55 Important Medical Terms and Abbreviation 

Introduction

Medical acronyms and words are used to convey information about health disorders, treatments, procedures, and drugs. They can help you save time and space while also avoiding confusion and errors. Some medical phrases and acronyms, on the other hand, might be readily misconstrued or misread, thus it is critical to understand their meanings and contexts.

Medical Terms

1. Anemia is a disorder in which the blood has a low amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which transport oxygen to the tissues. Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin are all symptoms of anemia. Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, including iron deficiency, blood loss, infection, or genetic disorders.
2. Arthritis is a broad term for inflammation of one or more joints that can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion. Arthritis can be classified into several forms, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus.
3. Asthma: A chronic lung illness in which the airways narrow and become irritated, making breathing difficult. Allergens, irritants, illnesses, exercise, stress, or cold air can all induce asthma attacks. Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are all symptoms of asthma.
4. Biopsy: A technique in which a small sample of tissue from a specific portion of the body is taken and examined under a microscope for symptoms of disease, such as cancer.
5. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which transport air to and from the lungs. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic in nature. Acute bronchitis is typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection and lasts a few days to a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term illness that is frequently linked to smoking or air pollution.
6. Cancer is a category of disorders characterised by abnormal cell growth and division, which can invade and damage other tissues and organs. Cancer is classified as either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). There are over 100 different forms of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer.
7. Cardiovascular disease: A broad term includes heart and blood vessel disorders such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure), and heart failure.
8. Cataract: An ocular lens clouding that hinders vision. Cataracts are more common in the elderly, and they can be caused by ageing, sun exposure, diabetes, smoking, or damage. Cataracts can be cured surgically by replacing the clouded lens with a synthetic one.
9. Cholesterol is a waxy molecule found in the blood and all of the body's cells. Cholesterol is required for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids, which aid in fat digestion. Too much cholesterol in the blood, on the other hand, can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease by producing plaques that constrict or clog the arteries.
10. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A collection of lung illnesses that cause difficulty breathing by blocking airflow in and out of the lungs. COPD is characterised by persistent bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking and exposure to air pollution are the primary causes of COPD.
11. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body consumes glucose (sugar), the body's primary source of energy. Diabetes develops when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin (a hormone that aids glucose absorption in the cells) or when the cells do not respond properly to insulin. Diabetes can result in high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), which can cause long-term damage to many organs and tissues. Diabetes is classified into two types: type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disease that damages insulin-producing cells in the pancreas) and type 2 diabetes (a metabolic disorder caused by insulin resistance or deficiency).
12. Dialysis is a procedure that filters and cleans the blood when the kidneys fail. Dialysis can be performed using either a machine (hemodialysis) or the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal dialysis). Dialysis is frequently required for persons who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the last stage of chronic kidney disease.
13. Epilepsy: A neurological illness characterised by recurring seizures, which are brief bursts of aberrant electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can impair a person's consciousness, behaviour, movement, feeling, or emotion. Epilepsy can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including genetics, brain injury, infection, stroke, or tumor.
14. Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterised by widespread pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the body's muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Fibromyalgia is often associated with fatigue, sleep issues, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties. Fibromyalgia has no established aetiology, however it may be associated to aberrant pain processing in the neurological system.
15. GERD: A condition in which stomach acid or bile rushes back into the oesophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), causing irritation and inflammation of the esophageal lining. Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and coughing are all signs of GERD. A weak or relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular ring that keeps stomach contents from draining back into the oesophagus), obesity, pregnancy, smoking, or certain foods or medications can all contribute to GERD.
16. Glaucoma is a set of eye illnesses that cause damage to the optic nerve, which transports visual information from the eye to the brain. If untreated, glaucoma can result in visual loss and blindness. Glaucoma is frequently associated with high intraocular pressure (IOP), however it can also occur with normal or low pressure. Open-angle glaucoma (the most frequent kind, in which the drainage angle of the eye remains open but does not function correctly) and closed-angle glaucoma (a less common variety, in which the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked by the iris) are the two types of glaucoma.
