For ease in viewing, MEMORYLANE's list of abbreviations was made into one column.
AASK - African-American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension
AB - Antibiotic
ABL - Ableson Leukemia Virus
ABO Blood Typing– refers to tests to classify blood into groups A, B, AB & O; usually done with Rh typing
.......to determine compatibility (aka Type and Cross matching)
ABPM – Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (time interval burden of blood pressure on the cardiovascular system)
ABx - Antibiotic Therapy or Treatment
ACE - Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
ACIM - A Course in Miracles (organization dedicated to spiritual teachings of inner peace)
ACTH - Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
AD - Alzheimer Disease
AD - Antidepressant
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA - American Diabetes Association
ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder
ADE - Acute Demyelinated Encephalomyelitis
ADHD - Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL - Activities of daily living
AED - Antiepileptic Drugs
AF - Atrial Fibrillation
AFN - Atypical Facial Neuralgia (aka Atypical Facial Pain)
AFO - Ankle-Foot-Orthosis
AGA - Antigliadin Antibodies (for Celiac Disease)
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIED - Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
ALA - Alpha Lipoic Acid (dietary supplement)
ALJ - Administrative Law Judge (as in SSDI Appeals Process)
ALPS - Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
AMA - Antimitochondrial Antibody
AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (For Rose)
ANA - Antinuclear Antibody
ANCA - Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies
ANS - Autonomic Nervous System
AODM - Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus
aPTT - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (lab test; aka PTT - Partial Thromboplastin Time)
APS - Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
ARBs - Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
ARC - Autoimmune Related Complex
ARDS - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ART - Active Release Technique
AS - Ankylosing Spondylitis
AVL - Antiviral Lysozyme
AVR - Antiviral Rnase(s)
BA - Bacillary Angiomatosis (aka Cat Scratch Disease)
BAD - BiPolar Affective Disorder
BBB - Bundle Branch Block
BBD - Bad Body Day (in memory of Uncle Paul)
BCFs - Blood Coagulation Factors
BEE - Basal Energy Expenditure
BiPAP - Noninvasive Respirator (to) Assist Breathing
BP - Blood Pressure
BMI - Body Mass Index
BMR - Basal Metabolic Rate
BNP - B-type Natriuretic Peptide; also Brain Natriuretic Peptide
BPd - Diastolic Blood Pressure (aka DBP; The lower blood pressure; heart is relaxed)
BPs - Systolic Blood Pressure (aka SBP; The higher blood pressure; heart is contracted)
BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder
BPH - Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
BPPV - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BPV - Benign Positional Vertigo
BTW - By the way
Bx - Biopsy
C/O - Complains of; Complaining of; Complaint of
CAA - Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
CAD - Cold Agglutinin Disease
CAH - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
CAM - Complimentary (and) Alternative Medicine
CASH - Cortical Androgen Stimulating Hormone
CAT Scan - Computed Axial Tomography
CBT - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CC - Chief Complaint
CD - Castleman's Disease (aka Angiofollicular Lymph Node Hyperplasia)
CDSD - Chronically Disabled Spinal Disorder
CE - Consultative Examination (or Examiner)
CF - Cystic Fibrosis
CFIDS - Chronic Fatigue (and) Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (another name for CFIDS)
CFSAC - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee
CFTR - Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator
CGD - Chronic Granulomatous Disease
CHC - Chronic Hepatitis-C
CHD - Coronary Heart Disease
CHF - Congestive Heart Failure
CIC - Circulating Immune Complexes
CIDP - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid (dietary supplement)
CLL – Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CML - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
CMP - Chronic Myofascial Pain
CMT - Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder (aka HMSN)
CMV - Cytomegalovirus (aka HHV-5)
CNS - Central Nervous System
CNSV - Central Nervous System Vasculitis
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (for sleep apnea)
CPE - Cytopathic Effect
CPT - Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase
CRC - Candida Related Complex
CREST Scleroderma - Calcinosis + Raynaud's + Esophageal dysfunction + Sclerodactyly + Telangiectasia (aka CREST Syndrome)
