Health & Medicine

QuestionAnswer
the identification of an illness or condition through examination
diagnosis
Early diagnosis of the disease significantly improved patient survival rates.
a forecast of the likely course and outcome of a disease
prognosis
The doctor gave a favourable prognosis after reviewing the test results.
a widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time
epidemic
The cholera epidemic prompted urgent improvements in public sanitation infrastructure.
a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world
pandemic
The pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in global healthcare systems.
characterised by much sitting and little physical activity
sedentary
A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
relating to the healing of disease or the maintenance of health
therapeutic
Therapeutic interventions such as counselling can alleviate symptoms of depression.
persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
chronic
Chronic conditions such as diabetes require ongoing management and monitoring.
severe and sudden in onset, often of short duration
acute
The patient was admitted with acute abdominal pain requiring immediate attention.
a physical or mental sign indicating the presence of a disease
symptom
Fever is a common symptom of many infectious diseases.
medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury
treatment
The treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections remains a significant challenge.
relating to the preparation and dispensing of medicinal drugs
pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in research and development of new drugs.
relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients
clinical
Clinical trials are essential for determining the safety and efficacy of new medications.
the process of restoring someone to health through therapy and training
rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programmes help patients regain mobility after serious injuries.
the process of providing or obtaining food necessary for health and growth
nutrition
Good nutrition plays a vital role in preventing chronic diseases.
the science of the causes and effects of diseases
pathology
The pathology report confirmed that the tumour was benign.
the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin
immunity
Herd immunity can protect vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated.
the administration of a vaccine to stimulate immune protection
vaccination
Widespread vaccination has led to the eradication of smallpox globally.
the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of organisms
anatomy
A thorough understanding of anatomy is fundamental for all medical students.
a minor illness or condition
ailment
Common ailments such as headaches and colds account for many GP visits.
not harmful in effect; of a tumour, not cancerous
benign
Fortunately, the biopsy revealed that the growth was benign.
of a tumour, tending to invade normal tissue or recur; very harmful
malignant
The malignant cells had spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.
present from birth, especially of a disease or abnormality
congenital
Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth abnormalities.
able to be transmitted from one person to another by contact
contagious
The disease is highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets.
a lack or shortage of something essential, especially a nutrient
deficiency
Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders worldwide.
the size or frequency of a dose of medicine or drug
dosage
The dosage must be carefully calculated based on the patient's body weight.
administered directly into a vein
intravenous
The patient received intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration during recovery.
sufficient to cause death; extremely dangerous
lethal
An overdose of certain medications can be lethal if not treated immediately.
the condition of being diseased or the rate of disease in a population
morbidity
Morbidity rates for respiratory illnesses increase significantly during winter.
the state of being subject to death; death rate in a population
mortality
Infant mortality has declined sharply in countries with improved healthcare access.
relating to newborn children in the first few weeks after birth
neonatal
Neonatal care units provide specialised support for premature infants.
the condition of being grossly overweight with excessive body fat
obesity
Obesity has become a major public health concern in many developed nations.
relieving pain or symptoms without addressing the underlying cause
palliative
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for terminally ill patients.
an inactive substance given as a control in testing new drugs
placebo
In the clinical trial, patients who received the placebo showed no improvement.
relating to the period before birth; during pregnancy
prenatal
Prenatal screening can detect certain genetic conditions before a child is born.
designed to keep disease or ill health from occurring
preventive
Preventive measures such as regular exercise reduce the risk of heart disease.
relating to an artificial body part or the branch of medicine providing them
prosthetic
Advances in prosthetic technology have greatly improved mobility for amputees.
the branch of medicine dealing with mental illness and emotional disorders
psychiatry
Psychiatry has evolved significantly with new understanding of brain chemistry.
a deterioration in health after a temporary improvement
relapse
The patient suffered a relapse after discontinuing the prescribed medication.
a temporary or permanent decrease in the severity of disease symptoms
remission
The cancer went into remission after six months of chemotherapy.
conditions and practices relating to public health and clean water supply
sanitation
Improved sanitation in developing regions has reduced the incidence of waterborne diseases.
