Medical dictionary

What are pancreatic cysts? Pancreatic cysts are balloon-like sacs of fluid that grow in or on the pancreas. The pancreas is an important organ involved indirectly in the digestive process. It is located in the abdomen, behind the stomach and it produces many enzymes and hormones. Cysts on the pancreas often cause no symptoms and are normally discovered accidentally during tests carried out

What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland found behind the stomach. The pancreas is key when it comes to the digestion of food, as well as the production of hormones that aid in the processing of blood glucose levels.   There are two types of pancreatitis: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis ref

What is a panic attack?   Panic attacks are episodes of sudden intense fear or anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms, which can peak within minutes. They can last seconds or hours, but most last somewhere between five minutes and 20 minutes. They can occur without warning, even during a previously calm state. The intensity, duration, and number of symptoms that manifest can

What is the papillon treatment? The Papillon treatment, also known as contact radiotherapy or brachytherapy, is an innovative type of radiotherapy primarily developed to treat rectal cancer. Papillon treatment is treated by clinical oncologists.The introduction of this treatment means patients can avoid surgery if the cancer is caught in the early stages. Years ago, patients who were diagnos

What is analysed? Paracetamol analysis measures the concentration of paracetamol in the blood or urine. It helps assess paracetamol toxicity or monitor therapeutic levels in patients receiving treatment. What does the result mean? The result indicates the amount of paracetamol present in the sample. It helps determine if the levels are within the therapeutic range or if there's a

What are paraneoplastic syndromes?        Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes are side effects that are caused by cancer, but are not directly caused by the disease or associated treatment.   Paraneoplastic syndrome is an umbrella term which covers a number of diseases, such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that weake

What is being analysed? Parasites in stool analysis is a diagnostic procedure that involves examining faecal samples to identify the presence of parasites, such as worms, protozoa, or other harmful organisms. What does the result mean? The results of this analysis indicate whether parasites are present in the stool and help identify the specific type of parasites. This information is

What are parasomnias? Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders involving unwanted activity while the patient is asleep, falling asleep or waking up. In most cases, the individual has no memory of what they experienced, with their brain being in a state of sleep at the time.     Types of parasomnia Some of the most frequent and best-known types of parasomnias are:

What is the parathyroid gland? There are four parathyroid glands in the neck, usually attached to the thyroid gland. They control the calcium levels in the blood, which is important for a wide array of functions throughout the body. The most common problem with parathyroid glands is an overactive gland due to a benign tumour called primary hyperparathyroidism. In 90%+ of cases, only one gland