Level 1: Health and medicine

Ache - a continuous dull pain.

Example:

I’ve had a headache all day.

Ambulance - a vehicle equipped for emergency medical assistance and transportation of patients to the hospital.

Example:

He’s not breathing…Call the ambulance!

Appointment - a scheduled consultation with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Example:

Do you want to go to the movies tonight?I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a dentist's appointment, and I’m afraid I won’t feel well after it.

Bacteria - a simple organism that causes diseases.

Example:

Avoid wearing your contact lenses to the pool or beach because bacteria from the water might get under the lens and cause a severe eye infection.

Broken - usually used to refer to a bone that is divided into two or more pieces.

Example:

I think my ankle is broken. I step on my right foot.

Critical condition - a life-threatening condition that requires constant medical assistance.

Example:

Seven victims of the terrorist attack are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Diagnosis - a medical explanation of a certain condition or disease.

Example:

I think it's an allergy, but you need to have some blood tests done to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

Discomfort - an unpleasant feeling or slight pain.

Example:

Do you feel any pain or discomfort when I press here?

Disease - a medical disorder that threatens a person’s health or life.

Example:

Dementia is a rather serious disease.

Dislocated - used to describe a condition when a bone separates from the joint.

Example:

Do you want to play rugby with us?No, thanks. The last time I played rugby, I ended up with a dislocated shoulder.

Emergency - a condition that requires immediate medical assistance.

Example:

In case of any emergency, call 911.

False negative - a negative test result that is incorrect.

Example:

If you get tested for HIV during the first 6 months after the supposed date of getting infected, you will most likely get a false negative result. So make sure to get tested again in 6 months to get accurate results.

Family history - a medical background of one’s family members.

Example:

Julia’s doctor was really concerned about her family history of breast cancer and offered her a test to figure out whether she has a gene that causes breast cancer.

Fever - a condition when the body temperature is above the normal rate.

Example:

Among the side effects of the vaccination are muscle soreness, pain in the place of injection, tiredness, and fever.

Illness - a general term used for describing conditions that make a person feel unwell for a certain period of time.

Example:

Nobody can tell what illness she has because all her lab tests are perfect, but a psychiatrist said that she might feel sick and generally unwell because of certain mental issues such as depression or anxiety.

To be ill - to feel unwell or sick for a certain period of time.

Example:

How was your trip to Thailand?Oh, terrible. I ate something bad and was ill throughout the entire trip.

Infection - the process of infection caused by either virus or bacteria that is usually accompanied by inflammation, fever, soreness, etc.

Example:

Antibiotics are usually prescribed for bacterial infections.

Injury - damage to the body such as broken bone, cut, sore, bruise, etc.

Example:

After the car crash, Monica had a lot of injuries to her legs, but she’s completely recovered.

Lab/laboratory - a place where samples (blood, urine, discharge, etc.) are tested.

Example:

You can hand in your urine samples in the laboratory on the second floor.

Medical school/Med. school - a university or faculty where future doctors study.

Example:

I'm going to start Med. school in October. I’m so excited to take another step toward my dream.

Newborn - a baby that is less than three months old.

Example:

Anna is a nurse. She works in the maternity unit, and her main duty is taking care of newborns.

Operation/surgery - an invasive medical procedure that involves getting access to the area that has to be treated through an incision and fixing the problem.

Example:

My uncle had heart surgery last week, and today we are going to take him from the hospital and have a little family gathering.

To operate - to perform an operation/surgery.

Example:

Doctor Lee is going to operate on three patients today, but the number may change if some urgent patients arrive at the hospital during his shift.

Pain - highly uncomfortable physical feeling in a certain body part usually caused by injury or illness.

Example:

She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, and we immediately rushed to the hospital.

Patient - a person who receives medical treatment.

Example:

Doctor Smith has a patient at the moment, please, wait a few minutes.

Pharmacy/Drugstore - a place where meds and other medical supplies are sold.

Example:

I need to go to the pharmacy to pick up the drugs I ordered online.

Routine check-up - medical examination, which is a type of general health monitoring.

Example:

I have a general routine check-up next week, but I’m not sure if my insurance covers that.

Second opinion - an opinion about a certain disease or condition from another healthcare professional.

Example:

The dermatologist prescribed me 15 different drugs, some of which are homeopathy, for my hair loss. I think I’ll go get a second opinion because I’m not ready to take that many drugs at the same time as well as spend my money on homeopathy.

Shock - a condition characterized by low blood pressure, dilated pupils, and irregular breathing caused by an allergic reaction, blood loss, severe burns, or emotional stress.

Example:

The man was in shock after being shot in his leg. That explains how he managed to get to the gas station and find help.

Sore - painful.I can’t talk.

Example:

I have a sore throat.

Spasm - a sudden uncontrollable muscle contraction, which is usually rather painful.

Example:

A lack of some vitamins and minerals can cause muscle spasms.

Stress - an emotional state, either short-term or long-term, that manifests itself in nervous tension.

Example:

Stress is the cause of many diseases, especially mental ones.

Swelling (Adj. swollen) - an abnormal enlargement of a body part caused by injury or allergy.

Example:

My face is still a little swollen after I got bitten by a bee, but it’s way better than it was.

Symptoms - mental and/or physical indications of a certain disease or condition, e.g., pain, tiredness, nausea, headache, etc.

Example:

Such symptoms as headache, tiredness, or loss of weight are unspecific, which is why you always have to consult a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis.

Virus - an organism that causes infectious diseases such as flu, HIV, hepatitis, etc.

Example:

A new dangerous virus has been detected in China.

Antibiotics - a type of medication that is used for curing bacterial infections.

Example:

You mustn’t take antibiotics unless you have a confirmed bacterial infection and you've been prescribed antibiotics by a healthcare professional.

Antidepressant - a medication that relieves the symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Example:

Jill was prescribed antidepressants after her suicide attempt.

Antihistamines - meds used to reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms of allergy.

Example:

I thought I had some sort of nasal infection, but it turned out to be an allergy, so I was prescribed antihistamines.

Alcohol swab - a small pad soaked in alcohol used for cleansing the skin before an injection or IV as well as disinfecting the area around a wound.

Example:

Make sure you have at least a few alcohol swabs in your first aid kit.

Band-aid - a small sticking plaster with a pad in the middle used for protecting small scratches, cuts, blisters, etc.

Example:

I think I got a blister on my pinkie toe. Do you happen to have a band-aid?

Birth control/Birth control pills - hormonal contraception pills that block ovulation in women.

Example:

Birth control is a reliable contraception form, but just like all contraception methods, it’s not 100% effective.

Ointment - a smooth substance that is rubbed on the skin for medical purposes.

Example:

The ointment my doctor prescribed me really helps with the pain in the back.

Ibuprofen - a popular over-the-counter painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug.

Example:

If ibuprofen doesn’t help with the pain in your back, just text me, and I’ll give you a prescription for a stronger painkiller.

Insulin - a synthetic form of insulin used to treat diabetes.

Example:

Sarah has been on insulin for more than six years now.

Painkiller/Pain reliever - a medicine that relieves pain.

Example:

After the surgery, I was prescribed painkillers to relieve any possible pain.

Tylenol (Paracetamol) - an over-the-counter painkiller and anti-inflammatory medicine.

Example:

Tylenol is often used to bring down the temperature during a fever.

Supplements - pills that contain synthetic vitamins which are essential for normal growth and nutrition.

Example:

Most supplements are pointless. In fact, the only supplement doctors recommend taking is vitamin D.