Medical dictionary

What is sun damage? Years of sun exposure can have a profound effect on our skin, eventually leading to sun damage. Although it can feel good to be in the sun, too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin ageing and wrinkles, dark spots, thickened skin, skin cancer and other skin changes.   What kind of damage can the sun do to the skin? Too much sun exposure can

What is a supraspinatus tendon tear? A supraspinatus tendon tear is a tear or rupture of the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle, which is located at the back of the shoulder. It is one of the most frequently damaged tendons. It usually develops alongside other rotator cuff muscle tears, which may be the result of trauma or repeated micro-trauma. The tear may be a partial or full thickness tear.

What is supraventricular tachycardia? Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a heart condition where the heart suddenly beats much faster than normal. This type of tachycardia originates from faulty electrical impulses in the upper part of the heart, rather than from the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). It is less dangerous than ventricular tachycardia. SVT then refers to any non-ve

What is a surface prosthesis? A surface prosthesis is an alternative procedure to a total hip or total knee replacement, which is more suitable for patients under 65. Surface prostheses preserve a larger amount of the bone and usually last longer than their conventional alternative. The surface prosthesis refers to an artificial replacement of a portion of the b

What is it? Surgical dermatology is a sub-specialisation of surgery that treats all the conditions of the skin. It bridges dermatology and plastic surgery, as a dermatological surgical procedure often consists in removing the skin lesions and reconstructing the skin with medications or with reconstructive surgery techniques. What is it for? Surgical dermatology can be done e

What is surgical oncology? Surgical oncology is a branch of surgery focussing on the surgical management of tumours, in particular malignant (cancerous) tumours. While the term is frequently used, surgical oncology is not recognised as a specialty by the GMC (General Medical Council); rather, it is a term encompassing a number of disciplines across several specialties, for example, an otola

What is surgical tattoo removal?Surgical tattoo removal is an option for people who regret a tattoo and wish to have it removed. Surgical treatment is a quick and immediate alternative to laser treatment, which usually requires many treatment visits and still does not guarantee complete removal of the image.   What are the reasons people opt to have a tattoo surgically removed?

What is meant by surrogacy?Surrogacy is an increasingly popular option for individuals and couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves. This process involves a surrogate, a woman who agrees to carry and deliver a child on behalf of the intended parents. Surrogacy offers hope to those facing medical, biological, or social barriers to parenthood, allowing them to fulfill their

What is being analysed? The sweat chloride test measures the amount of chloride in sweat. Chloride is a crucial component of sweat, and its levels can indicate the presence of certain medical conditions, particularly cystic fibrosis. What does the result mean? The result of the sweat chloride test provides valuable information about the functioning of the sweat glands. Elevated chlori