a deeply distressing experience or a physical injury
trauma
Psychological trauma from childhood can have lasting effects on mental health.
extremely severe or harmful in its effects, especially of a disease
virulent
The virulent strain of influenza spread rapidly through the population.
a protein produced by the immune system to fight harmful substances
antibody
Antibody tests can determine whether a person has previously been infected.
a substance that counteracts the effects of a poison or disease
antidote
Researchers are working to develop an effective antidote for the venom.
relating to the heart and blood vessels
cardiovascular
Regular aerobic exercise strengthens cardiovascular health and reduces disease risk.
the branch of medicine concerned with skin disorders
dermatology
Dermatology clinics have seen increased demand due to rising skin cancer rates.
relating to the healthcare of elderly people
geriatric
Geriatric medicine addresses the complex needs of an ageing population.
relating to the medical care of children
paediatric
Paediatric wards require specially trained staff to treat young patients.
relating to the branch of medicine dealing with bones and muscles
orthopaedic
Orthopaedic surgeons performed a hip replacement to restore the patient's mobility.
the branch of medicine dealing with tumours and cancer
oncology
Oncology research has led to breakthrough treatments for several types of cancer.
the branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system
neurology
Neurology has advanced significantly with the development of brain imaging technology.
the practice of testing eyesight and prescribing corrective lenses
optometry
Regular optometry check-ups can detect early signs of diabetes and hypertension.
treatment of disease or injury by physical methods such as massage and exercise
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is often prescribed after surgery to restore strength and flexibility.
the science of using radiation and imaging for diagnosis and treatment
radiology
Radiology departments use MRI and CT scans to identify internal injuries.
a medical instrument used for listening to sounds within the body
stethoscope
The doctor used a stethoscope to detect an irregular heartbeat during the examination.
a group of symptoms that consistently occur together indicating a condition
syndrome
Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
the process of prioritising patients based on the severity of their condition
triage
Emergency room triage ensures that the most critical patients receive care first.
the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal
wellness
Corporate wellness programmes have been shown to reduce employee absenteeism.
medically induced loss of sensation, especially to permit surgery
anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is required for most major surgical procedures.
the removal of tissue from the body for diagnostic examination
biopsy
A biopsy of the suspicious tissue was conducted to rule out malignancy.
a condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable
contraindication
Pregnancy is a contraindication for certain medications due to potential harm to the foetus.
the study of how diseases spread and can be controlled in populations
epidemiology
Epidemiology played a crucial role in identifying the source of the outbreak.
an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
haemorrhage
The patient suffered an internal haemorrhage following the accident.
practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease
hygiene
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.
the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of symptoms
incubation
The incubation period for the virus ranges from two to fourteen days.
a localised physical condition with redness, swelling, and pain
inflammation
Chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous serious health conditions.
habitual sleeplessness or inability to sleep
insomnia
Insomnia affects a significant proportion of adults and impairs daily functioning.
the chemical processes in the body that convert food into energy
metabolism
A person's metabolism can be influenced by genetics, age, and physical activity levels.
a patient who receives treatment without being admitted to hospital
outpatient
Many minor surgical procedures can now be performed on an outpatient basis.
a person trained to give emergency medical care before hospital arrival
paramedic
Paramedics arrived within minutes and administered life-saving first aid at the scene.
an organism that causes disease in its host
pathogen
Identifying the pathogen responsible for the outbreak enabled targeted treatment.
a doctor's written instruction for the preparation and use of a medicine
prescription
Antibiotic prescriptions should only be issued when clinically necessary.
a period of isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease
quarantine
Travellers from affected regions were placed in quarantine for fourteen days.
the act of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death
resuscitation
Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation can save lives in emergency situations.
a small sharp-bladed knife used by surgeons
scalpel
The surgeon made a precise incision with a scalpel to begin the operation.
to make free from bacteria or other microorganisms
sterilise
All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use to prevent infection.
the branch of science concerned with the nature and effects of poisons
toxicology
Toxicology reports are routinely used in forensic investigations to determine cause of death.
an operation to move an organ or tissue from one body to another
transplant
Organ transplant waiting lists remain long due to a shortage of donors.
