Medical dictionary

What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is the most frequent disease of the arteries. It consists of the formation of plaque in the blood vessels through which oxygen and nutrients are transported. The plaque is a sticky substance formed by fat, cholesterol or calcium, which over time can harden and narrow the arteries causing a lack of blood flow to the tissues and organs. Although it often a

What is atheroembolic renal disease? Atheroembolic renal disease occurs when minute particles become dispersed along the small blood vessels in the kidneys. These particles are made of solidified fat and cholesterol, and other substances. What are the symptoms of atheroembolic renal disease? It should be borne in mind that the disease may be asymptomatic. If there are symptoms, t

What is atopic dermatitis?Atopic dermatitis (or atopic eczema) is a chronic inflammation of the skin that results in an itchy rash. It is more common in children than adults. This condition is “atopic” because it does not affect a specific area; it can affect several different areas of the body and is not necessarily where the skin is in direct contact with an allergen.  PrognosisAt

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the world. It is characterised by a rhythm disturbance that causes the heart to beat fast or irregularly. It affects around 4% of people over the age of 65. The atria, the upper chambers of the heart that control the rhythm, don’t function as they should and cause the heart rate to speed up,

What is atrial fibrillation ablation?Atrial fibrillation ablation is a procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation - a type of abnormal heart rhythm also known arrhythmia. It works by scarring the inside of the heart, by burning or freezing parts of the heart tissue, to help alter or break up electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats.There are a group of cells in the heart that start the

What are attachment issues?Attachment issues typically develop in childhood. Normal attachment usually results in feelings of security which forms the base for a child to explore their environment, develop relationships, deal with emotions as well as manage stressful situations. Attachment difficulties arise mostly in children who have not had a normal connection with a parental figure due to abus

What is atypical pneumonia? Atypical pneumonia is an infection that affects the lower respiratory tract. It is similar to typical pneumonia, but is often less severe and may not require hospitalisation. Many patients recover fully from this condition through the intake of antibiotics and on many occasions may not even realise that they have this type of lung infection. It is called atypical pne

What is audiometry? An audiometry exam evaluates your hearing function in terms of tone, balance and sound intensity. It focuses on the functioning of the inner ear. The human ear can perceive sounds with tones that range between 20 and 20,000 Hertz. The human ear can hear sounds with intensity ranging from 20 decibels upwards. What does audiometry involve? An audiometry exam involves

What is auditory processing disorder?Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a hearing problem that affects the way audio and oral information is taken in, meaning that those with APD have trouble understanding sounds and spoken words.APD is thought to be a neurodevelopmental disorder, as those with the condition tend to have normal ear structure and function, but they are unable to process audible