Medical dictionary

What is valvular heart surgery?  Valvular heart surgery is a technique used to treat problems or conditions of the heart valves, such as valvular stenosis, which occurs when there is a narrowing or closure of the valve, or valve insufficiency, also known as valve regurgitation, which occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly.   This is an open-heart operation in whi

What is heat therapy? Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, works by applying heat to an affected area to treat damaged muscles, joints or tissues in the body. Its primary use is to help relieve persistent pains associated with muscle stiffness, sensitivity and cramping.   How does heat therapy work? Heat therapy works by increasing the temperature of a particular area to

What is being analysed? Heavy metal testing refers to the analysis of metals and metalloids in biological samples such as blood, urine, or hair. Common heavy metals tested include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and others.   When is it requested? Heavy metal testing may be requested when there is suspicion of heavy metal poisoning or exposure, symptoms of heavy metal toxicit

What are heavy periods? It can sometimes be difficult to know if you have particularly heavy periods because what is normal changes from person to person. However, the following signs would suggest your periods are heavy: You have to get up in the night to change your sanitary products. You need to use more than one sanitary product at once (e.g. both a pad and a tampon). You have to

What is a heel spur? A heel spur is a calcium deposit in the heel produced as a result of excessive and continuous stretching of the plantar fascia, a ligament that connects the heel to the foot. Heel spurs cause the heel bone to protrude very slightly. Some heel spurs are very small and difficult to pick up on an X-ray. What is the outlook for a heel spur? If it is not trea

What is helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylori is a bug or bacterium that causes stomach infections. The bacterium affects two thirds of the world's population. It grows in the mucous layer of the stomach by secreting urease, an enzyme that converts urea (an important chemical compound for metabolism) into ammonia. As a result, it neutralises the acidity of the stomach and creates an

What is hemifacial spasm? Hemifacial spasm is a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions on one side of the face. These spasms typically begin around the eye and then gradually progress to involve other facial muscles, causing twitching or jerking movements. The condition can be distressing and affect one's quality of life, but it is not life-threatening.

What is a heminephrectomy?A heminephrectomy is the surgical removal of part of a kidney. This can be necessary if part of the kidney is damaged or not working properly, but the rest of the kidney can be saved. If too much of the kidney is damaged, the patient may need a total nephrectomy.  Why is it done?Removing the unhealthy part of the kidney helps the remaining part to work bett

What is hemiplegia?   Hemiplegia is paralysis of one side of the body. The most common cause is a stroke, but it may also be caused by, for example, diseases affecting the spinal column or the brain hemispheres. Hemiplegia may be present from birth or develop later in life.     There are four main types of hemiplegia: Cerebral hemiplegia: the cause is a brai