Shriya Sinha
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Written By: Shriya Sinha | Published : January 30, 2019 7:43 PM IST
Medical jargons refers to medical terms used by doctor to explain various diseases and conditions. @shutterstock
Do you find yourself baffled at the doctor's clinic when he uses medical terms like embolism and cellulitis? Well, don't hesitate to ask him anything that you fail to comprehend. However, we have listed the most commonly used medical jargons here to understand your doc better.
Benign:
If the cells are not cancerous, the tumour is benign. They won't invade the nearby tissues or spread to other areas of the body (metastasize). A benign tumour is less worrisome unless it is affecting your nearby tissues, nerves, or blood vessels and causing damage. Fibroids in the uterus or lipomas are examples of benign tumours. Benign tumours may need to be removed by surgery.
Malignant:
Malignant means that a tumour is made of cancer cells, and it can affect your nearby tissues. Some cancer cells can move into the bloodstream or lymph nodes, where they can spread to other tissues within the body this is called metastasis. Cancer can occur anywhere in the body including the breast, intestines, lungs, reproductive organs, blood, and skin.
Anti-inflammatory medicine:
Inflammation refers to a localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a result of infection, irritation, or injury. It can be external or internal. Anti-Inflammatory medicine is used to treat the condition.
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Body mass index, or BMI, is a way of describing your body fat based on your height and weight. BMI is calculated by dividing a person s weight by the square of the height. A high BMI reflects too much fat, while a low BMI reflects too little body fat. A high BMI can result in a serious condition such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes. A low BMI can subject you to health problems including bone loss, weak immunity, and anaemia. A normal BMI ranges between 18.5-24.9.
Biopsy:
A biopsy is a medical test commonly involving the extraction of sample cells or tissues from your body for laboratory analysis. A biopsy rules out cancer.
Hypotension:
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure (less than 90/60). A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 (systolic/diastolic). Dehydration or other serious medical conditions can result in low blood pressure.
Lesion:
Lesion refers to a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer, abscess, or a tumour.
Noninvasive:
The term noninvasive can refer to diseases, procedures, or devices. Noninvasive diseases usually do not spread to or damage other organs and tissues. Noninvasive procedures do not involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body. Examples include x-rays, a standard eye exam, CT scan, MRI, ECG, and Holter monitoring. Noninvasive devices include hearing aids, external splints, and casts.
Angina:
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs if an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion. Angina isn't a disease; it's the symptom of an underlying heart problem.
Cellulitis:
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection, usually painful, which may initially appear as a red, swollen area that feels hot and tender to the touch. The redness and swelling often spread rapidly. In most cases, the skin on your lower legs is affected, although the infection can occur anywhere on your body or face.
Epidermis:
The epidermis is the thin, outer layer of the skin that is visible to the eye and works to provide the first line of defence to the body. It does not contain any blood vessels and is, therefore, dependent on the dermis, the layer of the skin underneath it, to provide access to nutrients and dispose of waste.
Oedema:
"Oedema" is the medical term for swelling. Body parts swell from injury or inflammation. It can affect a small area or the entire body. Medications, pregnancy, infections, and many other medical problems can cause oedema. Oedema happens when your small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues. That extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue to swell. It can happen almost anywhere in the body.
Embolism:
It is the other name for blood clotting. It is normal but complex bodily process that is designed to prevent bleeding in response to an injury or cut. After the bleeding stops and healing takes place, your body usually breaks down and removes the clot. But some people develop abnormal blood clots. they can cause a heart attack, stroke, etc.
Sutures:
Sutures are used by your doctor to close wounds to your skin or other tissues. When your doctor sutures a wound, he or she will use a needle attached to a length of 'thread' to stitch the wound. There are a variety of available materials that can be used for suturing. Your doctor will choose a material that s appropriate for the wound or procedure.
Polyp:
A polyp refers to an abnormal tissue growth on the mucous membrane. Most look like small, flat bumps or tiny mushroom-like stalks and are less than half an inch wide. While polyps are generally benign due to abnormal cell growth, they can eventually become malignant.
Compound fracture:
A compound fracture is a type of fracture in which a bone is sticking through the skin. It is also known as an open fracture. An open fracture involves an open wound. It occurs when the end of bone tears through the skin. An object that goes into the skin and breaks the bone, such as a bullet, also can cause an open fracture. Open fractures are dangerous because they carry a risk of infection and severe bleeding.
Comminuted fracture:
A comminuted fracture is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments. Since considerable amount of force and energy are required to fragment bones, fractures of this degree occur after a high-impact trauma such as in vehicular accidents.
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