Medical dictionary

What is the flu vaccine?   The flu vaccine stimulates the body to produce antibodies that will protect against infection by the flu (short for “influenza”) virus.   Flu is a respiratory infection caused by different viruses. The majority of the population overcomes flu without the need for treatment and symptoms generally clear by themselves in around a week,

What are food allergies?Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. The body mistakenly produces an antibody when a specific food that triggers the allergy has been consumed. The antibodies start a process that releases histamine for the body to fight what it thinks is invading it. Finding out which foods are causing the symptoms can be difficul

What is food intolerance?Food intolerance is the adverse reaction of the body to the intake of certain foods. It refers to a difficulty digesting particular foods. Food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy. The latter triggers a much more rapid reaction in the immune system which is dangerous to the health. Food allergies cause hives, eczema, swelling and difficulty breathing, so it is u

What is the FUE hair transplant? The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant technique is a treatment designed to help people add more hair to the areas on their head that are thinning or balding due to excessive hair loss. The technique involves extracting follicular units from genetically stronger areas of the hair, one by one, and implanting them in hairless areas of the s

What are genital warts?Genital warts (also known as condyloma) are a common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI), manifesting as small growths or lumps, usually pink in colour, around the genitals. They frequently occur in clusters, although sometimes there may be only a single wart. Spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or (occasionally) oral sex, genital warts are

What is geriatric medicine? Geriatric medicine is a growing medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of older people. Older age involves a distinct set of challenges. Many older people are living with multiple long-term conditions and are much more vulnerable to a range of problems. Your reactions to medication also changes in older age. A geriatrician is a specialist wh

What is a gynaecological examination?A gynaecological examination is done to assess the overall health of the female reproductive system. During the exam, the gynaecologist will look at the external and internal reproductive organs, as well as at the breasts, to determine whether there are any problems or conditions present.  What does a gynaecological examination involve?During a gynaec

What is a hair transplant?Hair transplantation, sometimes known as a hair graft, is mainly a cosmetic treatment that involves restoring a head of hair using donated hairs which are implanted onto the rest of the scalp. Patients with hair loss and baldness are increasingly turning to hair transplant treatments. There are two main types of hair transplant surgery: follicular unit extraction (FU

What is a health check-up (health screening)? A public (NHS) health assessment is a free check-up of a patient’s overall health. It is recommended to have one every five years if a person is aged between 40 and 74 and without a pre-existing condition. A health assessment is a preventative measure to help find health problems before they start. They can also tell whether a person is at ris