CRH - Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
CRP - C-Reactive Protein (a lab blood test to determine inflammation)
CRPS - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (aka RSD)
CRT Scanner - Computerized Rectilinear Thyroid Scanner
CSD - Cat Scratch Disease (aka Bacillary Angiomatosis)
CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid; Cerebral Spinal Fluid
CSH - Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity
CT Scan - Computed Tomography
CTL - Cytotoxic T Cells (aka Cytotoxic Lymphocytes or Killer T-Cells)
CTS - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CVID - Common Variable Immunodeficiency
DD - Disabling Disease(s); also Darn (or Da*n) Disease(s)
DDD - Degenerative Disk Disease
DDS - Disability Determination Service
DE - Disability Examiner
DEXA Scan - Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or Bone Densitometry (low-dose radiology)
DH - Dear Hubby/Husband (or Darn Hubby if that be the context)
DHEA – Dehydroepiandrosterone
DI - Diabetes Insipidus
DIC - Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy
DIL - Drug-induced Lupus
DJD - Degenerative Joint Disease (aka OA-Osteoarthritis or Spondylosis)
DKA - Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DM - Diabetes Mellitus
DM - Dermatomyositis
DME - Durable Medical Equipment (as in wheelchairs or ventilators)
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DO - Doctor of Osteopathy
DOC - Drug of Choice
DOT - Directly Observed Therapy
DBP - Diastolic Blood Pressure (aka BPd; The lower blood pressure; heart is relaxed)
DRE – Digital Rectal Exam (as in finger probe, not imaging)
DRESS - Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
DS - Downward Spiral (from BillCamo courtesy of Montel Williams)
DSPS - Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
DTD - Diastrophic Dysplasia
DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dx or D/O - Diagnosis or Diagnosis of
EBV - Epstein-Barr Virus (aka HHV-4)
EC - Endothelial Cell
ECF - Extracellular Fluid
ECG/EKG - Electrocardiogram
ECHO Virus - Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan Virus
ECT - Electroconvulsive Therapy
EEG - Electroencephalogram
EFA - Essential Fatty Acid
EGD - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
EGF - Epidermal Growth Factor
EI - Environmental Illness
EIA - Enzyme Immunoassay
ELISA - Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
EM - Erythema Multiforme
EMG - Electromyogram Emotional Lability (not liability) – unexpected or unpredictable emotional shifts; rapid and drastic
.........changes in emotional state (laughing, crying, anger) during inappropriate times or situations
EMS - Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome
ENA - Extractable Nuclear Antigen Antibodies
ENG - Electronystagmography
EOG - Electrooculogram
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
ERCP - Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ERF – Eleanor Rigby Face (for BillCamo)
ERG - Electroretinogram
ESR – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (aka Sed Rate or Sedimentation Rate; a lab blood test to determine inflammation)
Etiology - study of the cause of a disease (Unknown Etiology = unknown origin or cause)
FAMA - Fluorescent Antibody to Membrane Antigen
FAMA - Fluorescence-Assisted Mismatch Analysis Familial – pertaining to one’s family, in terms of heredity or predisposition Fasciculations - small, involuntary, irregular, visible contractions of individual muscle fibers
FBS - Fasting Blood Sugar (aka Glucose)
FCAS - Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome
FCE - Functional Capacity Evaluation (an assessment of physical tolerance for work)
FFA - Free Fatty Acid Fibromites - nickname for PWF's; also Fibromytes
FISH Assay - Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization Assay
FMLA - Family and Medical Leave Act
FMS or FM - Fibromyalgia Syndrome (aka Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Fibromyositis)
FNA - Fine Needle Aspiration (a biopsy, non-surgical procedure)
Free Radicals - Unstable molecules that transport oxygen; can be destructive causing a loss of tissue or membrane integrity
FU or F/U - Follow-up
FUBAR - Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition
FUO - Fever of Unknown Origin
FVC - Forced Vital Capacity
FYI - For your Information
GABA - Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
GAD - Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GBS - Guillain-Barré Syndrome
GCA - Giant Cell Arteritis
GERD or GORD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD in the UK and Europe)
GI - Gastrointestinal
GVHD - Graft-Versus-Host Disease
