A-Z of Terms

Health conversations come with their own vocabulary, and it is easy to nod along without being sure what a word means. This list explains terms that come up in our articles and in everyday recovery. The definitions are deliberately simple; your own clinician can tell you exactly how a term applies to you.

A to F

Acute

Describes a problem that starts suddenly or has lasted a short time, such as pain in the days after an injury. The opposite of chronic.

Chronic

Long-lasting. Pain or a condition is usually called chronic when it continues for months rather than days or weeks.

Discharge summary

The letter written when you leave hospital, describing what happened during your stay and what should happen next. It is worth keeping a copy.

Flare-up

A temporary worsening of symptoms, often after doing more than usual. A flare-up does not necessarily mean lasting damage.

Follow-up

A later appointment or check to see how you are getting on after treatment.

G to O

GP

General practitioner: the family doctor at your local surgery and usually the first point of contact for non-emergency care in the UK.

Mobility

How freely you can move, both in individual joints and in getting around generally.

NHS 111

The UK phone and online service for urgent medical problems that are not life-threatening.

Occupational therapist

A professional who helps people manage daily activities, such as washing, dressing, cooking or working, after illness or injury, often by adapting tasks or equipment.

Outpatient

Care you receive at a hospital or clinic without staying overnight.

P to Z

Pacing

Spreading activity evenly across days and weeks to avoid cycles of overdoing it and then crashing.

Physiotherapist

A professional who uses movement, exercise and hands-on techniques to help restore function after injury, surgery or illness.

Referral

A request from one professional, such as your GP, for you to be seen by another service or specialist.

Rehabilitation

The process of regaining skills, strength and independence after an illness, injury or operation. Often shortened to rehab.

Talking therapy

A general name for treatments that involve talking with a trained practitioner, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy.

Triage

Sorting patients by how urgently they need care, so the most serious cases are seen first.

Is there a word you keep hearing that is not here? Let us know and we will consider adding it.