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Medical Terms

        Help!  

Term
Definition
ablation   Burning or freezing to scar tissue in the heart to block irregular electrical signals  
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aneurysm   Bulge that occurs in the wall of the artery  
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angina   Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart  
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angioplasty   Procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply the heart by using a balloon  
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arteriosclerosis   Thickening or hardening of the arteries causing narrowing  
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bradycardia   Slow heart beat  
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CABG   Acronym for Coronary Artery By Pass Graft (open heart surgery in which new grafts replace diseased arteries)  
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cardiologist   Doctor who studies the heart  
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cardiomegaly   Enlarged heart  
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cardiomyopathy   Heart disease  
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CHF   Acronym for Congestive Heart Failure (chronic illness), in which heart pumps blood less efficiently; limb swelling  
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COPD   Acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a chronic, inflammatory lung disease with difficulty breathing; pt often on O2. Two common types: emphysema and chronic bronchitis  
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EKG   Acronym for Electrocardiogram, records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different conditions  
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hypertension   High blood pressure  
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ischemia   Inadequate blood supply to the heart muscles, or other organ; narrowing of an artery due to disease  
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MI   Acronym for Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)  
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myocardial infarction   Heart attack  
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occlusion   Blockage  
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pericarditis   Inflammation of the membrane around the heart  
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pericardium   Membrane around the heart  
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stent   Small mesh tube placed in an artery to hold it open  
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tachycardia   Rapid heart rate (more than 100 bpm at rest)  
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thoracic cavity   Chest cavity space that contains the heart and lungs  
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CBC   Acronym for Complete Blood Count, the kitchen sink of blood tests  
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anemia   Blood disorder with lack of red blood cells in the blood, causing weakness and SOB. Types: sickle cell, aplastic, pernicious, iron deficiency, etc  
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Asphyxia/ asphyxiation   Condition arising when the body doesn’t get oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death (suffocation, strangulation, drowning)  
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BP   Acronym for Blood Pressure  
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capillary   Smallest blood vessel in the lungs where oxygen is exchanged  
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cerebral vascular accident   Stroke  
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CVA   Acronym for Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke)  
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DVT   Acronym for Deep Vein Thrombosis, a blood clot usually in the leg  
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edema   Swelling  
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embolism   Blood clot that has traveled and blocks an artery or vein; pulmonary embolism can be fatal, sx sudden SOB  
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epistaxis   Nosebleed  
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erythrocyte   Red blood cell  
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hematoma   Bruise  
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hematuria   Blood in the urine  
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hemorrhage   Excessive bleeding; bleeding out  
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HTN   Acronym for Hypertension (high blood pressure)  
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hypodermic   Beneath or under the skin (e.g., needle injection)  
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lymphatic system   System made up of vessels, tissues and organs that help maintain fluid balance in the body; also part of immune system  
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lymphedema   Swelling caused by blocked lymph drainage  
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lymphocyte   White blood cell  
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orthostatic hypotension   Dizziness when standing due to drop in blood pressure when standing  
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phlebitis   Inflammation of a vein  
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phlebotomist   Professional who draws blood  
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plasma   Liquid portion of the blood  
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platelet   Blood cells that form clots to stop or prevent bleeding  
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septicemia   Sepsis, an infection in the blood; blood poisoning  
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syncope   Fainting  
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thrombus   Blood clot situated in an artery or vein  
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TIA   Acronym for Transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke  
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venipuncture   Blood draw  
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GI   Acronym for Gastrointestinal  
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ascites   Fluid collecting in the abdomen – causes pain, swelling, nausea and vomiting  
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borborygmus   Rumbling or gurgling bowel sounds  
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calculi   Stones, often in the kidney or gallbladder  
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colitis   Inflammation of the colon  
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colonoscopy   Scope into the colon  
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colostomy   Opening into the colon to the outside, usually have a bag to collect fecal matter  
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Crohn's disease   Inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation  
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diverticulitis   Inflammation caused by infection of small pouches in the intestines  
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dysphagia   Difficulty swallowing  
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aphasia   Difficulty speaking  
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emesis basin   Barf pan  
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endoscopy   Scope into the upper GI tract – down the throat and into the esophagus  
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esophagus   Food tube between throat and stomach  
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gastrectomy   Removal of the stomach  
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gastritis   Inflammation of the stomach  
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gastroenteritis   Inflammation of the stomach and intestines  
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gastroenterologist   Doctor who studies the GI system (esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder)  
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GERD   Acronym for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease  
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IBS   Acronym for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a chronic condition of constipation and diarrhea  
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laparoscopy   Scope into the abdomen  
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larynx   Voice box  
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peritonitis   Inflammation of the lining of belly or abdomen  
