If You Know Any of These Medical Terms, You Could Be a Nurse

We all know someone who struggles with inflammation of joints. In fact, scientists state that 19% of adults will experience some issues with joint inflammation in their lives. The cause for it could be genetics, previous injuries, or severe allergies.

There are factors that increase joint inflammation, including alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of fine motor skill exercise, extremely cold weather, and overuse of sensitive joints. People who suffer from joint inflammation also need to take their hydration seriously because dehydration can boost inflammation immensely.

The medical term for joint inflammation is arthritis. Fortunately, various treatment options are available — including oral medication, herbal ointments, dietary adaptations, and lifestyle changes. People no longer need to suffer the discomfort of arthritis.

Depending on which area of the body is suffering from arthritis, body braces can help ease the symptoms. Arthritis is mostly experienced in the wrists and fingers, so wearing special padding when using the hands can help.

We all know that the medical world has its own language. While those with a medical background can easily decipher the terms, the rest of us struggle. The prefix is often used in important medical terms — including hemoglobin, hemochrome, and hemoconcentration.

Interestingly, the prefixes hem and hemato also relate to the same thing in medical terms. Therefore, when you hear words with these three prefixes, know that they’re related. There are long lists of medical terms that begin with these three prefixes.

You’re correct if you thought ‘hemo’ had something to do with blood. Whenever you see this prefix attached to a word, know that it’s blood-related. Hemoglobin, for example, is a protein that makes blood rich in oxygen.

Hematology is the study of blood. We all know how important blood is to our survival. Our blood makes up 8% of our body weight. 55% of this weight is made up of plasma. The other 45% is made up of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.

We’ve heard words like epidermis or dermatology. If you’ve ever visited a dermatologist’s office, you’d know that the doctor carefully examines your skin. Skin problems can lead to other conditions, including Crohn’s Disease and diabetes.

Eczema is the most common skin issue affecting people of all ages. It can be caused by a genetic problem, allergy, humidity, or sensitivity to hygiene products. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the eczema.

The root word ‘derm’ refers to anything related to our skin. We often don’t consider our skin an important body part, but it’s vital to our survival and can regenerate itself every 28 days! An adult’s skin can weigh up to 20 pounds.

Our skin is our body’s biggest organ, making up to 15% of our body weight. The skin is made up of collagen, blood vessels, and sweat glands. Amazingly, our bodies contain more than 10 miles of blood vessels.

The idea of needing to have something surgically removed can be frightening. However, these days, most surgical removal procedures are considered minor surgeries. Removal of the appendix is the most common surgical removal procedure.

While having your appendix removed isn’t an extensive or lengthy procedure, it can be complicated if the appendix has ruptured. In that case, the procedure will no longer be considered minor surgery. The recovery time will also be affected.

While doctors will never remove a body part or section unnecessarily, if a doctor feels that the body is being harmed, removal will be considered. The suffix for a procedure like this is ‘-ectomy.’ An appendectomy, for example, is the removal of the appendix. Some dental procedures can also be classified as surgical removal procedures.

Some dentists need to surgically remove wisdom teeth if they’re positioned in a way that they can’t be pulled. If the procedure is pretty straightforward, a local anesthetic will be administered. For more complicated cases, the patient will be put under surgical anesthesia.

Unfortunately, abnormal medical conditions exist, and they can be tricky to diagnose and challenging to treat. Luckily, the medical field continues to improve, increasing the odds that people with abnormal medical conditions can be helped.

An example of an abnormal medical condition is Methemoglobinemia. It’s a rare condition where the body has irregular iron levels. It can lead to patients having a bluish color. The condition can’t go untreated, as it can lead to seizures, brain damage, and lung disease.

The suffix for abnormal medical conditions is ‘-osis,’ as in osteoporosis. This condition involves the abnormal thinning and weakening of bones. It’s a difficult condition to treat because it also involves the body’s struggle to take in minerals and vitamins.

Tuberculosis is another abnormal condition. This infectious disease affects the lungs and causes unusual lung complications. It’s a very problematic health complication because it’s contagious and caused by bacteria.

