Glossary of Terms
Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of health and wellness terms. This resource is designed to help you better understand terms related to fitness, nutrition, medical care, and overall well-being.
A
ASCVD Risk
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk is an estimate of a person's likelihood of developing cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke within a specific time period (usually 10 years). ASCVD risk calculators use factors such as age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking status to determine this risk.
Adaptive Reading Assistant
A tool designed to help individuals with vision impairments read more effectively by customizing text display, offering text-to-speech options, and providing recommendations for visual aids based on specific vision needs.
Anxiety Management
Strategies and techniques used to control symptoms of anxiety, which may include identifying triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and implementing calming strategies to prevent or reduce anxiety attacks.
Appointment Wait Time
The estimated time between scheduling a medical appointment and actually seeing the healthcare provider. This can vary based on factors like provider availability and patient demand.
B
BMI (Body Mass Index)
A numerical value derived from a person's weight and height that is used to categorize individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. While useful as a screening tool, BMI does not directly measure body fat and may not be accurate for athletes or elderly individuals.
Behavior Tracking
The process of monitoring and recording specific behaviors, often used in dementia care to identify patterns, triggers, and effective management strategies for challenging behaviors.
Burnout
A state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by cynicism and reduced professional efficacy, typically caused by prolonged work-related stress. Burnout can affect mental and physical health if not addressed.
C
Calorie Deficit
A state where you consume fewer calories than your body burns, resulting in weight loss. This deficit can be created through reduced caloric intake, increased physical activity, or a combination of both.
Calories Burned
The amount of energy expended during physical activities, often measured in kilocalories. Various calculators can estimate calories burned during specific activities like cycling, swimming, hiking, or rowing based on duration, intensity, and body weight.
Chronic Illness
A health condition that persists for a long time (typically more than three months) and often requires ongoing medical attention. Examples include diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Chronic Pain
Pain that persists or recurs for more than three months, often continuing beyond the expected healing time for an injury. Chronic pain can be influenced by diet, which is why specialized meal planning may be beneficial.
D
Dementia Care
Specialized care provided to individuals with dementia, focusing on managing behavioral symptoms, maintaining cognitive function, and ensuring safety and quality of life.
E
Exercise Progression
The gradual increase in intensity, duration, or frequency of physical activity to continue improving fitness levels. Safe progression is particularly important in postpartum fitness.
F
First Aid
Emergency care given to an injured or ill person before professional medical treatment is available. Knowledge of basic first aid techniques can be critical in emergency situations.
G
Genetic Trait
A characteristic that is influenced by a person's genetic makeup. Genetic traits can include physical features, health predispositions, and potential responses to medications.
GLP-1 Agonist
A class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and, increasingly, obesity. These drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. Examples include Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
Gym ROI (Return on Investment)
A calculation comparing the costs of gym membership versus home gym equipment, factoring in variables such as equipment longevity, space requirements, and workout consistency.
H
Hair Transplant
A surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from one part of the body (donor site) to a bald or balding part (recipient site). Cost calculators help compare prices between different locations, as medical tourism for this procedure is common.
Hearing Aid Optimization
The process of adjusting hearing aid settings to best meet an individual's specific hearing needs, which may change over time and in different environments.
Health Risk Assessment
A systematic evaluation of an individual's health status, risk factors, and likelihood of developing specific health conditions, often used to develop targeted prevention strategies.
Hydration
The process of providing adequate fluid to body tissues. Proper hydration is essential for numerous bodily functions including temperature regulation, joint lubrication, and waste removal.
I
In-home Care
Medical or non-medical care provided in a person's home rather than in a healthcare facility. This can include assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, and skilled nursing care.
K
Keto Macro Calculator
A tool that helps individuals following a ketogenic diet determine appropriate amounts of fat, protein, and carbohydrates to consume. Specialized versions exist for specific populations, such as people with diabetes.
Ketamine Therapy
A medical treatment using ketamine (traditionally an anesthetic) to treat conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and certain chronic pain conditions. It can be administered intravenously or as lozenges (troches).
L
Long-Term Care
Services designed to help meet medical and non-medical needs of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities who cannot care for themselves for extended periods. This can include nursing home care, assisted living, and in-home care services.
M
Macronutrients
The three main nutrients required in large amounts in the human diet: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. A macronutrient calculator helps determine appropriate ratios based on individual goals and dietary preferences.
Medicare
A federal health insurance program primarily for people who are 65 or older. Medicare includes different parts (A, B, C, D) covering various aspects of healthcare, with eligibility criteria and enrollment periods.
