Doctors Speak

Abrasion
The rubbing of the surface of the skin due to mechanical injury. It generally results in an open wound. It can allow infection to enter.

Abscess
Localised collection of pus such as boils which can develop rapidly and come up in a few days. Chronic abscesses (long term) take weeks or months to develop and can occur in conditions such as tuberculous.

Achalasia
A term for spasm but may actually be the result of failure to relax in muscles and in particular occurs in the oesophagus (gullet)

Achlorhydria
Is the absence of acid in the stomach and can occur in association with a number of diseases such inflammation of stomach lining (gastritis), cancer of the stomach and pernicious anaemia.

Achondroplasia
Is the shortening of arms and legs giving rise to dwarfs. This is a hereditary condition.

Acidosis
Is a reduction in the alkali component of the blood and may occur in diseases of the kidneys or respiratory (breathing) conditions.

Acne (Acne Vulgaris)
Chronic skin condition affecting most teenagers/adolescents. It is caused by the obstruction of the ducts of the sebaceous glands in the skin and these become infected. These glands are under the control of the male sex hormone( which is found in men and women) and predominantly affect face, back and chest. The male sex hormone is secreted in the testes in male and the adrenal glands in the females.

Acrocyanosis
Condition in which there is persistent blueness of limbs, feet, nose and ears and may occur particularly in women.

Acromegaly
Is the overgrowth of bones of the limbs, jaw, skull and feet and normally occurs in adults and is caused by increased secretion of growth hormone due to a tumour of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.

Actinomycosis
suppurative disease that normally affects cattle, but can occur in humans, it is caused by fungus actinomyces. This fungus can be found in the mouth but particularly occurs if there has been trauma to the mouth and jaw and which will give rise to abscesses.

Addison's Disease
Deficiency of the hormones secreted by the adrenal gland results in skin pigmentation, low blood pressure because of an imbalance in the salts in the blood. The opposite of this is aldosteronism.

Adenoma
Any benign tumour composed of glandular tissues. They can occur anywhere in the body

Adhesions
This occurs particularly after abdominal operation and fibrous layers, which prevent the bowel from moving freely. it may result in abdominal cramping.

Agnosia
Loss of ability to recognise and object by any senses. It can occur particularly after brain damage that can be as a result of strokes, tumours etc.

Agranulocytosis
Absence or greatly reduced number of white blood cells.

Agraphia
Loss of ability to express ideas by writing.

Agenesis
Incomplete development of any part of an organ or the body.

AIDS
This is the acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome that at present is an incurable disease caused by the HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus). This results in the inability of the body to ward off infection and is generally transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse, infected syringes and blood products.

Akinesia
Loss or impairment of voluntary movement.

Albinism
Absence/decrease in the amount of pigment in the skin. This pigment, melanin, gives our skin, hair and eyes colour and this is generally an inherited disease.

Albuminuria
An excess amount of albumin in the urine may be a sign of kidney or heart disease.

Aldosteronism
Causes high blood pressure, headaches, weakness due to increased produced of aldosterone, which regulates salt metabolism in the body and is produced by the adrenal gland. The opposite of this is Addison's.

Alkalosis
Is a reduction in the concentration of hydrogen in the blood that makes the blood more alkaline and can occur if large amounts are taken for treatment of stomach ulcers.

Alkaptonuria
A hereditary disorder where the body is incapable of producing an enzyme to utilise certain amino acids. As a result of incomplete metabolism the urine turns dark on standing in a bottle. It may also cause discoloration of cartilage and lead to arthritis.

Allergy
This is an abnormal reaction to certain substances that would normally cause no problems in most people. This can occur with certain foods, pollen and insect bites and symptoms would include itching, rashes, and difficulty breathing. It is caused by a release of histamine.

Alopecia
Another name for hair loss

Alveolitis
Inflammation of the alveoli (air sacs of the lungs) and this is generally caused by an allergic reaction, although it can be caused by infection.