Medical dictionary

What are venous ulcers? Venous ulcers are sores that develop on the legs due to problems with blood circulation through the veins of the leg and minor injury. The problems with blood flow can result in blood pressure in the veins increasing which eventually damages the tiny blood vessels in the skin, which if knocked or scratched, can easily break and form an ulcer. What are the symptom

What is a ventricular assist device?        Ventricular assist devices are small devices that are implanted in the heart to help the heart pump blood from the ventricles to the rest of the body.   The device is a kind of mechanical pump and is used in people who have a weak heart or who have heart failure.   A cardiac surgeon will carry out this pro

What is ventricular tachycardia? Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach or VT) is a type of arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorder) in which abnormal electrical signals in the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) cause them to beat unusually quickly and out of sync with the contractions of the atria (upper chambers). This acceleration and lack of coordination can mean that the chambers of the he

What is vertebroplasty? Vertebroplasty is a minimally-invasive intervention to treat acute spinal fractures. In a vertebroplasty, a cement mixture is injected into the fractured bone via a hollow needle. Vertebroplasty is performed in a hospital or outpatient clinic. The procedure may be performed under local anaesthesia, in which case you will probably also receive medication to help yo

What is vertigo?Vertigo is not actually a condition in itself, but it is a symptom. It describes the feeling that everything around you is spinning, or that you are spinning yourself. In most cases, vertigo gets better by itself, but if it happens repeatedly or it keeps affecting you, it should be investigated.  ‘Attacks’ of vertigo can last for just a few seconds, but they can also

What is vesicoureteral reflux? Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), also known as vesico-ureteric reflux, is a condition affecting the urinary system that usually occurs in children. Normally, urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder in one direction via tubes called ureters. However, in VUR, urine is able to reflux back up one or both ureters, sometimes even all the way to the kidneys. What

What's a vestibular migraine?A vestibular migraine is a neurological condition that causes episodes of vertigo or dizziness in individuals with a history of migraine. It’s considered one of the most common causes of recurring dizziness related to the inner ear and brain. Unlike typical migraines, vestibular migraines don’t always include headache. Instead, they often involve problems with balance,

What is vestibular schwannoma?A vestibular schwannoma, otherwise know as an acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour which grows on the vestibular nerve, the nerve which connects your inner ear to your brain. In some cases, the tumour can grow rapidly and begin to put pressure on the brain, whereas in other cases the tumour can grow very slowly or not at all. What are the symptoms of vestibular sc

What is vestibular testing? Vestibular testing is a series of tests that check the functioning of the vestibular (balance) section of the inner ear. The vestibular system and the eyes work together to maintain balance and to maintain clear vision when the head is moving. This is known as the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR). People who complain of dizziness will often go through vestibular testin