Medical Terms

Medical terms can seem like a foreign language to many of us, but understanding them is crucial for navigating healthcare confidently. From deciphering a diagnosis to understanding a treatment plan, being familiar with medical vocabulary makes a significant difference in our health journey. Knowing medical terms empowers us to communicate better with healthcare providers, ensuring we make informed decisions.

List of Medical Terms

Let’s dive into the world of medical terms together. Here are some common medical terms and abbreviations that we might encounter:

1. AC: Ante cibum, or “before meals”
2. ADR: Adverse drug reaction
3. BP: Blood pressure
4. CBC: Complete blood count
5. A: “Without” or “lack of”
6. QD: Once daily
7. BID: Twice daily
8. PRN: As needed
9. Cardio: “Heart” (e.g., cardiology)
10. Neuro: “Nerve” (e.g., neurology)
11. Gastro: “Stomach” (e.g., gastroenterology)
12. Hypertension – High blood pressure
13. Myocardial Infarction – Heart attack
14. Diabetes Mellitus – A group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood
15. Cerebrovascular Accident – Stroke
16. Cholecystectomy – Surgical removal of the gallbladder
17. Nephrectomy – Surgical removal of a kidney
18. Osteoarthritis – A type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down
19. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – A digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter
20. Hepatitis – Inflammation of the liver
21. Pneumonia – Infection that inflames air sacs in one or both lungs
22. HR – Heart Rate
23. CBC – Complete Blood Count
24. EKG/ECG – Electrocardiogram
25. BMI – Body Mass Index
26. CT – Computed Tomography
27. MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
28. IV – Intravenous
29. Rx – Prescription
30. Tx – Treatment
31. Dx – Diagnosis
32. Fx – Fracture
33. NPO – Nil Per Os (nothing by mouth)
34. SOB – Shortness of Breath
35. Anemia – A condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues
36. Bronchitis – Inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes
37. Cystitis – Inflammation of the bladder
38. Dermatitis – Inflammation of the skin
39. Epilepsy – A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions
40. Fibromyalgia – A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain
41. Gastritis – Inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach
42. Hyperlipidemia – High levels of lipids (fats) in the blood
43. Meningitis – Inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord
44. Osteoporosis – A condition in which bones become weak and brittle
45. ADL – Activities of Daily Living
46. BUN – Blood Urea Nitrogen
47. CABG – Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
48. DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis
49. GI – Gastrointestinal
50. HCT – Hematocrit
51. LFT – Liver Function Test
52. NG – Nasogastric
53. PCP – Primary Care Physician
54. RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
55. TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack (mini-stroke)
56. UA – Urinalysis
57. VTE – Venous Thromboembolism
58. WBC – White Blood Cell
59. XR – X-Ray
60. BLS – Basic Life Support

Let’s keep these terms in mind as we navigate the healthcare environment. Understanding these can help us communicate better with healthcare professionals and understand our health better.

Common Medical Terms with Meanings

Chronic: A disease or condition that lasts for a long time or keeps coming back. Examples include asthma and arthritis.

CT Scan: Computed Tomography scan. This imaging method uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the inside of our body.

Comorbidity: Having two or more diseases or medical conditions at the same time. For example, someone might have diabetes and heart disease.

NAD: Nothing Abnormal Detected. Doctors often use this term when they don’t find any issues during an examination.

SNT: Soft, Non-Tender. This term typically describes the condition of our abdomen when it’s examined and there’s no pain or hardness.

Let’s also go over some common abbreviations and acronyms:

• AC: Ante cibum, which means “before meals.” It’s often found on medication instructions.
• ADR: Adverse Drug Reaction. This refers to any harmful or unexpected reaction to a medication.
• SLR: Straight Leg Raise. This is a test done to check for problems in our lower back or sciatic nerve.

Common Medical Terms with Pictures

SSRI Meaning

SNRI Meaning

TBI Meaning

CTE Meaning

BPD Meaning

ASD Meaning

Aphasia Meaning

PCOS Meaning

IVF Meaning

BAC Meaning

ASOP Meaning

DNR Meaning

Confusing Medical Terms with Pictures

Prednisone vs. Prednisolone

Venomous vs. Poisonous

Catabolic vs. Anabolic

Purine vs. Pyrimidine

Prozac vs. Zoloft

HSA vs. PPO

HMO vs. PPO

PPO vs. EPO

Poison vs. Venom

Plaque vs. Tartar

Phenylephrine vs. Pseudoephedrine

Paramagnetic vs. Diamagnetic

Diverticulosis vs. Diverticulitis

Nutritionist vs. Dietician

Brown Fat vs. White Fat

Morbidity vs. Mortality

Genotype vs. Phenotype

Epidemic vs. Pandemic