Medical dictionary

What is a femoral hernia?   A femoral hernia is fairly uncommon and is most commonly found in women. Femoral hernias are found in the groin region and can appear as a painful lump on the inner, upper thigh. The lump can be pushed back in and can sometimes become more prominent when straining or coughing. It is estimated that only 1 in 20 groin hernias are femoral hernias, and are mostly

What is femoroacetabular impingement? Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition in which extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint, which leaves the bones in an irregular shape. As the bones are irregularly shaped and do not fit together, they rub against each other during movement. This can cause damage to the joint, causes a great deal of hip pain, a

What is a femur fracture?   A femur fracture involves the femur, also known as the thigh bone, is the strongest and longest bone in the body, and therefore to fracture this bone can take a lot of force. Hence, car accidents are often a major cause of femur fractures. A femur fracture will very often require surgical treatment.     What are the symptoms of a femur

What is analysed? Iron is an essential mineral and a key component of haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. The ferric metabolism test measures various markers related to the metabolism of ferric iron in the body, including: Serum iron: The amount of iron in the bloodstream. Ferritin: Ferritin is the storage form of iron in cells. Trans

What is being analysed? Ferritin is a protein found inside cells that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. In a ferritin test, ferritin levels in the blood are measured to assess the body's iron stores.   What does the result mean? The result indicates the amount of ferritin present in the blood. Higher levels suggest increased iron stores, while lower leve

What is fertility counselling?   As fertility treatment is a complicated process, counselling is an opportunity for couples to discuss any emotional difficulties, fears and anxieties that they may experience during their journey in becoming parents. Fertility counselling enables couples to talk about their problems and feelings. It may also support couples in helping them to understand

What is fertility preservation? Fertility preservation is the process of collecting, freezing, and storing eggs, sperm and embryos as a way of protecting an individual’s ability to have children in the future. This treatment is particularly relevant for people undergoing medical treatments or facing life circumstances that could impair their fertility, such as cancer therapies,

What is fertility-sparing surgery? Fertility-sparing surgery preserves the female body’s ability to conceive and is usually carried out on cancer patients where this type of surgery is deemed the best option for their case.   Why is fertility-sparing surgery done? Fertility can be damaged by a single cancer therapy session, so sometimes surgery to avoid infertility is

What are fertility tests? If you have been trying to conceive for over a year but have been unsuccessful, it is recommended to have some tests to determine your fertility. These tests can then indicate whether assisted conception measures will help to achieve pregnancy. Fertility tests are carried out on both women and men. What do fertility tests consist of? Fertility tests will us