Here's a list to bookmark and save (and print) of the top 90 medical terms a home caregiver might need to be familiar with.
- Acute: Referring to a disease or condition that is severe and short-term.
- Allergen: A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
- Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
- Aneurysm: Bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall.
- Antibiotic: A medication used to treat bacterial infections.
- Anticoagulant: A medication that prevents blood clot formation.
- Arrhythmia: Abnormal heart rhythm.
- Artery: Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
- Asthma: Chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and narrowing.
- Atherosclerosis: Build-up of plaque in the arteries.
- Benign: Non-cancerous, not capable of spreading to other tissues.
- Biopsy: Removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope.
- Blood pressure: The force of blood against the walls of arteries.
- Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
- Cancer: Group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and proliferation.
- Cardiologist: Physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions.
- Catheter: A flexible tube inserted into the body to remove fluids or deliver medication.
- Chemotherapy: Treatment of cancer with drugs that kill cancer cells.
- Cholesterol: A fatty substance found in the blood.
- Chronic: Referring to a disease or condition that is long-lasting or recurring.
- Colonoscopy: Endoscopic examination of the colon and rectum.
- Coma: State of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be awakened.
- Congenital: Present at birth, often referring to abnormalities or conditions.
- Congestive heart failure: A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography): Imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
- Dehydration: Loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body.
- Dementia: Progressive decline in cognitive function.
- Diabetes: Metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels.
- Diuretic: Medication that promotes urine production and reduces fluid retention.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
- Electrolytes: Minerals in the body that help regulate fluid balance and nerve function.
- Endoscopy: Procedure used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity.
- Euthanasia: Deliberate intervention to end a person's life to relieve suffering.
- Fecal incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements.
- Fibrillation: Rapid and irregular heartbeats.
- Fracture: A broken bone.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) tract: The digestive system, including the stomach and intestines.
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Chronic condition characterized by acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.
- Glucose: A type of sugar found in the blood.
- Hemoglobin: Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding, either internally or externally.
- Hospice: Program providing end-of-life care and support for terminally ill patients and their families.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure.
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels.
- Immune system: Body's defense system against infections and diseases.
- Immunization: Process of making a person immune to a specific disease.
- Infection: Invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms.
- Incontinence: Inability to control bladder or bowel function.
- Intravenous (IV): Administration of fluids or medication into a vein.
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to liver dysfunction.
- Kidney: Organ responsible for filtering waste products from the blood.
- Leukemia: Cancer of the blood cells, including white blood cells.
- Lumbar puncture: Procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal.
- Lymphatic system: Network of vessels and organs that helps the body fight infection.
- Malignant: Cancerous, capable of spreading to other tissues.
- Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors: Medications used to prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients.
- Mammogram: X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer.
- Medication: Substance used to treat or prevent illness.
- Metabolism: Chemical processes that occur within the body to maintain life.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize internal structures.
- Nebulizer: Device that turns liquid medication into a fine mist for inhalation.
- Neurologist: Physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
- Obstetrician: Physician specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and women's reproductive health.
- Oncologist: Physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Ophthalmologist: Physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions.
- Orthopedic: Relating to the branch of medicine dealing with the musculoskeletal system.
- Osteoporosis: Condition characterized by weak and brittle bones.
- Pacemaker: Device implanted in the chest to regulate heart rhythm.
- Palliative care: Medical care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with serious illnesses.
- Pallor: Paleness of the skin, often indicating illness or shock.
- Parkinson's disease: Neurological disorder that affects movement.
- Pathogen: Microorganism that causes disease.
- Phlebotomy: Procedure to collect blood samples for testing or donation.
- Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by infection.
- Prescription: Written order from a healthcare provider for medication or treatment.
- Prognosis: Predicted course and outcome of a disease.
- Radiology: Medical specialty that uses imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases.
- Rehabilitation: Therapy to restore function and improve quality of life after illness or injury.
- Respirator: Device that helps a patient breathe, also known as a ventilator.
- Seizure: Sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.
- Sepsis: Life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection.
- Stroke: Sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain.
- Surgery: Medical procedure performed to treat or diagnose a condition.
- Symptom: Subjective indication of disease or abnormality experienced by the patient.
- Terminal illness: Disease with no cure and a limited life expectancy.
- Ultrasound: Imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize internal structures.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): Infection of the urinary system.
- Vaccine: Biological preparation that stimulates the immune system to prevent specific diseases.
- Varicose veins: Enlarged and swollen veins, usually in the legs.
- Virus: Infectious agent that replicates within living cells.