High blood pressure can be hazardous because it can lead to other health complications — including strokes, brain damage, cardiovascular stress, and heart attacks. That’s why it’s vital to have yours checked regularly.

Part of the problem with high blood pressure is that most people aren’t even aware that they have it. People used to believe that high blood pressure caused headaches and nosebleeds, but scientists have proved that it’s not true. Instead, high blood pressure usually goes unnoticed until it is too late.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your blood pressure regular. This includes following a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and minimizing stress.

If you are wondering how often you should have your blood pressure checked, it depends on your age. People younger than 40 should have theirs checked every two years, while those older than 40 should have it checked every year. People with chronic conditions should have their blood pressure checked monthly.

Our bodies are made up of 11 systems that work harmoniously to keep us going daily. These include our nervous, circulatory, skeletal, and respiratory systems. If one of these systems doesn’t function well, our organs experience stress.

Hypoxemia is the condition where the blood isn’t sufficiently oxygenated. This can lead to several health complications — including disorientation, irregular or rapid heartbeat, wheezing, and a bluish discoloration on the face, hands, and feet.

Our respiratory system, which includes our airways and lungs, is responsible for keeping our blood oxygenated. A well-functioning respiratory system keeps the blood rich with oxygen and quickly expels carbon dioxide from the body.

If you’re wondering how you can keep your respiratory system in tip-top shape, there are a few things you can do. Regular exercise is a great way to get your blood pumping and your oxygen levels regulated. It’s also best to avoid smoking. Getting enough sleep also helps.

When we are on medication, timing is crucial to ensure that it is effective. That’s why pharmacists should discuss the times that we should take our medicine. While some medications, such as pain medication, can be taken at any time, others must be taken at a specific time.

Some medications must be taken after meals to ensure you don’t feel nauseous; others should be taken on an empty stomach. It’s essential to know which of these your medication is because taking it differently than prescribed can prolong your recovery time and decrease your medication’s effectiveness.

If you see the letters AC on your medication, know that the medicine is meant to be taken on an empty stomach. AC is Latin for before meals. ‘Ante cibum’ means the medication should be taken before enjoying any food or drinks.

If you see the words ‘hor decub,’ know that you are meant to drink your medicine at bedtime. This is usually given when patients are suffering from symptoms that will keep them from having a good night’s rest. If you’re unsure, asking your pharmacist about your prescription is always a good idea.

Often, we take the action of easy breathing for granted. When people have difficulty breathing, this can lead to all kinds of complications — including stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and lung complications.

Some people suffer from sleep apnea, which happens when people stop breathing while they’re sleeping. Naturally, it’s a horrible way to be dragged from your slumber. Medical professionals advise those who suffer from sleep apnea to sleep on their backs while wearing a mouth guard.

Dyspnea refers to the extreme shortness of breath. There are a few possible causes when someone is suffering from dyspnea. Severe anxiety, heart conditions, anemia, or asthma can cause it. It can also be a sign of a respiratory infection.

While it’s often not a cause of grave concern, if the shortness of breath doesn’t improve in a week’s time, it’s advised to go for a check-up. Finding the cause can also help alleviate the discomfort of being out of breath.

We all know that medical terms have a strong Latin influence. In fact, most medical terms come from Latin or Ancient Greek. Sometimes, patients will be advised to avoid eating or drinking anything. This is known as ‘Nothing by Mouth.’

The duration of this medical fasting will depend on the reason behind it. Sometimes, people are asked to fast from midnight if they have blood tests done in the morning. This is so that their food consumption will not affect their blood sugar levels. Sometimes, the time of fasting can be as little as an hour.

The abbreviation for this phrase is NPO, which came from ‘nil per os,’ the Latin phrase with the same meaning. The most common reason for NPO is an upcoming surgery. Due to safety concerns, people are expected to avoid food or drink consumption before going under the knife.

