Medical dictionary

What is bariatric surgery?Bariatric surgery uses a set of techniques and surgical procedures that help fight obesity and improve a patient's health. It is not to be mistaken as cosmetic surgery and does not come without risk, so the specialist must always advise the patient of the best type of treatment and optimal aftercare.The procedures available either limit the amount you eat, reduce your bod

What is Barrett's oesophagus?Barrett's oesophagus (spelt “Barrett’s esophagus” in the US) is a condition in which the tissue that lines the bottom of the oesophagus undergoes a change, usually in response to acid reflux from the stomach. It is a relatively common complication of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).Normally, the oesophagus is lined with squamous epithelial

What are benign breast lumps? A benign breast lump is caused by the excessive growth of normal cells and tissues. The growth is not cancerous; it consists of tissue that helps to support the breast. There are common causes, which include changes in tissue, an infection, injury and medicines. Breast tissue is sensitive to hormone levels that change during the menstrual cycle. The most common typ

What is blepharoplasty? Blepharoplasty, or dark circles surgery, is a plastic surgery operation aimed at correcting eyelid defects and deformities, or to aesthetically modify the region around the eyes. It often involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat that accumulates around the eyes with age, causing sagging and the appearance of bags under the eyes. Why is blepharoplasty done?A

What is a bloated stomach?A bloated stomach is when the tummy is stretched and puffy, leaving a person feeling uncomfortable. The most common cause of a bloated stomach is gas and air, as gas builds up in the digestive tract when undigested food gets broken down, or from swallowing too much air when eating too fast. For some people, it can be from overindulging but for others, there could be an un

What is it? Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, originates from the development of tumour cells in the mucosa of the bowel. Given that the colon and the rectum are connected, the cancer often develops in one area and spreads to the other: that is why it is also called colorectal cancer. It has been estimated that this type of cancer is the third largest cause of death in developed

What is bowel incontinence? Bowel incontinence, also referred to as fecal incontinence, describes an inability to control bowel movements, leading to an involuntary leakage of stool from the rectum. It can range from occasional leakage of small amounts of stool to a complete loss of bowel control. It is thought that as many as one in ten people will experience some degree of bowel inconti

What is a colectomy (bowel surgery)? Colectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all, or the partial sectioning, of the large intestine (colon). The colon is a long tube-shaped organ at the end of the digestive tract. A colectomy may be required to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon. Bowel surgery will be carried out by a specialist surgeon

What is the BRCA gene? The BRCA genes affect the likelihood of which a person may develop cancer. They enable the human body to suppress tumours by producing proteins that correct damaged DNA in our cells.   Mutations of these genes do not give you cancer, but they greatly inhibit the body’s ability to prevent it. They result in tumour suppressing proteins t