Medical terms simplifier

EMA’s medical terms simplifier gives plain-language descriptions of medical terms commonly used in information about medicines. Communication specialists at EMA use these descriptions for material prepared for the public.

This resource focuses on side effects and other terms used in medicines information and assessments of medicines. It does not include terms that are used only rarely, nor does it cover most disease states or technical terms. 

EMA has developed the definitions in this list to help readers understand medical terms used in our information for the public. It does not provide an exhaustive list of medical terms. Definitions may differ from those given in other medical glossaries.

 

How to use EMA’s medical terms simplifier 

• You can search for a term or click on a letter below to see terms beginning with that letter.
• Each entry contains a short description. For some, a longer or alternative description is available by selecting the term.
• We use ‘< >’ to indicate alternative or optional wording.

EMA’s medical terms simplifier will be updated periodically. For comments or suggestions, you can use our Medical terms simplifier comments form. 

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• 5

• 5-hydroxytryptamine

  also known as serotonin, a neurotransmitter

• Abdomen

  belly

• Ablation

  procedure to burn or remove parts of <tissue> <an organ>

• Ablation, radiofrequency

  destroying cancer cells with heat generated from radio waves

• Abrasions

  grazes

• Abscess

  a swollen area where pus has collected

• Absence seizure

  see seizure, absence

• Acetylcholine

  see neurotransmitter

• Acetylsalicylic acid

  also known as aspirin

• Acid regurgitation

  stomach acid flowing up into the mouth

• Acneiform

  resembling acne

• Acromegaly

  excessive growth particularly of the bones of the hands, feet and face caused by too much growth hormone <from the pituitary gland>

• Actinic keratoses

  <precancerous> abnormal skin growths caused by too much sunlight

• Acute

  <short-lived> <sudden> <short-term>

• Acute coronary syndrome

  <heart> conditions such as heart attack and unstable angina <(a type of severe chest pain)> <caused by blocked blood supply to parts of the heart>

• Acute systemic hypersensitivity reaction

  see hypersensitivity reaction, acute systemic

• Adipocytes

  fat cells

• Adjunct

  add-on

• Adjuvant (vaccines)

  a substance <such as aluminium> that increases the effect of the vaccine

• Administer / administration

  Do not use; use simple verbs such as ‘give’ or ‘take’

• Advanced (cancer)

  has <started to> spread

• Aggregate

  stick together

• Agonist

  a substance that attaches to a receptor (target) and triggers an effect

• Agranulocytosis

  very low level of a type of white blood cell <called granulocytes> <which are important for fighting off infection>

• Akathisia

  a constant urge to move

• Alcohol intoxication

  excessive alcohol consumption

• Alkaloids

  substances that are naturally found in plants

• Allergen

  a substance that causes an allergy

• Allergen challenge

  a test to measure a patient’s reaction to a defined dose of an allergen (the substance that they are allergic to)

• Allergic rhinitis

  see rhinitis, allergic

• Allotransplantation

  when a patient receives cells, tissues or organs from a donor

• Alopecia

  hair loss

• Alveolitis, allergic

  see pneumonitis, hypersensitivity

• Ambulatory

  able to walk

• Amnesia

  memory loss

• Anaemia

  <low levels of red blood cells> <low levels of haemoglobin> <which can cause tiredness and pale skin>

• Anaemia, aplastic

  when bone marrow stops producing new blood cells <causing tiredness, lower ability to fight infection and uncontrolled bleeding>

• Anaemia, haemolytic

  excessive breakdown of red blood cells <causing tiredness and pale skin>

• Anaesthetic

  a medicine <which blocks sensation> used to prevent pain and discomfort <during surgery and medical procedures>

• Anaesthetic block

  see nerve block

• Anaesthetic, general

  a medicine that can be used to prevent pain by making the patient unconscious

• Anaesthetic, local

  a medicine that blocks out sensation to prevent pain in a part of the body <during surgery or other medical procedure>

• Anaesthetist

  a doctor specialised in anaesthesia

• Analgesic

  painkiller

• Analgesic, intraspinal

  painkilling medicine injected into the spine

• Anaphylactic reaction (shock)

  see anaphylaxis

• Anaphylactoid reaction

  sudden, severe allergic reaction <with breathing difficulty, swelling, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, sweating and loss of consciousness>

• Anaphylaxis

  sudden, severe allergic reaction <with breathing difficulty, swelling, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, sweating and loss of consciousness>

• Androgen

  male sex hormone like testosterone

• Aneurysm

  bulging and weakening of blood vessel <wall>

• Angina

  see angina pectoris

• Angina attacks

  sudden pains to the chest, jaw and back, brought on by physical effort and due to problems with the blood flow to the heart

• Angina pectoris

  pains to the chest, jaw and back, brought on by physical effort and due to problems with the blood flow to the heart

• Angina, unstable

  chest pain caused by interruptions in the heart’s blood supply, that can occur at rest <or without an obvious trigger>

• Angioedema

  rapid swelling under the skin <in areas such as the face, throat, arms and legs> <which can be life threatening if throat swelling blocks the airway>

• Angiogenesis

  growth of new blood vessels

• Angiography

  X-rays of blood vessels

• Angioplasty

  a procedure to unblock a narrowed blood vessel <in the heart>

• Anorexia

  loss of appetite

• Anovulation

  when ovaries fail to produce eggs

• Antagonist

  a substance that blocks a receptor (target) and stops other substances attaching to it and triggering an effect

• Antibody

  a protein in the blood that helps the body's defences by identifying and attaching to specific foreign substances including germs; [in relation to a side effect] a protein the body produces that attaches to the medicine <and can affect how well treatment

• Anticoagulant

  a substance that prevents the blood from clotting

• Antiemetic

  a substance that <prevents> <and> <treats> nausea and vomiting

• Antigen

  a specific structure that the body can recognise as 'foreign' and against which it can produce an antibody

• Antihistamine

  a <medicine> <substance> that prevents symptoms of allergy

• Antihypertensive

  blood pressure lowering

• Antioxidant

  a substance that can prevent damage from highly reactive molecules called ‘free radicals’

• Antiplatelet medicines

  medicines that prevent platelets in the blood from clumping and blocking arteries

• Antipyretic

  a medicine for treating fever

• Antiretroviral

  HIV medicine

• Anuria

  when a patient cannot make or pass urine

• Aortic stenosis

  see stenosis, aortic

• Apathy

  lack of interest or energy

• Aphasia

  problems with use of language <including speech, understanding and reading> <because of brain damage>

• Apheresis

  a procedure where blood is passed through an external device that removes <X> before returning the blood to the body 

• Apnoea

  interruption of breathing; see sleep apnoea; obstructive sleep apnoea

• Apnoea, obstructive sleep

  repeated interruption of breathing during sleep due to airways becoming blocked

• Apnoea, sleep

  frequent interruption of breathing during sleep

• Aqueous humour

  the watery fluid in the eye

• Arachnoid

  one of the membranes protecting the spine and the brain

• Arrhythmia
  

  abnormal or irregular heartbeat

• Artery disease, peripheral

  reduced blood flow in arteries of the legs and arms

• Arthralgia

  joint pain

• Arthritis

  pain and inflammation in the joints

• Arthropathy

  damage to the joints

• Ascites

  a build-up of fluid in the abdomen

• Aspergillosis

  an infection caused by a fungus called Aspergillus

• Asthenia

  weakness

• Asymptomatic

  showing no <symptoms> <effects>

• Ataxia

  inability to co-ordinate muscle movements

• Atelectasis

  collapse of the whole or part of a lung

• Atherosclerosis

  a disease in which fatty deposits build up in the arteries <which can cause blockage>

• Atherothrombotic events

  problems caused by blood clots and hardening of the arteries

• Atonic seizure

  see seizure, atonic

• Atony

  lack of normal muscle <strength> <movement> <function>

• Atopic

  linked to an allergy

• Atopic dermatitis

  see eczema, atopic

• Atrial fibrillation

  see fibrillation, atrial

• Atrial flutter

  see flutter, atrial

• Atrioventricular (AV) block

  a type of heart rhythm disorder

• Atrophy

  wasting away of body tissue or organ

• Atrophy, muscular

  muscle wasting

• Attenuated

  weakened

• Atypical absence seizure

  see seizure, atypical absence

• Aura

  unusual visual or other sensory experiences

• Autograft

  healthy <tissue> <bone> <skin> <….> taken from one part of the patient’s body and grafted in another

• Autoimmune disease

  a disease caused by the body's own defence system attacking normal tissue

• Autologous

  <tissue> <cells> from the patient's own body

• Avascular necrosis

  death of bone tissue due to interruption of blood supply

• B cells

  cells in the immune system

• B lymphocytes

  see B cells

• Bacteraemia

  bacteria present in the blood

• Bacteriostatic

  stops bacteria from multiplying

• Bell’s palsy

  weakness in the face muscles

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

  enlarged prostate gland <that is not cancerous>

• Bile

  a fluid produced in the liver that helps to break down fats

• Biliary cirrhosis

  see cirrhosis, biliary

• Bilirubin

  a breakdown product of red blood cells

• Bilirubin (elevated)

  see hyperbilirubinaemia

• Bioequivalent

  two medicines are bioequivalent when they produce the same levels of the active substance in the body.

