Medical dictionary

What is postpartum osteopathy? Postpartum osteopathy is osteopathic treatment focused on attending to the needs of a woman following the birth of her child. Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine where an osteopath detects, treats and prevents health problems by stretching and massaging the patient’s muscles, joints and connective tissues. The techniques and non-invasive treatmen

What is post-polio syndrome? Post-polio syndrome is a rare neurological condition which can affect people who have been affected by polio in the past. It involves symptoms of polio returning years or even decades (10 – 40 years) after the original polio infection. Because polio was wiped out in the UK in the 1980s, post-polio syndrome only affects older adults who contracted polio earl

What is post-thrombotic syndrome?   Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a complication of chronic (long-term) deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the leg. A blood clot in a leg vein can cause inflammation, and can damage the valves in the blood vessels which prevent blood from flowing backwards. This leads to a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) describes a set of symptoms that appear after experiencing a traumatic or catastrophic event. Those who experience PTSD have difficulty overcoming an unpleasant experience. These symptoms lead to an alteration of physical life to such an extent that leading a normal life becomes very difficult.  

What is posturography? Posturography is a test that measures and assesses a patient's balance function using a computerised platform. It can be carried out in-clinic by an ENT specialist and usually takes around 20 minutes. What does posturography consist of? Posturography involves placing the patient on a platform and measuring their movements. The platform may be static, or it m

What is being analysed? Potassium levels in the body are being analysed. Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and maintaining fluid balance. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of potassium in the bloodstream. Abnormal potassium levels can

What is PoTS syndrome? PoTS syndrome is a condition where your heart beats significantly faster when you become upright from a seated or lying position. Many of us will experience an elevated heart rate when standing up, but in patients with PoTS syndrome, the heart carries on beating faster for a sustained period of time. Unlike many heart conditions, however, PoTS syndrome does not involve an

What is analysed? Prealbumin is a protein produced mainly by the liver that helps transport thyroid hormones and vitamin A throughout the body. The prealbumin test measures prealbumin levels in the blood. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of prealbumin in the blood. Prealbumin levels serve as a marker of nutritional status, with lower levels typically i

What is precocious puberty?   Precocious puberty is when a child’s body begins changing into that of an adult before the age of eight in the case of girls, or the age of nine in the case of boys.   It’s not always clear what causes precocious puberty, but sometimes diagnosis can reveal an underlying cause, such as a genetic disorder or tumour. Precocious pube