Medical Tourism
The practice of traveling to another country for medical treatment, often to access lower costs, specialized treatments, or shorter wait times. Common procedures include dental work, cosmetic surgery, and certain elective surgeries.
Medication Cost
The price of prescription drugs, which can vary significantly between pharmacies, locations, and insurance plans. Price finders and comparison tools can help identify cost-saving opportunities.
Menopause
The natural biological process marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring in the 40s or 50s. Symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep disruptions, and mood changes. Impact calculators can help estimate associated healthcare costs and financial implications.
Mental Health Break
A deliberate pause from work or stressful activities to rest and restore mental well-being. Scheduling tools can help individuals incorporate effective breaks into their day.
Migraine Trigger
Factors that can precipitate a migraine headache, which may include certain foods, weather changes, stress, or hormonal fluctuations. Tracking tools help identify personal triggers to avoid.
N
Nursing Home
A residential facility providing 24-hour skilled nursing care for individuals who require constant medical attention or assistance with daily activities. Cost calculators can help plan for these significant long-term expenses.
O
OTC Medication
Over-the-counter medications that can be purchased without a prescription. Dosage calculators help determine appropriate amounts based on age, weight, and other factors, particularly for medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Omega-3
Essential fatty acids important for heart, brain, and eye health. Vegan sources include algae-based supplements, which provide an alternative to fish oil.
P
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular periods, elevated androgen levels, and ovarian cysts. Symptom trackers can help monitor fluctuations and identify effective management strategies.
Plastic Surgery
Surgical specialty focused on reconstructing or altering body parts for either medical or cosmetic reasons. Cost estimators can help compare prices for procedures like rhinoplasty, liposuction, or facelifts.
Postpartum Fitness
Exercise and activity specifically designed for women who have recently given birth, taking into account physical recovery needs and potential complications from pregnancy and delivery.
Prescription Price
The cost of medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. Prices can vary significantly between pharmacies and based on insurance coverage, making price comparison tools valuable for consumers.
Provider Match
The process of matching patients with healthcare providers based on factors such as specialty, location, language preferences, and approach to care.
R
Rowing Machine Calories
Energy expended during exercise on a rowing machine, typically calculated based on resistance level, stroke rate, and duration. Rowing is a full-body workout that can burn significant calories.
S
Sleep Hygiene
Practices and habits that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep, including maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and limiting screen time before bed.
Sleep Quality
A measure of how well a person sleeps, including factors such as sleep duration, continuity, and depth. Poor sleep quality can contribute to burnout and other health issues.
Smoothie Calories
The energy content of smoothie beverages, which can vary widely based on ingredients. Calculators can estimate caloric content based on specific fruits, vegetables, dairy or non-dairy bases, and added supplements.
Swimming Calories
Energy expended during swimming, which varies based on stroke type, intensity, and duration. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can burn significant calories while being gentle on joints.
Symptom Severity
A measure of how intensely a person experiences symptoms of a medical condition. Severity scales help determine appropriate treatment paths and urgency of care.
Supplement Dosage
The recommended amount of a nutritional supplement to take, which varies based on factors such as age, weight, health status, and specific health goals.
T
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
The total number of calories burned in a day, including resting metabolism, physical activity, and the thermic effect of food. TDEE calculators help determine appropriate caloric intake for weight maintenance, loss, or gain.
Telemedicine
The remote delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine allows patients to consult with healthcare providers without in-person visits, often resulting in cost savings and increased accessibility.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
A medical treatment for men with low testosterone levels, which can include injections, gels, patches, or pellets. Eligibility is typically determined based on symptom assessment and blood test results.
Treatment Savings
The cost difference between various treatment options for the same condition. Calculators can compare expenses for treatments like in-person versus telemedicine visits.
V
Vegan Omega-3
Plant-based sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids, primarily derived from algae. These supplements provide an alternative to fish oil for individuals following vegan diets.
Vision Support
Aids and technologies designed to assist individuals with vision impairments, ranging from corrective lenses to text-to-speech software and other adaptive technologies.
W
Water Intake
The amount of water consumed daily, important for maintaining proper hydration. Requirements vary based on factors such as body weight, activity level, and environmental conditions.
Work-Life Balance
The equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal life. Poor work-life balance can contribute to burnout and negatively impact physical and mental health.
Workout Planner
A tool for organizing and scheduling exercise routines, often allowing customization based on fitness goals, available equipment, and time constraints.