Unless you’re cramming for an anatomy and physiology final or grinding your way through caffeine-fuelled, sleepless nights in med school, it’s unlikely that you know the precise medical terms that describe very common, everyday conditions. Even student doctors admit that there is a distinct difference between hearing that someone has a recurrent cephalalgia and a tendency to get headaches. Of course, as you might have guessed, the terms mean the exact same thing.
Although some of the following common medical conditions sound alarmingly clinical, there’s no reason to panic if you receive any of these diagnoses. You’ve probably experienced most, if not all, at some point in your life, and lived to tell the tale.
Medical disclaimer
If you are concerned about a sudden or chronic medical condition that you have been experiencing, you should consult your physician. If an older loved one is unable to function or maintain a normal standard of self-care, there is an assisted living community in New Jersey, or your state, to provide specialized medical care.
Healthcare in America is more easily accessible than many believe. Your local community’s physicians are only a short phone call or Google search away. For instance, the healthcare center in Berkeley Heights, NJ may be accepting new patients. You won’t know until you reach out. Similarly, you can contact your local equivalent of this office that provides radiology and imaging in Annandale, NJ to set your mind at ease.
Rhinovirus
A name like that conjures up images of surgical masks and mass evacuations. Thankfully, rhinovirus is not a form of Ebola or malaria. In truth, it’s not even a virus likely to do anything more than slightly inconvenience you for a few days while you curl up with a mug of lemon tea and binge your old favorite movies on Netflix.
The rhinovirus is simply the medical term for the virus that causes the common cold. You’ll be laid up in bed for a few days and you may have to call off work to fight the sniffles and congestion, but after a few days, you’re likely to be back on your feet. Over-the-counter cold medication usually nips this in the bud, along with rest, hydration, and some self-care.
Tinnitus
You might not be familiar with the name, but you’ve probably experienced the sensation at least once in your life. Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing in the ears, often caused by a separate disorder such as age-related hearing loss or a circulatory system disorder. Injuries to the inner ear can also cause this.
While the occasional bout of tinnitus can be an annoyance, it’s rarely indicative of a larger problem. If it becomes persistent, you should seek medical help. It may be evidence of a more serious ear injury or issue with your blood circulation. Tinnitus 911’s online resource, http://tinnitus911.com, provides a lot of useful information for those suffering from persistent ringing or noise distortion in their ears.
Pyrexia
The term may sound cool, but the experience isn’t so great. Pyrexia is the clinical way of describing a fever, which is typically associated with another medical condition, such as a lung or ear infection. Occasionally, the flu can cause you to become overheated, flushed, and dehydrated.
While fevers are usually harmless and break within a few days of rest, relaxation, and proper hydration, they can spike to dangerous temperatures, as many young parents know, and end in a trip to the emergency room. If your fevers are uncommonly frequent, they may be a symptom of a hormone or autoimmune disorder.
Although symptoms of serious conditions can occasionally present as benign, it’s unlikely that you’re experiencing a medical emergency. These common occurrences are more plausible. It’s important to be well-educated on the traditional symptoms that present themselves with these conditions. It’s also important to note that should you be in severe discomfort, a visit to your primary care provider may be the best option.
