Healthcare terms starting with O

168 terms

  1. Oriental medicine (OR-ee-EN-tul MEH-dih-sin) A medical system that has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
  2. Original Medicare Original Medicare is fee-for-service coverage under which the government pays your health care providers directly for your Part A (Hospital Insurance)…
  3. oropharyngeal cancer (or-oh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, including the soft palate…
  4. oropharynx (or-o-FAIR-inks) The part of the throat at the back of the mouth. It includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils.
  5. orthodox medicine (OR-thuh-DOX MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat…
  6. orthotopic (OR-thoh-TOP-ik) In medicine, refers to something that occurs in the normal or usual place in the body.
  7. OSI-774 A drug used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer. It is also used together with gemcitabine to treat pancreatic cancer and is being…
  8. OSI-7904L A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called thymidylate synthase inhibitors.
  9. osmolality The concentration of particles dissolved in a fluid. The osmolality of serum can help diagnose several medical conditions such as dehydration, diabetes…
  10. osmotic (oz-MAH-tik) Having to do with osmosis (the passage of a liquid through a membrane from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated one).
  11. osteitis deformans (OS-tee-I-tis dih-FOR-manz) A chronic condition in which both the breakdown and regrowth of bone are increased.
  12. osteogenic sarcoma (OS-tee-oh-JEH-nik sar-KOH-muh) A cancer of the bone that usually affects the large bones of the arm or leg.
  13. osteolytic (OS-tee-oh-LIH-tik) Causing the breakdown of bone.
  14. osteomyelitis (OS-tee-oh-MY-uh-LY-tis) Inflammation of the bone caused by an infection, which may spread to the bone marrow and tissues near the bone.
  15. osteopenia (OS-tee-oh-PEE-nee-uh) A lower-than-normal bone mass or bone mineral density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain amount of bone).
  16. Osteoporosis (OS-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis) A condition that is marked by a decrease in bone mass and density, causing bones to become fragile.
  17. osteosarcoma (OS-tee-oh-sar-KOH-muh) A cancer of the bone that usually affects the large bones of the arm or leg.
  18. ostomy (OS-toh-mee) An operation to create an opening (a stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. Colostomy and urostomy are types of ostomies.
  19. OTC A medicine that can be bought without a prescription (doctor's order). Examples include analgesics (pain relievers) such as aspirin and acetaminophen.
  20. otolaryngologist (OH-toh-LA-rin-GAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also called ENT doctor.
  21. ounce A measure of weight (one-sixteenth pound) and volume (one-eighth cup).
  22. Out-of-Network Co-Insurance The percent (for example, 40%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who do not contract with your health insurance…
  23. Out-of-Network Co-Payment A fixed amount (for example, $30) you pay for covered health care services from providers who do not contract with your health insurance or plan.
  24. Out-of-Network Coinsurance The percentage (for example, 40%) you pay of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who don't contract with your health…
  25. Out-of-Network Copayment A fixed amount (for example, $30) you pay for covered health care services from providers who don't contract with your health insurance or plan.
  26. Out-of-network provider For health plans that utilize an HMO or PPO, a health care provider (such as a hospital or doctor) that is not contracted to be part of the HMO or PPO…
  27. Out-of-Pocket The amount of money you pay for medical services after insurance has paid its contribution.
  28. Out-of-Pocket Costs Your expenses for medical care that aren't reimbursed by insurance. Out-of-pocket costs include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered…
  29. Out-of-Pocket Estimate An estimate of the amount that you may have to pay on your own for health care or prescription drug costs.
  30. Out-of-Pocket Limit The most you pay during a policy period (usually a year) before your health insurance or plan begins to pay 100% of the allowed amount.
  31. Out-of-Pocket Maximum The most you will have to pay in a year for deductibles and coinsurance for covered benefits.
  32. Out-of-pocket maximum/limit The most you pay during a policy period (usually one year) before your health insurance or plan starts to pay 100% for covered essential health benefits.
  33. outcome A specific result or effect that can be measured. Examples of outcomes include decreased pain, reduced tumor size, and improvement of disease.
  34. outpatient A patient who visits a health care facility for diagnosis or treatment without spending the night. Sometimes called a day patient.
