Your Health: Medical terminology deciphered

Often, during a patient visit, I find myself explaining medical terms in more common language that a layperson can understand.
The following medical terms frequently come up in my conversations with patients. After each medical term is the common word or an explanation.
Conjunctivitis: pinkeye
Otitis media: ear infection in the middle ear, behind the eardrum
External otitis: “swimmer’s ear,” an infection of the ear canal
Pharyngitis: sore throat
Fracture: broken bone
Sprain: stretched ligament, a tough tissue that connects bone to bone
Strain: pulled muscle
Contusion: blunt impact injury, often causing a bruise
Hematoma: localized collection of blood
Hemorrhage: uncontrolled bleeding
Laceration: a cut to the skin
Abrasion: scraped skin
Skin abscess: boil
Hordeolum: sty
Cystitis: bladder infection
Pyleonephritis: kidney infection
Cellulitis: a bacterial skin infection
Analgesic: pain-relieving medicine
Hypertension: high blood pressure
Arrhythmia: irregular heartbeat
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Myocardial infarction: heart attack
Angina: lack of oxygen to the heart, causing chest pain
Cerebral vascular accident (CVA): stroke
Transient ischemic attack (TIA): mini-stroke
Hemetemesis: vomiting blood
Hemoptysis: coughing up blood
Melena: black blood in stool
Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar
Cardiovascular: adjective for things pertaining to the heart and blood vessels
Renal: adjective for things pertaining to the kidneys
Hepatic: adjective for things pertaining to the liver
Cerebral: adjective for things pertaining to the brain
Cutaneous: adjective for things pertaining to the skin
Jaundice: yellowing of the skin
Edema: swelling
Medical terms can be confusing. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for an explanation in words you understand.
• Terry Hollenbeck, M.D., is an urgent-care physician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley. A doctor with 36 years’ experience, he invites readers to view his previous columns on his Website, valleydoctor.wordpress.com. Information in this column is not intended to replace advice from your own health care professional. For any medical concern, consult your own doctor.