Medical dictionary

What is haemorrhoid surgery? Haemorrhoids, also known as piles are swollen veins that can be found around the anus. They can be located either inside or outside of the rectum. A lot of flare-ups of the condition tend to stop hurting after two weeks without the need for treatment. Sometimes, however, haemorrhoids can lead to other complications. Internal haemorrhoids may prolaps

What is a hair transplant?Hair transplantation, sometimes known as a hair graft, is mainly a cosmetic treatment that involves restoring a head of hair using donated hairs which are implanted onto the rest of the scalp. Patients with hair loss and baldness are increasingly turning to hair transplant treatments. There are two main types of hair transplant surgery: follicular unit extraction (FU

What is halitosis? Halitosis is a common problem characterised by an unpleasant odour on a person's breath. Normally, halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene, with bacteria breaking down pieces of food trapped in the teeth and releasing foul-smelling gases. Halitosis can affect the patient psychologically, due to the stigma of bad breath, and can lead to problems in their social life.

What is the Halliwick concept? The Halliwick concept is a physical rehabilitation technique designed to develop motor control in water, develop core stability, and improve the sense of balance. It is primarily intended for patients with physical disabilities, elderly people with mobility or balance problems, or children with some type of failure in motor development. The Halliwick Concep

What are hand problems? The most common hand problems include: Carpal tunnel syndrome: compression of the nerve that passes through the wrist, causing frequent numbness of the fingers, tingling and pain Injuries: including fractures, torn ligaments, and dislocations Osteoarthritis: a degenerative disease that affects joints and cartilage. The cartilage that cushions the joints breaks

What is osteoarthritis of the hand? Hand osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition, resulting in join pain, stiffness, and swelling in the hand. It most commonly occurs in the wrist, fingertips (DIP joint), middle knuckle (PIP joint), and the basilar joint (which connects the thumb and wrist). Osteoarthritis is where the cartilage that cushions the bones at the joints w

What is a hand fracture?   A hand fracture, or broken hand, affects one or more of the bones found in the hand. It occurs when the bone(s) break or crack, often as the result of a fall or through sporting activity. A fracture can be simple, involving only a few fragments of bone, or it can be more complex, involving multiple fragments. Fractures can also be closed, meaning there is no b

What are hand injuries? There are many different types of hand injuries, most of which occur due to trauma, but some also occur due to over-exertion or compression. Injuries can occur to the bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and skin of the hand, wrist and fingers, and different treatments are needed for different injuries. Some common types of sudden hand injury include: Breaks and frac

What is hand nerve repair surgery? Hand nerve repair surgery is a complex and delicate surgical procedure that aims to reconnect any torn or broken nerves in the hand. The nerves in our hands originate in our necks, travel over the shoulders and into our fingers. There are three main nerves that allow us to sense touch, feel pain and notice hot and cold temperatures, as well as stimulate m