Medical glossary

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: abnormal dilation of the aorta in the abdomen with a risk of rupture. Screened by ultrasound.

Buzzing, ringing or whistling perceived in the ears with no external sound source. May be continuous or intermittent.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac). Used for pain and inflammation. Caution: stomach and kidneys.

Long-term condition: chronic disease (cancer, diabetes, HIV, etc.) covered 100% by CNOPS/CNSS in Morocco.

Abnormal dilation of an artery due to wall weakening. Risk of rupture. Diagnosed via ultrasound or CT scan.

Heart rhythm disorder: heart beating too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or irregularly (atrial fibrillation).

Progressive wear of joint cartilage. Causes pain and stiffness. Most often affects knee, hip, hand and spine.

Chronic airway disease: inflammation and narrowing causing breathlessness, coughing and wheezing. Treated with inhalers.

Stroke: blockage or rupture of a brain artery. Absolute emergency. FAST signs: Face, Arm, Speech, Time.

Tuberculosis vaccine given from birth in Morocco (National Immunisation Programme).

Blood test measuring total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Screens cardiovascular risk. Requires a 12-hour fast.

Sampling of a small tissue fragment for microscopic analysis. Confirms or rules out a diagnosis (cancer, infection).

Slow heart rate (< 60 beats/min at rest). Normal in athletes; otherwise may require a pacemaker.

Inflammation of the bronchi. Acute (viral, 2-3 weeks) or chronic (smoking). Symptoms: cough, sputum.

Uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal cells forming a tumour. Treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy.

Cancer arising from epithelial cells (skin, lung, colon, breast). The most common type of cancer.

Lack of an essential nutrient: iron (anaemia), vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine. Diagnosed via blood test.

Bacterial destruction of enamel then dentine. Causes pain and sensitivity to hot/cold. Treated by a dentist.

Progressive clouding of the eye's lens, reducing vision. Treated by a quick, effective lens-replacement surgery.

University Hospital Centre: large public hospital combining care, teaching and research. Six in Morocco (Ibn Rochd, Ibn Sina, etc.).

Essential lipid but harmful in excess. LDL (bad) clogs arteries; HDL (good) cleans them. Target LDL < 1.6 g/L.

National Fund for Social Welfare Organisations: compulsory scheme for Moroccan civil servants, reimburses 80%.

National Social Security Fund: scheme for Moroccan private-sector employees, reimburses 70% based on a reference tariff.

Colon examination using a flexible camera introduced via the anus. Detects and removes polyps. Under sedation. From age 50.

Magnified examination of the cervix after an abnormal smear. Allows biopsy if needed.

X-ray of the coronary arteries with contrast medium. Used for diagnosis before angioplasty or bypass.

Psychiatric illness: persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep disturbance > 2 weeks. Treatable.

Autoimmune disease: pancreas no longer produces insulin. Often appears in young people. Lifelong insulin injections.

Insulin resistance. Appears after age 40, linked to overweight. Treated with diet, exercise, metformin, sometimes insulin.

Artificial blood filtration when the kidneys fail. Three sessions/week, four hours each. Alternative to kidney transplant.

Voice change (hoarseness, cracked voice) > 2 weeks. ENT consultation essential to rule out serious causes.

Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. May be cardiac, pulmonary, anaemic or psychogenic in origin.

Cyto-bacteriological urine examination. Detects urinary infection and identifies the germ plus effective antibiotics.

Electrocardiogram: records the heart's electrical activity. Detects arrhythmia, infarction, hypertrophy. Painless, 5 min.

Skin inflammation: redness, itching, scaling. Atopic (allergic) or contact forms.

Electroencephalogram: records the brain's electrical activity. Diagnoses epilepsy and sleep disorders.

Examination using a flexible camera. Gastroscopy (stomach), colonoscopy (colon), bronchoscopy (lungs). Under anaesthesia.

Respiratory function tests: measure breathing and lung volumes. Diagnose asthma and COPD.

Examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a camera passed through the mouth. Diagnoses ulcers and reflux.

Common heart rhythm disorder with stroke risk. Treated with anticoagulants plus rhythm-control drugs.

In Vitro Fertilisation: assisted reproduction technique. Eggs and sperm are fertilised in the lab.

Cell sampling from the cervix to screen for cervical cancer. Every 3 years between ages 25 and 65.

Increased eye pressure damaging the optic nerve. Untreated, it leads to blindness. Annual screening after age 40.

Blood sugar level. Normal fasting: 0.70-1.10 g/L. Diabetes if > 1.26 g/L fasting on two occasions.

Knee osteoarthritis: cartilage wear causing pain on walking. Treatment: physiotherapy, injections, knee replacement.

Glycated haemoglobin: reflects average blood sugar over 3 months. Target < 7% in diabetics.

Dilation of the anal veins. Causes bleeding, itching and pain. Treated with creams, banding or surgery.

Liver inflammation. Causes: viral (A, B, C), alcohol, drugs. Hepatitis B and C may become chronic and progress to cirrhosis.

Arterial hypertension: blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg. Silent but dangerous for heart, brain and kidneys.

Elevated LDL cholesterol. Treated with diet and statins. Major cardiovascular risk factor.

Underactive thyroid: fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, depression. Elevated TSH. Treated with levothyroxine.