GU - Gastric Ulcer
GU - Genitourinary
GWS - Gulf War Syndrome 1HMRS - Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
HAART - Highly Active AntiRetroviral Treatment (for HIV)
HAPE - High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
HBV – Hepatitis B Virus
HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HCV – Hepatitis C Virus
HDL - High-density Lipoprotein (aka "good cholesterol")
HEENT - Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (as in doctor's examination notes)
HERX - Herxheimer Effect - temporary toxicity within the body when organisms die-off faster than can be eliminated;
........ as in ABx therapy or Candida treatment (aka Herxing)
HGH - Human Growth Hormone
HH or HFe - Hereditary Hemochromatosis (aka Iron Overload Disease or Genetic Iron Poisoning)
HHCS - Hereditary Hyperferritinaemia-Cataract Syndrome
HHV - Human Herpesvirus (there are eight known members of the Human Herpes family)
HIM - Hyper-IgM (antibody response)
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HLA - Human Leukocyte Antigen (four types: A, B, C & D)
HMSN - Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (aka CMT)
HPA Axis - Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
HPS - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
HPS - Hemophagocytic syndrome
HPV - Human Papillomavirus
HOPE - Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation
HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy
hsCRP - High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
HSV1 - Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (aka HHV-1)
HSV2 - Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (aka HHV-2)
HTLV - Human T-Lymphotropic Virus
HUT - Head-up Tilt Table Test
Hx or H/O – History or History of
IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
ICD - Idiopathic Cervical Dystonia
ICDs - Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
ICF - Intracellular Fluid
ICP - Intracranial Pressure
IDA - Iron Deficiency Anemia
IDDM - Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
IFG - Impaired Fasting Glucose
IG - Immunoglobulin
IGT - Impaired Glucose Tolerance
IMHO - In my humble opinion
IMO - In my opinion
IMOO - In my own opinion
IOIS - Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Syndrome
IPPB - Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
IPT - Insulin Potentiation Therapy
IR - Insulin Resistance
IRDM - Insulin Resistant Diabetes Mellitus
IRMA - Immunoradiometric Assay
IRT - Immunoreactive Trypsin (lab test)
ISAC - Immune System Activation of Coagulation
ISAX – Immune System Activation of Coagulation Syndrome (aka ISAC/ISACS)
ISI - Insulin Sensitivity Index
ITP - Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ITP - Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
IVAD - Implantable Venous Access Device
JAR - Just Ain't Right (from veterinary field)
JRA - Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JVD - Jugular Venous Distention
KD - Kikuchi's Disease (aka Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis)
KSHV - Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpes Virus (aka HHV-8)
LAD - Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
LAUP - Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (for sleep apnea)
LDA - Lyme Dot-Blot Assay
LDL - Low-density Lipoprotein (aka "bad cholesterol")
LEMS - Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Lesion – Injury due to destruction of tissue
LH - Luteinizing Hormone
LKS - Landau Kleffner Syndrome (seizure disorder)
LMN - Lower Motor Neuron
LOL - Laughing Out Loud; Lots Of Laughs; also many variations of this
LP - Lumbar Puncture
LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
LRO - Life Rolls On
LTD – Long Term Disability
LUAT - Lyme Urine Antigen Test
LV - Left Ventricular (involving left ventricle of the heart)
LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse (same as LPN)
MAC - Membrane Attack Complex
MAC - Mycobacterium Avium Complex (aka MAI)
MAI - Mycobacterium Avium Intracellulare (aka MAC)
MAOI - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (class of antidepressant)
MAP Assay - Multiple-Analyte Profiling
MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
MCTD - Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
MD - Doctor of Medicine
MD - Muscular Dystrophy
MDD - Major Depressive Disorder
MDS - Myelodysplastic Syndrome
ME - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (UK or Canadian term for CFIDS)
MEG - Magnetoencephalogram
MET - Microcurrent Electrical Therapy
MG - Myasthenia Gravis MHC - Major Histocompatibility Complex
MLCK - Myosin Light Chain Kinase
MND - Mechanical Neck Disorder(s)
MND - Motor Neuron Disease
