Medical dictionary

What is testosterone?Testosterone is a sex hormone present in both women and men, although in different amounts. In women, testosterone is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Testosterone plays an important role in women’s health by:maintaining a healthy hormonal balancemaintaining sexual function Testosterone may also play a role by:increas

What is testosterone replacement therapy?  Testosterone replacement therapy, also called TRT, is prescribed to men who produce low levels of the hormone and suffer from symptoms as a result. It is one of many hormone treatments, that involves replenishing the levels with exogenous (artificial) testosterone.   Testosterone is the main sex and anabolic (muscle building) hormone,

What is being analysed? Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting haemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen. The test analyses the presence of abnormal haemoglobin, specifically HbS. When is it requested? The test is typically requested when there's a suspicion of sickle cell anaemia due to symptoms like fatigue, pain, or anaemia. It is also part of

What is tethered spinal cord syndrome? Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a congenital malformation characterised by scar tissue that fixes the spinal cord to the dura (the soft tissue membrane surrounding it), preventing the normal flow of spinal fluid around the cord and the normal movement of the fluid within the membrane. This tethering (fixation) causes cysts to appear. Tethered spinal co

What is tetraparesis? Tetraparesis or quadriparesis is a condition in which the patient’s four limbs suffer from muscle weakness. Some patients may not be able to control motor function of their limbs, while others may experience partial paralysis of some of their limbs. Tetraparesis can come in both spastic (unusual stiffness or tightness of muscles and tendons) and flaccid (the muscles

What is thalassaemia? Thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which the body produces an abnormal amount of haemoglobin (red blood cell protein responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide). This disorder causes large amounts of red blood cells to be destroyed, which leads to anaemia. To understand the existing types of thalassemia, it is important to know that thala

What is the common cold? The common cold, which is often referred to simply as a cold, is a viral disease of the upper respiratory tract, affecting the nose, throat and sinuses. It is the most frequent infectious disease among humans. There are over 200 strains of the cold virus with around 50 percent being rhinoviruses. A rhinovirus is a type of virus that grows in temperatures of 33-35 &de

What is therapeutic aftercare? Aftercare is the continued care a patient receives after their therapeutic rehabilitation. It offers continued support to patients who have undergone therapy for psychiatric disorders such as depression, addiction, anxiety, etc. to continue the progress made during therapy. It’s also used to minimise potential situations of social risk to the patient. I

What is a therapeutic mammoplasty? A therapeutic mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove breast cancer (therapeutic) and reshape (mammoplasty) the breast by removing tissue and skin. This operation is carried out as both a form of treatment of breast cancer and to try to preserve a normal breast shape. After the cancer has been removed and your breast has been remodelled by a surge