Read this and you will know what the doctors and nurses are saying about you, right in front of your face.

my mantra: an educated patient is a healthy patient.

Read through these 100 medical Terms and abbreviations and I bet you will something.

1. Abrasion: A cut or scrape that typically isn’t serious.

2. Abscess: A pus fluid-filled pocket that forms in tissue, usually due to infection. 

3. Acetaminophen: A common, over-the-counter drug used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain, but which does not reduce redness or swelling (inflammation). Common brand name: Tylenol

4. Acute: Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes severe, but the duration is short.

5. Antioxidants: work by generously giving electrons to damaging free radicals without turning into electron-scavenging substances themselves. They are also involved in mechanisms that repair DNA and maintain the health of cells. Examples are Vit C, Vit E, glutathione, coenzyme Coq10 Betacarotene and many other substances found in nutrient dense foods. Learn more: www.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/

6. Benign: Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body. Also called nonmalignant.

7. Blood pressure: The force blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

8. Bowel: The small or large intestine.

9. Bradycardia: A slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute.

10. Bunion:  is referred to as a “bump” on the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that forms when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. 

11. Bursa: A protective, fluid-filled sac located in or near the joints that cushions the movement of bone against tendons, skin, and muscle. When inflamed the condition is Bursitis

12. Chronic: Signifies a recurring, persistent condition like Diabetes.

13. Contusion: A bruise.

14. Cardi/o: Related to the heart.

15. Carcinogen: Any substance that can cause cancer.

16. Copayment: A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.Copayments (sometimes called "copays") can vary for different services within the same plan, like drugs, lab tests, and visits to specialists.

17. DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not perform CPR.

18. Doppler ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves to measure how fast blood is flowing through blood vessels.

19. Dys-: Abnormal, difficult, or painful. Example Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

20. ECG vs EEG vs EKG

• ECG and EKG:  are both abbreviations for electrocardiogram, a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and detects heart problems.

• EEG: Abbreviation for electroencephalogram, a test that measures the electrical activity of the brain and detects problems.

21. Ectopic pregnancy: Pregnancy in which a fertilized egg implants in an abnormal location outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. Ending the pregnancy is necessary.

22. Edema: Swelling caused by abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues.

23. Embolism: Blockage of a blood vessel by a clot (an embolus) that has traveled from another part of the body.

24. EpiPen: A device used to inject a dose of medication (epinephrine) when a severe allergic reaction occurs.

25. Erythema: Redness of the skin because of widening of capillaries just below the surface of the skin.Embolism: Blockage of a blood vessel by a clot (an embolus) that has traveled from another part of the body.

26. False negative: Test results that show that a disease or substance isn’t present, even though it is

27. Febrile: Feverish; having a high body temperature.

28. Femur: Thigh bone.

29. Flare: Reappearance or worsening of symptoms.

30. Fracture: A break in a bone.

31. Fungus: Organisms and microorganisms, such as yeasts and molds, that can live as a parasite on plants and animals ( like us humans). Cause of Athlete’s foot. 

32. Gait cycle: The cycle that the feet and legs make when walking, beginning when one heel hits the ground and ending when the same heel hits the ground again.

33. Ganglion cyst: A harmless sac of fluid on top of a joint or tendon, usually on the wrist or back of the hand.

34. Gout: A form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints; The big toe, knee, and ankle joints are most often affected.

35. Health care proxy: A legal form allowing a person to appoint someone else to make their medical decisions. Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care.

36. Hematoma: Blood that leaks out of blood vessels and collects in the body.

37. Homeostasis: The body’s ability to keep blood pressure, temperature, water levels, oxygen levels, and more set at the right levels for cells to survive.

38. Idiopathic: A condition or disease of unknown origin.

39. Inflammation: The body’s reaction to injury or infection. It is characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain.

40. Ingrown toenail: A condition in which the side of a toenail pierces the skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection.

41. International unit: An internationally accepted amount of a substance based on its biological activity or effect; used as a measurement for fat-soluble vitamins.

42. Ischemia: Inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body.

43. -itis: Signifies inflammation. Example Dermatitis - inflammation of the skin

44. Joint: A junction in the body where bones are linked together.

45. Keloid: An unusually hard or thick scar that forms after surgery or an injury.

46. Laceration: A tear in the skin.

47. Lesion: An infected, diseased, or wounded area of tissue.

48. Ligament: A band of tissue that connects bones.

49. Living will: A legal document that states what a person would and wouldn’t want if he or she is no longer able to make health care decisions.

50. Macro-: Large in size.

51. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A scan that creates detailed pictures of internal organs; commonly referred to as MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio waves, a strong magnetic field, and a computer to produce images of organs and internal tissues.