MOAI - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (class of antidepressant)
MPD - Myeloproliferative Disorders
MPD - Myofacial Pain and Dysfunction (as in TMJ/TMD)
MPD = Multiple Peronality Disorder
MPDS - Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome
MPS - Myofascial Pain Syndrome
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSI - Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging
MS - Metabolic Syndrome
MS - Multiple Sclerosis
MSLT - Multiple Sleep Latency Test (for sleep apnea)
MSM - Methylsulfonylmethane (dietary supplement)
MSUD - Maple Syrup Urine Disease
MUGA Scan – Multi-Gated Acquisition Scan
MVPS - Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome
MWS - Muckle-Wells Syndrome
NAET - Nambudripad's (the doctor who found it) Allergy Elimination Technique
NADH - Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
NARI - Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (class of antidepressant)
NAWM - Normal-Appearing White Matter
NCV - Nerve Conduction Velocity
NDI - Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
NGF - Nerve Growth Factor
NGT - Normal Glucose Tolerance
NICO lesions - Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis (aka Ratner’s Bone Cavity)
NIDDM - Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
NISCM - Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
NK Cells - Natural Killer Cells (Lymphocytes)
NKA - No Known Allergies (usually refers to meds)
NKDA - No Known Drug Allergies
NMH - Neurally Mediated Hypotension
NMJ - Neuromuscular Junction
NMR - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
NMS - Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
NSAID - Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
NSVT - Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia
OA - Osteoarthritis (aka DJD-Degenerative Joint Disease)
OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
ODD - Oppositional Defiance Disorder
OGTT - Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
OH - Orthostatic Hypotension
OI - Orthostatic Intolerance
OLE - Olive Leaf Extract
OSA - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OT - Occupational Therapy or Therapist
OTC - Over-the-Counter (as in non-prescription drugs)
PA - Physician's Assistant
PA - Psoriatic Arthritis
PALS - Person with ALS
PBP - Progressive Bulbar Palsy
PCA - Patient Controlled Analgesia (pump for pain control)
PCC - Prothrombin Complex Concentrate
PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (or Disease/PCOD)
PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (lab test)
PCT - Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
PD - Parkinson's Disease
PDR - Physicians' Desk Reference
PE - Pulmonary Embolism
PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography
PFT - Pulmonary Function Test
PICC – Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (aka PIC line or central line)
PLE - Polymorphic Light Eruption
PLMD - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
PLS - Primary Lateral Sclerosis
PM - Polymyositis
PMA - Progressive Muscular Atrophy
PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
PMH - Postmenopausal Hormone
PMLE - Polymorphic Light Eruption (aka PLE)
PMR - Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PMS - Primary Lateral Sclerosis
PNH - Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
PND - Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
PNS - Peripheral Nervous System
POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
PPD - Postpartum Depression
PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen
PSG - Polysomnography
PSS - Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (aka Scleroderma)
PT – Physical Therapy or Therapist
PT - Prothrombin Time (lab test)
PTCD - Post-Traumatic Cervical Dystonia
PTH - Parathyroid Hormone
PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTT - Partial Thromboplastin Time (lab test)
PUD - Peptic Ulcer Disease
PVCs - Premature Ventricular Contractions
PVFS - Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
PVN - Paraventricular Nucleus
PVS - Persistent Vegetative State
PWC - Person with CFIDS
PWF - Person with FMS
PX - Physical Examination
Px - Prognosis R/O - Rule Out
RA - Rheumatoid Arthritis (lab test)
RBDS - Restless Bladder Syndrome
RBS - Restless Bowel Syndrome
RDD - Rosai-Dorfman Disease
rDs - Backwards Doctors ~{:o)
RF - Rheumatoid Factor
RIA - Radioimmunoassay
Rilutek – FDA approved drug available to treat ALS;(aka generic Riluzole)
RIMA - Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase type A (class of antidepressant)
RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome
RN - Registered Nurse
RNA - Ribonucleic Acid
RNP - Registered Nurse Practitioner