• Biological medicine

  A medicine made by cells <grown in a laboratory>

• Biopsy

  examination of tissue removed from the body <to check for disease>

• Biowaiver

  an exemption from having to show bioequivalence between the medicine and its reference product

• Blepharitis

  inflammation of the eyelid(s)

• Blood pressure, diastolic

  blood pressure when the heart is between beats <(lower one of the two readings)>

• Blood pressure, systolic

  blood pressure when the heart beats <( higher one of the two readings)>

• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

  a marker for liver and kidney problems

• BMI

  body mass index <a measure of body weight in relation to height>

• Body surface area

  Use: calculated using the <patient / child>'s height and weight

• Bolus injection

  full dose injected in one go <over a few seconds>

• Bone (mineral) density

  a measure of how strong the bones are

• Bone marrow

  spongy tissue inside the large bones <where blood cells are produced>

• Bone marrow transplantation

  See haematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation

• Bradycardia

  slow heart rate

• Breakthrough pain

  flare-up of pain despite ongoing treatment with painkillers

• Bronchi

  airways in the lungs

• Bronchiectasis

  when airways have become weakened and scarred

• Bronchitis

  inflammation of the airways in the lungs

• Bronchoconstriction

  narrowing of the airways <causing breathing difficulty and wheezing>

• Bronchodilator

  a medicine that widens the airways in the lungs

• Bronchospasm

  excessive <and prolonged> contraction of the airway muscles causing breathing difficulty

• Bruxism

  <involuntary> teeth grinding

• Bulimia nervosa

  an eating disorder

• Bulla(e)

  large blister(s) with pus

• Bullous

  blistered

• Bullous eruption

  blisters

• C-reactive protein

  a marker of inflammation

• Cachexia

  muscle wasting with significant weight loss

• Calcitonin

  a hormone <produced by the thyroid gland> that helps to control the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood

• Candidiasis

  thrush, a fungal infection <caused by Candida>

• Cannula

  a thin tube inserted into <the body><a vein>

• Cannula, indwelling intravenous

  a thin tube permanently inserted into a vein

• Capillary leak syndrome

  leakage of fluid from blood vessels causing tissue swelling and a drop in blood pressure

• Capsid

  shell (of a virus)

• Carcinoid syndrome

  symptoms caused by <cancerous> tumours that release substances into the blood <that act on different organs>

• Carcinoid tumour

  a tumour of the endocrine system that produces hormones

• Carcinoma

  a type of cancer

• Cardiac

  heart

• Cardiac arrest

  heart stops beating

• Cardiac arrhythmia

  see arrhythmia

• Cardiomyopathy

  damage to the heart muscle

• Cardiotoxicity

  harm to the heart

• Cardiovascular

  affecting the heart and blood circulation

• Cardiovascular system

  heart and blood vessels

• Cardioversion

  a process that restores the heart's normal rhythm

• Cartilage

  tough, flexible tissue in joints and other areas such as the nose and ears

• Castration

  surgical or chemical prevention of the effects of male hormones <released by the testes>

• Catalyse

  help

• Cataplexy

  sudden muscle weakness and collapse caused by a strong emotion or laughter <in people with narcolepsy>

• Cataract

  clouding of the lens

• Catheter

  a flexible tube inserted into the body

• CD4 T-cells

  white blood cells that are important in helping to fight infections

• Cellulitis

  inflammation of the deep skin tissue

• Central nervous system

  brain and spinal cord

• Central venous catheter

  see central venous line

• Central venous line

  a tube through the skin into a large vein <used for giving medicines and fluids>

• Cerebral

  of <cerebrum, a part of> the brain

• Cerebral oedema

  see oedema, cerebral

• Cerebrospinal fluid

  fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord

• Cerebrovascular accident

  stroke

• Cerebrovascular disease

  disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain

• Cervical cancer

  cancer of the cervix

• Cervical dystonia

  twisting and pulling of the neck and head caused by abnormal tightening of neck muscles

• Cervix

  the neck of the womb

• CHD

  see coronary heart disease

• Chelate

  [explain in text] 'attaches to another chemical to form a 'chelate' that can be removed from the body in the stools'

• Cholestasis

  reduced flow of bile from the liver <because of a blockage>

• Cholestatic hepatitis

  see hepatitis, cholestatic

• Choroid

  the layer below the retina that contains blood vessels

• Chromatopsia

  changes in colour perception

• Chromosomal translocation

  when parts of genes are rearranged between two chromosomes

• Chromosome

  genetic material

• Chronic

  long term

• Chronic renal failure

  see renal failure, chronic

• Chronic stable angina pectoris

  see angina pectoris

• Circumoral

  around the mouth

• Cirrhosis

  <scarring of the liver> <a type of liver disease>

• Cirrhosis, biliary

  liver damage caused by build-up of bile

• Coagulation

  clotting

• Coagulopathy

  problems with blood clotting

• Cognitive

  ability to think, learn and remember

• Colitis

  inflammation in the large bowel <causing pain and diarrhoea>

• Colloidal

  solid particles evenly spread in a liquid

• Colon

  lower part of the gut

• Colonoscopy

  a procedure to examine the large bowel though a tube with a camera

• Colorectal cancer

  a cancer that starts in the large bowel and involves the rectum (the lowest part of the gut)

• Community-acquired infection

  infection that has been caught outside of hospital

• Compensated liver disease

  see liver disease, compensated

• Complete response

  no sign of cancer after treatment

• Compliance

  the ability of patients to stick to their treatment

• Complicated flu

  see flu, complicated

• Complicated infection

  see infection, complicated

• Congenital

  present at birth

• Congestive heart failure

  see heart failure, congestive

• Conjunctiva

  the membrane that lines the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid

• Conjunctivitis

  redness and discomfort in the eye

• Connective tissue

  the tissue that binds and supports the skin and internal organs

• Constriction

  narrowing

• Contraception

  prevention of pregnancy

• Contrast agent

  a compound that helps make internal body structures easier to see during imaging and medical procedures

• Contusion

  bruising

• Convulsion

  an episode of spasm(s) and reduced consciousness

• Cornea

  the transparent layer in front of the eye that covers the pupil and iris

• Corneal opacity

  clouding of the cornea

• Coronary arteries

  blood vessels that supply the heart muscle

• Coronary artery disease

  see coronary heart disease

• Coronary heart disease
  

  heart disease caused by narrowing or blockage of blood vessels supplying the heart muscle

• Corpora cavernosa

  the spongy tissue of the penis

• Corpscular volume

  size of the red blood cells

• Creatine kinase

  an enzyme released into the blood when muscle is damaged

• Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)

  see creatine kinase

• Creatinine

  a breakdown product of muscle <removed by the kidneys>

• Creatinine (elevated)

  a sign of <worsening> kidney problems

• Creatinine clearance

  a measure of how well the kidneys are working

• Crepitation

  unusual crackling sound

• Crohn’s disease

  an inflammatory disease affecting the gut

• Cryotherapy

  freezing

• Crystalluria

  <crystal> particles in the urine

• Cushing’s syndrome

  disorder with signs such as weight gain, fat build-up on the face and bruising caused by too much of <a type of steroid> <corticosteroid> hormone

• Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis

  inflammation of blood vessels in the skin <which may result in a rash or bruising>

• Cyanosis

  skin and lips turning blue <because of a lack of oxygen>

• Cystitis

  <inflammation> <infection> in the bladder <which can cause pain and discomfort when passing urine>

• Cytokine release syndrome

  <life-threatening> condition causing fever, vomiting, shortness of breath, headache and low blood pressure

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis

  a viral infection of the retina, which can cause loss of vision

• Cytopenia

  low number of cells in the blood <or tissue>

• Cytotoxic

  cell-killing or able to kill <dividing> cells <such as cancer cells>

• Dander

  shed skin and hair

• Decompensated heart failure

  see heart failure, decompensated

• Decompensated liver disease

  see liver disease, decompensated

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

  blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg

• Delirium

  confusion

• Deltoid muscle

  muscle covering the shoulder joint

• Delusion

  false beliefs

• Dementia

  loss of intellectual function

• Demyelinating polyneuropathy

  a neurological disorder characterised by progressive weakness and loss of sensation in the legs and arms

