Medical dictionary

What is costochondritis? Costochondritis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation of the cartilage that joins the upper ribs with the rib cage. The condition causes chest pain, and while it is painful, it is relatively harmless and the pain often goes away on its own without treatment.  Usually affecting adults aged 40 and over, costochondritis doesn't cause permament

What is a cough? A cough can be a voluntary or involuntary action, or reflex, that clears the throat and airways to get rid of irritants, fluids, mucus or microbes. A cough may be a sign of an illness but it will usually go away by itself within three weeks. If a cough is difficult to diagnose then a chest X-ray may be necessary. There are three phases to a cough: the first i

What is haemoptysis? Coughing up blood (the medical term for which is haemoptysis) can be a symptom of a number of conditions. As some of these conditions can be serious, you should consult a doctor if you cough or spit up blood. However, although it is a worrying symptom, it is uncommon for it to be indicative of a serious problem in younger patients w

What is counselling/psychological advice? Counselling is a type of therapy which allows someone to talk through their emotional issues and difficulties with a trained professional. Counselling can help with many different issues, including mental health disorders, medical conditions, frustrating and difficult emotions, and life events (e.g divorce, bereavement). Why should someone s

What is couperose skin? Couperose skin is a condition caused by weakened blood vessels in the face, usually on the cheeks and nose. When we are exposed to heat, the cold, different emotions of stimulants (e.g. alcohol), our skin responds by dilating the blood vessels in our face. This allows blood to flow through them and then closing when needed. However, if these vessels are weakened, they ca

What is being analysed? C Peptide is a blood test that measures the level of C-peptide in the blood. What does the result mean? The result indicates the amount of C-peptide produced by the pancreas. It helps evaluate insulin production by the body. Why do the analysis? C Peptide analysis is done to assess insulin production in individuals with diabetes and to differentiate betwe

What are craniocervical junction abnormalities? Craniocervical junction abnormalities can be either congenital or acquired abnormalities, they're usually found in the occipital bone, occipital foramen and/or in the first two vertical vertebrae. They can cause serious health problems. These abnormalities can generate numerous discomforts and problems that hinder the patient'

What is craniosynostosis? Craniosynostosis is a problem with the growth and development of the skull in childhood. Normally, the skull of a child is made up of a number of plates which fit together but don’t fuse until adulthood. In craniosynostosis, some of these plates fuse early, causing the skull to have an irregular shape. Craniosynostosis is a rare condition, affecting just 1 in

What is analysed?C-reactive (CRP) protein is an acute phase reactant (a protein) produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body.Elevated levels of CRP can occur, for example, because of tissue injury, infection, heart attack, disease, inflammatory disorders, or recent surgery.What does the result mean?The CRP test measures CRP levels in the bloodstream in order to indicate whether t