As a general reader, you might be wondering why you need to learn medical English. Believe me, you will be sorry later in your life if you don't. Today, due to the widespread availability of information, a non-medical person can also understand many things about diagnosis and diseases. If you know some common medical terms then you can choose the right doctor for a specific treatment. You would also understand what the different diagnostic terms mean. You can make informed treatment-related decisions. Sometimes, patients suffer from maltreatment. Knowing medical terms can help you avoid this scenario. Gaining some medical knowledge can help you in emergencies when doctors may not be available right away.
Doctors and nurses are well aware of the various medical vocabulary. Those healthcare professionals who assist the doctors and nurses must also know medical English, like ward boys, pharmacy assistants, or medical equipment suppliers. Knowing medical English saves time in communicating. It also results in fewer work-related errors. Here is a list of vocabulary for healthcare professionals that patients and others may also learn.
Places
Operating Room (OR) : operation or surgery takes place here.Ward : room shared by many patients.
Cabin : Individual accommodation for patients.
Emergency Room (ER) : a part of the hospital providing immediate treatment for urgent conditions.
Pharmacy : a place where medications are stored and dispensed.
Clinic : a healthcare facility providing regular or specialized outpatient care.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) : a special hospital department for critically ill patients.
Laboratory : a place where medical tests are conducted.
Rehabilitation center : a facility that helps patients recover after surgeries or injuries.
Waiting room : an area where patients and their guests wait before, during, or after appointments or treatments.
Radiology department : the part of the hospital where imaging tests are performed.
Outpatient department : where patients receive treatments without being admitted overnight.
Medical abbreviations
CBC : blood testMRI (magnetic resonance imaging) : taking 3D images of internal body organs using radio waves.
ECG (echocardiogram) : test to see the condition of the heart.
X-ray : using electromagnetic radiation to take images of organs.
CT scan : a type of X-ray to provide cross-sectional images of the body.
Medical field
Diagnosis : carry out tests to find out your health condition.Prescription : advice including list of medicines written by the doctor.
Hypertension : high blood pressure.
Painkiller : medicine for reducing pain.
Dosage : how many times you have to take certain medicines.
Biopsy (of abnormal cells) : test to find out if you have any cancerous cells in your body or other conditions by removing cells.
Trauma : shock due to any negative experience, like an accident.
Flu : viral infection affecting the nose, throat, and lungs.
Check-up : a routine examination by a doctor.
Ultrasound : using sound waves to view internal organs.
Disease
Chronic : a disease that lasts for a long time and gets worse over time.Benign : without complications, for example, a benign tumor is harmless.
Terminal : terminal disease can't be cured; that is, the patient will eventually die.
Cure : Treatment
Medical personnel
Surgeon : someone who operates patients.Anesthesiologist : who gives anesthesia before the operation
Cardiologist : heart specialist
Traumatologist : specializes in trauma
Orthopedist : specializes in bones
Gastroenterologist : a doctor who treats problems in the digestive system.
Dermatologist : specializes in skin diseases
Gynecologist : who specializes in female reproductive health
Urologist : a doctor who specializes in treating diseases concerning urinary tracts.
Ophthalmologist : eye specialist
Therapist : who gives therapy to improve body and muscle movements
Paediatrician : children's doctor
Physician : Doctor
MD : Doctor
Dentist : who focuses on oral health
Family doctor : a doctor who treats family members regularly.
Midwife : who helps deliver babies
Neurologist : brain and neuro system specialist
Psychiatrist : mental health specialist
Radiologist : a doctor specializing in imaging.
Pathologist : a doctor who analyses body tissues and fluids.
Psychologist : a professional who provides mental counseling and therapy.
Paramedic : a healthcare professional providing emergency medical care outside the hospital.
Dietitian : a healthcare professional who creates eating plans for patients.
Common Health Problems
Fever : a very high temperature.Cough : minor lung problem.
Allergy : red eyes, runny nose, skin irritation, etc. from food, medicine, or other things.
Infection : invasion of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, etc.
Asthma : a respiratory condition that causes breathing problems.
Diabetes : a chronic condition that affects the body's ability to control sugar.
Migraine : a type of severe headache.
Anxiety : a mental health disorder causing fear and worry.
Depression : a mental health condition due to constant feelings of sadness.
Arthritis : a condition that causes pain in the joints.
Fracture : a crack in a bone.
Indigestion : discomfort in the stomach.
Treatments
Surgery : a medical procedure used to repair or remove body parts.Therapy : treatment of a disorder.
Vaccination : apply a vaccine to help the body develop immunity to a disease.
Chemotherapy : a cancer treatment using drugs for killing or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Radiation therapy : a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
Dialysis : a treatment to remove waste products from the blood when a person's kidney doesn't work properly.
Insulin therapy : a treatment for diabetes for controlling blood sugar levels.
Antibiotics : medications for fighting bacterial infections.
Transplant : replacing a failing organ with a healthy one from a specific donor.
Rehabilitation : a program to restore strength after injury or surgery.
Inhaler : a device that provides medication to the lungs. It is used by asthma patients often.
Acupuncture : therapy that uses needles to treat pain.
Once you know these medical terms, you will feel a lot more comfortable communicating with the healthcare professionals. These terms will help you move around the hospital and get better treatment for any diseases.