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pharynx   Throat  
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polyp   Non-cancerous growth from a mucous membrane, such as in the intestines. Can develop into cancer  
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proctologist   Doctor who specializes in colon and rectal issues  
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ulcer   Sores in the lining of the stomach  
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pulmonary   Pertaining to the lungs  
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apnea   Period of not breathing (i.e., sleep apnea)  
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costochondritis   Inflammation of the ribs and cartilage  
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DOE   Acronym for Dyspnea On Exertion, which is difficult breathing that worsen with exertion  
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dyspnea   Shortness of breath  
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emphysema   Lung disease that makes it hard to breathe – cough, sputum production, wheezing  
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Pleuritis/pleurisy   Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity; painful  
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pneumonia   Infection in the lungs (PNA)  
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pulmonary edema   Fluid build-up in the lungs  
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pulmonologist   Doctor who specializes in the respiratory system  
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sarcoidosis   Auto-immune disease in which granules form in the body, most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes  
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SOB   Acronym for Shortness of Breath  
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sputum   Mucus or phlegm expelled from the lungs  
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trachea   Windpipe  
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tracheotomy   Opening into the windpipe  
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cephalic   Pertaining to the head  
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hemiplegia   Paralysis on one side of the body  
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meningitis   Inflammation of the lining of the nerves  
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shingles   Type of herpes infection that causes painful rash or blisters on the skin  
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O2   Oxygen  
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Neuralgia   Nerve pain  
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Parkinson’s Disease   Movement disorder in which brain doesn’t produce enough dopamine  
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis   Acronymn ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a neurological progressive disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord  
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cirrhosis   Chronic liver disease, usually the result of alcoholism or hepatitis  
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HBV   Acronym for Hepatitis B, a highly infectious inflammation of the liver  
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HCV   Acronym for Hepatitis C (now curable)  
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hepatitis   Inflammation of the liver – types A - E  
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hepatomegaly   Enlargement of the liver  
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jaundice   Yellowing of skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin, liver disease  
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alopecia   Abnormal Hair loss, baldness  
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cellulitis   Bacterial infection (staph or strep) of the skin  
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debridement   Scraping or excising dead tissue so new tissue can grow  
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decubitus ulcer   Bed sore, pressure ulcer  
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dermatitis   Inflammation of the skin  
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epidermis   The outer layer of the skin  
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epithelial   Tissue cells covering the skin and organs  
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gangrene   Dead or rotting tissue or skin  
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IM   Acronym for Intramuscular, as in an injection that is received through the muscle  
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necrosis   Dead tissue  
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nevus   Mole  
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pruritis   Intense itching, often a result of diabetes or other conditions  
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rhinoplasty   Nose job  
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transdermal   Through the skin, i.e. medication delivered through the skin like a patch  
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arthralgia   Pain in a joint  
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arthritis   Inflammation and stiffness of joints  
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arthroscopy   Procedure to visualize and treat problems in a joint  
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axillary   Underarm area  
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BKA   Acronym for Below the Knee Amputation  
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cartilage   Strong flexible connective tissue that protects joints and bones – often found at the ends of bones  
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cervical   Referring to the top section of the spine, or also to the cervix , the lower part of uterus  
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coccyx   Tail bone, or last part of the spine  
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femur   Longest leg bone in thigh  
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kyphosis   Spinal disorder in which the there is an excessive curve of the upper back  
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laminectomy   A surgical operation to remove the back of one or more vertebrae, usually to give access to the spinal cord or to relieve pressure on nerves  
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ligaments   a short band of tissue that connects bones to bones  
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lumbar   Lower region of the back/spine  
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metacarpals   Bones in the wrist  
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orthopedist   Medical specialty focused on injuries and diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system  
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osteoporosis   Medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile; decreased bone mass  
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podiatrist   Doctor specializing in the foot and ankle  
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rheumatologist   Doctor specializing in arthritis and other immune-related diseases and conditions  
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sacral   The next to the lowest part of the spinal column – fused bones  
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spondylitis   Inflammation of the joints in the spine and lower back  
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tendons   Flexible but inelastic cord of tissue attaching muscles to bones  
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thoracic   Second section of the spine or the chest cavity  
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BPH   Acronym for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that obstructs the flow of urine  
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cervical   Pertaining to the cervix  
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endometriosis   Condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain  
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HPV   Acronym for Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many don't develop symptoms but can still infect others through sexual contact. Sxs include warts on the genitals or surrounding skin. Gardasil =vaccine  
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hysterectomy   Removal of the uterus  
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mastitis   Inflammation of the breast tissues often caused by an infection. Common in breast feeding persons.  