52. Malaise: A general feeling of illness that can be a sign of disease.

53. Malignant: Cancerous.

54. Medicaid: A government program that offers health care for low-income Americans of any age.

55. Medicare: A government program that offers health care for Americans ages 65 and older.

56. Medigap insurance: Health insurance policies that fill in the holes in Medicare coverage.

57. Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the primary site to another part of the body.

58. Morton’s neuroma: A thickening of nerve tissue between the toes that causes irritation, tingling, or a burning pain in the ball of the foot.

59. Mucous cysts: Small cysts that form between the nail bed and the top joint of the finger.

60. Nebulizer: A device that converts a liquid medicine into a mist that can be breathed in.

61. Neoplasm: An abnormal growth of tissue, either cancerous or benign.

62. Neuralgia: A burning or stabbing pain that follows the path of a nerve.

63. Neuropathy: Nerve damage and resulting loss of sensation, movement, or other function.

64. Noninvasive test: A test that does not require any medical instruments to break the skin or enter the body.

65. NSAID: Abbreviation for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a drug that reduce swelling and pain.

66. Occlusion: The closing or blocking of a hollow organ or body part.

67. Occult: Something not visible to the naked eye but seen under a microscope or through lab tests.

68. Osteomyelitis: A bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi.

69. Osteopath: “D.O.” A doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery, and prescribe drugs. The training is similar to that of a regular M.D., but more emphasis is placed on the importance of the musculoskeletal system and the body’s ability to heal itself. 

70. Oxidant: An unstable molecule in the body that plays a role in aging and can damage tissue. Also known as a free radical. Examples are pollution, cigarettes, and sunlight. See -AntiOxidants for more

71. PAD: Abbreviation for peripheral artery disease, a condition caused by atherosclerosis in the arteries in the legs or leading to them.

72. Palliative care: Treatment that relieves the symptoms of a serious illness, but does not cure the disease itself.

73. PET scan: Abbreviation for positron emission tomography, a medical imaging test that uses a radioactive substance to assess organ and tissue function in the body and to look for disease.

74. Plantar Fascia: Connective tissue in the foot which joins the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of this tissue.

75. Podiatrist: A physician who specializes in the medical, surgical, and orthopedic management of foot and ankle disorders. With the suffix D.P.M. Example: me :)

76. Prophylaxis: Steps taken to prevent a particular disease or condition, such as taking nitroglycerin to prevent angina.

77. Proprioception: The ability to sense the position of one’s body in space, in relation to other objects.

78. q : A medical abbreviation meaning every from the Latin Quaque. Example: Take this medication q4h: every 4 hours

79. Raynaud’s syndrome: A condition in which the blood vessels in the fingers and other extremities narrow in response to cold or stress, causing them to turn white or blue.

80. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.

81. Rheumatic disease: Any one of over 100 disorders that cause inflammation in connective tissues.

82. Rheumatology: The branch of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of diseases marked by inflammation, degeneration, or metabolic problems of the connective tissues (particularly the joints and related structures).

83. Rx: Prescription, usually for medication but can also signify another treatment.

84. Sciatica: Pain along the course of the sciatic nerve (which runs from the buttock, down the back and side of the leg, and into the foot and toes), often because of a herniated disk.

85. Sepsis: is a clinical syndrome in the presence

(probable or documented) of infection together with systemic manifestations of infection.  Learn more here: Sepsis/UptoDate

86. Sinus rhythm: The heart's normal rate and rhythm.

87. Sprain: A stretched or torn ligament.

88. Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.

89. Tendon: A cord of collagen fibers that connect a muscle to a bone.

90. Thoracic: Pertaining to the chest.

91. Thrombus: A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel or chamber of the heart.

92. TIA: Abbreviation for transient ischemic attack, a brain attack that resolves on its own within 24 hours. Sometimes called a mini-stroke, a TIA is often an early warning sign of an impending stroke.

93. Tinea pedis: also known as Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection affecting the feet. It usually begins between the toes.

94. Ulcer: A break in the skin or other surface that often occurs along with inflammation, infection, or cancerous growth.

95. Vascular: Having to do with blood vessels and circulation.

96. Vital signs: Measurements that indicate how well the body is functioning, including pulse rate, respiration (breathing rate), temperature, and blood pressure.

97. Wart: An abnormal fibrous growth caused by a viral infection.

98. White-coat hypertension: Blood pressure that is elevated in a doctor’s office but is normal at home.

99. X-rays: use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film or digital media.

100. Zoonotic disease: An infectious disease that is transmissible under normal conditions from animals to humans.

-Be Well, Dr. D