17. Hepatitis: A liver inflammation caused by viruses, bacteria, toxins, medications, alcohol, or autoimmune illnesses. Acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) hepatitis can occur. Hepatitis A (transmitted by contaminated food or water), hepatitis B (transmitted by blood or body fluids), hepatitis C (transmitted by blood or body fluids), hepatitis D (transmitted by blood or body fluids and only affects people who already have hepatitis B), and hepatitis E (transmitted by contaminated food or water) are the five main types of viral hepatitis.
18. HIV/AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that infects and destroys CD4 cells (also known as T cells), which assist the immune system fight infections and disorders. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in which the immune system is severely weakened and prone to opportunistic infections and malignancies. HIV is spread through contact with contaminated blood or body fluids, such as sexual contact, needle sharing, or mother-to-child transmission.
19. Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is a disorder in which the blood's force against the artery walls is excessive, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease, and other issues. A systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 130 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 80 mm Hg or higher, is considered hypertension. Genetics, age, obesity, smoking, alcohol, salt intake, stress, or underlying disorders can all contribute to hypertension.
20. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormones, which govern the body's metabolism and growth. Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, depression, and menstruation abnormalities are all symptoms of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune illnesses, iodine shortage, medicines, surgery, or radiation therapy can all induce hypothyroidism.
21. Influenza is a viral virus that affects the respiratory system and causes fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and muscular aches. Influenza can be avoided by being vaccinated each year and practising proper hygiene. 
22. Insomnia: A sleep disorder characterised by difficulties falling, staying, or waking up too early. Insomnia can disrupt sleep quality and quantity, resulting in daily weariness, irritability, mood swings, and poor performance. Stress, anxiety, sadness, pain, medical issues, drugs, coffee, alcohol, or environmental variables can all contribute to insomnia.
23. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A frequent disorder affecting the large intestine (colon), resulting in symptoms such as stomach discomfort, cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between the two. IBS does not cause colon inflammation or damage, but it can disrupt everyday activities and quality of life. IBS has no established aetiology, but it may be linked to variables such as aberrant gut motility, hypersensitivity to intestinal stimuli, altered gut flora, food intolerance, stress, or psychological factors.
24. Kidney stone: A hard mass formed in the kidney or urinary tract as a result of urine substances such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or cystine. Kidney stones can cause severe back, side, stomach, or groyne pain, as well as blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills. Dehydration, diet, heredity, infection, or metabolic problems can all lead to kidney stones.
25. Leukaemia: A type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and other portions of the body's blood-forming cells. Leukaemia creates an abnormal increase in white blood cells (leukocytes), which crowd out and compromise the function of normal blood cells. Acute (rapidly advancing) or chronic (slowly progressing) leukaemia can be classed as lymphocytic (affecting lymphocytes) or myeloid (affecting myeloid cells).
26. Migraine: A type of headache characterised by extreme throbbing pain on one side of the head, which is frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, and visual abnormalities (aura). Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and can disrupt everyday activities as well as quality of life. Migraines can be brought on by a number of things, including hormonal changes, stress, a lack of sleep, diet, weather, or drugs.
27. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), causing inflammation and destruction to the nerve fibres' protective covering (myelin). Numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle spasms, coordination problems, vision problems, weariness, cognitive impairment, depression, and bladder or bowel dysfunction are among symptoms of MS. MS can progress in several ways, including relapsing-remitting (characterized by episodes of worsening and improvement), primary progressive (characterized by gradual worsening without improvement), and secondary progressive (characterized by gradual worsening following a period of relapsing-remitting).
28. Osteoporosis: A condition in which the bones become weak and brittle as bone density and quality deteriorate. Fractures are more likely in those who have osteoporosis, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist. Ageing, menopause, insufficient calcium intake, vitamin D insufficiency, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol, or certain medications or disorders can all lead to osteoporosis.
