Medical dictionary

What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemical substances that are administered intravenously or orally to get rid of cancerous cells. It is very common to combine the treatment with other kinds of chemotherapy to fight the cancerous disease from all angles.   Why is chemotherapy used? Chemotherapy is used for different reasons. The main reasons why it is

What are chemotherapy side effects? Chemotherapy may lead to potential side effects concerning the mouth, intestine, skin, hair and bone marrow. These side effects do not affect everyone as they depend on which drug was used for the treatment of the cancer, thus varying with each individual case. Generally, these side effects regard those tissues with a rapid cellular replacement rate (h

What is it?   A chest CT scan is a radiological exam which produces detailed images of the bones and tissues inside your chest. It can be done with or without contrast medium, a liquid which gets clearer images from the scan.   What does it involve?   During the chest CT scan, you will be asked to lie down on a flat bed that passes into the CT scanner. It is import

What is a chest infection? A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or lower large airways (bronchi) which are typically caused by bacteria, viruses, and more rarely other organisms. They cause fever, breathlessness, fatigue, and occasionally coughing up blood. Most chest infections are mild and clear up without medication, whereas some can be severe and life-threatening. Bronch

What is chest pain? Pain in the chest is a pain in the front part of the chest, located between the neck and the upper part of the abdomen, which can be a symptom of various cardiac, respiratory, infectious, nervous pathologies, and osteoarticular or muscular injuries. Sometimes, chest pain may spread to the neck, abdomen, or back. It is a very common pain and may cause different intensi

What is chest pain in children? Chest pain in children can be described as a pain in the child’s chest, in the area around the heart and could have numerous causes from stress, to a muscle injury or a viral infection and in rare instances a heart condition. The pain may be moderate or severe and can occur with activity or without. Children often complain that their “heart

What are chest wall tumours? The chest cavity is an enclosed space which houses several major organs, including the heart, lungs, and oesophagus. The chest wall is made up of the ribcage and diaphragm, the structures of which are flexible enough to move inwards and outwards to permit breathing, while being strong enough to protect the organs inside. Like any part of the body, the chest wall

What is a chest X-ray?   Chest X-rays may be performed for a number of reasons. An x-ray is a quick, painless and effective imaging test that uses low bursts of ionising radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. When performed on the chest, it allows the doctor to examine the heart, lungs, bones, airways, and blood vessels in the chest.     &

What is a Chiari malformation? Chiari malformations are structural defects in the skull and cerebellum - the part of the brain that controls balance. These malformations occur when part of the skull is smaller than it should be, or is deformed, and causes the brain to be pushed down into the spinal canal. This results in pressure and blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which protects t