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MEDICAL
What are your symptons?
I've got ...
a cold/ a cough/ a sore throat/ a temperature/ a stomache ache/
chest pains/ earache/ spots/ a bruise/ a black eye/ indigestion/ diarrhoea/ blisters
I feel...
sick/ dizzy/ breathless/ faint
I am...
depressed/ tired all the time
I've lost my...
appetite/voice
I can't sleep at night
My leg hurts,My arm hurts,etc
what's the diagnosis?
You've got...
flu/ chickenpox/ mumps/ pneumonia/ rheumatism/ a virus/ a bug/ something that's going around
You've broken your wrist/leg,etc
You're pregnant
Medical prefixes and suffixes
-ical, pertaining to [cardiac, neural, gastric, neurological]
-algia pain [arthralgia]
-cyte cell [leukocyte, erythrocyte, thrombocyte]
-ectomy excision, removal [nephrectomy, splenectomy]
-emia blood condition [leukemia, anemia]
-genic pertaining to, producing or produced by [carcinogenic, iatrogenic, pathogenic]
-gram record [electroencephalogram]
-ion process [excision]
-ist specialist [gynecologist]
-itis inflammation [cystitis, appendicitis, laryngitis}
-logy study of [endocrinology]
-oma tumor, mass, swelling [hepatoma, teratoma, carcinoma]
-opsy process of viewing [biopsy]
-osis condition, usually abnormal [nephrosis, leukocytosis]
-pathy disease condition [adenopathy, neuropathy]
-scope instrument to visually examine [ophthalmoscope]
-scopy process of visually examining [sigmoidoscopy]
-sis state of [prognosis]
-tomy process of cutting, incision [lobotomy]
-y process, condition [gastroenterology]
auto- self [autosplenectomy]
dia- through, complete [diagnosis]
endo- within [endoscope]
epi- above, upon [epigastric, epidermis]
exo- out[excision, exophthalmos]
hyper- excessive, above, more than normal [hyperglycemia]
hypo- deficient, below, less than normal [hypothyroid]
in- into, in [incision]
peri- surrounding [pericardium, perimenopause]
pro- before [prognosis]
re- back [resection]
retro- behind [retrogastric]
sub- below, under [subhepatic]
trans- across, through [transaortic]
medical terms
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Anemic (Anemia) A condition involving the deficiency of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
Anesthesia Chemical substance given to a patient to produce loss of sensation, with or without unconsciousness.
Antibiotics Prescription drugs that kill bacteria.
Antibodies Protein produced by white blood cells which neutralize or destroy foreign proteins in the body (antigens). When infected with virus or bacteria, the body produces antibodies, which destroy the invading microorganisms.
Asthma A condition where the airways are inflamed and obstructed, causing a person to have difficulty breathing.
Bacterial Infection An infection caused by bacteria (micro-organisms which attack the immune system). Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
Blood Pressure The pressure of the blood in the main arteries which rises and falls as the muscles of the body cope with varying demands (e.g. exercise, stress, sleep). There are two types of pressures that are measured:
1) systolic pressure, created by the contraction of the heart muscle, and
2) diastolic pressure, when the heart is at rest between beats.
Cesarean Birth Delivery of the baby through an incision in the abdomen and uterine walls (also called C-section).
Chemotherapy The use of drugs to treat cancers. The drugs sometimes impair normal tissues as well.
Circumcision Surgery which removes the foreskin of the penis.
Constipation The inability to pass bowel movements easily.
Contractions The tightening and shortening of the uterine muscles. During labor, contractions cause dialation and thinning of the cervix and aid in the descent of the baby into the birth canal.
Dehydration Dehydration occurs when a person's body water content has decreased to a dangerously low level. Water accounts for 60% of a man's weight and 50% of a woman's.
Diabetes A condition where the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin, a hormone which controls sugar levels in the blood. Without insulin, the blood cannot absorb sugar into cells for energy and into liver and fat cells for storage.
Down's Syndrome A disorder caused by an extra chromosome of the genes causing mental and physical developmental disabilities in the offspring.
Eczema An inflammation of the skin causing itching. It is often accompanied by scaling or blisters and is sometimes caused by an allergy.
Emphysema A disease in the lungs in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) become damaged, usually due to smoking.
Frostbite Damage to the tissues from exposure to temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees C). An initial pins and needles sensation is followed by numbness. After that, the skin appears white, cold and hard, and finally becomes red and swollen.
Gonorrhea A contagious bacterial infection spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral or anal sex. Also called "the clap," it is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. It is treated with antibiotics.
Hay Fever The popular name for runny nose or allergic rhinitis. An allergic reaction of the immune system upon exposure to foreign substances.
Heart Murmur Heard through a physician's stethoscope, it is the sound of turbulent blood passing through the heart. Heart murmurs are possible indications of abnormal blood flow and may be caused by a disorder of a heart valve (structure which opens to allow blood to flow away from the heart, and closes to prevent back flow into the heart). Many murmers are benign (of no significance).
