Medical Dictionary
Acupuncture: Acupuncture originated in China and is one of the oldest, most commonly used systems of healing in the world. Some hold that there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body. These points are connected by 20 pathways referred to as meridians. Meridians conduct energy, or qi (pronounced "chi"), between the surface of the body and its internal organs. People use acupuncture to keep balance of their negative and positive qi throughout their body, thus bettering the health of their mind and body. Find an Acupuncture specialist in your area.
Asthma: Asthma is a form of bronchial disorder associated with airway obstruction. A person with asthma can have recurrent breathing attacks, and or wheezing because of the contraction of the bronchi.
Allergen: An allergen is a foreign substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Allergy: An allergy is when the immune system has a misguided reaction to foreign substances. This allergic reaction is misguided because these foreign substances are usually harmless. The substances that trigger this allergic reaction are called allergens. Examples include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and certain foods. The most common allergic conditions include hay fever (allergic rhinitis), asthma, allergic eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), allergic eczema, hives (urticaria), and allergic shock (also called anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock). Find a Sinus and Allergy Doctor in your area.
Antihistamine: Antihistamines are medications that counteract histamines, which cause allergy symptoms.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that eliminates excess skin from the upper arm.
Artery: An artery is a vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body.
Bariatrics/Weight Loss: Bariatrics is a branch of medicine which deals with treatment (prevention and control) of obesity. It may include a comprehensive diet program, exercise, and overall modification of behavior. Find a Bariatrics Doctor or Specialist in your area.
Benign: Benign means not life-threatening.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): Eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the upper lids and removes fat, or reposition fat from the lower lids.
Board Certified Surgeon: A board certified surgeon is a surgeon who has completed the required course of study, including an accredited residency in a particular field and has successfully passed the examination given by that certifying board.
Botox: Botox is an injectable substance that is a medical grade form of the botulinum toxin, most often used to soften and relax forehead/scowl lines as well as crows feet around the eye area.
Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammaplasty): Breast Augmentation, officially called augmentation Mammaplasty, is the surgical procedure of placing breast implants either above or below the pectoral (chest) muscle to enhance the bust area.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy): A breast lift, officially called mastopexy, is a surgical procedure whereby the surgeon restructures breasts that have lost their original shape and have become pendulous.
Breast Reduction (Mammaplasty): Breast reduction surgery, also called mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure to reduce the shape and volume of the breast.
Breast Reduction in Men (Gynecomastia): Gynecomastia, which is breast reduction for men, often includes a combination of liposuction and surgical removal of breast tissue.
Cheek Augmentation (Malarplasty): Cheek augmentation, also known as malarplasty, is the surgical procedure where facial cheek implants are added to improve the prominence of the cheekbones.
Chiropractic: Chiropractic is a branch of healing which relates to health and disease processes. Chiropractors give special attention to physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships. Find a Chiropractor in your area.
Cosmetic dentistry: This is a field of dentistry that is dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, including teeth appearance and oral health. Find a Cosmetic Dentist in your area.
Cosmetic Dermatologist: A cosmetic dermatologist is a doctor whose practice focuses on aesthetic or cosmetic procedures/treatments for the skin, such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, etc.
Cosmetic Surgery: Cosmetic surgery is a surgical procedure that focuses on the enhancement of facial or body parts.
Dermatology: Dermatology is the study of diagnosing and treatment of skin problems. Find a Dermatologist in your area.
Dorsal:The term dorsal refers to the back or posterior.
Dyspnea: Dyspnea means to incur difficulty breathing.
Excision: Excision means to be removed by surgery.
Facial Plastic Surgeon: A facial plastic surgeon is a cosmetic and/or reconstructive doctor of the head and neck only.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, tighten the remaining skin to return the face to a more youthful presentation.
Full Body CatScan: A CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan refers to computer pictures that are comprised of data from multiple x-ray images. The CAT scan can reveal some soft-tissue and other structures that cannot even be seen in conventional X-rays. Find a CatScan Specialist in your area.
Hair restoration: Hair restoration includes procedures that help men and women with balding, thinning, receding, or other hair loss issues. Find a Hair Restoration Doctor in your area.
Infection: An infection occurs when viral, bacterial, or other foreign organisms attack.
Lasik: (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomelusis) A LASIK procedure refers to the creation of a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and then the second step of using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea. There are also other laser corrective surgeries such as LASEK and PRK...
Find a Lasik Doctor in your area.
Lip Augmentation: Lip augmentation is a procedure to enhance the fullness of lips. This is accomplished either by injection of a soft tissue filler, such as collagen or by the placement of synthetic or grafted material.
Liposuction (Lipoplasty): Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is the vacuum assisted removal of fat.
Malignant: Malignant refer to the condition of poor prognosis or potentially death.
MediSpa: MediSpas are actual treatment centers (spas) that offer a variety of cosmetic surgical procedures along with non-medical treatments. Procedures and treatments offered can include anti-aging, facelifts, eyelifts, breast augmentation and reduction, eyebrow lifts, nose jobs, laser hair removal, massages, and aesthetic/preventive dermatology. Find a MediSpa in your area.
Plastic surgery: Plastic surgery is the field of surgery having to do with reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment for diseases. Some plastic surgeons perform cosmetic surgery that is unrelated to medical conditions. Find a Plastic Surgeon in your area.
Sinus: Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the dense portions of the skull bone. The sinuses are formed in four pairs. The frontal sinuses are positioned behind the forehead, while the maxillary sinuses are behind the cheeks. Find a Sinus and Allergy Doctor in your area.
Sleep Apnea: Sleep Apnea is a temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can be treated by an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. Find an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor in your area.
Snoring: Snoring is a rattling noise made when sleeping coming from the vibration of both the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) and the uvula (the prominent structure dangling down at the back of the mouth). Snoring can be treated by an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. Find an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor in your area.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is body images displayed on a monitor through the use of high frequency soundwaves.
Vein: A vein is a vessel that carries blood from the body to the heart.
Vein Stripping: Vein stripping is a medical procedure where the vein is removed from the leg. Veins that are small and enlarged with superficial blood vessels and appear to be red or blue are called spider veins. Blood vessels that are larger and dilated are called varicose veins. These veins may be raised above the skin surface.. Find a Doctor for Vein Stripping in your area.
Ventral: Ventral is a location on the front side of the body.
