Medical dictionary

What is a hip prosthesis?A hip prosthesis is an artificial joint used to replace all or part of a damaged hip during a hip replacement procedure. The characteristics of the materials used in this type of prosthesis mimic the ball-and-socket action of a natural human joint. Hip replacement is usually recommended in cases of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.  What is a hip prosthesis

What is a hip replacement? A hip replacement is a type of surgery in which a degenerated hip is replaced with an artificial joint. There are different kinds of hip prosthesis which depend on how the affected bones are replaced: total hip replacement revision prosthesis hip resurfacing Why would you do it? A hip replacement is used to alleviate pain and restore function

What is hip resurfacing? Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement which replaces the surfaces of the hip joint and preserves more bone than a total hip replacement surgical procedure. Unlike with total hip replacement surgery, the head of the femur (the ball) is not removed but it is reshaped so that a metal cap is cemented on top of it. The surface of the socket (acetabulum) is replaced wi

What is Hirschsprung's disease?Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. The disease is characterised by the absence of ganglion cells (nerve cells) in segments of the colon, which results in a lack of peristalsis (coordinated muscle contractions that move contents through the intestines) in the affected parts

What is hirsutism?   Hirsutism is the excessive hair growth in women, which develops in areas where men often have hair, such as the face (upper lip, chin, sideburns), neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks and thighs. Some women find the situation distressing and embarrassing to live with.  Hyperandrogenism is the result of hyperandrogenaemia, which is the excessive amou

What is being analysed? Histamine is a natural substance produced by the body's immune system, particularly in response to allergens or injury. The Histamine test measures the level of histamine in the blood. What does the result signify? The result of the Histamine test indicates the concentration of histamine in the bloodstream. Elevated levels may suggest an allergic reaction,

What is histamine?Histamine is a natural chemical that is created by the body and can be ingested in food. It has several roles in the body’s function:Communicating messages to the brainAiding digestion by triggering the release of stomach acidPart of an immune response to injury or in allergic reactionsHistamine occurs in varying levels in many different foods. When ingested, the body uses enzyme

What is being analysed? Histocompatibility testing, also known as HLA testing, analyses human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules to determine the compatibility between donors and recipients for organ or tissue transplantation. HLA molecules play a crucial role in the immune system by distinguishing self from non-self, and any disparities between donor and recipient HLA can lead to rejection of t

What is HIV? HIV, or “human immunodeficiency virus”, is a sexually-transmitted infection which gradually damages your immune system over time, making you less able to fight off disease. Left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV currently affects about 89,000 people in the UK, or 0.16% of the adult population. Every year there are over 4