  35. Outpatient Surgery A surgical procedure in which the patient is not required to stay overnight in a hospital.
  36. Ovale See Plasmodium.
  37. OvaRex (OH-vuh-REX) A monoclonal antibody that is being studied in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
  38. Ovarian (oh-VAYR-ee-un) Having to do with the ovaries, the female reproductive glands in which the ova (eggs) are formed.
  39. ovarian ablation (oh-VAYR-ee-un a-BLAY-shun) Surgery, radiation therapy, or a drug treatment to stop the functioning of the ovaries. Also called ovarian suppression.
  40. ovarian borderline malignant tumor (oh-VAYR-ee-un...muh-LIG-nunt poh-TEN-shul TOO-mer) A condition in which cells that may become cancer form in the thin layer of tissue that covers an…
  41. ovarian cancer (oh-VAYR-ee-un KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed).
  42. ovarian epithelial cancer (oh-VAYR-ee-un eh-pih-THEE-lee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that occurs in the cells on the surface of the ovary. Also called epithelial ovarian cancer.
  43. ovarian germ cell tumor (oh-VAYR-ee-un jerm sel TOO-mer) An abnormal mass of tissue that forms in germ (egg) cells in the ovary (female reproductive gland in which the eggs are…
  44. ovarian low malignant potential tumor (oh-VAYR-ee-un...muh-LIG-nunt poh-TEN-shul TOO-mer) A condition in which cells that may become cancer form in the thin layer of tissue that covers an…
  45. ovarian suppression (oh-VAYR-ee-un suh-PREH-shun) Surgery, radiation therapy, or a drug treatment to stop the functioning of the ovaries. Also called ovarian ablation.
  46. ovary (OH-vuh-ree) One of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed.
  47. over-the-counter The over-the-counter (OTC) or unlisted market maintained by securities dealers for issues not listed on a stock exchange.
  48. Over-the-Counter Drug You don't need a prescription to obtain over-the-counter drugs.
  49. Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC) FDA defines OTC drugs as safe and effective for use by the general public without a doctor's prescription.
  50. overactive thyroid (... THY-royd) Too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight loss, chest pain, cramps, diarrhea, and nervousness. Also called hyperthyroidism.
  51. overall survival rate (... ser-VY-vul ...) The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who are alive for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed with or…
  52. overdose (OH-ver-DOHS) An amount of drug that is more than what should be taken at one time.
  53. overexpress (OH-ver-ek-SPRES) In biology, to make too many copies of a protein or other substance.
  54. overgrowth syndrome (OH-ver-grohth SIN-drome) A group of genetic disorders in which there is an abnormal increase in the size of the body or a body part that is often noted…
  55. overweight Being too heavy for one's height. Excess body weight can come from fat, muscle, bone, and/or water retention.
  56. ovulation (ov-yoo-LA-shun) The release of an egg from an ovary during the menstrual cycle.
  57. OX-40 A protein being studied in the treatment of cancer. Substances that attach to OX-40 on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell) may help the T…
  58. oxaliplatin (ok-SAL-ih-pla-tin) A drug used to treat colorectal cancer that is advanced or has come back.
  59. oxandrolone (ox-AN-dro-lone) A drug used to help patients gain weight after injury, chronic infection, or severe illness.
  60. OXi-104 A substance that blocks the process cells use to repair DNA. It may help anticancer drugs and radiation kill more cancer cells.
  61. oxidation Process in which molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons.
  62. oxidative metabolism A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars).
  63. oxidative stress A condition in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal. Antioxidant levels are usually measured in blood plasma.
  64. oxide (OK-side) A type of chemical substance that is a combination of oxygen and another substance. Oxides are found in essential oils.
  65. oxycodone (OK-see-KOH-done) A morphine-like drug used to treat medium to severe pain. It belongs to the family of drugs called opioid analgesics and may be…
  66. oxygen (OK-sih-jen) A colorless, odorless gas. It is needed for animal and plant life.
  67. oxygen saturation test (OK-sih-jen SA-chuh-RAY-shun…) A test that measures the amount of oxygen being carried by red blood cells.
  68. oxygen therapy (OK-sih-jen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment in which a storage tank of oxygen or a machine called a compressor is used to give oxygen to people with breathing…