Medical dictionary

What is an allergy? An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to exposure to a substance in the environment which is usually harmless for most people. Examples include: Pollen Certain foods, e.g. peanuts Certain drugs Dust mites Contact with certain substances, e.g. latex, nickel Insect stings Allergies can affect several parts of the body. However, the most freque

What is allergy testing?Allergy tests are tests that are done to find out what known substances produce an allergic reaction in a person. This can be done in the form of a blood test, skin test, or a food elimination diet, which can help to determine what food intolerances an individual has.  Why have allergy testing?Allergy tests are performed when there are indications that a person ma

What is analysed? Allergy tests are used to identify specific allergens that may be triggering allergic reactions.  Common types of allergy tests include: Blood tests, including the total IgE test Skin tests, including the skin prick test, the patch test, and the intradermal test Food challenges, including the elimination diet Specifically, the total IgE test measure

What is an allergy to animal hair?An allergy to animal hair is a fairly frequent type of allergy and is usually caused by an allergic reaction to pet dander (small particles of dry animal skin), hair, feathers, urine or saliva. These small particles linger in the air and as a result, they can cause allergic reactions by being inhaled. Any animal with hair can trigger an allergic reaction

What is alopecia? Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. It is an umbrella term which includes many different types of hair loss, which each have their own causes and treatments. Types of alopecia include male and female pattern baldness, scarring alopecia, alopecia areata, anagen effluvium, telogen effluvium, alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, alopecia barbae, androgenetic alopecia,

What is analysed? Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein produced by the liver that plays an important role in the protection of the lungs from damage caused by enzymes. The AAT test measures AAT levels in the blood. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of AAT in the blood. Why conduct the analysis? The AAT test is conducted to help diagnose AAT d

What is analysed?Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing foetus. In adults, the presence of AFP serves as a tumour marker for certain types of cancers, particularly liver cancer and certain testicular cancers.The AFP test measures AFP tumour marker levels in the blood.What does the result mean?The result indicates the concentration of AFP tumour

What is Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects cognitive functions, particularly memory. It is the most common form of dementia in the UK. As it advances, it leads to memory loss, impaired judgment, and difficulty with daily tasks. Although there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms, making ongoing research an

What is a amblyopia? Amblyopia, also known as a lazy eye, is a common sight disorder where vision is decreased, usually in one eye, but occasionally in both eyes. Glasses and contact lenses do not improve the vision. In amblyopia, the eye suffers reduced vision because the brain does not fully use the information coming from one or both eyes. Amblyopia always begins in childho