Medical dictionary

What is conscious sedation?   Conscious sedation involves applying a sedative to relax and an anaesthetic to alleviate pain during a medical or dental procedure. It is often used so that you are less tense, allowing the professional to work more calmly and efficiently. During the procedure, you will remain awake but won’t have the ability to speak. Th

What is constipation?The term “constipation” refers to infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stool. Constipation is usually defined as when a patient makes less than three bowel movements a week. These bowel movements may be difficult, even painful, and the individual may strain themselves trying to go.Occasional constipation is common, and can be related to change of routine, going on

What is astigmatism? Astigmatism is a condition in which the eye is slightly oval-shaped, leading to blurred vision. It is fairly common and is usually treated by an ophthalmologist who will recommend glasses.    What are contact lenses for astigmatism? Many patients with astigmatism believe they cannot use contact lenses, but most, in fact, can. There are several forms of co

What are contact lens related problems? Wearing contact lenses can cause a range of problems, from mild discomfort and blurred vision, to dry eye, an allergic reaction, scratches on the cornea, and corneal infection. Some of these problems can be resolved by replacing the lenses with a new pair, or a pair in a slightly different size. To treat any infections or damage to the eye it is import

What are contraceptive methods? Contraceptive methods prevent or reduce the possibility of pregnancy. They also help to plan the optimal time to have a child. Currently, there are multiple types of contraceptives administered orally, vaginally, as an injection, by subcutaneous, or physical implant. Common contraceptives include the pill, patch, implant, IUD, IUS and condoms. Regarding their

What is Coolsculpting?Coolsculpting is a relatively new fat-reduction treatment which, unlike liposuction, involves no surgery. Coolsculpting kills fat cells by freezing them using a special machine applied to the skin.  Who is Coolsculpting for?Coolsculpting is not a weight-loss procedure for people who are obese. It is a cosmetic procedure, so the best candidate is someone who has a sm

What is analysed? Copper is an essential mineral that plays an important role in the regulation of iron metabolism, the formation of connective tissue, the maintenance of the nervous system, and the production of melanin. The copper test measures the level of copper in the blood, urine, or liver. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of copper in a sampl

What is cornea guttata? The cornea guttata is an ocular condition characterised by the appearance of droplet shaped bulges in this part of the eye. As they affect the corne, which is the main refractive element of the eye that allows clear vision of objects, they can cause vision loss or impaired vision. The cornea guttata is the initial alteration of Fuchs' dystrophy, a corneal disease th

What is corneal cross-linking? Corneal cross-linking, often abbreviated as CXL, is a medical procedure used to treat certain eye conditions, such as keratoconus and corneal ectasia. It involves the application of riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops and ultraviolet (UV) light to strengthen the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye.   How does corneal cross-linking work? D