29. Parkinson's disease: A degenerative disorder that affects body movement and coordination by reducing dopamine (a neurotransmitter) production in the brain. Tremor (shaking), rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slowness), postural instability (balance issues), and facial masking (less facial expression) are all hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease include depression, anxiety, sleep issues, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction.
30. Psoriasis: A persistent skin condition characterised by red, scaly, and itchy skin patches that can form anywhere on the body. Psoriasis is characterised by an overactive immune system that accelerates skin cell development and shedding. Psoriasis can be brought on by a variety of circumstances, including stress, infection, injury, medicine, or alcohol. Psoriasis can also affect the joints, resulting in psoriatic arthritis.
31. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to the joints and other body organs. RA develops when the immune system wrongly targets the synovium (joint lining), resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. The skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, and nervous system can all be affected by RA. Genetic causes, environmental variables, hormones, or viruses can all promote RA.
32. Schizophrenia: A serious mental condition that changes how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (false perceptions), disorganised speech and behaviour, lack of drive, and social disengagement are all signs of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors.
33. A blood clot (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) can both cause stroke. Stroke symptoms include one-sided weakness or numbness, slurred speech, disorientation, vision issues, dizziness, or headache. Controlling risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, or atrial fibrillation can help avoid stroke.
34. Tuberculosis (TB): An infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs and causes coughing, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and bloody sputum. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria cause tuberculosis, which spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Tuberculosis can be either latent (inactive) or active (symptomatic). Antibiotics can be used to treat tuberculosis, however certain types are resistant to them.. 
35. Ulcer: A sore or lesion that forms in the stomach lining (gastric ulcer), duodenum (duodenal ulcer), or oesophagus (esophageal ulcer). Ulcers can cause discomfort, pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding. Ulcers can be caused by Helicobacter pylori bacterium infection, excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), stress, or other factors.

Abbreviations in Medicine

1. ABG stands for arterial blood gases: A blood test that examines the quantities of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and other gases in an artery's blood.
2. ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme: An enzyme that transforms the hormone angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. ACE inhibitors are medications that are used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and renal disease.
3. ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament: A ligament that joins the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and serves to stabilise the knee joint. Twisting or hyperextending the knee is a major cause of ACL injury.
4. ADHD is an acronym for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A behavioural disorder that affects both children and adults and is distinguished by difficulties paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity2.
5. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: See also HIV/AIDS.
6. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): ALS is a progressive neurological illness that affects the motor neurons that regulate voluntary muscles. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Muscle weakness, atrophy, stiffness, and difficulties speaking, eating, and breathing are all symptoms of ALS.
7. BMI stands for body mass index: Body fat percentage calculated using height and weight. Weight in kilogrammes divided by height in metres squared yields BMI. Underweight (18.5), normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (>30)3 are the BMI classifications.
8. BP stands for blood pressure: The force of the blood against the artery walls. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and is expressed as two numbers: systolic (when the heart contracts) and diastolic (when the heart relaxes). Blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg.
9. BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia: BPH, also known as enlarged prostate, is a common condition in elderly men in which the prostate gland grows in size and squeezes the urethra (the tube that transports pee from the bladder to the outside of the body). Urinary symptoms caused by BPH include difficulties starting or halting the urine stream, weak or interrupted urine flow, frequent or urgent urination, nocturia (waking up at night to urinate), and incomplete bladder emptying.
10. CAD stands for coronary artery disease. CAD (coronary heart disease) is a disorder in which the arteries that feed blood to the heart muscle become constricted or obstructed by fatty deposits called plaques. Angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, and myocardial infarction (heart attack) can all be symptoms of CAD.
11. CBC stands for complete blood count. A test that counts the amount and types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. CBC can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of illnesses, including anaemia, infection, inflammation, bleeding disorders, and cancer.
12. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As already said.
13. CT stands for computed tomography. CT, often known as CAT scan, is a type of imaging examination that use x-rays and a computer to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. CT can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of disorders, including tumours, infections, injuries, and fractures1.