Body Mass Index: weight / height². Normal 18.5-25, overweight 25-30, obese > 30.

Death of part of the heart muscle from coronary artery blockage. Severe chest pain. Emergency, call 141.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging: no X-rays. Excellent for brain, spinal cord, joints and soft tissues.

Sexually Transmitted Infection: HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HPV, herpes. Regular screening if multiple partners.

Closed cavity containing fluid: ovarian, sebaceous, renal. Often benign. Monitored or removed depending on size.

Laser corneal surgery correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. 20 min/eye. Quick recovery.

Blood cancer: proliferation of abnormal blood cells. Treated with chemotherapy and bone-marrow transplant.

Cancer of the lymphatic system (lymph nodes). Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin. Treated with chemotherapy; good prognosis.

Breast X-ray. Screens for breast cancer every 2 years from age 50 (or 45 if at risk).

Inflammation of the meninges (brain). Absolute emergency. Fever + neck stiffness + headache. Treated with IV antibiotics.

Permanent cessation of periods (12 months). Average age 50-52. Hot flushes, dryness, osteoporosis.

Pulsatile headache, often unilateral, with nausea and photophobia. Attacks last 4-72 h. Specific treatment available.

Moroccans Residing Abroad. Access to dedicated healthcare services when visiting Morocco (medical tourism).

Visual defect: blurred distance vision. Corrected with glasses, contact lenses or LASIK surgery.

Full blood count: red cells, white cells, platelets. Detects anaemia, infection, leukaemia.

Disorder of the peripheral nerves. Symptoms: tingling, pain, weakness. Common cause: diabetes.

BMI > 30 kg/m². Major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joints and cancers. Multidisciplinary management.

Medical prescription issued by the doctor. Required for reimbursed medicines. Valid for 3 months in Morocco.

Surgery of bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. Fractures, prostheses, arthroscopy, scoliosis.

Bone fragility from loss of density. Mainly affects post-menopausal women. Fracture risk. Diagnosed by bone density scan.

Cardiac pacemaker implanted under the skin. Corrects rhythms that are too slow or too fast. Lifespan 10-15 years.

Cervical smear. Screens for cervical cancer. Routine gynaecological examination.

Neurodegenerative disease: tremor, rigidity, slowness. Treated with levodopa, rehabilitation, sometimes surgery.

Positron Emission Tomography. Metabolic imaging. Used for cancer staging, recurrences and Alzheimer's.

Medically Assisted Reproduction: ovarian stimulation, IVF, ICSI. For infertile couples.

Bacterium causing pneumonia, meningitis and otitis. Vaccine recommended after 65 and in immunocompromised people.

Lung infection, often bacterial. Fever, cough, chest pain. Treated with antibiotics plus chest X-ray.

Simultaneous inflammation of several joints. The rheumatoid form is an autoimmune disease affecting hands and wrists.

Male gland surrounding the urethra. May enlarge (adenoma) or develop cancer. Screened with PSA test.

Prostate-Specific Antigen. Marker for prostate cancer. Annual blood test from age 50 (45 if at risk).

Daily dose of a medicine. Must be respected to ensure efficacy and avoid resistance.

Cancer treatment using radiation. Often combined with surgery and chemotherapy. 20-30 daily sessions.

Moroccan medical aid scheme for the underprivileged. Free care in public hospitals.

Backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. Retrosternal burning. Treated with PPIs and dietary measures.

Joint and muscle pain. Causes: osteoarthritis, polyarthritis, lupus, gout. Rheumatologist required.

Computed tomography: fine slice X-ray imaging. Fast, precise for bones, lungs, emergencies and vessels.

Autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord. Motor, visual and sensory disturbances in relapses.

Breathing test. Measures pulmonary volumes and flows. Diagnoses asthma and COPD.

Minimum wage. In Morocco: 2,970 MAD/month (2026). Reference for social and healthcare calculations.

Set of symptoms characterising a disease, e.g. flu syndrome, Down syndrome.

Fast heart rate (> 100 bpm at rest). Causes: exertion, emotion, anaemia, hyperthyroidism, arrhythmia.

Inflammation of a tendon. Causes: overuse, poor movement. Treated with rest, ice, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories.

National Reference Tariff: basis for CNOPS/CNSS reimbursement. Often lower than actual fees charged.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone: regulates the thyroid. Measured to diagnose hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Intravenous urography: X-ray of the kidneys and urinary tract using contrast medium.

Ulcerative lesion in the stomach or duodenum. Causes: Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs. Treated with antibiotics + PPIs.

Speciality of the urinary tract and male genital system. Stones, prostate, incontinence, infertility.

Substance that stimulates the immune system against an infectious disease. Moroccan PNI vaccination schedule.

Permanent dilation of the veins, especially in the legs. Cosmetic concern with phlebitis risk. Treated with compression, sclerotherapy, surgery.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Causes AIDS. Transmitted sexually and via blood. Lifelong antiretroviral treatment.

Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus decades later. Painful rash along a nerve. Vaccine from age 65.

Ultrasound imaging. Radiation-free. Used for pregnancy, abdomen, heart, thyroid and blood vessels.

Fluid accumulation in tissues: swollen ankles, puffy face. Various causes (heart, kidney, veins).