• Demyelination

  breakdown of the covering around nerve fibres <which can affect brain activity, muscle control and sensations>

• Depot injection

  a type of injection where the medicine is prepared so that it is absorbed by the body very slowly

• Dermatitis

  inflammation of the skin

• Dermatitis, atopic

  see eczema, atopic

• Dermatology

  the treatment of skin conditions

• Desquamation

  shedding of the upper layers of the skin

• Diabetic foot infection

  infection that occurs in the feet of people with diabetes

• Diabetic ketoacidosis

  a serious complication of diabetes with high levels of ketones in the blood <include relevant symptoms if needed>

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

  damage to the nerves in the extremities that can occur in people with diabetes

• Diabetic precoma

  a dangerous condition that can occur in diabetes

• Dialysis

  technique for removing unwanted substances and excess fluid from the blood <when the kidneys do not work well enough>

• Dialysis, peritoneal

  type of dialysis <involving circulating fluid into the abdomen and then allowing the fluid to flow out>

• Diaphoresis

  excessive sweating

• Diaphragm

  the main breathing muscle under the lungs

• Diastolic blood pressure

  see blood pressure, diastolic

• Digital ulcers

  see ulcers, digital

• Dilate

  widen; expand

• Diplopia

  double vision

• Disease-modifying (drugs or therapy)

  treatment that changes the progress of a <long-term> disease

• Dissociation (psychiatry)

  feeling disconnected from emotions and physical surroundings

• Distension

  swelling

• Diuretic

  a medicine that increases urine production <and reduces build up of water in the body> <and lowers blood pressure>

• Diverticulitis

  a disease affecting the gut

• DNA

  genetic material

• Dopamine

  see neurotransmitter

• Dormant

  inactive

• DRESS (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)

  a severe reaction affecting the skin, blood and internal organs

• Ductus arteriosus, patent

  a condition where the blood vessel that allows blood to bypass the baby's lungs before birth fails to close after birth. This causes heart and lung problems in the baby.

• Duodenitis

  inflammation of the duodenum, the part of the gut leading out of the stomach

• Duodenum

  the part of the gut leading out of the stomach

• Dysaesthesia

  unpleasant and abnormal feeling when touched

• Dysarthria

  difficulty speaking

• Dysgeusia

  taste disturbance

• Dyskinesia

  difficulty controlling movement

• Dyslipidaemia

  abnormal levels of fat in the blood

• Dysmenorrhoea

  period pains

• Dyspepsia

  indigestion

• Dysphagia

  difficulty swallowing

• Dysphonia

  changes in the sound or tone of the voice

• Dysplasia

  presence of abnormal cells <which may become cancerous>

• Dyspnoea

  difficulty breathing

• Dystonia

  involuntary muscle contractions

• Dysuria

  painful urination

• Ecchymosis

  bruise

• Echocardiography

  a diagnostic test where an image of the heart is obtained using ultrasound

• Ectopia lentis

  a disorder where the lens of the eye is in the wrong position

• Ectopic pregnancy

  pregnancy developing outside the womb

• Eczema

  itchy, red and dry skin

• Eczema, atopic

  itchy, red and dry skin in people prone to allergies

• Efficacy

  1) effectiveness; 2) how well <X><a medicine> works in clinical studies

• Ejection fraction

  how much blood is pumped out of the heart in one beat

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  a test of the heart’s <electrical> activity

• Electrolytes

  salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate <in blood and other fluids in the body>

• Embolisation

  a procedure to block a blood vessel <to stop bleeding or to block the flow of blood to a tumour or abnormal cells>

• Embolism

  obstruction of a blood vessel <by a clot>

• Embolism, air/gas

  air or gas bubbles in the blood that obstruct a blood vessel

• Emetogenic

  triggering nausea and vomiting

• Emotional lability

  mood swings

• Empirical treatment

  treatment started on current knowledge until better information is available

• Encephalitis

  inflammation of the brain

• Encephalopathy

  brain disorder caused by a harmful substance or infection

• Encephalopathy, hepatic

  brain damage caused by liver problems

• Encephalopathy, hyperammonaemic

  brain damage caused by high levels of ammonia

• Endocarditis

  infection of the sac around the heart <which can lead to serious heart complications>

• Endocrine

  1) related to <glands that produce> hormones in the body; 2) hormonal

• Endometrium

  the lining of the womb

• Endophthalmitis

  inflammation of the inside the eye <often caused by infections>

• Endoscope

  a flexible device used to look inside body cavities

• Endoscopy

  a procedure that uses a tube with a camera to look inside the body

• Engraftment

  when the cells start growing <and producing normal blood cells>

• Enzyme

  a protein that helps specific chemical processes in the body

• Enzyme replacement therapy

  therapy in which the patient is provided the enzyme that is lacking

• Eosinophil

  a type of white blood cell

• Eosinophilia

  an excess of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell

• Epidemic

  when a disease spreads to a large number of people in a community, region or country

• Epidemiological studies

  studies of the causes and distribution of diseases in the population

• Epidermis

  outer layer of the skin

• Epigastralgia

  pain around the upper part of the stomach

• Epigastric (region)

  upper and middle part of the belly

• Epiphyses

  the growing ends of long bones <which become part of the main bone when growth finishes>

• Epistaxis

  nosebleed

• Erectile dysfunction

  inability to get or keep an erection; impotence

• Erosion

  ulcer

• Eructation

  belching

• Erythema

  reddening of the skin

• Erythropoietin

  hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells <by the bone marrow>

• Event-free survival

  [used in cancer trials] how long patients live without <a complication or sign of disease occurring or coming back> <their disease coming back>

• Exacerbation

  flare-up

• Exercise capacity

  the ability to carry out physical activity

• Exfoliative

  flaky

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

  a technique to oxygenate the blood outside the body using a device similar to a heart-lung machine

• Extrapyramidal side effects/symptoms

  effects on a part of the brain that regulates movement <which may result in tremor, muscle spasms or movement disorders>

• Extravasation

  when a medicine that is normally injected into a vein leaks or is accidentally injected into the tissue surrounding the vein, where it can cause serious damage

• Faecal urgency

  urgent need to open the bowels

• Familial

  runs in the family

• Familial adenomatous polyposis

  formation of numerous growths mainly in the large intestine

• Familial hypercholesterolaemia

  high blood cholesterol levels that run in the family

• Fatigue

  tiredness

• Febrile

  feverish

• Febrile neutropenia

  see neutropenia, febrile

• Ferritin

  a protein that stores iron in the body

• FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second)

  the most air a person can breathe out in 1 second

• Fibrillation

  uncoordinated twitching of muscle <fibres>

• Fibrillation, atrial

  irregular and uncoordinated contractions of the upper chambers of the heart <caused by problems in the flow of electrical impulses> <which may cause <palpitations> <fast heart beat>>

• Fibrillation, ventricular

  dangerous, irregular and uncoordinated contractions of the lower chambers of the heart <caused by problems in the flow of electrical impulses> <which can stop the heart working>

• Fibrinolytic

  dissolves blood clots made out of a substance called fibrin

• Fibroids

  non-cancerous growths in the womb

• Fibrosis

  tissue scarring and thickening

• Fibrosis, pulmonary

  lung damage with tissue scarring and thickening

• Fissure

  tear or crack

• Fistula

  abnormal passageway <between the gut and other organs>

• Flare

  worsening of disease

• Flatulence

  gas

• Flu, complicated

  serious effects of flu generally requiring hospital care

• Flushing

  reddening of the skin

• Flutter, atrial

  rapid contractions of the upper chambers of the heart <caused by problems in the flow of electrical impulses> <which causes strain on the heart because the upper and lower chambers are beating at different speeds>

• Follicles

  small sacs <in the ovary> that hold the eggs

• Folliculitis

  inflammation of hair follicles

• Forced expiratory volume

  the most air a person can breathe out <in one second>

• Forced vital capacity

  a measure of how much air the lungs can hold

• Formication

  a sensation of something crawling on or under the skin

• FVC

  see forced vital capacity

• Gangrene

  decay and death of tissue

• Gastric retention

  when the stomach does not empty properly

• Gastritis

  inflammation of the stomach lining

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

  disease where stomach acid rises up into the oesophagus

• Gastro-resistant

  <tablets> <capsules> that can pass through the stomach intact

• Gastroenteritis

  diarrhoea and vomiting

• Gastrointestinal

  stomach and gut

• Gastrostomy

  inserting a tube through the skin into the stomach; see PEG

• General anaesthetic

  see anaesthetic, general

• Generalised anxiety disorder

  long-term anxiety or nervousness about everyday matters

• Generalised seizure

  see seizure, generalised

• Genotoxic substance

  a substance that is harmful to DNA, the genetic material in cells

• Glaucoma

  damage to the nerve in the eye <usually caused by high pressure in the eye>

• Glaucoma, angle-closure

  damage to the nerve in the eye caused by pressure inside the eye rising rapidly because fluid cannot drain out

