Health Topics
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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/appendixb.html
This is a list of some common abbreviations and acronyms.
| Abbreviation | Stands for | More information |
|---|---|---|
| ABG | Arterial blood gases | You may have an ABG test to detect lung diseases. |
| ACE | Angiotensin converting enzyme | Drugs called ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes and kidney diseases. |
| ACL | Anterior cruciate ligament | Commonly injured part of the knee |
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | A behavior disorder |
| AFIB | Atrial fibrillation | A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart |
| AIDS | Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome | Infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus |
| ALP | Alkaline phosphatase | You may have a blood test for ALP to detect liver or bone disease. |
| ALS | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. | Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease |
| ALT | Alanine aminotransferase | You may have a blood test for ALT to detect liver disease. |
| AMD | Age-related macular degeneration | An eye problem |
| AMI | Acute myocardial infarction | Heart attack |
| AODM | Adult onset diabetes mellitus | Type 2 diabetes |
| AST | Aspartate aminotransferase | You may have a blood test for AST to detect liver disease. |
| AVM | Arteriovenous malformation | A defect in the circulatory system. |
| BID | Twice a day | Your doctor may write this on your prescription. |
| BMI | Body mass index | A measure of how much you should weigh based on your height |
| BP | Blood pressure | The force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries |
| BPH | Benign prostatic hypertrophy | Enlargement of the prostate gland |
| BRCA | Breast Cancer Gene | People with the gene may be at increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer. |
| BUN | Blood urea nitrogen | You may have a blood test for BUN to detect kidney disease problems. |
| CA | Cancer OR Calcium | |
| CA-125 | Cancer antigen 125 | You may have a blood test for CA-125 A to measure cancer activity. |
| CABG | Coronary artery bypass graft | A type of heart surgery |
| CAD | Coronary artery disease | A common type of heart disease |
| CAT | Computerized axial tomography | A type of x-ray |
| CBC | Complete blood count | A blood test that measures many properties of the cells in your blood |
| CHD | Congenital heart disease | Heart disease you were born with |
| CHF | Congestive heart failure | Also called heart failure. A condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. |
| CMV | Cytomegalovirus | A common virus |
| CNS | Central nervous system | The brain and spinal cord |
| COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | A lung disease that makes it hard to breathe |
| CPK | Creatine phosphokinase | You may have a blood test for CPK to see if you’ve had a heart attack. |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | An emergency procedure whose heart has stopper or is no longer breathing |
| CRF | Chronic renal failure | Failure of the kidneys |
| CRP | C-reactive protein | You may have a blood test for CRP to see if you have inflammation or heart problems. |
| CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid | A fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord |
| CVA | Cerebrovascular accident | A stroke or "brain attack" |
| CXR | Chest x-ray | A diagnostic test that uses radiation to make images of your lungs |
| D&C | Dilatation and curettage | A surgical procedure on the uterus (womb) |
| DJD | Degenerative joint disease | Another name for arthritis |
| DM | Diabetes mellitus | |
| DTP | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis | A vaccine for three diseases |
| DVT | Deep-vein thrombosis | A blood clot |
| DX | Diagnosis | |
| ECG, EKG | Electrocardiogram | A test that measures electrical impulses of the heart |
| ECHO | Echocardiogram | A test that uses sound waves to look at the heart |
| EEG | Electroencephalogram | A test that measures electrical impulses of the brain |
| EMG | Electromyography | A test that measures electrical impulses of muscles |
| ENT | Ear, nose and throat | |
| ERCP | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography | A way to diagnose problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas |
| ESR | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate | A blood test for inflammation |
| ESRD | End-stage renal (kidney) disease | |
| FSH | Follicle stimulating hormone | If you are a woman, you may have a blood test for FSH to evaluate fertility. |
| GERD | Gastroesophageal reflux disease | A problem that happens when stomach contents leak back into your gullet |
| GI | Gastrointestinal | Another term for your digestive system |
| GFR | Glomerular filtration rate | A test of kidney damage |
| GU | Genitourinary | The urinary and sex organs |
| HAV | Hepatitis A virus | A virus that causes one type of liver disease |
| HBV | Hepatitis B virus | A virus that causes one type of liver disease |
| HCT | Hematocrit | A blood test measurement |