Amazingly, the idea of nil per os dates back to the 1800s and is still popular today. This is because the body can react unpredictably when exposed to medically induced stress. Fasting can help minimize unexpected complications for the patient.

This unpleasant chronic condition occurs when the body fails to prevent stomach acid from flowing back towards the esophagus. It can cause discomfort and extreme heartburn. Fortunately, doctors can effectively treat the disease.

There are many things that people who have reflux problems can keep in mind to help avoid flare-ups. It’s best to avoid spicy or rich food. It’s also best to avoid drinking or smoking excessively. Adequate hydration is also crucial for minimizing reflux issues.

Medical professionals refer to this condition as GERD, and while the disease causes discomfort, there are grave concerns if it’s left untreated. When stomach acid flows freely, it can damage the body. That’s why GERD needs to be treated.

Clear symptoms can indicate GERD, including severe burning of the chest or throat, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pains, and regurgitation of drinks or food. People who regularly have these symptoms should visit their doctor for a checkup.

Our bodies are complex systems that operate using many different methods. Many body parts — including the neuron, spinal cord, and brain — are involved in establishing successful homeostasis.

These body parts are responsible for regulating our thoughts, sensations, essential physiological actions, and how we move. One system regulates all of this with the help of electrical signals. Interestingly, we have two systems that can communicate in the body.

The endocrine system and the nervous system are the two types of communication systems in the body. While the endocrine system is hormonal and uses chemical signals, the nervous system uses electrical systems and chemicals to communicate.

We should never take a healthy nervous system for granted. There are several symptoms that may indicate an unhealthy nervous system — including changes in mood or behavior, struggling to remember, reason, or think, experiencing a pins-and-needles sensation, and seizures.

In the medical world, body functions that are either too fast or too slow can be very concerning. Take your heartbeat rate, for example. The average heart rate is between 60 and 100 per minute. Of course, our heartbeat rate is affected when we’re active or when we rest.

If our heartbeat rates go below 60 beats per minute, they’re considered too slow. This can lead to several health complications, including dizziness, weakness, lack of energy, heart palpitations, and memory problems. If you wake up and yours is below 60, wait a few minutes just to be sure.

The prefix brady refers to things that are abnormally slow because of medical complications. Bradycardia is a heart condition in which the heart beats much slower than the standard heart rate. Most often, it’s caused by scarred tissue in the heart caused by heart disease.

Not all cases of Bradycardia are treated the same way. In fact, if the patient isn’t showing any extreme symptoms or discomfort, it might not even be treated. In severe cases, patients will be hospitalized so that they can receive intravenous treatment.

Cardio is a root word that we see frequently because it’s featured in health, medical, and fitness topics. When someone is keen to lose weight, experts suggest that they increase their cardio workout time. We often hear words like cardiovascular or cardiologist.

Since it’s a word that’s often used in hospitals, gyms, and health practitioners’ offices, we can only assume that it’s very important to the body. Could it be the brain, the kidneys, the heart, or perhaps our bones?

Cardio refers to the heart. It’s no surprise that our hearts are one of the most essential organs. Amazingly, our hearts are only the size of a fist. A healthy heart beats about an impressive 115,000 times a day.

The electrical system, our nervous system, controls our heartbeats, and many symptoms that might indicate a problematic heart shouldn’t be ignored. These include extreme exhaustion, unexplained dizziness, unusual anxiety, and tightness in the chest area.

This is a prefix we often see, even in our homes. We have microwaves in our kitchens, and scientists have microscopes in their laboratories. We’re fortunate to have access to outstanding technology that makes our lives so comfortable.

Microbiology is an exciting field because it involves the study of microorganisms. These single-cell organisms are too tiny to see with the naked eye, so scientists need microscopes to examine them. They’re pretty essential for our gut health.

The prefix means small. Objects labeled as microscopic are too small to be seen without the assistance of a microscope. These objects include human cells, viruses, bacteria, algae, and fungi.

An electron microscope is a special microscope that gets its magnification from a beam of electrons. These machines are so powerful that they allow us to explore nano-dimensions. In fact, an electron microscope can allow you to see things that are 100 million times too small for our eyes to see.

