Decoding the experts

You’ve heard your doctor use these words. Here’s what they really mean

Medical jargon can be somewhat confusing to the untrained ear. How can something negative or unremarkable be reassuring? If you’ve ever felt like you needed a translator during a medical appointment, you’re not alone. Curious about what your physician is really saying? Let’s break it down.

During a routine visit, your doctor might talk about keeping your arteries healthy. And later, when you get your blood draw, the technician mentions your veins. It’s easy to wonder how these two are related.

Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. They handle higher pressure and have thicker walls. They are in charge of delivering blood to every other organ.

Veins, instead, return blood to the heart after oxygen has been delivered. They work under lower pressure than the arteries. Conditions affecting them vary greatly, and knowing the difference allows any patient to understand what is really going on behind that lab result.

Heart testing can involve several procedures, and the names don’t always make it clear what each one does. An electrocardiogram, or EKG, records the electrical activity of the heart. It helps detect irregular rhythms and signs of past damage. For instance, if someone feels palpitations, an EKG might be the first test ordered.

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of the heart’s structure and movement. It’s helpful to see blood flow through the heart and heart valves. Both tests look at the heart, but they focus on different aspects.

When it comes to thyroid conditions, a small prefix makes a big difference. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive and produces too little hormone, leading to symptoms like fatigue or feeling cold more often.

Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, means it is overactive and produces too much hormone, causing the opposite effect and speeding up your system. This can lead to weight loss or rapid heartbeats. Because the symptoms and treatments differ, it’s important to know which condition is being described, even though the terms sound similar.

Prescription labels often include both of these terms, and their writing is very similar, but that doesn’t mean they are interchangeable.

A "dose" is the specific amount taken at one time, like a pill or 10 milligrams. "Dosage" is the overall plan. It includes how much to take, how often, and for how long. Following both correctly helps ensure the treatment works as intended.

Imagine opening your lab results and seeing the word "negative." In everyday language, that sounds like bad news, but in medicine, it often means the opposite.

In medical testing, "negative" usually means no sign of the condition was found. For example, a negative strep test means you don’t have a strep infection. A "positive," however, means something was detected, and it confirms the presence of the condition. It’s a simple switch in meaning, but it can feel confusing at first.

When reading test results, many people look for the word "normal." If they don’t see it, they may feel uneasy. But "normal" is not the only word that can describe healthy scenarios.

In medicine, "normal" means everything appears exactly as expected. No unusual findings, nothing to worry about. "Unremarkable," another word you might find in test results, is not necessarily a bad word. In general, it means whatever findings there may be, there’s nothing that requires follow-up. Despite how it sounds, "unremarkable" can be just as reassuring as "normal."

You pick up a prescription labeled "for aural use." It looks familiar, but something feels off. Is it the same as oral? This mix-up happens because, in English, the words sound identical, but they refer to different parts of the body.

"Aural" relates to the ears and is used for treatments like ear drops. On the other side, "oral" refers to the mouth, including medication you swallow or let dissolve.

A medication labeled for aural use is designed specifically for the ear canal and should not be taken by mouth. When instructions aren’t clear, it’s always worth double-checking before using the medication.

Medical reports often include terms that sound technical and unfamiliar. Take "physiologic," it sounds pretty similar to "pathologic," so should one worry? Let’s see the difference.

"Physiologic" refers to normal body functions. It describes processes that occur as part of a healthy system. "Pathologic" is the opposite; it refers to changes caused by disease or abnormal conditions. Doctors use these terms to separate what is expected from what may require treatment. But even if both sound equally serious at first, your physician is the only one who can actually tell you if your hunch is right or not.

The word "chronic" often carries a heavy tone, even though its meaning is more straightforward than it seems. Funny enough, the opposite, "acute," seems light, but it generally isn’t.

"Chronic" refers to a condition that lasts for a long period, usually one year or longer. It doesn’t refer to severity, but duration. "Acute," instead, refers to a condition that develops suddenly and requires immediate attention. These terms describe timing, not seriousness, which is an important distinction when discussing a diagnosis.

Similar to the thyroid, blood pressure discussions often include terms that sound nearly identical, which can make them easy to confuse.

"Hypertension" means high blood pressure, and it’s linked to long-term health concerns if not managed. "Hypotension" means low blood pressure, which may cause symptoms like dizziness, but it’s often less worrying. Understanding the difference helps make sense of your readings and what your doctor is monitoring over time.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

Image: Element5 Digital

Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

Image: Michelen Studios

The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

Image: engin akyurt

We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

Image: Elevate

Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!