Medical dictionary

What is liver disease?   Hepatic or liver diseases are those which affect the liver tissue and disrupt the liver function. Loss of liver function can greatly impact the body. There are many different types of liver diseases that have various causes such as infections, genetic conditions, or substance misuse. Liver diseases can lead to more serious complications, that can be life threa

What is a liver function test?Liver functions tests help diagnose and monitor liver disease by testing the blood.The tests measure the level of certain proteins and enzymes in the blood. Certain enzymes are released by the liver when it is damaged or diseased, and therefore it is helpful to measure these as an indicator. The same can be said for measuring proteins, such as bilirubin, which is a bl

What is liver surgery? Liver surgery is the group of surgical procedures used to treat various liver problems, such as: Cirrhosis Liver cancer Hepatitis B and C Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)   The liver is the organ that is responsible for: Producing bile which helps the body to absorb fats and cholesterol. Removing toxins and bacteria from the blood. P

When is a liver transplant required? The liver is a major organ, with the main function of filtering the blood that goes around the body and producing bile that breaks down foods in the small intestine. If the liver becomes so diseased or damaged that it cannot heal, known as liver failure, then it may be necessary for it to be transplanted with a replacement healthy one. What are the ma

What is malnutrition?Malnutrition is the result of following an unbalanced diet in which there is a lack of nutrients or the intake of nutrients is not proportionate. Malnutrition increases the risk of infection and disease.What are the symptoms of malnutrition?The main symptoms of malnutrition are:Major weight lossLoss of muscle massWeak and brittle hair and nailsProlonged diarrhoeaTiredness and

What is morbid obesity? Obesity relates to being overweight and having excessive body fat. The most common method used to determine if a person is obese is known as the body mass index (BMI) calculator. This tool is used to measure whether your weight is within a healthy range in relation to your height.   A person who is morbidly or severely obese will have too much body fat for the

What is a nasal endoscopy? A nasal endoscopy is a multifunctional exploratory procedure performed at the otorhinolaryngologist’s clinic to examine the nose, neck and larynx. It is carried out using a flexible fibre-optic instrument with a cold light source, a camera and a monitor. This allows for an easy and direct exploration of cavities in the body that are normally difficult to see.

What are neuroendocrine tumours? Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a rare form of tumours that appear in the cells of the endocrine cell system. They can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). There are different types of NETs, and the symptoms range from breathing difficulty, digestive disorders or hormone imbalances.   Where do neuroendocrine tumours appe

What is it? Nutrition and dietetics is a medical field studying the characteristics and qualities of food, assessing how nutrients are assimilated by the body and diagnosing their nutritional state. This field also studies how to prevent and treat several conditions associated with your diet and nutrition. Nutrition and dietetics specialists can prescribe the best diet for you based on your ind