Medical dictionary

What is being analysed in this test? Aminoglycoside antibiotics are potent medications used to treat serious bacterial infections. The analysis involves measuring the concentration of these antibiotics in a patient's blood serum or urine.   What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of aminoglycoside antibiotics present in the sample. This informatio

What is being analysed? Ammonia is a chemical compound found in the blood and produced when proteins break down. The analysis of ammonia measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. What does the result mean? High levels of ammonia in the blood can be a sign of liver or kidney problems, metabolic disorders, or a severe infection. Low levels of ammonia in the blood are less common and

What is amnesia? Amnesia is a disease that is characterised by memory loss. Facts, information, and experiences can be forgotten, but generally people suffering from amnesia still know who they are. Amnesia can be temporary (transient global amnesia) or it can be permanent. Amnesia can result from damage to the brain through injury or illness. Dissociative amnesia, however, can result fro

What is amniocentesis? Amniocentesis is a test sometimes performed during pregnancy to check for genetic or chromosomal conditions in the baby. To do so, a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken. This is the fluid that surrounds the unborn baby in the uterus. This test can test for Down’s syndrome, for example. An obstetrician or gynaecologist will carry out this procedure. Wha

What is it? An amputation is the surgical removal of a part of the body, such as a whole limb or a portion of it, when other procedures have failed or are not possible due to your general state of health. In modern medicine, amputations are a last resort measure to be used when other treatments are not successful.  Why is it done? An amputation may be necessary under the follo

What is being analysed? The amount of amylase in the blood or urine is being analysed. What does the result mean? The results of amylase values should be evaluated by a doctor along with the symptoms presented by the person so that the cause of their alteration is diagnosed and the appropriate treatment is indicated. Why are amylase levels analysed? The serum amylase test is

What is amyloidosis? Amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in organs and tissues. These proteins are known as amyloids and can hinder tissue and organ function. This disease can affect the intestines, the tongue, the skeletal and smooth muscles, ligaments, skin, liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, nervous system and digestive tract. Amyloidosis can cause serious d

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease. It is a disease of neurones in the brain, the brain stem, and the spinal cord that control the movement of voluntary muscles, leading to disability. ALS attacks the motor neurones, which are the longest cells in the body connecting electric signals from the brain to muscles. The cells do not

What is anaemia?   Anaemia is a condition in which there is a low concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells, or a deficiency in the number of red blood cells themselves. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the rest of the body, and haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the blood its red colour and binds to oxygen molecules, allowing red bl