• Glaucoma, narrow-angle

  see glaucoma, angle-closure

• Glaucoma, open-angle

  damage to the nerves in the eye caused by high pressure due to clogging of fluid drainage canals

• Glioma

  a type of brain tumour that begins in ‘glial’ cells (the cells that surround and support nerve cells)

• Glossodynia

  burning or tingling sensation in or around the mouth

• Glucose

  sugar

• Gluteal region

  buttocks

• Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)

  the proportion of haemoglobin in the blood that has glucose attached. HbA1c indicates how well blood glucose is controlled

• Gout

  high levels of uric acid in the blood causing symptoms especially painful inflammation in the joints

• Graft versus host disease

  when transplanted cells attack the body <because the transplanted tissue or organ regards the patient’s tissue as ‘foreign’ and attacks the body>

• Granulation

  wound healing

• Granulation, hypertrophic

  excessive production of tissue during wound healing

• Granulocytes

  a type of white blood cell

• Guillain-Barré syndrome

  an immune system disorder that causes nerve inflammation <and can result in pain, numbness, muscle weakness and difficulty walking>

• Gynaecomastia

  abnormal breast enlargement

• Haemagglutination

  clumping of red blood cells

• Haemagglutinins

  <virus> proteins that make red blood cells clump together

• Haematological

  <of> <related to> blood

• Haematoma

  a collection of blood under the skin

• Haematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation

  a procedure where the patient's bone marrow is <cleared of cells and> replaced <by stem cells> <from a donor> <with the patient's own stem cells> to form new bone marrow <that produces healthy cells>

• Haematopoietic progenitor cells

  see stem cells

• Haematuria

  blood in the urine

• Haemodialysis

  procedure for removing waste products from the blood <used in patients with kidney disease> <using a blood filtration machine>

• Haemoglobin

  the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body

• Haemolytic anaemia

  see anaemia, haemolytic

• Haemophilia A

  an inherited bleeding disorder caused by lack of factor VIII

• Haemophilia B

  an inherited bleeding disorder caused by lack of factor IX

• Haemoptysis

  coughing blood

• Haemorrhage

  bleeding

• Haemorrhagic stroke

  see stroke, haemorrhagic

• Haemostasis

  stopping bleeding

• Hallucination

  seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there

• Hand foot syndrome

  rash and numbness on the palms and soles

• Hay fever

  inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergy to pollen

• Heart failure

  when the heart does not pump blood as well as it should <with shortness of breath, tiredness and ankle swelling>

• Heart failure, congestive

  when the heart does not pump blood as well as it should <with build-up of fluid around the heart> <causing shortness of breath, tiredness and ankle swelling>

• Heart failure, decompensated

  when the heart is working less and less well

• Hepatic

  liver

• Hepatic encephalopathy

  see encephalopathy, hepatic

• Hepatitis

  inflammation of the liver

• Hepatitis, cholestatic

  build-up of bile leading to inflammation of the liver

• Hepatomegaly

  enlarged liver

• HER2

  a protein involved in the growth of certain types of breast cancer

• Herpes simplex

  viral infection of the mouth (such as cold sores) or the genitals

• Herpes zoster

  see shingles

• Hirsutism

  excessive hair <in parts where there is usually very little or no hair>

• Histamine

  a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms

• HMG-CoA reductase

  an enzyme in the liver that is needed to make cholesterol

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  see lymphoma

• Hormone

  a substance <released by a gland> that circulates in the blood and helps body organs to work in specific ways

• Hormone treatment

  treatment that blocks or increases the effects of specific hormones

• Hyperaemia

  increased blood flow

• Hyperaemia, ocular

  red eye

• Hyperammonaemia

  high blood levels of ammonia

• Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy

  see encephalopathy, hyperammonaemic

• Hyperbilirubinaemia

  high blood levels of bilirubin<, a breakdown product of red blood cells, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes><, indicating liver problems>

• Hypercalcaemia

  high blood calcium levels

• Hypercalciuria

  high calcium levels in the urine

• Hyperchloraemic acidosis

  excess acid in the blood caused by too much chloride

• Hypercholesteraemia

  high blood cholesterol levels

• Hypercholesterolaemia, primary

  high blood cholesterol levels that have no identifiable cause

• Hyperglycaemia

  high blood glucose levels

• Hyperglycaemic coma

  coma caused by too much blood glucose

• Hyperhidrosis

  excessive sweating

• Hyperkalaemia

  high blood potassium levels <which can cause tiredness, muscle weakness, feeling sick and heart rhythm disturbances>

• Hyperlactataemia

  high blood levels of lactic acid

• Hyperlipidaemia

  high blood levels of fat

• Hypernatraemia

  high blood sodium levels <which can cause thirst, tiredness, confusion and seizures>

• Hyperparathyroidism

  when the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, which raises calcium levels in the blood <and can lead to bone and muscle pain, dehydration, and fragile bones>

• Hyperphosphataemia

  high blood phosphate levels

• Hyperplasia

  enlargement of an organ or body tissue <caused by increased cell division>

• Hypersensitive

  allergic

• Hypersensitivity

  allergic reactions

• Hypersensitivity reaction, acute systemic

  allergic reaction with widespread effects such as shortness of breath, skin rashes and low blood pressure

• Hypertension

  high blood pressure

• Hypertension, ocular

  raised pressure in the eye

• Hypertensive crisis

  sudden, dangerously high blood pressure

• Hyperthermia

  high body temperature

• Hyperthyroidism

  an overactive thyroid gland <which can cause weight loss, nervousness, rapid or irregular heartbeart and tiredness>

• Hypertonia

  muscle tension

• Hypertriglyceridaemia

  high blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat

• Hypertrophic granulation

  see granulation, hypertrophic

• Hypertrophy

  excessive growth;
  increase in the number or size of cells

• Hyperuricaemia

  high blood levels of uric acid

• Hypervolaemic

  when the amount of water in the body is higher than normal

• Hypoacusis

  hearing loss

• Hypoaesthesia

  reduced sensation to touch, pain and temperature

• Hypoalbuminaemia

  low levels of albumin, a blood protein

• Hypocalcaemia

  low blood calcium levels

• Hypoglycaemia

  low blood glucose levels

• Hypokalaemia

  low blood potassium levels <which can cause weakness, muscle cramps, tingling and heart rhythm disturbance>

• Hypomagnesaemia

  low blood magnesium levels

• Hypomania

  feeling excited and overactive

• Hyponatraemia

  low blood sodium levels <which can cause headache, tiredness, fits and coma>

• Hypophosphataemia

  low blood levels of phosphates

• Hypoplasia

  incomplete development of an organ or tissue

• Hypoproteinaemia

  low blood protein levels

• Hypotension

  low blood pressure

• Hypotension, orthostatic

  see hypotension, postural

• Hypotension, postural

  feeling dizzy or lightheaded on standing or sitting up because of a drop in blood pressure

• Hypothalamus

  a region of the brain

• Hypothyroidism

  an underactive thyroid gland <with tiredness, weight gain, and skin and hair changes>

• Hypotonia

  reduced muscle strength or tone

• Hypoxia

  lack of oxygen in body tissues

• Icterus

  see jaundice

• Idiopathic

  the cause of the disease is unknown

• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

  a disease in which people do not have enough platelets and are at high risk of bleeding

• Ileum (ileal)

  last part of the small intestine

• Ileus

  loss of movement in bowel muscles

• Immediate-release tablet

  a tablet that releases the active substance immediately

• Immune reactivation syndrome

  see immune reconstitution syndrome

• Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)

  see immune reconstitution syndrome

• Immune reconstitution syndrome

  when the recovering immune system starts fighting off hidden infection, causing inflammation and damage to healthy tissue <such as the liver and thyroid gland>

• Immune system

  the body's natural defences

• Immunity

  protection

• Immunocompetent person

  person with an immune system that works normally

• Immunocompromised person

  person with a weakened immune system

• Immunodeficiency disorder, primary

  when body defences are reduced from birth

• Immunogenicity

  the ability to make the immune system respond to the <viruses/bacteria etc.>; [in studies] the ability of X to trigger the production of antibodies

