In medical terminology, what does Tachycardia mean?
Tachy means fast and cardia refers to the heart, so the word describes a heart beating faster than normal, generally above 100 beats per minute in an adult.
In medical terminology, what does Bradycardia mean?
Brady means slow. In adults this generally means a resting rate below 60 beats per minute, which can be normal in trained athletes.
In medical terminology, what does Hypertension mean?
Hyper means above or excessive. The condition is often symptomless, which is why it is sometimes called the silent killer.
In medical terminology, what does Hypotension mean?
Hypo means below or under. It can cause dizziness or fainting when the brain briefly receives less blood than it needs.
In medical terminology, what does Anemia mean?
Without enough hemoglobin the blood carries less oxygen, which is why fatigue and pallor are the classic signs.
In medical terminology, what does Hypoglycemia mean?
Glyc refers to sugar and emia refers to a blood condition. It is a common concern for people taking insulin.
In medical terminology, what does Hyperglycemia mean?
This is the defining feature of poorly controlled diabetes and can cause thirst, frequent urination and blurred vision.
In medical terminology, what does Dyspnea mean?
Dys means difficult or painful and pnea refers to breathing. Patients often describe it simply as breathlessness.
In medical terminology, what does Apnea mean?
The a means without. The best known form occurs during sleep, when breathing pauses repeatedly through the night.
In medical terminology, what does Dysphagia mean?
Phag relates to eating or swallowing. It is easily confused with dysphasia, which concerns speech.
In medical terminology, what does Edema mean?
Fluid leaks from small blood vessels into surrounding tissue. Pressing the skin often leaves a temporary dent.
In medical terminology, what does Hematoma mean?
Hemat refers to blood and oma means mass or tumour. A common bruise is a small example.
In medical terminology, what does Thrombosis mean?
A clot that blocks flow can starve tissue of oxygen. When a piece breaks away and travels it becomes an embolism.
In medical terminology, what does Embolism mean?
The travelling material is usually a clot fragment but can be fat or air. The lungs are a frequent destination.
In medical terminology, what does Ischemia mean?
Restricted flow means restricted oxygen. Chest pain during exertion is a classic warning sign in the heart.
In medical terminology, what does Necrosis mean?
Tissue dies when its blood supply or oxygen is cut off, or after severe injury or infection.
In medical terminology, what does Sepsis mean?
The immune response itself damages organs. It is a medical emergency requiring rapid treatment.
In medical terminology, what does Inflammation mean?
The four classic signs described in antiquity are redness, heat, swelling and pain.
In medical terminology, what does Benign mean?
A benign growth may still need removal if it presses on something important, but it does not invade other tissue.
In medical terminology, what does Malignant mean?
Malignant cells invade nearby tissue and can travel to distant sites, a process called metastasis.
In medical terminology, what does Metastasis mean?
Cancer cells travel through blood or lymph and establish new growths, which is what makes advanced disease difficult to treat.
In medical terminology, what does Biopsy mean?
A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope, which usually gives the definitive answer.
In medical terminology, what does Prognosis mean?
Prognosis looks forward. Diagnosis looks at what is present now.
In medical terminology, what does Diagnosis mean?
Diagnosis comes from Greek meaning to distinguish or discern, which is exactly what a clinician does.
In medical terminology, what does Etiology mean?
Etiology asks why a condition arose, which may be infection, genetics, environment or a combination.
In medical terminology, what does Idiopathic mean?
When investigation finds no cause, the condition is labelled idiopathic. It is an honest admission rather than a diagnosis.
In medical terminology, what does Iatrogenic mean?
Iatros is Greek for physician. A drug side effect or a complication of surgery both qualify.
In medical terminology, what does Congenital mean?
Congenital does not necessarily mean inherited. It means present at birth, whatever the cause.
In medical terminology, what does Chronic mean?
Chronic conditions are managed rather than cured, often over many years.
In medical terminology, what does Acute mean?
Acute describes timing rather than severity, though acute problems are often severe.
In medical terminology, what does Palliative mean?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life, and can run alongside active treatment.
In medical terminology, what does Prophylactic mean?