| HCV | Hepatitis C virus | A virus that causes one type of liver disease |
| HDL | High density lipoprotein | A type of cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol |
| HGB | Hemoglobin | A blood test measurement |
| HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus | The virus that causes AIDS |
| HPV | Human papilloma virus | A virus that causes cervical cancer |
| HRT | Hormone replacement therapy | Treatment with hormones to replace natural hormones when the body does not make enough. |
| HTN | Hypertension | High blood pressure |
| IBD | Inflammatory bowel disease | A name for two digestive disorders-- ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease |
| IBS | Irritable bowel syndrome | A problem with the large intestine |
| ICD | Implantable cardioverter defibrillator | A device that monitors heart rhythm problems |
| ICU | Intensive care unit | Special hospital unit |
| IDDM | Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus | Type 1 diabetes |
| IM | Intramuscular | A type of injection |
| IUD | Intrauterine device | A type of birth control for women |
| IV | Intravenous | A type of injection |
| IVP | Intravenous pyelogram | An x-ray test of the urinary system |
| LDL | Low density lipoprotein | A type of cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol |
| LFT | Liver function tests | |
| MI | Myocardial infarction | Heart attack |
| MMR | Measles, mumps, and rubella | A vaccine for three diseases |
| MRI | Magnetic resonance imaging | A type of imaging test |
| MRSA | Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | A type of infection |
| MS | Multiple sclerosis | A disease of the nervous system |
| NG | Nasogastric | You may need an NG tube to empty the contents of your stomach. |
| NIDDM | Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus | Type 2 diabetes |
| NKDA | No known drug allergies | |
| NSAID | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug | Drugs like ibuprofen |
| OCD | Obsessive-compulsive disorder | A type of anxiety disorder |
| PAD | Peripheral arterial disease | Diseases of the arteries outside the heart |
| PAP | Papanicolau | You may need a PAP test to detect cervical cancer. |
| PAT | Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia | A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart |
| PET | Positron emission tomography | A type of x-ray test |
| PFT | Pulmonary function test | You may need PFTs to find out how your lungs are working. |
| PID | Pelvic inflammatory disease | Infection and inflammation of the female reproductive organs |
| PMS | Premenstrual syndrome | A group of symptoms that may happen before a woman’s period |
| PPD | Purified protein derivative | You may have a PPD skin test for tuberculosis. |
| PRN | As needed | Your doctor may write this on your prescription. |
| PSA | Prostate specific antigen | You may have a blood test for PSA to detect prostate disease. |
| PT | Prothrombin time | A measure of blood clotting |
| PTH | Parathyroid hormone | You may have a blood test for PTH to detect parathyroid disease. |
| PTSD | Post-traumatic stress syndrome | An illness caused by traumatic events |
| PTT | Partial thromboplastin time | A measure of blood clotting |
| PUD | Peptic ulcer disease | A disease of the stomach |
| PVC | Premature ventricular contraction | A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart |
| QID | Four times a day | Your doctor may write this on your prescription. |
| RA | Rheumatoid arthritis | A type of joint disease |
| RBC | Red blood cell | A type of blood cell |
| RSV | Respiratory syncytial virus | A virus that causes infections in children |
| Rx | Prescription | |
| SAD | Seasonal affective disorder | Depression during seasons with little light |
| SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome | |
| SLE | Systemic lupus erythematosus | Lupus for short |
| SOB | Shortness of Breath | |
| STD | Sexually transmitted disease | |
| T3 | Triiodothyronine | You may have a blood test for T3 to detect thyroid disease. |
| T4 | Thyroxine | You may have a blood test for T4 to detect thyroid disease. |
| TB | Tuberculosis | An infection of the lungs |
| TAH | Total abdominal hysterectomy | Surgery to remove a woman's uterus (womb) |
| TIA | Transient ischemic attack | A small stroke |
| TIBC | Total iron binding capacity | A test that measures the amount of iron in your blood |
| TID | Three times a day | Your doctor may write this on your prescription. |
| TMJ | Temporomandibular joint | The joint that connects your jaw to the side of your head |
| TORCH | Stands for a group of infections that may cause birth defects | A newborn will have this test to check for infections. Sometimes the mother also needs the test. |
| TSH | Thyroid stimulating hormone | You may have a blood test for TSH to detect thyroid disease. |
| TURP | Transurethral resection of prostate gland | An operation to remove parts of the prostate gland |
| URI | Upper respiratory infection | Another name for the common cold |
| UTI | Urinary tract infection | Infection of the bladder and kidneys |
| XRT | Radiotherapy | Therapy that uses radiation, usually for cancer |
| WBC | White blood cell | A type of blood cell |