• Immunoglobulins

  antibodies; see antibody

• Immunological response

  triggering of the body’s defences against <an organism or a foreign substance>

• Immunomodulator

  a substance that changes the activity of the body’s defences

• Immunosuppressant medicine

  a medicine that reduces the activity of the immune system

• Immunosuppressive

  reduces the activity of the immune system

• Immunotherapy

  medicines that stimulate the immune system <to kill the cancer cells>

• Impetigo

  a skin infection causing crusting scabs

• Inactivated (vaccine)

  see vaccine, inactivated

• Incidence

  the number of people who get the <disease/condition/illness> every <year>

• Incontinence

  lack of control over passing <urine><stools>

• Incontinence, stress

  accidental leaks of urine caused by sudden pressure on the bladder <brought on, for example, by coughing, laughing, lifting and exercising>

• Incontinence, urge

  see urinary urgency

• Indolent

  slow-growing (cancer)

• Induration

  hardening <at the injection site>

• Indwelling intravenous cannula

  see cannula, indwelling intravenous

• Infection, complicated

  infection that is difficult to treat because it has spread within the body or because the patient has other conditions

• Infection, upper respiratory tract

  nose and throat infection

• Infection, urinary tract

  Infection of the parts of the body that collect and pass out urine

• Influenza

  flu

• Infusion

  drip

• Insomnia

  difficulty sleeping

• Insomnia, primary

  insomnia with no identified cause <including medical, mental or environmental causes>

• Interstitial lung disease

  see lung disease, interstitial

• Intra-abdominal infections

  infections within the abdomen (belly)

• Intracranial

  within the skull <in or around the brain>

• Intradermal

  <within><into> the skin

• Intramuscular

  into a muscle

• Intraocular

  into the eye

• Intraspinal analgesia

  analgesic, intraspinal

• Intrathecal

  into the spinal canal <into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord>

• Intravenous<ly>

  into a vein

• Intravitreal

  inserted into the vitreous humour, the jelly-like fluid in the eye

• Intubation

  insertion of a breathing tube through the nose or the mouth

• Intussusception

  when part of the bowel becomes enfolded within another part of the bowel, leading to a blockage

• Invasive disease

  disease <that has spread> <capable of spreading> to other parts of the body

• Invasive procedure

  a medical procedure that may involve piercing or cutting into the body or inserting instruments

• Ions

  charged particles

• Iron overload

  an excess of iron in the body

• Ischaemia

  reduced blood supply

• Ischaemic heart disease

  see coronary heart disease

• Ischaemic stroke

  see stroke, ischaemic

• Jaundice

  yellowing of the skin and eyes

• Kaposi’s sarcoma

  a type of cancer affecting the skin

• Keratitis

  inflammation of the cornea

• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

  dry eyes

• Keratopathy

  damage to the cornea, the transparent layer of the eye

• Ketoacidosis

  a dangerous condition with high blood levels of ketones <that can make blood more acidic>

• Lacerations

  cuts

• Lacrimation

  watery eyes

• Lactate dehydrogenase

  a marker for tissue damage

• Lactic acidosis

  a build-up of lactic acid in the body

• Larynx

  voice box

• Laxatives

  medicines that treat constipation

• Lean body mass

  body weight excluding fat

• Lesion

  injury; abnormality

• Lethargy

  lack of energy

• Leucocytes

  white blood cells

• Leucocytosis

  high levels of white blood cells

• Leucopenia

  low levels of white blood cells

• Leukaemia

  cancer of the white blood cells

• Limb

  arm or leg

• Lipids

  fats

• Lipoatrophy

  loss of fat below the skin <that can change body shape>

• Lipodystrophy (syndrome)

  changes in the distribution of body fat

• Liver disease, compensated

  when the liver is damaged but is still able to work <adequately>

• Liver disease, decompensated

  when the liver is damaged and can no longer work adequately

• Liver impairment

  problems with the liver

• Local anaesthetic

  see anaesthetic, local

• Long QT syndrome

  see QT<c> prolongation

• Low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol

  ‘bad’ cholesterol

• Lower respiratory tract infection

  infection of the lungs such as bronchitis or pneumonia

• Lumbar puncture

  inserting a needle into the lower spine <to test for> <to treat> conditions affecting the spinal cord and brain>

• Lumbar vertebra

  one of the bones in the lower part of the spine

• Lung disease, interstitial

  disorders causing scarring in the lungs

• Luteinising hormone (LH)

  the hormone that triggers the release of eggs during the menstrual cycle

• Lymphadenopathy

  enlarged lymph nodes, or 'swollen glands'

• Lymphatic system

  a network of vessels that transport fluid from tissues through the lymph nodes and into the bloodstream

• Lymphocele

  collection of lymph fluid usually in the lower belly

• Lymphocytes

  a type of white blood cell

• Lymphoma

  cancer of lymphocytes, white blood cells involved in the body’s defences

• Lymphopenia

  low levels of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell

• Lyophilisate

  medicine <or food> that has been dried <by freeze drying>

• Lysis

  cell death

• Macrocytosis

  enlargement of red blood cells

• Macrophage

  a type of white blood cell

• Macula

  the central part of the retina at the back of the eye

• Macular oedema

  see oedema, macular

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  technique for detailed scanning of internal organs <using magnetic fields>

• Maintenance (dose, treatment)

  <continuing> <ongoing> <subsequent>

• Malabsorption

  poor absorption of nutrients from the digestive system

• Malaise

  feeling generally unwell

• Malignant

  cancerous

• Mania

  mental disorder with extreme excitement and overactivity

• Manic episodes

  periods of extremely high mood

• Mantle cell lymphoma

  an aggressive cancer of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes

• Melanoma

  a type of skin cancer affecting cells called melanocytes

• Meningitis

  inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

• Metabolites

  breakdown products in the body; the substances that <a food> <a medicine> <a chemical> is broken down into

• Metastasis

  cancer that has spread from another part of the body

• Metastatic

  has spread to other parts of the body

• Methaemoglobinaemia

  too much of an abnormal haemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen effectively

• Minimal residual disease

  when very few cancer cells remain in the body after treatment

• Mitochondria

  the energy-producing components within cells

• Monoclonal antibody

  an antibody (a type of protein) designed to recognise and attach to <named antigen> <a specific target>

• Monotherapy

  used on its own

• Mortality

  death rate

• Mucopurulent

  containing mucus and pus

• Mucosa

  see mucous membranes

• Mucositis

  inflammation of the moist body surfaces

• Mucositis, oral

  inflammation of the lining in the mouth <ranging from soreness and redness to severe ulceration>

• Mucous membranes

  moist body surfaces, such as the lining of the mouth

• Mucus

  a thick bodily fluid for lubrication and protection

• Multiple myeloma

  a cancer of the bone marrow

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

  a disease of the brain and spinal cord in which inflammation destroys the protective covering around nerves and damages the nerves

• Multiple sclerosis, primary progressive

  gradual start of multiple sclerosis with steady worsening of the disease

• Multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting

  when the disease causes multiple sclerosis attacks (relapses) followed by periods with milder symptoms (remission)

• Multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive

  when relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis steadily worsens without any improvement

• Muscle relaxants

  medicines used to relax muscles <including muscles that help the patient to breathe>

• Muscular atrophy

  see atrophy, muscular

• Musculoskeletal

  relating to the muscles and bones

• Mutated

  changed

• Myalgia

  muscle pain

• Myasthenia gravis

  a disease causing muscle weakness

• Myelin

  protective covering of nerves

• Myeloablative therapy

  treatments that destroy the bone marrow

• Myelodysplastic syndromes

  when the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells or platelets

• Myeloid

  of <in> bone marrow

• Myeloproliferative diseases

  <a slow-growing cancer with> production of too many blood cells of a particular type <that can cause blockages>

• Myelosuppression

  a condition in which the bone marrow cannot make enough blood cells

• Myocardial infarction

  heart attack <because of blockage in blood supply to a part of the heart>

• Myocarditis

  inflammation of heart muscle

• Myoclonic seizure

  see seizure, myoclonic

• Myopathy

  muscle disease causing weakness

• Myopia

  near-sightedness or short-sightedness

• Myositis ossificans

  abnormal bone growth in the muscle

• Naevus/nevus

  <mole> <visible area of skin damage>

• Naïve patients

  patients who have not been treated before

• Nanobody

  a small antibody

• Narcolepsy

  a sleep disorder that causes a person to fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly