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neonatal   Newborn  
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oophorectomy   Removal of the ovaries  
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orchidectomy   Removal of one or both testicles  
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peritoneum   Membrane in the abdomen that lines the abdominal cavity and holds all the organs in place  
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postpartum   After birth  
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catheter   A flexible tube inserted into the body, such as a urinary tract. Multiple uses for these tubes in procedures.  
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cholecystectomy   Removal of the gall bladder  
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cystalgia   Pain in the bladder  
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cystectomy   Removal of the bladder  
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cystitis   Inflammation of the bladder  
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cystostomy   A surgical opening into the bladder; when a tube is inserted so that urine can drain  
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diuretic   Water pill, medication for urinary retention, makes you pee  
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ESRD   Acronym for End Stage Renal Disease  
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hemodialysis   Kidney dialysis, a treatment that filters wastes and water from the blood. Used when kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work.  
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nephrectomy   Removal of a kidney  
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Graves disease   an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone  
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hyperthyroidism   Overactive thyroid. Speeds up the body's metabolism, which can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.  
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hypoglycemia   hypoglycemia  
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IDDM   Acronym for Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, also called Type 1  
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NIDDM   Acronym for Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, also known as Type 2  
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pancreas   An organ with dual roles. In the digestive system (exocrine ), it produces enzymes that help to digest food, particularly protein. In the endocrine system, it makes the hormone insulin, which helps to control blood sugar levels.  
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polydipsia   Excessive thirst, a sign of diabetes  
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polyuria   Excessive urination, a sign of diabetes  
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hyperglycemia   High blood sugar  
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adenoma   Benign tumor in a gland, like the pituitary  
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benign   Non-cancerous  
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biopsy   Procedure to remove cells to see if they are cancerous  
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Bx   Abbreviation for Biopsy  
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CA   Abbreviation for Cancer  
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carcinoma   Cancer that begins in the skin or the tissue that covers body organs. Most common type and includes breast, pancreas  
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dysplasia   Abnormal cells  
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glioblastoma   Malignant tumor affecting the brain or spine. Spreads rapidly often creating pressure. 5-yr survival rate is 7%  
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leukemia   Cancer of the boy’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system  
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malignant   Cancerous  
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melanoma   Most dangerous type of skin cancer  
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metastasis   Spreading of cancer  
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Myeloma or multiple myeloma   Cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow  
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oncologist   Doctor specializing in cancer  
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oncology   Area of study of cancer  
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osteomyelitis   Infection in the bone caused by bacteria that is serious.  
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palliative   Comfort care, focuses on symptom management not cure  
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pathologist   Doctor who specializes in studying disease, tissues and samples for diagnostic purposes  
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PCA pump   Acronym for Patient Controlled Analgesia pump, which gives pain meds on demand  
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sarcoma   Cancer that starts in connective and supportive tissue, such as muscle, bone, and cartilage  
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Stage 0 cancer   Cancer stage that is precancerous and non-invasive. Also known as “carcinoma in situ,” or cancer that is only present in the cells where it started. It has not spread to any nearby tissues.  
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Stage 1 Cancer   Cancer stage in which tumor is usually small and has just begun growing into nearby tissues, but its invasion does not have much depth. The tumor(s) have not spread to nearby lymph nodes or major organs.  
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Stage 2 Cancer   Cancer stage in which tumors are larger, have grown into nearby tissue, and have potentially spread into the lymph nodes.  