a medical imaging technique using high-frequency sound waves
ultrasound
An ultrasound scan confirmed a healthy foetal development at twelve weeks.
relating to the system of blood vessels in the body
vascular
Smoking significantly increases the risk of vascular disease.
a machine that helps a patient breathe by pumping air into the lungs
ventilator
Critically ill patients were placed on ventilators to assist with breathing.
a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death
autopsy
The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a previously undiagnosed condition.
the clinical purification of blood as a substitute for kidney function
dialysis
Patients with kidney failure often require regular dialysis sessions to survive.
the ability to conceive children or the quality of being productive
fertility
Declining fertility rates in developed nations are causing demographic shifts.
the complete set of genetic material present in an organism
genome
Mapping the human genome has opened new possibilities for personalised medicine.
passed or able to be passed from parent to offspring genetically
hereditary
Some forms of cancer have a hereditary component linked to specific gene mutations.
a facility providing care for the terminally ill
hospice
Hospice care focuses on comfort rather than cure for patients nearing the end of life.
to introduce a vaccine into the body to produce immunity
inoculate
Efforts to inoculate the entire population helped contain the spread of the virus.
a band of tough tissue connecting bones or supporting organs
ligament
The athlete tore a ligament in her knee during the competition.
a lack of proper nutrition caused by insufficient or unbalanced diet
malnutrition
Malnutrition in childhood can lead to stunted growth and developmental delays.
the natural cessation of menstruation in middle-aged women
menopause
Research into the health effects of menopause has led to better support for women.
the practice of assisting women during childbirth
midwifery
Midwifery services play a key role in maternal healthcare in rural communities.
the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of eye disorders
ophthalmology
Ophthalmology has benefited greatly from advances in laser surgery techniques.
the branch of medicine concerned with the uses and effects of drugs
pharmacology
Pharmacology students must understand how different drugs interact within the body.
relating to the period after childbirth
postnatal
Postnatal depression affects a significant number of new mothers worldwide.
a substance that stimulates the growth of beneficial gut bacteria
probiotic
Studies suggest that probiotics may improve digestive health and boost immunity.
a hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
progesterone
Progesterone levels are closely monitored during early pregnancy.
relating to the lungs
pulmonary
Chronic pulmonary disease is often caused by long-term exposure to harmful pollutants.
a sudden attack of illness, especially a convulsion or stroke
seizure
Epileptic seizures can be controlled with appropriate medication in most cases.
a sample taken for medical testing or scientific analysis
specimen
Blood specimens were collected from all participants in the study for analysis.
a stitch or row of stitches holding together a wound
suture
The wound required twelve sutures and was expected to heal within two weeks.
a flexible band of tissue attaching a muscle to a bone
tendon
Repetitive strain injuries can damage tendons in the wrist and forearm.
a gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating growth and metabolism
thyroid
An underactive thyroid can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression.
a device used to stop the flow of blood through an artery
tourniquet
Applying a tourniquet correctly can prevent life-threatening blood loss.
the branch of medicine dealing with the urinary system
urology
Urology specialists treat conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, and related organs.
a sensation of dizziness and loss of balance
vertigo
Vertigo can be caused by inner ear problems and may severely affect daily life.
a condition in which there is a deficiency of red blood cells
anaemia
Iron-deficiency anaemia is particularly common among women of childbearing age.
the act of listening to internal body sounds, typically with a stethoscope
auscultation
Auscultation of the chest revealed abnormal lung sounds suggesting pneumonia.
the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases in a patient
comorbidity
Patients with comorbidities face higher risks during surgical procedures.
a device that delivers an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm
defibrillator
Public access to defibrillators has increased survival rates for cardiac arrest.
relating to the stomach and intestines
gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common reasons for hospital visits.
a failure of the immune system to protect the body from infection
immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency disorders leave patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
a substance that causes an allergic reaction
allergen
Food labels must clearly list common allergens to protect sensitive consumers.
the gradual decline or wasting away of body tissue or an organ
atrophy
Muscle atrophy can result from prolonged bed rest or lack of physical activity.
a thin tube inserted into the body to remove fluid or administer treatment
catheter
A urinary catheter was inserted to monitor the patient's fluid output post-surgery.