• Narrow-angle glaucoma

  see glaucoma, angle-closure

• Nasal congestion

  a blocked nose

• Nasal polyps

  growths in the lining of the nose

• Nasogastric tube

  a tube through the nose to the stomach

• Nasopharyngitis

  inflammation of the nose and throat

• Nausea

  feeling sick

• Nebuliser

  device to produce a mist <of the medicine> for the patient to breathe in <through a mask or mouthpiece>

• Necrosis

  death of cells or tissue

• Neoadjuvant treatment

  preliminary treatment to shrink the <cancer> <tumour>

• Neonate

  newborn baby

• Neonatologist

  doctor specialising in treating newborn babies

• Neoplasm

  cancerous or non-cancerous growths

• Nephritis

  kidney inflammation

• Nephrolithiasis

  kidney stones

• Nerve block

  procedure to block sensation to a part of the body

• Neuralgia

  nerve pain

• Neuralgia, post-herpetic

  long-lasting nerve burning pain that may occur after shingles

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

  a dangerous reaction with fever, rigid muscles, changing blood pressure and coma, usually caused by antipsychotic medicines

• Neurological

  relating to the brain or nerves

• Neuropathic pain

  see pain, neuropathic

• Neuropathic ulcer

  see ulcer, neuropathic

• Neuropathy

  nerve damage

• Neuropathy, peripheral

  nerve damage in arms and legs <causing pain or numbness, burning and tingling>

• Neuropathy, peripheral motor

  nerve damage causing difficulty with movement

• Neuropathy, sensory

  nerve damage affecting sensation of pain, temperature and touch

• Neuropsychiatric disorders

  disorders of the brain and nerves resulting in altered thinking or behaviour

• Neurosurgery

  surgery on the nervous system, including the brain

• Neurotransmitter

  a substance that nerve cells use to communicate with neighbouring cells
  

• Neutropenia

  low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell <that fights infection>

• Neutropenia, febrile

  low levels of white blood cells with fever <due to infection>

• Neutropenic

  with low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell

• Neutropenic fever

  see neutropenia, febrile

• Neutrophil

  a type of white blood cell <that fights infection>

• Nocturia

  need to pass urine at night

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

  see lymphoma

• Nonclinical studies

  laboratory studies

• Nosocomial

  <infection> <disease> picked up in hospital

• Obesity

  being very overweight

• Observational studies

  studies looking at the effects of medicines as they are used by patients in a real-life setting

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (syndrome)

  see apnoea, obstructive sleep

• Ocular

  of eye

• Ocular hyperaemia

  see hyperaemia, ocular

• Ocular hypertension

  see hypertension, ocular

• Oedema

  swelling; fluid retention

• Oedema, cerebral

  swelling in the brain

• Oedema, macular

  swelling in the macula, the central part of the retina at the back of the eye

• Oedema, periorbital

  puffy eyes

• Oedema, peripheral

  swelling especially of the ankles and feet <due to fluid retention>

• Oesophageal

  <gullet> <foodpipe> <tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach>

• Oesophageal stenosis

  see stenosis

• Oesophagitis

  inflammation of the foodpipe

• Oesophagus

  the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach

• Oestrogen

  a female sex hormone

• Oestrogen-receptor negative

  where the cancer cells do not have receptors for the hormone oestrogen on their surface

• Oestrogen-receptor positive

  where the cancer cells have receptors for the hormone oestrogen on their surface

• Oligo-ovulatory

  rarely produces eggs

• Oliguria

  low urine output

• Oncologist

  cancer specialist

• Opacity

  clouding

• Open-angle glaucoma

  see glaucoma, open-angle

• Ophthalmologist

  eye specialist

• Opioid

  a <painkiller><medicine> that is related to morphine

• Opportunistic infections

  infections seen in patients with a weakened immune system

• Optic nerve

  the nerve that sends signals from the eye to the brain

• Oral mucositis

  see mucositis, oral

• Orodispersible

  that dissolves in the mouth

• Oropharynx (oropharyngeal)

  mouth and throat

• Orphan medicine

  a medicine used in rare diseases

• Orthopaedic

  relating to the bones

• Orthostatic

  on standing or sitting up

• Orthostatic hypotension

  see hypotension, postural

• Ossification

  bone formation

• Osteoarthritis

  swelling and pain in the joints

• Osteoblasts

  bone-forming cells

• Osteoclasts

  cells that are involved in breaking down the bone tissue

• Osteomalacia

  a condition in which bones become soft and deformed

• Osteomyelitis

  bone infection

• Osteonecrosis

  death of bone tissue

• Osteopenia

  reduction in bone strength

• Osteoporosis

  a disease that makes bones fragile

• Otitis media

  infection of the middle ear

• Ovalbumin

  a protein in egg white

• Ovarian cysts

  sacs of fluid within the ovaries

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

  when the ovaries over-respond to treatment <causing nausea, weight gain and diarrhoea>

• Ovarian stimulation

  fertility treatment where the ovaries are stimulated to release more eggs

• Overall response rate

  [used in cancer trials] percentage of patients who have either no sign of cancer or <shrinkage of the tumour><a decrease in the extent of the cancer> after treatment

• Overall survival

  [used in cancer trials] how long patients live

• Ovulation

  the release of eggs <during the menstrual cycle>

• Oxygen saturation

  a measure of oxygen levels in the blood

• Paediatrician

  doctor specialised in the treatment of children

• Paget's disease

  a disease involving bone destruction and regrowth, which causes deformity

• Pain, neuropathic

  pain due to nerve damage

• Palliative

  relieving symptoms

• Palliative care

  treatment of the symptoms of a disease that is not intended to lead to cure

• Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome

  see hand foot syndrome

• Palpitations

  a forceful heartbeat that may be rapid or irregular

• Palsy

  paralysis with weakness and shaking

• Pancreatitis

  inflammation of the pancreas <causing severe pain in the belly and back>

• Pancytopenia

  <low levels of blood cells> / <low levels of all types of blood cells <including platelets>>

• Pandemic

  when a disease spreads to a large number of people in many countries worldwide

• Papillomaviruses

  viruses that cause warts and abnormal tissue growth

• Paraesthesia

  sensations like numbness, tingling, pins and needles

• Parathyroid glands

  glands that secrete the hormone that controls blood calcium levels

• Parkinsonism

  effects similar to Parkinson’s disease such as shaking, muscle stiffness and slow movement

• Parkinson’s disease

  a progressive brain disease that causes shaking and muscle stiffness and slows movement

• Paronychia

  nail bed infection

• Partial response

  [used in cancer trials] <shrinkage of the tumour><decrease in the extent of the cancer> after treatment

• Partial<-onset> seizure <with <or without> secondary generalisation>

  see seizure, partial<-onset> <with <or without> secondary generalisation>

• Patent ductus arteriosus

  see ductus arteriosus, patent

• Patient-reported outcome

  [used in cancer trials] report directly from the patient of how well they are doing

• Patient-year

  the equivalent of one patient taking the medicine for one year

• Peak expiratory flow

  the maximum speed a person can breathe out

• Pedal arteries

  arteries that supply blood to the feet

• PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)

  a feeding tube inserted through the skin into the stomach; see gastrostomy

• Pegylated

  attached to a chemical called polyethylene glycol

• Pegylated liposomes

  tiny fatty spheres that are <coated with> <attached to> a chemical called polyethylene glycol

• Pelvic

  lower abdominal

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

  a type of infection of the upper part of the female genital tract

• Peptic ulcer disease

  ulcers in the stomach or the duodenum

• Peptide

  a short chain of amino acids

• Percutaneous coronary intervention

  a procedure that unblocks blood vessels of the heart to restore its blood supply

• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

  see PEG

• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA)

  surgical procedure that is used to unblock narrowed coronary arteries

• Perennial

  occurs throughout the year

• Performance status

  a rating of how well a patient is

• Perfusion

  blood circulation <through an organ>

• Pericardial disease

  disease of the membrane around the heart

• Pericarditis

  inflammation of the membrane around the heart

• Periocular infections

  infections around the eyes

• Periorbital oedema

  see oedema, periorbital

• Peripheral arterial disease

  see artery disease, peripheral

• Peripheral motor neuropathy

  see neuropathy, peripheral motor

• Peripheral neuropathy

  see neuropathy, peripheral

• Peripheral oedema

  see oedema, peripheral

• Peritoneal cavity

  The area of the belly that contains the intestines

• Peritoneal dialysis

  see dialysis, peritoneal

• Peritoneum

  the membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal (belly) cavity

• Pertussis

  whooping cough

• Petechiae

  tiny blood spots under the skin

• Phaeochromocytoma

  a tumour of the adrenal gland

• Phagocytes

  specialised ‘scavenger’ cells of the immune system

• Pharmacodynamics

  a medicine’s effects in the body

• Pharmacokinetics

  how a medicine is absorbed, modified and removed from the body

• Pharyngitis

  sore throat

• Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+)

  when some of the patient's genes have rearranged themselves to form a special chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome.

