infection is common. May also be caused from breathing chemical irritants (fumes, smoke, dust). Symptoms include cough, fever, chest discomfort and sometimes wheezing. Treatment includes rest, acetaminophen, expectorants to loosen mucus, increased fluid intake and antibiotics to fight bacterial infection.

Calcium

Component of blood that helps regulate the heartbeat, transmit nerve impulses, contract

muscles and form bone and teeth.

Cataract

Clouding of the eye lens. A common cause of vision loss. Most commonly occurs in people over age 70. Congenital cataracts occur in newborns as genetic defects or from the mother having rubella (German measles) during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Other causes are rare. Usually curable with surgical removal of the lens. Special eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed after surgery.

Catheter

Hollow tube used to introduce fluids into the body or to drain fluids from the body.

Chronic

Long-term; continuing. Chronic illnesses are usually not curable, but they can often be prevented from worsening. Symptoms usually can be controlled.

Congenital anomalies

Abnormality of the body present at birth; a birth defect. May be inherited or caused by conditions occurring while the fetus grows in the uterus.

Congestive heart failure

Complication of many serious diseases in which the heart loses its full

pumping capacity. Blood backs up into other organs, especially the lungs and liver.

Coronary artery bypass surgery

Using a section of the patient's leg vein to bypass a partial or

complete blockage in the coronary artery system. (Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle.)

Surgery may be performed to provide relief from angina pectoris, to restore blood to the heart muscle

after myocardial infarction (heart attack) or to prevent a possible myocardial infarction (if the coronary

arteries have narrowed or are blocked).

Coronary artery disease

Hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries that provide blood to the

heart muscle. The blood supply is decreased due to narrowing of the arteries; heart cells do not receive

adequate oxygen. This disease often results in angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Treatment can

prolong life and improve its quality. Treatment may include medication, diet change, an exercise program and sometimes surgery.

Cyst

Sac or cavity filled with fluid or disease matter

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin, lips and nails. Caused by lack of oxygen.

Diabetes mellitus: Insulin dependent

Inability to produce enough insulin to process carbohydrates, fat and protein efficiently. Treatment requires insulin injections.

Diabetes mellitus: Non-insulin dependent

Disease of metabolism characterized by the body's

inability to produce enough insulin to process carbohydrates, fat and protein efficiently. Most prevalent

among obese adults. Often controlled with weight loss, exercise and diet.

Ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy that develops outside the uterus. The most common site is one of the narrow tubes that connect each ovary to the uterus (Fallopian tube). Other sides include the ovary or abdominal cavity.

Edema

Accumulation of fluid under the skin (swelling), in the lungs or elsewhere

Epilepsy

Disorder of brain function. There are several forms of epilepsy, each with its own

characteristics. Cause is usually unknown (75% of the time) but may be due to brain damage at birth,

severe head injury, drug or alcohol abuse, brain infection or brain tumor. It is incurable, except in rare

cases where brain tumor or infection is treatable. Anti-seizure drugs can prevent most seizures and allow a nearly normal life.

Fibroids

Abnormal growth of cells in the muscular wall of the uterus (myometrium). Uterine fibroids are composed of abnormal muscle cells and are almost always benign. Cause is unknown. Usually decreases in size without treatment after menopause

Gallbladder disease

Any disease involving the gallbladder or biliary tract. The gallbladder is a

reservoir for bile; the biliary tract is the passageway that transports bile to the small intestine. Gallbladder disease is a common, often painful condition requiring surgery. It is commonly associated with gallstones and inflammation.

Gangrene

Dead tissue. Develops when a wound becomes infected or tissue is destroyed by an accident

Goiter

Enlargement of the thyroid gland, which causes a swelling in the front part of the neck.

Hemophilia

Inherited deficiency of a blood clotting factor that may result in bleeding episodes. Characterized by bleeding into joints, muscles and skin, excessive bleeding from minor cuts, nosebleeds

Hernia

Protrusion of an internal organ through a weakness or abnormal opening in the muscle around it. The most common types are inguinal hernia (in groin), femoral hernia (in groin), incisional hernia (at surgery site), umbilical hernia (at navel) and hiatal hernia. See Hiatal hernia. Umbilical hernias rarely require surgery. Other hernias are usually curable with surgery.

Histology

Science dealing with the microscopic identification of cells and tissue

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

Increase in the force of blood against the arteries as blood circulates through them. Often has no symptoms. Essential or primary hypertension, the most common kind, has no single identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying disease.

Hyperventilation

Breathing so rapidly that carbon dioxide levels in the blood are decreased,

upsetting normal blood chemistry. Can be caused by fever, heart disease, lung disease or severe injury. Can also be caused by anxiety. May be accompanied by numbness and tingling of mouth, hands and feet, weakness and faintness.

Immunodeficiency diseases

Defects in the body's immune system. A healthy immune system protects the body against germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi), cancer (partial protection) and any foreign material that enters the body. When the system fails, the body becomes susceptible to infection and cancer. Can range from minor to very severe.

Malaria

Infection caused by a single cell parasite transmitted by the bite of an anopheles mosquito. Uncommon in the U.S., but often affects travelers or military personnel stationed in foreign countries.

Meningitis

Inflammation or infection of the meninges. See Meninges. It is contagious and may be caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria. Symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff neck, irritability, sensitivity of eyes to light, confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness. Death or permanent brain damage may occur if treatment is delayed (especially in bacterial meningitis). Usually full recovery may be expected in 2 to 3 weeks, if there are no complications

Mitral valve

Valves located in the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Chronic disorder affecting many nervous system functions. Patches of white matter in the brain and spinal cord break down and cannot conduct normal nerve impulses. Usually begins in young adulthood. Early signs of the disease are often vague, including visual problems, abnormal skin sensations and muscle weakness or imbalance. Later, symptoms may include marked weakness, speech difficulty, loss of bladder or bowel control, and extreme mood swings. Currently not curable. Symptoms can be relieved or controlled with treatment. One-third of MS patients have a mild, nonprogressive disease. Another third worsen slowly. The rest worsen rapidly.

Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)

Death of heart muscle cells from reduced or obstructed blood flow through the coronary arteries

Necrosis

Localized death of tissue that occurs in groups of cells in response to disease or injury.

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative joint disease)

Degeneration of cartilage at a joint and growth of bone SPURS that inflame surrounding tissue. Can be caused by stress on the joint due to activity and aging or from an injury to the joint lining. Symptoms include stiffness and pain of the affected joint. Cold, damp weather often increases pain.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lung(s) resulting in tiny air sacs in the lung becoming plugged with exudate. Can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Polyps

Growths. Often on a stalk arising from dry mucous membranes, such as in the nose, cervix or colon.