Naturally, inflammation is never a good thing, and an inflamed liver is no exception. Good liver function is essential for a proper quality of life because our livers are responsible for many vital functions. The most important role of the liver is to clean the blood of toxins.

When someone has an inflamed liver, they will experience a range of symptoms — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, frequent headaches, and bruising easily. If you experience these symptoms for more than three days, visit a gastroenterologist.

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, and several complications — such as genetic disorders, biliary diseases, certain medications, and sepsis — can cause it. Fortunately, hepatitis is treatable. The method of treatment will depend on the severity.

You can take a few steps to increase the odds of having a healthy liver. These include regular hand washing sessions, routine vaccinations, avoiding toxins, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index.

Ever since we were in school, we’ve heard words with this suffix — including biology, astrology, and geology. What do these words have in common? We continue learning as we go through life. It’s one of the fascinating features that separates us from animals.

As we age, we might hear this suffix more frequently when visiting our doctor. We regularly use words like cardiology, dermatology, and gastrology. Amazingly, 971 words have the suffix logy, so we know it’s an important and expansive term.

The suffix ‘-logy’ means to learn or study. Doctors who have studied the heart are called cardiologists, while dermatology refers to studies of the skin. Since the medical field is all about gathering information and improving, it’s only fitting that this suffix features significantly.

Amazingly, this suffix comes from the Ancient Greek suffix -logia, which carries the same meaning. A fun fact is that hamburgerology refers to McDonald’s methods of training new staff. We can learn anything these days!

Commuted Typography is a complex imaging process that allows doctors to see the internal structures of a patient’s body. If a patient is suffering from unexplained bone or muscle pains, a doctor might recommend doing a Commuted Typography.

Completing this process can form a much more detailed idea than just a physical examination. The process involves taking a series of cross-section X-rays of the area in question. When doctors examine these X-rays, they might find possible causes and treatment options.

We also call this fascinating process a CT scan. Interestingly, medical practitioners are wary of excessive use of CT scans on patients because of the radiation exposure. That’s why doctors do CT scans only once they explore all other avenues of discovery.

There are many benefits to a CT scan. First, it can help determine whether surgery is necessary. Second, it can help establish whether the patient’s condition will deteriorate with time. Third, it can give doctors a better view of just how serious the patient’s condition is.

While white blood cells are essential for good health, an overflow of them indicates a serious underlying health complication. Our white blood cells fight infections and keep us safe from illnesses. However, when they overpopulate, our cells can attack themselves.

A healthy white blood cell count is between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter. If the number is much higher, it could indicate an infection, an autoimmune condition, unnatural stress, unusual medications, a bone marrow issue, or a severe allergy.

Leukocytosis is what we call abnormally high white blood count. Unfortunately, it’s a condition that you must not ignore. Treatment involves finding and treating the cause of the Leukocytosis, which can be a lengthy process.

There are ways to keep your white blood cell counts healthy. Health practitioners recommend regular intake of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, lean protein, yogurt, and nuts. Naturally, living a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise and enough sleep will also help maintain a healthy white blood cell count.

Sometimes, we injure our joints. In extreme cases, the joints have suffered too much damage to mend themselves naturally. In cases like these, surgeons will perform a joint repair procedure. The duration, recovery time, and severity of the procedure will depend on the joint in question.

The most common surgical joint repairs are for the knee, fingers, hip, ankle, elbow, and shoulder. This is because these joints and muscles surrounding the joints are flexed the most in everyday life. This increases the odds of arthritis or injury. It’s important to take care of these joints because they can cause trouble later on in life.

Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that involves replacing or reconstructing a damaged joint. Doctors do this surgery to improve quality of life, decrease discomfort and pain, and restore joint functionality.

Many flexibility exercises improve our joint health. These include yoga, pilates, tai chi, and swimming. Aerobic exercises are also good, but it’s essential to warm up properly before beginning. Following a balanced diet and good hydration also helps a lot.