• Phlebitis

  inflammation of a vein

• Phlebotomy

  removal of some of the blood from the body

• Phosphenes (luminous phenomena)

  a temporary brightness in the field of vision

• Photodynamic therapy

  treatment in which a medicine is ‘switched on’ by <a special type of> light

• Photophobia

  abnormal sensitivity of the eyes to light

• Photopsia

  flashes of light in the field of vision

• Photosensitising agent

  a medicine ‘switched on’ by <a special type of> light <and used for photodynamic therapy>

• Photosensitivity reactions

  sunburn-like reactions (following exposure to light)

• Pigmentation

  colouring of the skin, hair and eyes

• Pituitary gland

  a gland <at the base of the brain> that controls many other hormone-producing glands in the body

• Placebo

  dummy treatment

• Plaque psoriasis

  see psoriasis

• Plasma

  the liquid part of the blood; the part of the blood left when the blood cells are removed

• Plasma exchange

  a procedure to remove <unwanted> <substances> <antibodies> from plasma (the liquid part of the blood) <by replacing the patient’s plasma with plasma from a donor>

• Plasmapheresis

  see plasma exchange

• Plasmin

  an enzyme that breaks up clots <and helps restore the normal blood flow to the heart>

• Platelet aggregation

  platelets clumping together <which can lead to a blood clot>

• Platelets

  components that help the blood to clot

• Pleural effusion

  fluid around the lungs

• Pleuritic pain

  a type of chest pain

• Pneumonia

  infection of the lungs

• Pneumonitis

  inflammation in the lungs <causing shortness of breath and cough>

• Pneumonitis, hypersensitivity

  inflammation in the lungs due to an allergy <causing shortness of breath and cough>

• Poliomyelitis

  polio

• Pollakiuria

  abnormally frequent urination

• Polyuria

  increase in urine production

• Porphyria

  an inability to break down chemicals called porphyrins

• Portal vein

  vein leading to the liver

• Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)

  see neuralgia, post-herpetic

• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

  brain swelling with <usually temporary effects such as> headache, changes in vision, reduced consciousness and seizures

• Postmenopausal women

  women who have been through the menopause

• Postpartum

  after childbirth

• Postural hypotension

  see hypotension, postural

• Precancerous lesions

  abnormal cells that could develop into cancer

• Preclinical studies

  laboratory studies

• Preprandially

  before meals

• PRES

  see posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

• Preterm

  premature

• Prevalence

  the number of people with the disease

• Primary hypercholesterolaemia

  see hypercholesterolaemia, primary

• Primary immunodeficiency syndrome

  see immunodeficiency disorder, primary

• Primary insomnia

  see insomnia, primary

• Proctalgia

  anal pain

• Prodrug

  a medicine that is converted to an active form in the body

• Progression (disease)

  [used in cancer trials] getting worse

• Progression-free survival

  [used in cancer trials] how long patients live without their disease getting worse

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

  a rare but serious <viral> brain infection <with symptoms similar to those of a multiple sclerosis attack>

• Prolonged release

  the active substance is released slowly <from the tablet> over a few <weeks/ days/hours> <after being injected>

• Prophylaxis

  prevention

• Prostate

  gland that produces fluid that nourishes and carries sperm

• Proteasome

  a system within cells that breaks down proteins when they are no longer needed

• Proteinuria

  excess protein in the urine

• Pruritus

  itching

• Psoriasis

  <a> <an inflammatory> disease causing red, scaly patches on the skin

• Psoriatic arthritis

  a disease, causing inflammation in the joints in combination with psoriasis

• Psychomotor hyperactivity

  restlessness

• Psychosis

  altered sense of reality

• Pulmonary (arterial) hypertension

  high blood pressure in <the arteries of> the lungs

• Pulmonary artery

  the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs

• Pulmonary embolism

  clot in a blood vessel in the lungs <which can cause chest pain, breathlessness and fainting>

• Pulmonary fibrosis

  see fibrosis, pulmonary

• Pulmonary nodule

  a small <area of damage> <lump> in the lungs

• Punctate keratitis

  spots of inflammation in the cornea

• Pure red cell aplasia

  a condition in which no red blood cells are produced

• Purpura

  purple patches like bruising

• Pustulation

  blisters

• Pyelonephritis

  kidney infection

• Pyrexia

  fever

• QT interval

  A measure of the heart’s electrical activity

• QT<c> prolongation

  abnormal electrical activity of the heart that affects its rhythm

• Radiofrequency ablation

  see ablation, radiofrequency

• Radiolabelling

  where a radioactive tag is attached to a substance

• Radiotherapy

  treatment with radiation

• Raynaud's disease (phenomenon, syndrome)

  severe narrowing of blood vessels in the cold <with skin turning white or blue>

• Receptor

  target

• Rectum

  the lowest part of the gut <that stores faeces>

• Recurrence

  when <symptoms/the disease> come(s) back <after treatment>

• Recurrent

  <has come back/keeps coming back> <after previous treatment>

• Refractory

  when treatment does not work

• Registry (patient or disease)

  ongoing collection of information about <a specific group of> patients affected by a particular condition

• Relapse

  when <symptoms/the disease> come(s) back <after treatment>

• Relapse-free survival

  [used in cancer trials] how long patients live without their disease coming back

• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

  see multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting

• Remission

  a period without disease symptoms after treatment

• Renal

  kidney

• Renal failure

  inability of the kidneys to work properly

• Renal failure, chronic

  long-term, progressive decrease in the kidneys’ ability to work properly

• Renal impairment

  reduced kidney function

• Resistant (treatment)

  when treatment does not work

• Respiratory depression

  when breathing is too slow and shallow

• Respiratory failure

  inability of the lungs <to work properly><to take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide properly>

• Respiratory insufficiency

  difficulty breathing

• Respiratory system

  lungs and airways

• Respiratory tract congestion

  blocked airways

• Respiratory tract infection

  Infection of the airways

• Response

  improvement related to treatment

• Response rate

  [used in cancer trials] percentage of patients who improve <on treatment>

• Restless legs syndrome

  a disorder where the patient has uncontrollable urges to move the legs to stop uncomfortable, painful or odd sensations, usually at night

• Reticulocytopenia

  low levels of reticulocytes, a type of immature red blood cell

• Retina

  the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye

• Retinopathy

  damage to the retina

• Revascularisation

  restoration of blood flow

• Reverse transcriptase

  an enzyme produced by <virus> that allows it to infect cells in the body and make more viruses

• Rhabdomyolysis

  breakdown of muscles often leading to kidney damage

• Rheumatoid arthritis

  a disease with painful swelling and damage of joints <caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells>

• Rhinitis

  stuffy and runny nose

• Rhinitis, allergic

  stuffy and runny nose <with inflammation> caused by an allergy <e.g., hay fever or dust-mite allergy>

• Rhinorrhoea

  runny nose

• Ribosomes

  the parts of the cell that produce proteins

• Rigors

  shaking chills

• RNA

  genetic material <instructions for producing proteins>

• Rotavirus

  a virus that causes gastroenteritis

• Rubella

  German measles

• Saccadic (eye movements)

  rapid eye movements

• Scleroderma

  hardening of the skin and connective tissue around internal organs

• Sclerosis, systemic

  see scleroderma

• Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

  inflammation of the eyes caused by pollen in patients with hay fever

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis

  hay fever

• Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

  see multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive

• Sedation

  <calming effect> <induce sleepiness>

• Seizure

  use seizure; do not use fit

• Seizure, absence

  a type of seizure during which a person has a blank stare but is partly aware of surroundings

• Seizure, atonic

  brief loss of muscle control and reduced consciousness

• Seizure, atypical absence

  a type of seizure during which a person has a blank stare <possibly losing awareness of surroundings>

• Seizure, generalised

  seizure affecting most or all of the brain

• Seizure, myoclonic

  short, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles

• Seizure, partial<-onset> <with <or without> secondary generalisation>

  epileptic seizure starting in one specific part of the brain. <Secondary generalisation is when the seizure subsequently spreads to the whole brain>

• Seizure, tonic

  brief seizure with muscle contraction

• Seizure, tonic-atonic

  a type of seizure that often involves the patient falling to the floor

• Seizure, tonic-clonic

  major seizure, including loss of consciousness

• Sensitivity (of disease)

  when a condition is treatable by a <medicine> <group of medicines>

• Sensitivity (test)

  a measure of how well a test can detect those who have a <disease> <condition>

• Sensory neuropathy

  see neuropathy, sensory

• Sepsis

  <when bacteria and their toxins circulate in the blood leading to organ damage><blood poisoning>