RNS - Repetitive Nerve Stimulation
ROM - Range of Motion (Orthopedic term)
RS - Reiter's Syndrome
RSD - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (aka CRPS)
RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury
RV – Right Ventricular (involving right ventricle of the heart)
Rx or script - Prescription for a medication (or meds)
S/S or S&S - Signs and Symptoms
SA - Sleep Apnea
SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD - Social Anxiety Disorder
SAMe - S-Adenosylmethionine (dietary supplement)
SAPHO Syndrome – Synovitis + Acne + Pustulosis (feet and palms) + Hyperostosis + Osteitis
SARMs - Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators
SARS - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SBE - Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis
SBIS - Silicon Breast Implant Syndrome
SBP - Systolic Blood Pressure (aka BPs; The higher blood pressure; heart is contracted)
SBS - Sick Building Syndrome (an EPA issue)
SCD - Sudden Cardiac Death
SCI - Spinal Cord Injury
SCID - Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (aka “Bubble Boy” disease)
SD - Scleroderma
SDBP - Supine Diastolic Blood Pressure Sed Rate – Sedimentation Rate (aka ESR, see above)
SERMs - Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
SFM - Soluble Fibrin Monomer
SHBG - Sex Hormone–binding Globulin
SI - Severe Insomnia
s-IBM - Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis
SIJD - Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
SIRS - Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
SJS - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SMA - Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SNAFU - Situation Normal All Fouled Up (from military field)
SNRI - Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (class of antidepressant)
SNS - Sympathetic Nervous System
SO - Significant Other
SOAP Notes - Subjective; Objective; Assessment & Plan (proper format for evaluation notes in patient's medical record)
SOB - Shortness of Breath
SOD - Superoxide Dismutase (an enzyme that protects cells from damaging free radicals)
SPECT - Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
SPS - Stiff Person Syndrome
SRA - Satanaic Ritual Abuse
SS - Sjogrens Syndrome
SSA - Social Security Administration
SSDI - Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI - Supplemental Security Income
SSR - Solar-Simulated Radiation (therapy protocol)
SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (class of antidepressant)
SSSS - Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (aka Ritter-Lyell Syndrome)
STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease(s)
STD – Short Term Disability
SUDEP - Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy
SVE - Stealth Virus Encephalopathy
Sx - Symptoms
T3 - Triiodothyronine (thyroid hormone)
T4 - Thyroxine (thyroid hormone)
TBG – Thyroid Binding Globulin (a blood protein)
TCA - Tricyclic Antidepressant (class of antidepressant)
TEE - Transesophageal Echocardiography
TEN - Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
TENS - Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation
TF - Tissue Factor
TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack
TIBC - Total Iron Binding Capacity
TLE - Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
TMD - Temporomandibular Disorder
TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint (as in Syndrome or Dysfunction)
TN - Trigeminal Neuralgia
TORCH panel – TOxoplasmosis + Rubella (German Measles) + Cytomegalovirus (CMV) + Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1&2)
TOS - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
TRH - TSH Releasing Hormone (thyroid)
TS – Tourette Syndrome (aka Tourette’s Disorder)
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Tx - Treatment
UC - Ulcerative Colitis
UNN - Ulnar Nerve Neuropathy
UPPP - Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (for sleep apnea)
URI - Upper Respiratory Infection
UTI - Urinary Tract Infection
VAP - Vertical Auto Profile (lab test for cholesterol and cardiac risk)
VHL - von Hippel-Lindau Disease
VLDL - Very Low-density Lipoprotein
VT - Ventricular Tachycardia
VZV - Varicella Zoster Virus (aka HHV-3)
W/ - With
W/O - Without
WAD - Whiplash-Associated Disorder(s)
WAG Theory - Wild A** Guess
WG - Wegener's Granulamatosis
WHO - World Health Organization
WHR - Waist-to-Hip Ratio
WNE - West Nile Encephalitis (aka West Nile Virus)
WNL - Within Normal Limits
YPWC - Young Person with CFIDS
ZMA – Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate plus Magnesium Aspartate & Vitamin B-6 (dietary supplement)
_IL - MIL/Mother-in-Law, FIL/Father-in-Law, BIL/Brother-in-Law, SIL/Sister-in-Law, etc.
