Question: Why I have to ask what some medical words mean?They should be written so you can understand them.
From: Lori R. of New Hudson, MI

Answer: Sometimes hearing healthcare providers speak is like being in a foreign country and not understanding the language. If you or a family member is a patient, you have a lot at stake and should ask for verbal and written explanations. But don’t wait until you are in the midst of a crisis. Healthcare providers use medical terms for efficiency and clarity while treating a patient. A basic explanation is that there are three parts to medical terms-a root word which is generally a body part, a prefix before the root word, and a suffix after the root word. Sound complicated? Not really. For example, the root word “card” refers to the heart. Add the prefix “peri” (means around) and the suffix “itis” (means inflammation) and you have pericarditis or inflammation around the heart. I have compiled a list of common root words, prefixes, and suffixes along with their definitions in my book. Also, I have listed common medical abbreviations and common medical terms for several body systems.