Vaccination and preventive antibiotics before surgery are both prophylactic measures.
In medical terminology, what does Contraindication mean?
If a patient has a contraindication, the risk of the treatment outweighs its benefit for that person.
In medical terminology, what does Osteoporosis mean?
Osteo means bone and porosis means porous. Fractures of the hip, wrist and spine are the main risk.
In medical terminology, what does Arthritis mean?
Arthr means joint and itis means inflammation. There are many distinct types with different causes.
In medical terminology, what does Gastritis mean?
Gastr refers to the stomach. Common causes include infection, alcohol and certain painkillers.
In medical terminology, what does Hepatitis mean?
Hepat refers to the liver. Viral forms are labelled with letters such as A, B and C.
In medical terminology, what does Nephritis mean?
Nephr refers to the kidney. Renal is the other common root for the same organ.
In medical terminology, what does Dermatitis mean?
Derm refers to skin. Eczema is one of the most familiar forms.
In medical terminology, what does Neuralgia mean?
Neur means nerve and algia means pain. The pain is often sharp and follows the nerve path.
In medical terminology, what does Myalgia mean?
My refers to muscle. Widespread myalgia is a common feature of viral illness.
In medical terminology, what does Cardiomyopathy mean?
Cardio for heart, myo for muscle and pathy for disease. The muscle becomes enlarged, thickened or stiff.
In medical terminology, what does Hemorrhage mean?
Hemo refers to blood and rrhage means bursting forth. It may be internal and therefore hidden.
In medical terminology, what does Hypoxia mean?
Ox refers to oxygen. Confusion and a bluish tinge to lips or fingers are warning signs.
In medical terminology, what does Cyanosis mean?
Cyan means blue. It is most visible in the lips, nail beds and tongue.
In medical terminology, what does Jaundice mean?
Bilirubin builds up in the blood, often because of liver or bile duct problems.
In medical terminology, what does Edentulous mean?
Dent refers to teeth and the e prefix means without. It is a routine term in dental records.
In medical terminology, what does Otitis mean?
Ot refers to the ear. Otitis media, affecting the middle ear, is very common in young children.
In medical terminology, what does Rhinitis mean?
Rhin refers to the nose, the same root as rhinoceros. Hay fever is allergic rhinitis.
In medical terminology, what does Laparoscopy mean?
Lapar refers to the abdominal wall and scopy means looking. Recovery is quicker than with open surgery.
In medical terminology, what does Endoscopy mean?
Endo means within. The same principle covers many named procedures depending on the area examined.
In medical terminology, what does Anesthesia mean?
The a means without and esthesia means sensation. It may be local, regional or general.
In medical terminology, what does Analgesic mean?
Algesic relates to pain and the a means without. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are familiar examples.
In medical terminology, what does Antipyretic mean?
Pyr refers to fire or heat, the same root as pyre. The drug brings a raised temperature down.
In medical terminology, what does Antibiotic mean?
Anti means against and bio means life. They have no effect on viruses, which is why they do not help a cold.
In medical terminology, what does Diuretic mean?
Diuretics help the body shed excess fluid and are widely used in heart failure and high blood pressure.
In medical terminology, what does Intravenous mean?
Intra means within and venous refers to a vein. It is the fastest route for a drug to reach the circulation.
In medical terminology, what does Subcutaneous mean?
Sub means under and cutaneous refers to skin. Insulin is commonly given this way.
In medical terminology, what does Oncology mean?
Onco refers to a mass or tumour. Specialists may focus on medical, surgical or radiation approaches.
In medical terminology, what does Cardiology mean?
Cardi refers to the heart and ology means the study of. It is one of the oldest medical specialities.
In medical terminology, what does Neurology mean?
Neur refers to nerves. The speciality covers the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
In medical terminology, what does Pediatrics mean?
Ped refers to a child. A separate speciality exists because children are not simply small adults.
In medical terminology, what does Geriatrics mean?
Ger refers to old age. The field focuses on multiple conditions occurring together and on maintaining independence.
In medical terminology, what does Obstetrics mean?
Obstetrics covers pregnancy, labour and the period immediately afterwards. It sits alongside gynaecology.