Medical Dictionary
Ulcer
| Ulcers are breaks in skin or mucous membrane, with loss of surface tissue. |
Ulcerating Genital Infections
Ulcerating genital infections are infections in the genital area which result in ulcers. They are usually sexually transmitted. |
Ulcerative colitis
| Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterised by inflammation of the large intestine mucosa (lining). Ulcerative colitis usually presents with rectal bleeding, diarrhoea or passage of mucus from the rectum. Treatment involves a combination of steroids, aminosalicylate medications, and surgery in advanced cases. |
Ultiva for injection
| Ultiva is an opiod anaesthetic used in conjunction with other anaesthetic medicines to produce and/or maintain heavy sleep during operation, such as cardiac surgery. It can also be used after an operation to reduce the pain associated with the surgery or for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in order to maintain sedation and pain relief. |
Ultrasound
| Ultrasound is a way of picturing the internal structures of the body. It involves directing high-energy sound waves at the body which are in turn reflected by the different parts of the body. This allows an image of the internal structures to be produced. In a pregnant woman, obstetric ultrasound allows the unborn baby to be visualised. |
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (USGS)
| Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (USGS) is a procedure that uses an ultrasound system to help during sclerotherapy. It enables the veins being treated to be visualised and also allows for much better accuracy and precision. |
Ultraviolet Radiation (UV)
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) refers to high energy rays, in the range of 400–10 nm. UV radiation is invisible to the human eye and comes mainly from the sun. More on cancer and ultraviolet radiation. |
Umbilical arteries
| Umbilical arteries are part of the foetal circulatory system. A pair of umbilical arteries passes on either side of the bladder into the umbilical cord. The blood in these arteries is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and foetal waste. It discharges waste and loads oxygen and nutrient in the placenta. |
Umbilical cord
| The umbilical cord is the cord that connects the placenta to a baby when it is in the uterus. The nutrients (blood supply) to the baby run through the cord. |
Umbilical vein
| The umbilical vein is part of the foetal circulatory system. It returns blood loaded with oxygen and nutrients back to the foetus. |
Unexplained Infertility
Infertility which cannot be explained by the results of testing conducted to investigate the cause of infertility (e.g. semen analysis testing). More on male reproductive system. More on female reproductive system. More on sperm analysis. |
Unscheduled
| A product which does not have a poison schedule assigned to it. |
Upper Airway
| The upper airway refers to the component of the respiratory system which extends form the nose to the larynx. The upper airway is important because it must always stay open for you to be able to breathe. It also helps to moisten and warm the air before it reaches your lungs. |
Upper Respiratory Infection
| Upper respiratory infection (URI) is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract. Acute upper respiratory tract infections include rhinosinusitis (common cold), sinusitis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, laryngitis and sometimes bronchitis. |
Ural
| Ural is used to relieve the symptoms of infections in the urinary system or excessive gastric acid. Ural works to reduce the burning sensation when passing urine and the discomfort experienced. Ural can be used to treat other medical conditions. If you have any questions as to why you were given Ural please consult your doctor. |
Urea
| Urea is a toxic compound that is found in our body fluids that is produced as a by-product of protein metabolism and breakdown. With a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the elimination of waste products such as urea and creatinine is impaired |
Ureaplasma urealyticum
| Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacteria commonly found on the genitals of sexually active humans. In many cases it has no adverse affects, but in other cases is associated with infectious diseases in humans, including urethritis. |
Ureter
| The ureters are tubes that are 25-30cm long and lined with smooth muscle. These tubes help carry urine to the bladder. The muscular tissue helps force urine downwards. They enter the bladder at an angle, so urine doesn't flow up the wrong way. For more information please see male or female urogenital system. |
Urethra
The urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside world. It is used for the passage of urine in both sexes. In men, the urethra also allows passage of sperm within semen. It is much shorter in women than men. In men, the urethra passess through the prostate gland before running within the centre of the penis and opening at its tip. More on male reproductive system. More on female reproductive system. More on sperm analysis. |
Urethral meatus
The urethral meatus is the opening of the urethra, or tube which transports urine from the bladder. |
Urethritis
| Urethritis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the urethra. |
Urgency
| Urgency, when described as a urinary symptom, refers to the sudden urge to go to the toilet without prior warning. When combined with other urinary symtpoms it can be a sign of prostate cancer. |
Uric acid
| Uric acid is a chemical produced in the body from the breakdown of other substances. Uric acid is a strong antioxidant and is excreted in the urine. |
Urinary Incontinence
| Urinary Incontinence is the inability to hold urine in the bladder due to involuntary muscle contraction |
Urinary incontinence/ Bladder incontinence
| Urinary incontinence is a symptom resulting in loss of control of the bladder contents. It is a common problem that increases in prevalence with age, and is more common in women than men. |
Urinary Retention
| Urinary Retention is the inability to pass urine. Urinary retention is most commonly found in patients with enlarged prostate/ Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). It can be very painful or hardly noticable depending on the severity of the condition. |
Urinary Symptoms
| Urinary Symptoms refer to disturbances in the urinary system usually caused by urinary tract infections (UTI) or bladdar infections. Urinary systems include; terminal dribbling, nocturia, hesitancy, urinary incontinence/ bladdar incontinence and urgency. |
Urinary tract infection
| A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract e.g. bladder, kidneys etc |
Urinary Tract Infection/ Bladder Infection
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the:
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Urine
| Urine is fluid produced by the kidney. Urine is stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra. |
Ursofalk
| Ursofalk is used in the treatment of chronic cholestatic liver disease, including primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and cystic fibrosis-related cholestasis. |
urticaria
Urticaria is used interchangeably with hives. Urticaria a skin condition, commonly caused by an allergic reaction, that is characterized by raised red skin welts. |
Uterine cancer (adenocarcinoma of the endometrium)
| Uterine Cancer (Adenocarcinoma of the Endometrium) is the most common form (85%) of endometrial cancers. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. The lining nourishes a foetus during pregnancy and is shed during menstruation. |
Uterine cavity
The uterine cavity is a space inside the uterus where a normal fetus develops. It is situated between the cervix and fallopian tubes. |
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours of the uterus (womb). They often cause no symptoms and require no treatment. However, some can cause pain or heavy bleeding and hence require treatment. |
Uterine Leiomyoma
Leiomyomas also known as fibroids are non-cancerous tumours of the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. They occur in about 25% of women and are associated with symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and in rare cases reproductive dysfunction. |
Uterine segment
| The uterine segment is the part of the fallopian tubes fixed to the uterine wall. For more information please see the female urogenital system. |
Uterus
| The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ, which supports and nourishes the developing baby. One end of the uterus called the cervix, opens into the vagina, whereas the other is connected on both sides to the fallopian tubes. These tubes connect with the ovaries, which are important in producing eggs and secreting hormones. For more information please see the female urogenital system. |
Utricle
| The utricle is part of the ear and detects changes in vertical head position and horizontal linear acceleration. |
Uveitis
| Uveitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the uvea, or middle section of the eye. It can lead to redness, blurred vision and pain and may cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated. |
