Medical dictionary

What is cerebrovascular disease? The word cerebrovascular is made up of two parts, in which ‘cerebro’ refers to the large part of the brain and ‘vascular’ refers to the arteries and veins. The term cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that can lead to a cerebrovascular event, such as a stroke or a mini-stroke, an ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic

What is analysed in a ceruloplasmin test? The ceruloplasmin test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in a blood sample. Copper is an essential mineral needed by your body for energy production, blood vessels, and melanin. What does the result mean? The result indicates the amount of ceruloplasmin present in the blood. Altered values may be related to conditions involving too much or

What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Most cases of cervical cancer are as a result of an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed on through sexual contact with a man or a woman.  There are more than 100 strains of HPV but two

What is a cervical cerclage? A cervical cerclage, sometimes referred to as as cervical stitch, is a small operation to reinforce the cervix with stitches and keep it closed during pregnancy. Why is it done? The cervix normally remains closed during pregnancy until the baby comes to term and the mother’s waters break. However, the pressure caused by a growing baby can sometimes c

What is the cervical spine? The cervical spine, also known as the neck region, is a part of the spinal column or backbone. It is made up of seven vertebrae (small spinal bones) in the neck, as well as intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons and muscles.   What causes cervical spine pain? Cervical spine pain, or neck pain, can be caused by a number of different factors. One of

What is cervicitis? Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix caused by either an infection or irritant. The cervix is the opening to the uterus, located at the top of the vagina. Cervicitis often results from STIs, but can also result from non-infectious causes. To treat cervicitis, it is important to determine the specific cause first. What are the symptoms of cervicitis? Women w

What is continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs)? A continuous glucose monitor is a small device used by people with type 1 diabetes, which enables them to check their sugar (glucose) levels at any time. It allows diabetics to follow patterns and trends in their levels and sends an alert if the glucose is too high or low.   What is a continuous glucose monitor? The device can be w

What is a chalazion? A chalazion is a benign, painless bump or nodule that forms on the upper or lower eyelid when a meibomian gland becomes blocked. Meibomian glands are oil-producing glands located in the eyelids, and they secrete oils that help lubricate the surface of the eye and prevent the tears from evaporating too quickly. When one of these glands becomes blocked, it can lead to the acc

What is chemoembolization? Chemoembolization, also known as trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), is a treatment that aims to shrink a cancerous liver tumour, so it is small enough to be removed surgically. Chemoembolization focuses a large dose of chemotherapy directly on a tumour which reduces the blood supply to the tumour, causing it to shrink. Why is chemoembolization done? Ch