Medical dictionary

What is this treatment?    Botulinum toxin is a treatment that is most commonly known as Botox. It is quite often used to achieve a more rejuvenated look. Wrinkles appear over time and for some people this is a real concern. Botox is the trademark name for botulinum toxin. It is a neurotoxic protein that is injected under the skin in order to remove wrinkles that appear on the fa

What is it? Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, originates from the development of tumour cells in the mucosa of the bowel. Given that the colon and the rectum are connected, the cancer often develops in one area and spreads to the other: that is why it is also called colorectal cancer. It has been estimated that this type of cancer is the third largest cause of death in developed

What is bowel incontinence? Bowel incontinence, also referred to as fecal incontinence, describes an inability to control bowel movements, leading to an involuntary leakage of stool from the rectum. It can range from occasional leakage of small amounts of stool to a complete loss of bowel control. It is thought that as many as one in ten people will experience some degree of bowel inconti

What is a colectomy (bowel surgery)? Colectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all, or the partial sectioning, of the large intestine (colon). The colon is a long tube-shaped organ at the end of the digestive tract. A colectomy may be required to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon. Bowel surgery will be carried out by a specialist surgeon

What exactly is bow-leggedness?Genu varum, which is commonly known as bow-leggedness, is the term used for a postural deformity in which the knees are separated when the ankles are touching. This results in the knees bending outwards. It is very common in children aged between one and two years old, especially if they have started walking early.It normally spontaneously resolves when they are arou

What are braces? Braces, or dental brackets, are a type of orthodontic treatment to help correct the positioning of your teeth and sometimes your jaw. They can be single or multiple pieces either fixed around your teeth or easily removable. Thanks to the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry, braces can come in various types: metal (traditional), self-ligating or transparent (ceramic). &

What is a brachial plexus injury?A brachial plexus injury occurs when the ‘brachial plexus’ (which is a group of nerves that run from the neck to the arm) becomes damaged, which can result in a wide range of problems linked to pain, sensory loss or change and paralysis or inability to use the shoulder, elbow, forearm or hand. Brachial plexus injuries most commonly occur due to road traffic acciden

What is brachioplasty? Arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is the surgical procedure intended to eliminate unsightly excess skin in the arms, making them smoother and firmer while improving their appearance. In mild cases, the arm lift can be performed with less-invasive techniques and with local anaesthesia; in more advanced cases, surgery under general anaesthesia may be required.

What is brachytherapy? Brachytherapy is a treatment that places sealed radioactive sources inside the patient temporarily or permanently to damage the DNA of the cancer cells and destroy their reproductive capacity, division, and growth. Brachytherapy allows the oncologist to use a high dose of radiation to treat an area in less time than conventional radiation therapy. It can be used to treat