Medical Terms to be Familiar With for a Less Intimidating Situation Amy Smith, September 6, 2023April 25, 2024 Any medical emergency, diagnosis, or other type of condition can be scary and stressful. This is usually because the medical field uses a lot of words that we may not use in everyday language. Here’s a look at some medical abbreviations, root words, and other terms that you may or may not be familiar with. Abbreviations and Acronyms Rx Rx is the medical abbreviation for treatment, and it’s most often used for prescription medications. Pre-Op and OR Pre-op means preoperative (before an operation), while OR stands for the operating room. This is the section of a hospital where surgeries are performed. Post-op (postoperative) is another term used, and it describes care given after surgery. ICU, ER, and CCU The ICU (intensive care unit) of a hospital is where patients receive specialized care. ICU is part of another unit: CCU (critical care unit). A CCU may also treat cardiac patients. ICU also has a specialized neonatal unit (NICU) for premature infants. The emergency department (ED) or ER (emergency room) of a hospital is where immediate care is given to patients in emergencies. HDL and LDL HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) both refer to cholesterol. Generally speaking, HDL is the “bad” cholesterol, while LDL is the “good” cholesterol. Processed foods, fried foods, and saturated fats can increase HDL, while unsaturated fats can decrease HDL and raise LDL. ESA ESA stands for emotional support animal. This is a relatively new term that describes pets and other animals (usually dogs) that act as a form of therapy for those experiencing anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and other mental health conditions. CPR CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and it’s also known as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation because of the way it’s performed. CPR can be performed without mouth-to-mouth (known as hands-only CPR), but it’s more effective when done properly. Now, AED machines (automated external defibrillators), such as AED Plus by ZOLL, are available in many businesses. An AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm, if necessary. ALS and BLS ALS stands for advanced life support while BLS stands for basic life support. CPR is a form of basic life support, and anyone can learn it by taking a basic life support certification course online or in person. Advanced life support is usually only reserved for medical professionals, as it can include cutting into the skin and giving injections. Root Words and Suffixes One of the most common suffixes in medicine is -ology, meaning the study of. Added to the ends of a root word, it tells you which part of the body is being studied. Pulmono ‘Pulmono’ refers to the lungs, as pulmonology is the study of the lungs and respiratory system. Pulmonologists are doctors that diagnose and treat diseases affecting the respiratory system. Hemato Hemato refers to the blood, as hematology is the study of the blood and circulatory system. Hematologists are doctors that diagnose and treat diseases affecting the blood, and they’re also trained in oncology, the study and treatment of tumors. Gastro Gastro refers to the stomach, as gastroenterology is the study of the stomach and digestive system. Gastroenterologists are doctors that diagnose and treat diseases affecting the gastric tract and digestive system. Dermato Dermato refers to the skin, as dermatology is the study of the skin, hair (and scalp), and nails. Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect the hair, skin, and nails. Cardio Cardio refers to the heart, as cardiology is the study of the heart and circulatory system. Cardiologists are doctors that diagnose and treat diseases affecting the heart. General Medical Terms Zoonotic A zoonotic disease is a disease that is transmissible from animals to humans. Rabies and cat scratches are two examples of this. Sutures The terms sutures and stitches are often used interchangeably, but sutures are the strands used to close a wound, while “stitching” is the actual process of closing the wound. Contusions Contusions, commonly known as bruises, occur when blunt force trauma damages blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. Though not open wounds, they can lead to pain and swelling. Opting for this wound care treatment typically involves applying cold compresses and allowing for adequate rest. Embolism An embolism is a blockage in an artery caused by a blood clot. An example of this is a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. Embolism An embolism is a blockage in an artery caused by a blood clot. An example of this is a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. Defibrillator A defibrillator is a device that sends electric shocks to the chest to restore a normal heartbeat. Many nonmedical buildings in the United States have these machines available for use to save those who may have collapsed, Biopsy A biopsy is a small sample of tissue that’s tested for various diseases. Cancer is the most common disease that is identified by biopsy testing. Abscess An abscess in the tissue is formed from an infection and is filled with fluid. Understanding medical terms can help you better understand any medical situation. You can also learn basic life support techniques to make some medical emergencies less scary. Image Source: Freepik Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave Articles Health