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Stage 3 Cancer   Cancer stage that is more advanced and aggressive than Stage II.  
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Stage 4 Cancer   This is the highest stage of cancer. These cancers have metastasized, or spread to distant parts of the body.  
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Lisinopril   Medication to treat blood pressure  
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Metoprolol (brand Toprol)   Medication to treat high blood pressure, CAD  
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Atorvastatin (brand Lipitor)   Medication to treat high cholesterol  
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Levothyroxine (brand Synthroid)   Medication to treat thyroid  
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Albuterol (brand Ventolin)   Medication, a bronchodilator  
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esomprazole (brand Nexium)   Medication to reduce stomach acid  
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Omeprazole (brand Prilosec)   Medication to treat heartburn, a stomach acid reducer  
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escitalopram (brand Lexapro)   Medication to treat depression  
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duloxetine (brand Cymbalta)   Medication to treat depression and pain  
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Fluoxetine (brand Prozac)   An anti-depressant medication  
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Trazadone   Medication to treat depression, sleep issues  
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lorazepam (brand Ativan)   Medication to treat anxiety  
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alprazolam (brand Xanax)   Medication to treat anxiety  
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amoxicillin   An antibiotic (medication)  
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methylphenidate (brands Ritalin, Concerta, others)   Medication to treat ADHD  
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azithromycin (brands Z-Pak and Zithromax)   Antibiotic (medication)  
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warfarin (brand Coumadin)   Anticoagulant medication  
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hydrocodone (brands Vicodin, Lortab, Norco)   Medication to treat pain  
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meloxicam (brand Mobic)   Medication to treat pain  
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hydrocodone, oxycodone (brand OxyContin)   Medication to treat pain  
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fentanyl patch (brand Duragesic patch)   Medication to treat pain  
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hydromorphone (brand Dilaudid)   Medication to treat pain  
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acetaminophen (brand Tylenol)   Medication to treat pain  
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tramadol (brand Ultram)   Medication to treat pain  
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prednisone   a steroid medication to treat inflammation  
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gabapentin (brand Neurontin)   Medication to treat seizures and nerve pain  
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glucophage (brand metformin)   Medication to treat type 2 diabetes  
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furosemide (brand Lasix)   A diuretic, water pill for HTN and fluid retention  
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ondansetron (brand Zofran)   An anti-nausea medication  
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alimentation   Feeding, nutrition  
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AMA discharge   Against Medical Advice discharge  
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analgesic   Pain relieving (medication or treatment)  
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atrophy   Decrease in size or function  
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autopsy   Postmortem (after death) examination to determine the cause of death or extent of disease  
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bariatric   The branch of medicine that studies and treats obesity  
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bilateral   Both sides  
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Bx   Abbreviation for biopsy  
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cephalic   Pertaining to the head  
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cyanosis   a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood  
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diaphoresis   sweating  
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ETOH   alcohol  
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excision   Surgical removal of tissue  
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Fx   fracture  
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geriatrician   Doctor who specializes in older adults and aging  
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GSW   Gun Shot Wound  
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H & P   History and Physical (assessment by provider)  
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HA or H/A   Headache  
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HOH   Hard of hearing  
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Hx   History  
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hypochondriac   Person who is abnormally worried about their health  
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inguinal   Pertaining to the groin  
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laparoscopy   Scope into the abdomen  
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MRSA   Antibiotic resistant staph infection (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)  
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NKA   No Known Allergies  
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nosocomial infection   Hospital-acquired infection  
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NPO   Nothing by mouth (patient should not eat or drink)  
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O2   oxygen  
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otalgia   Ear pain  
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otolaryngologist   Ear, nose and throat doctor  
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PRN   As needed  
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r/o   rule out  
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resection   The surgical removal of part of an organ or structure  
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ROM   Range of motion  
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Rx   Prescription  
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shock   Critical condition of suddenly having loss of blood flow  
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STAT   immediately  
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Sx   symptoms  
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tinnitus   Ringing in the ears  
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Tx   treatment  
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ultrasound   an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within your body  
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VRE   Antibiotic resistant infection (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus bacteria)  
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WNL   Within normal limits  
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Bid, tid, qd, qhs, q2h   Twice a day, three times a day, every day, at night, every two hours  
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