Often we come across various similar medical terms in literature, the doctor’s chamber or a medical centre that we just do not understand. Most of the time we do ask others to shed light on our query, but isn’t it useful to learn more about these differences and be aware of them?
So, in today’s blog episode, let’s look at some of the common medical differences that a layperson should know from a general physician doctor in Kolkata.
Dive right in!
5 Essential and Common Medical Differences A Layperson Should Know
- Acute or Chronic?
You’ve probably heard terms like “acute bronchitis” or “chronic cough”. What do these two adjectives mean?
When the term acute is used, it means the condition started quickly, is severe, and will hopefully end quickly as well.
When the term chronic is used, it means that the illness took time to develop, has worsened over time and will take time to be managed or cured.
- Benign or Premalignant or Malignant Tumour?
Benign means the tumour is generally harmless. It is characterised by regular, distinct or smooth borders. Examples of benign tumours include adenomas, fibroids, hemangiomas, and lipomas.
Pre-cancerous tumours are those that have the potential to turn malignant aka cancerous. The cells of these tumours may be reproducing faster than normal (hyperplasia), appear abnormal (atypia), may look normal but aren’t typically found in that part of the body (metaplasia).
Cancerous or malignant tumours are those tumours that invade nearby tissues or break off and enter the blood or the lymph stream. Examples include carcinoma, sarcoma, germ cell, and blastoma.
- Remission or Cure?
Remission means the disease is not getting worse and is under control. Used typically for diabetes or cancer. When blood sugar levels come back to normal levels for a long-ish period of time, it may be said that your diabetes is under remission. A general physician doctor in Kolkata will typically notify you when a disease is in remission.
A cure, on the other hand, is when the cancer will never occur again.
- Angina or Myocardial Infarction or Myocardial Ischemia?
Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced. It is a symptom of a heart attack aka myocardial infarction.
When the heart muscle “dies” because of the lack of blood (carrying oxygen and nutrients) to it, it is known as a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
When myocardial ischemia occurs it means the heart muscle is not getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients to work i.e. a reduced or lack of blood flow to the heart. If this continues, it could lead to a myocardial infarction aka heart attack.
- Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis?
When the joints have been worn down because of usage, the term to be used is osteoarthritis. In this condition joints ache but there is no swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the joints. Pain and swelling are common symptoms of the same.
Wrapping Up
These are some of the terms that you could get confused with! A general physician doctor in Kolkata could help you understand them better.
Once such physician is Dr. Amitabha Saha. Reach out to him for medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid problems, among others.