Medical dictionary

What is an ear infection?An ear infection is when there is a bacterial or viral infection in the part of the internal ear, known as the middle ear. This condition is called otitis media. The space behind the eardrum where the infection starts becomes swollen due to a build up of fluid and often results in pain. Ear infections can be mild, acute, or chronic.  What are the symptoms?Symptom

What is early menopause? Most women begin menopause, which is when the periods stop, between the ages of 45 and 55. Early menopause occurs before age 45 and premature menopause refers to onset before age 40. What are the causes of early menopause? Early menopause occurs naturally if a woman’s ovaries stop making normal levels of certain hormones, including the hormone oestrogen.

What are eating disorders?An eating disorder is when a person has a very unhealthy attitude to food, body weight, or shape. Eating disorders are serious illnesses that can prove fatal if not treated.The most common types of eating disorders are:Anorexia nervosa: When a person tries to keep their body weight as low as possible by not eating enough or exercising excessively, or both.Bulimia: Charact

What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?   An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic test used to measure the rhythm, rate and electrical activity of the heart. The ECG is one of the most important and commonly used tests to investigate certain heart diseases. There are three main types of ECG: Resting ECG – done when the patient is at rest, lying on a table. Stress ECG &ndas

What is endometriosis?Endometriosis is a painful disorder where tissue that usually lines the womb (endometrium) is found outside of the uterus and in other parts of the body.  The tissue appears in the abdomen, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the womb. Other areas for these growths may include:the bladder;bowel; Vagina; cervix, andvulva. In rar

What is facial aesthetics? The natural ageing process, lifestyle factors and the environment all contribute to unwanted wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and uneven skin tones.Facial aesthetics, otherwise known as facial rejuvenation treatments is the term used to describe non-surgical procedures that reduce the signs of ageing on the face.  Why would someone need facial aesthetic tre

What counts as a family history of breast cancer?   If many members of your family have or had cancer, there is a possibility that it may be caused by a faulty gene that might increase your risk of developing cancer. This is known as a family history of cancer.   In the case of breast cancer, genes that may increase the risk are BRCA1 and BRCA2. An abnormal CHEK2 gene may als

What is fatty liver?Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides in liver cells. There are two types:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: it is the most common cause for obesity due to a build-up of fat in the liver cells. There are other factors that can also trigger the disease, such as oxidative stress, the production and release of toxic inflammatory proteins, or necr

What is a fitness plan? A fitness plan is a systematic and detailed model made by an expert in sports medicine to instruct the proper and efficient exercise activities. The aim is to improve the condition, constitution, and nature of the patient's body, taking in:  flexibility;  strength;  power;  endurance;  balance;  agility;  c