SHORTHAND - Courtesy of our Medical Professionals
q or Q - once or every
QD - Once daily
QH - Every hour
Q2H - Every two hours
Q4H - Every four hours
BID - 2 times a day (usually morning and afternoon)
TID - 3 times a day
QID - 4 times a day
c - with
s - without
AC - Before Meals
AM - Morning
HS - At Bedtime (hour of sleep)
IA - IntraArterial (in an artery)
IM - IntraMuscular (in the muscle)
IV - IntraVenous (in a vein)
NPO - Nothing by mouth
PC - After Meals
PM - At night (not usually used)
PO - By mouth
PP - After Eating
PRN - As needed; whenever necessary
RT-PCR - Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
RTC - Return to Clinic
RTC - Round the Clock
SC - subcutaneous (under the skin)
S/P - Status Post (S/P Appendectomy means one has had an appendectomy)
SL - Sublingual (under the tongue)
STAT - Right Now! (as in take action)
Super STAT - REALLY NOW! (forAC77)
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - PREFIXES
A = loss; wasting
An = absent; without
anti = against
bi = two
dipl = double
dys = difficult, abnormal, not functioning properly
extra = outside
hemi = half
hetero = different
homo = alike; similar
hyper = high; excessive; increased
hypo = low; deficient; insufficient
infra = below; under
inter = between
intra = within; inside
macro = large
micro = small
mon or mono = one
para = beside; next to; beyond
patho = disease
peri = around; surrounding
post = after
pre = before
sub = under; near; almost; moderately; less than
supra or super = above; over
tri = three
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - SUFFIXES
algia = pain
cide = capable of killing
cyte = cell
ectomy = surgical removal
genesis = formation of
itis = inflammation
ology = study of
oma = tumor
osis = condition
otomy = surgical opening
plasia or plasm = growth; formation
suppression = slowing down; restraint; inhibition
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - ROOT WORDS
aden or adeno = pertaining to a gland
angi or angio = pertaining to a blood vessel
cardi = heart
cephal = pertaining to the head
cerebr or cerebri = pertaining to the brain
cyt or cyto = pertaining to cells
derm = skin
erythr = red
glossa = pertaining to the tongue
hema or hemo = pertaining to blood
idio = peculiar to a specific individual
immuno = pertaining to the immune system
lateral = side (bilateral = both sides)
leuk = white
myo = pertaining to muscle
myle = pertaining to the spine
necr = death, as in cells; tissue
nephr = kidney
neuro = pertaining to nerves
ocul or oculo = pertaining to eyes
onco = pertaining to a tumor or malignancy
phag = pertaining to eating or swallowing
phleb = pertaining to a vein
plegia = paralysis
psych = pertaining to the mind
sclerosis = hardening; disease; destruction
thromb = pertaining to a blood clot
trophic or trophy = nourishment
veni or veno = pertaining to veins
[This Message was Edited on 10/03/2009]
