Medical Abbreviations

Atrial Fibrillation

A common heart rhythm problem that causes irregular beats. The abnormal activity can result in clots forming in the heart and these can move up to the brain and cause a stroke.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

This is the name given to a surgical procedure to the heart. A section of an artery/vein is taken from another part of the body and positioned around the heart to help relieve a blockage in an artery. The blood is diverted away from the blockage. The common name for this procedure is 'heart bypass'. 

Electrocardiogram

Sometimes referred to as EKG. A common test done to check the electrical activity of the heart. It can be used to look for evidence of rhythm problems and heart attacks. 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

An inherited (congenital) heart condition. The heart muscle becomes too thick and can cause sudden death in a small number of young people.

Left Anterior Descending (Artery)

This is usually the largest artery around the heart and supplies a large section of the heart. If it gets blocked, the result can be a massive heart attack.

Myocardial Infarction

The medical term for heart attack. This is when there is heart tissue damage due to a blockage in an artery around the heart.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

This is a newer term for angioplasty and stent. It is a procedure that opens up a blocked artery around the heart. 

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A behavioural disorder - often first noticed in childhood, but can be diagnosed in adults too. Features can include being hyperactive and having difficulty in concentrating/focussing for long periods.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A mental health disorder -  a common type of personality disorder. Features can include problems controlling emotions, impulsive behaviour and being involved in unstable relationships.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

A type of talking therapy that aims to improve the symptoms of some mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. 

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

This is a long-term anxiety disorder. People with GAD can have a long list of symptoms, such as persistent worry and nervousness, along with physical symptoms like palpitations, dizziness and shaking. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is an anxiety disorder. The common features are compulsive, repetitive behaviours, and obsessive, recurring thoughts. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD is a mood disorder that tends to occur at the same time each year. The usual clinical picture is low mood in the winter months - but it can occur at anytime of the year. The disorder follows a seasonal pattern.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor 

A class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is thought to be important in regulating mood levels. SSRIs have been used to treat many conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, premature ejaculation and eating disorders. 

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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

The most common childhood cancer. The cancer occurs when too many immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts) are made in the body. ALL tends to develop rapidly.

Acute Otitis Media

Inflammation of the middle ear that can be caused by bacteria or viruses. It is very commonly seen in young people. 

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic condition that impacts on the way some cells in the body secrete fluids, such as mucous and sweat. It can affect many parts of the body, including the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and the reproductive system.

Epstein-Barr Virus

A virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis, sometimes called glandular fever or mono. A lot of people become infected when they are a child or a young adult.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

This is when an apparently health child under 1 years old suddenly dies with no cause or explanation found.  Also known as cot death and crib death. 

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Avascular necrosis

This is when the blood supply to part of a bone is compromised, causing bone tissue death. There are many potential causes, including injury and medication. 

Neck Of Femur

The top part of the thigh bone (femur) just below the hip joint. A fracture of the neck of femur is a common type of hip fracture. 

Open Reduction Internal Fixation

A surgical procedure that fixes fragments of bone together in serious fractures. It can involve the use of screws, plates, rods and pins.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A condition involving the immune system that can affect many parts of the body, but especially cause pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints.  

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Abdominal X-ray

An image taken of the abdomen using x-rays. Surgeons may use this to look for evidence of bowel obstruction.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This is an umbrella term that relates to those bowel conditions where inflammation of part of the gastrointestinal tract is a key feature. They tend to be spectrum disorders - meaning the severity can change depending on the patient. The commonest two examples include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This term relates to a collection of abdominal symptoms that have no identifiable cause. 

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

This is a procedure where a feeding tube (PEG tube) is placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall. PEG feeding can be instigated if the patient has swallowing difficulties e.g. after a stroke.

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Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy 

The surgical removal of both ovaries and Fallopian tubes. 

Bacterial Vaginosis

A vaginal infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria that are normally present inside the vagina. It is not a sexually transmitted disease. 

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

A hormone that doctors can analyse to assess ovarian function. It can be used to detect ovarian failure.

Human Papillomavirus

A virus that usually causes no problems, but can cause genital warts and cervical cancer in some women.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone treatment given to replace the reduction in oestrogen (estrogen) levels in the body that happens during the menopause. 

Intermenstrual Bleeding

Bleeding from the vagina that occurs between periods. This has many potential causes - including infection, inflammation, medications, pregnancy, benign growths and cancer.

In Vitro Fertilisation

A technique that facilitates fertilisation of an egg by a sperm in the laboratory. 

Postcoital Bleeding

Bleeding from the vagina after immediately intercourse. Causes can include infection, benign changes to the cervix and cervical cancer.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease 

Infection of the upper female reproductive organs. It is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection.

Postmenopausal Bleeding 

Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause. Causes can include benign growths, thinning of the vaginal walls and cancer. 

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy 

A surgical procedure using an incision in the lower abdomen to remove the uterus (womb).

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

A benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate. It can cause LUTS - see below. 

Erectile Dysfunction 

Difficulty in establishing or maintaining an erection. Can have both physiological and psychological causes. 

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

A collection of symptoms, such as hesitancy, poor stream, dribbling and frequency. Can be caused by BPH and other prostate disorders.

Prostate-Specific Antigen 

An enzyme that is produced by the prostate. It can be raised in prostate disorders.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

A surgical procedure that can be used to treat prostate enlargement, such as BPH. 

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Arterial Blood Gas

This is a blood test where blood is taken from an artery. It can give valuable information on oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid/base levels. 

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

A severe health condition characterised by inflammation and fluid in the lungs that results in low oxygen levels. Pneumonia and sepsis are common causes. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A long term lung disease. It is usually caused by smoking, but it can also be caused by exposure to occupational fumes and dusts.

Chest X-ray

An image taken of the chest using x-rays that can show evidence of some lung diseases, such as pneumonia and lung cancer. 

Pulmonary Embolism

This is when an artery in the lungs get blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot and can be fatal.

Shortness Of Breath

A common shorthand way of writing about breathlessness.

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Body Mass Index

A measure of weight compared to height. It is a way of assessing if a patient's weight is healthy. The formula is: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres (squared). 

Digital Rectal Examination 

An examination of the rectum carried out by a health professional, using a gloved finger. Often used to check for signs of cancer, as well as the size and shape of the prostate in men.

Deep Vein Thrombosis 

The formation of a blood clot in a vein that is deep to the skin. They are most commonly found in the legs and pelvis, but can form in other places too - such as the arm. 

Foreign Body

An  external object that is inside the body. This could be a piece of glass found in a hand resulting from an injury or the contraceptive implant that has been intentionally positioned in the upper arm. 

No Abnormality Detected/Discovered

Some doctors write this in the notes when they have performed an examination and found nothing abnormal. 

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland at the base of your brain. It helps regulate the amount of hormone your thyroid produces. Health professionals often measure the levels of TSH when assessing thyroid function. If TSH levels are too high - can indicate the thyroid gland is underactive. If TSH levels are too low - can indicate the thyroid is overactive.

White Blood Cell

These are a type of cell found in the blood that form part of the immune system. 

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