Hemolytic Disease Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a condition in which an excessive number of red blood cells in the fetus are destroyed by the mother's antibodies. It is typically caused by Rh incompatibility.
Hemorrhoids Inflammation of the veins surrounding the anus.
Hepatitis Inflammation of the liver, often caused by a virus.
Hepatitis B (Hepatitis, Type B) A viral infection which attacks the liver and causes inflammation. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted sexually, however, it may be spread by exchange of blood (e.g. by needle sharing with drug users, razor sharing, or blood transfusions which occurred prior to 1985 when tests for the virus became available).
Herpes Small, painful blisters that erupt on the skin. The herpes simplex virus causes painful blisters around the lips, and genital herpes causes blisters on the sex organs.
High Blood Pressure A condition forcing your heart to pump blood through your circulatory system at a force much greater than is necessary to maintain a steady flow. Known also as hypertension.
Histamine A chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) A virus which can destroy the immune system and lead to AIDS.
Hoarseness Interference of the normal working of the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box) resulting in a rough, husky, or croaking voice.
Hormone A chemical substance produced by a gland or organ.
Hypersensitivity The over-reaction of the immune system to an irritant.
Hypertension Abnormally high blood pressure.
Hysterectomy A method where the abdomen is surgically opened to remove part or all of the uterus.
Immune System An inborn collection of cells and proteins which work to protect against infectious micro-organisms in the body.
Influenza Commonly called "the flu", influenza is a virus that infects the respiratory tract and may cause fever, headache, and general body aches, runny nose, sore throat, or cough.
Insulin A hormone which promotes the transfer of sugar into the body cells for energy production.
Intravenous Fluid providing nutrition, water or medication injected into a vein.
Jaundice A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes usually caused by diseases of the liver or bile ducts.
Laryngitis An inflammation of the larynx (voice box) usually caused by infection and resulting in hoarseness.
Lesions A broad term for an abnormality of the body which can be either an infection, abscess (an open, fluid filled sore), wound, or tumor.
Menopause Menopause occurs when the production of female hormones, (estrogen and progesterone) is reduced, resulting in physical and psychological changes. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Microorganisms Single-celled living organisms too small to be seen by the naked eye. Some microorganisms cause infections.
Miscarriage A spontaneous abortion.
Obese Obesity occurs when a person has too much body fat. Obesity is not the same as being overweight; a person is considered obese when they weigh 20% or more of the maximum desirableweight for their height.
Obstructive Lung Disease A condition in which there is a persistent disruption of air flow into and out of the lungs.
Pneumococcal Vaccine A vaccine which protects against S. Pnemoniae (a bacteria that causes pneumonia).
Rash A group of spots on an area of inflamed skin.
Rubella (German measles) A viral infection which is dangerous to the fetus of pregnant women as it may cause various birth defects.
Scar Tissue A mark left on damaged tissue after it has healed. It can form on the skin or on internal wounds.
Shock A condition that may occur after a severe injury which results in a dangerous reduction of blood flow throughout the body tissues. If untreated, shock could lead to coma and death.
Sickle Cell Anemia An inherited disorder of red blood cells with sever anemia.
Spasm An abnormal and uncontrollable contraction of a muscle. A spasm is a cramp.
Spinal injury
Where the spine and sometimes the spinal cord are damaged. Spinal injury may result in muscle weakness and paralysis.
Sterilization Any procedure by which an individual is made incapable of reproduction; the elimination of microorganisms.
Strep Throat One of the diseases caused by the streptococcal bacteria. Generally, symptoms include a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and general body aches. Strep Throat is treated with antibiotics.
Swollen Glands Enlarged lymph nodes usually due to an infection or allergic reaction. Common sites where glands can be felt are in the neck, armpit, and groin.
Tetanus A serious disease affecting the central nervous system. Tetanus (lockjaw) results when a wound is infected with a type of bacteria that thrives without oxygen (particularly in deep wounds).
Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster A follow-up dose of a vaccine for Tetanus and Diphtheria.
Thalassemia Inherited disorder in which there is a problem with hemoglobin (the agent that transfers oxygen to red blood cells) production.
Tranquilizers Drugs that are sedatives.
Tumor A location where cells in the body multiply at an increased rate. Some tumors are benign (not cancerous), others are malignant (cancerous).
Ultrasound (Sonogram) A diagnostic instrument that uses sound waves which reflect off the fetus and are transformed into an image on a TV-type monitor.
Vaccine An immunization performed primarily by needle injection which creates antibodies to fight a particular virus.
Varicose Veins Veins that are twisted and swollen just below the skin. Veins carry blood back to the heart.
Viral Infection An infection involving viruses, the smallest known disease causing organism. Viruses can be harmless (e.g. warts) or devastating (e.g. the AIDS virus).
Wheezing A whistling noise in the chest which occurs during breathing when the airways are compressed.
Yeast Infection An infection of the skin or tissue linings caused
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Last updated March 2006
web design by Glen Croucher,2006