Please click on a term below to go to its relevant definition:
Abrading:
Scraping away the surface material from something.
Circulatory:
When referring to a condition, meaning any condition that affects or originates in the circulatory system, i.e. veins, arteries etc. If you are not sure whether a condition is a circulatory condition, please contact us.
COPD:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - an umbrella term including emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis.
Coronary artery bypass graft:
A procedure where a piece of vein from somewhere else in the body (or some other substitute) is used to replace a narrowed artery of the heart and bypass that narrowed artery.
In-patient:
Any patient admitted into hospital who occupies a bed, whether overnight or not.
Investigation:
Any detailed examination or inquiry in order to discover what is wrong with someone.
Major surgery:
Any extensive and relatively difficult procedure, including but not limited to lengthy surgery, or surgery requiring ventilatory (breathing) assistance and/or general anaesthetic. If you are unsure whether surgery you have had constitutes major surgery, please contact us.
Medication:
Any prescribed drug or medicine.
Referral:
Where a recommendation has been made to consult another medical professional.
Renal (kidney) dialysis:
A medical intervention used to replace the function of the kidneys when renal function has been lost or impaired either temporarily or permanently
Secondary cancer:
When the cancer has moved from the primary organ or site to another organ or part of the body (also known as metastatic cancer).
Smoker:
A smoker is someone who currently smokes cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco in any quantity, or has given up for less than one year.
Stent:
A piece of synthetic material or metal used to widen or keep open a narrowing - e.g. a cardiac stent is used to keep open a coronary vessel.
Surgical procedure:
Surgery involving cutting, abrading, suturing, lasering or otherwise physically changing body tissues and/or organs.
Suturing:
Surgically closing a wound, or joining body tissues.
Treatment:
Any medical procedure, care or medicine that is aimed at relieving symptoms, curing or managing an illness or injury, and generally improving a patient’s situation.