The Chronic Illness Alphabet
- Apr 11, 2018
- 2 min read
As you would/should have read, I have many illnesses. During the many years I have had doctors around me, I have picked up many medical terms. I thought it would be a great idea for you to ‘learn’ some medical terms.
Anticoagulant
A medicine that helps prevent the blood from clotting and causing a stroke, heart attack or embolism.
Autoimmune
Your own body is attacking itself. Your body thinks your healthy tissue is bad for you, therefore attacks everything within the body
Azathioprine (chemo drug)
A type of drug to suppress the immune system usually given to people with autoimmune disease.
Chronic illness
A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time. The term chronic is often applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months and can last a lifetime
Echocardiogram (echo)
An ultrasound of the heart.
Embolism
The obstruction of an artery by a blood clot
Erythematosus
Chronic, inflammatory usually associated with autoimmune disease.
INR
International Normalized Ratio. Measures how fast/slow the blood clots
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A test that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures inside your body. Your doctor can use this test to diagnose you or to see how well you've responded to treatment.
NFD
Neurological Functional Disorder. Due to a Problem with the Functioning of the nervous system, and not due to neurological disease.
Systemic
Affecting the entire body
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
A Chronic Disease causing inflammation of any organ within the body
TIA
Transient Ischemic attack (mini stroke) The symptoms of the stroke usually resolves quickly
Warfarin
An anticoagulant that prevents heart attacks, and strokes
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