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"What did the doctor say?" - Understanding Medical Terminology

© Karen Largent

With today's increasingly elderly population there is a growing problem. HMO'S, Medicare, shorter hospital stays, Capitation (paying a set fee for procedures and hospital stays), are all a part of the problem. Doctors have less time to explain, listen and help their patients. Helping them to understand medical tests, diagnoses, prognoses and other medical issues is no longer a concern or even a priority.

Medical workers in hospitals and nursing homes rarely have time to stop and talk with caregivers and loved ones. Most nursing homes and hospitals are seriously understaffed and getting answers to questions can be nearly impossible.

My doctor spends on average 5 minutes of her time with me. Now I am a nurse and I know what to ask and I understand for the most part what she says to me.

But for the average patient, and more importantly the elderly patient, 5 minutes listening to a doctor speak "doctorese" causes confusion, fear and uncertainty.

A recent article from Reuters Health emphasizes this growing problem, stating that misunderstanding medical terms can even be hazardous to your health.

For the Alzheimer's patient and their caregiver, it is very important to understand what the doctor is saying and what the doctor means when he says it. The following is a very short list of a few of the most commonly used terms related to Alzheimer's Disease and their meanings.

Agnosia - Loss of the ability to understand sensations such as sight, hearing, touch, smell even though the senses are working.

Apraxia - Being unable to perform movements even though the senses and motor functions are working. Example - Not being able to use an object such as a spoon or a pencil because you cannot recall or no longer understand their correct usage. A common early sign of apraxia is a change in handwriting. A common later sign of apraxia is a change in walking.

Ataxia - The loss of muscle coordination especially the type needed to do purposeful acts such as walking.

Decubitus Ulcer - A sore or open area on the body that may develop when a person sits or lies down for prolonged periods of time. Can be caused by tight clothing, swelling or inadequate nutrition. Elderly skin can be very vulnerable to pressure sores. Usually occur over bony areas.

Dementia - Loss of mental function that is progressive and interferes with normal social and occupational activity. Other terms commonly used are: Organic brain syndrome, senility, Hardening of the arteries, multi-infarct disease, senile dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.