• Septic shock

  a dangerous drop in blood pressure caused by severe infection

• Septicaemia

  blood poisoning

• Seroconversion

  development of antibodies <(proteins in the body’s defence system)> against a specific target

• Serum sickness

  allergic reaction to injected proteins <and blood products> <with fever, rash, joint pain, digestive system problems and headache>

• Shingles

  a painful, blistering rash in one part of the body

• Shock

  a steep fall in blood pressure

• Sinus node

  the 'pacemaker' for the heart that controls the heart contractions and regulates heart rate

• Sinus rhythm

  normal heartbeat

• Sinuses

  air-filled passageways in the bones around the nose and eyes

• Sinusitis

  inflammation of the sinuses

• Sleep apnoea

  see apnoea, sleep

• Sleep latency

  the length of time taken to fall asleep

• Slit lamp

  an instrument used by eye specialists to look into the eye

• Soft tissues

  tissues just below the skin

• Somnolence

  sleepiness

• Spasticity

  continuously stiffened muscles

• Specificity (test)

  a measure of how well a test can distinguish people with a condition from those who don’t have it

• Splenomegaly

  enlarged spleen

• Sputum

  phlegm

• ST segment elevation

  an abnormal reading on the electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Stable angina pectoris

  see angina pectoris

• Standard of care

  treatment that medical experts consider most appropriate

• Statin

  the standard type of medicine used to reduce cholesterol

• Status epilepticus

  an epileptic seizure, or series of seizures, lasting longer than 5 minutes

• Stem cell transplant

  see haematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation

• Stem cells (haematopoietic stem cells)

  cells that can develop into different types of (blood) cells

• Stenosis

  narrowing of a <body passage> <blood vessel>

• Stenosis, aortic

  narrowing of the aorta

• Stent

  a short tube placed in an artery to prevent it closing up

• Steroid

  use corticosteroid

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome

  life-threatening reaction with flu-like symptoms and painful rash affecting the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals

• Stomatitis

  inflammation of the lining of the mouth

• Stress incontinence

  see incontinence, stress

• Stroke

  sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain which can cause paralysis and unconsciousness

• Stroke, haemorrhagic

  stroke <(sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain)> caused by bleeding in a part of the brain

• Stroke, ischaemic

  stroke <(sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain)> caused by blocked blood supply to a part of the brain

• Subcutaneous injection

  injection under the skin

• Subcutaneous(ly)

  under the skin

• Sublingual tablet

  a tablet that is placed under the tongue where it dissolves

• Supportive care

  treatment to prevent or relieve the symptoms of the disease <but not specific treatment against the disease>

• Surfactant (lung)

  a substance lining the airsacs which allows gases to pass easily between the lung and blood

• Survival rate, overall

  [used in cancer trials] percentage of patients who live for a specific period <after diagnosis or treatment>

• Survival, overall

  [used in cancer trials] how long patients live

• Suspension

  a liquid with solid particles in it

• Sutured

  stitched

• Syncope

  fainting

• Systemic (side effects)

  side effects that can affect anywhere in the body

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

  a condition in which the body’s defence system attacks normal tissue causing symptoms such as swollen joints, tiredness and rashes

• Systemic treatment

  treatment with <a> medicine<s> given <by mouth> <or> <by injection>

• Systolic blood pressure

  see blood pressure, systolic

• T cells

  cells in the immune system

• T lymphocytes

  see T cells

• Tachycardia

  rapid heartbeat

• Tachypnoea

  rapid breathing

• Tapering (dose)

  reducing the dose gradually

• Tardive dyskinesia

  uncontrolled movements of the face and jaw

• Tenosynovitis

  inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon

• Teratogen

  a substance that can cause birth defects in the unborn baby

• Teratogenicity

  ability to cause birth defects

• Thrombin

  a protein involved in blood clotting

• Thrombocytopenia

  low levels of blood platelets <which can lead to bleeding and bruising>

• Thrombocytopenic purpura

  formation of blood clots in small blood vessels, lowering the level of platelets and causing purple spots on the skin

• Thromboembolism

  problems due to the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels

• Thrombolytic

  dissolves blood clots

• Thrombophlebitis

  inflammation in a vein leading to a blood clot <and blockage>

• Thrombosis

  formation of blood clots in the blood vessels

• Thrombotic events

  problems due to the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels

• Thymus gland

  a gland <in the chest> that prepares <cells> <lymphocytes> to help the body’s defences

• Tibia

  shin bone

• Time to (disease) progression

  [used in cancer trials] the time until the disease started worsening <again>

• Time to treatment failure

  [used in cancer trials] the time until the treatment stopped working

• Tinnitus

  ringing or buzzing in the ears

• Tonic seizure

  see seizure, tonic

• Tonic-atonic seizure

  see seizure, tonic-atonic

• Tonic-clonic seizure

  see seizure, tonic-clonic

• Tonsillitis

  infection of the tonsils

• Tophi

  deposits of uric acid crystals in joints, skin or cartilage <which can cause damage>

• Topically

  on the skin

• Torsades de pointes

  abnormal electrical activity in the heart with life-threatening rhythm disturbance

• Torticollis

  see cervical dystonia

• Toxic epidermal necrolysis

  life-threatening reaction with flu-like effects and blistering in the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals

• Toxin

  a harmful substance produced by infectious organisms

• Toxoid

  an inactivated toxin

• Trachea

  windpipe

• Transdermal patch

  patch to give <a medicine> <medicines> through the skin

• Transplant rejection

  when the immune system attacks the transplanted organ

• Trauma

  <severe> injury

• Treatment-experienced

  <had been> treated for <disease> before

• Treatment-naïve

  <had> never <been> treated for <disease>

• Tremor

  shaking

• Triglycerides

  a type of fat

• Trismus

  contraction of the jaw muscles that hold the mouth shut

• Tumour flare reaction

  a side effect that is similar to worsening of the cancer<, symptoms may include painful and swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, slight fever, bone pain and skin rash>

• Tumour lysis syndrome

  a serious <side effect> <complication> with rapid break down of cancer cells <causing high levels of uric acid, potassium and phosphate>

• Ulcer

  open sore

• Ulcer, neuropathic

  open sore caused by a nerve problem

• Ulcerative collitis

  inflammation of the large intestine causing ulceration and bleeding

• Ulcers, digital

  sores on the fingers and toes

• Unresectable

  cannot be removed by surgery

• Unstable bladder

  an overactive bladder, when the bladder muscles contract suddenly

• Upper respiratory tract infection

  see infection, upper respiratory tract

• Urethra

  the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside <of the body>

• Urge incontinence

  see urinary urgency

• Urgency

  sudden urge to pass urine

• Uricaemia

  high blood levels of uric acid

• Urinary retention

  inability to completely empty the bladder

• Urinary tract

  structures that carry urine <such as the bladder>

• Urinary tract infection

  see infection, urinary tract

• Urinary urgency

  sudden urge to pass urine <with urine leakage>

• Urticaria

  itchy rash

• Uterus

  womb

• Uveitis

  inflammation of the uvea, the layer beneath the white of the eyeball

• Vaccine, inactivated

  a vaccine that uses an organism that has been killed

• Vaccine, live attenuated

  a vaccine that uses a weakened form of the organism

• Vaccine, mRNA

  a vaccine that contains a molecule called mRNA which has instructions for making a foreign protein, triggering an immune response inside the body and protecting from infection

• Varicella

  chickenpox

• Varices

  swollen <and knotted> veins

• Vascular

  <affecting> <of> blood vessels

• Vasculitis

  inflammation of blood vessels

• Vaso-occlusive crises

  when blood vessels become blocked by abnormal red blood cells, restricting the flow of blood to an organ

• Vasoconstrictor

  a substance that narrows blood vessels

• Vasodilation

  widening of the blood vessels

• Vasopressors

  medicines that increase blood pressure

• Ventilator

  a machine that helps a patient to breathe

• Ventricle (heart)

  one of the two lower chambers of the heart <that pumps blood into the circulation>

• Ventricular fibrillation

  see fibrillation, ventricular

• Vertebral

  (of the) spine

• Vertigo

  a spinning sensation

• Vesicle

  small blister

• Viral load

  the amount of virus found in the blood

• Viral vector

  a virus that has been altered so that it can carry genetic material into cells

• Visual acuity

  sharpness of vision

• Vitreous floaters

  small, dark shapes moving in the field of vision

• Volume depletion

  reduced amounts of fluids in the body

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