14. CVA stands for Cerebrovascular Accident. Stroke is another name for this condition. As already said.
15. DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis. A blood clot that originates in a deep vein, generally in the leg or pelvis. In the affected area, DVT might produce pain, edoema, redness, or warmth. If the clot breaks off and moves to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE).
16. EEG stands for electroencephalogram. A test that uses electrodes connected to the scalp to record the electrical activity of the brain. EEG can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of brain diseases, including epilepsy (seizures), brain tumours, brain injury, and brain death.
17. GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. As already said.
18. HbA1c stands for hemoglobin A1c. The average level of glucose (sugar) bound to hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) over the previous two to three months. HbA1c measures how effectively diabetes is controlled and can aid in the diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes.
19. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. HDL is a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from various regions of the body to the liver, where it is eliminated from the blood. By limiting cholesterol buildup in the arteries, HDL helps to protect against cardiovascular disease.
20. IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. As already said.
21. ICU stands for intensive care unit. A hospital specialised unit that provides intense care for extremely ill or injured patients who require constant monitoring and treatment.
22. IV stands for intravenous. Using a needle or a catheter, a way of administering fluids, medicines, or nutrients directly into a vein.
23. LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. LDL is a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to other regions of the body, where it can accumulate in the arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease1.
24. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. A sort of imaging test that creates detailed images of the inside of the body by using a high magnetic field and radio waves. MRI can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of disorders, including tumours, infections, traumas, strokes, and multiple sclerosis.
25. MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis. As already said.
26. NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. A medicine that lowers pain, inflammation, and fever by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins (chemicals responsible for these effects). Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib are examples of NSAIDs. NSAIDs can induce stomach ulcers, bleeding, kidney damage, and allergic reactions.
27. OTC stands for over-the-counter. A word that refers to drugs that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Pain relievers, cold and cough medicines, antacids, laxatives, and allergy drugs are examples of over-the-counter medications.
28. PE stands for pulmonary embolism. A disorder in which a blood clot moves from another region of the body to the lungs, obstructing one or more pulmonary arteries. PE can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, bloody coughing, a high heart rate, or low blood pressure. If not treated promptly, PE can be fatal.
29. PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. A mental disorder that arises as a result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic experience, such as war, violence, abuse, an accident, or a natural disaster. Flashbacks (reliving the event), nightmares, avoidance (avoiding reminders of the event), hypervigilance (being always alert), bad mood and thoughts, or emotional numbness are all signs of PTSD.
30. RA stands for rheumatoid arthritis. As already said.
31. RBC stands for red blood cell. RBC is a type of blood cell that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. RBCs include haemoglobin (the oxygen-binding protein that gives blood its red colour). RBC can be quantified using a hematocrit test (the percentage of blood volume that is RBC).
32. STD stands for sexually transmitted illness. STD, also known as sexually transmitted infection (STI), refers to sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STD symptoms include vaginal discharge, discomfort, itching, blisters, warts, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). STDs can be avoided by wearing condoms, being tested periodically, and treating infections as soon as possible.
33. TIA stands for transient ischemic attack. A short blockage of blood flow to a portion of the brain causes symptoms comparable to a stroke, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, vision issues, dizziness, or headache. TIAs often last a few minutes to hours and do not result in irreversible brain damage. However, TIA is a precursor to a future stroke and should be handled as an emergency. 
34. TSH stands for thyroid-stimulating hormone. A pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to create thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which govern the body's metabolism and growth. TSH levels in the blood can be evaluated to diagnose and monitor thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
35. UTI stands for urinary tract infection. Infection of any component of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. UTI symptoms include urination discomfort or burning, frequent or urgent urination, cloudy or bloody urine, fever, and lower back pain. Bacteria, fungi, or viruses that enter the urinary tract through the urethra can cause UTI.
36. WBC stands for white blood cell. WBCs, also known as leukocytes, are blood cells that aid in the battle against infections and disorders by fighting and killing foreign substances or cells. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils are the five types of WBC. A test termed leukocyte count (the number of WBC per microliter of blood) can be used to determine WBC.