Health Slang
The healthcare industry is full of slang terms. Some acronyms and abbreviations are specialized medical terms, while others are used in everyday discussions about nutrition and fitness. Even if you're not a doctor or a nurse, many of the terms below are good to know.
Slang Term | Meaning | Votes |
---|---|---|
Anti-vaxxer | A person who opposes vaccines | 572 |
STD | Sexually transmitted disease | 581 |
Rx | Prescription | 585 |
CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | 590 |
ICU | Intensive care unit | 592 |
RN | Registered nurse | 592 |
AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome | 593 |
ED | Eating disorder | 593 |
Snapback culture | Pressure on new moms to snap back to their pre-pregnancy bodies | 593 |
OTC | Over-the-counter | 594 |
ADD | Attention deficit disorder | 594 |
ER | Emergency room | 594 |
HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus | 594 |
DM | Doctor of Medicine | 594 |
EMT | Emergency medical technician | 594 |
Perc30 | Oxycodone, commonly mixed with fentanyl | 594 |
PTSD | Post-traumatic stress disorder | 595 |
MD | Medical doctor | 595 |
PPE | Personal Protective Equipment | 595 |
ADHD | Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder | 596 |
ACL | Anterior cruciate ligament | 596 |
OI | Opportunistic infection | 596 |
OBGYN | Obstetrics and gynecology | 596 |
AMA | American Medical Association | 596 |
CHF | Congestive heart failure | 596 |
POS | Point of service | 596 |
h | Hour | 596 |
CAFO | Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation | 596 |
HWP | Height weight proportionate | 597 |
PFO | Pissed and fell over | 597 |
OPK | Ovulation predictor kit | 597 |
meds | Medications | 597 |
MDI | Multiple Daily Injections | 597 |
Jab | An injection | 597 |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | 597 |
iv | Intravenous | 597 |
IVF | In Vitro Fertilization | 597 |
BLS | Basic life support | 597 |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration | 597 |
EMS | Emergency medical services | 597 |
BM | Bowel movement | 597 |
Thumb day | When you browse your phone incessantly at the gym | 597 |
Chub rub | Chafing where your thighs rub together | 597 |
Non-GMO | Unvaccinated | 597 |
BDD | Body dysmorphic disorder | 597 |
AMA | Against medical advice | 597 |
F2M | Female to male | 597 |
FTM | Female to male | 597 |
M2F | Male to female | 597 |
Pro-ana | Pro anorexia | 597 |
mia | Bulimia | 597 |
AML | Acute myeloid leukemia | 597 |
natty | Natural | 597 |
MAHA | Make America Healthy Again | 597 |
ppd | Postpartum depression | 598 |
DOC | Drug of choice | 598 |
HGH | Human growth hormone | 598 |
PCP | Primary care physician | 598 |
SOB | Shortness of breath | 598 |
SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome | 598 |
STI | Sexually transmitted infection | 598 |
ENT | Ear, nose, and throat specialist | 598 |
ALS | Advanced life support | 598 |
tb | Tuberculosis | 598 |
EHR | Electronic health record | 598 |
EOB | Explanation of benefits | 598 |
AAA | Apply to affected area | 598 |
BID | Twice a day | 598 |
Long-hauler | A person suffering long-term effects from COVID-19 | 598 |
vax | Vaccination | 598 |
Anti-vax | Against vaccines | 598 |
Delta | COVID-19 Delta variant | 598 |
Omicron | COVID-19 Omicron variant | 598 |
Long COVID | Long-term COVID-19 symptoms | 598 |
NoPoo | No shampoo | 598 |
CGM | Curly girl method | 598 |
Co Washing | Conditioner-only washing | 598 |
ana | Anorexia | 598 |
Thinspiration | Inspiration to be thin | 598 |
Fake natty | A person who appears to be naturally fit but is not | 598 |
BG | Blood Glucose | 599 |
OOP | Out of pocket | 599 |
xt | Cross-training | 599 |
PED | Performance enhancing drug | 599 |
SPD | Sensory Processing Disorder | 599 |
PPO | Preferred provider organization | 599 |
CAD | Coronary artery disease | 599 |
VD | Venereal disease | 599 |
HDL | High-density lipoprotein | 599 |
OBG | Obstetrics and gynecology | 599 |
LCL | Lateral collateral ligament | 599 |
DO | Doctor of Osteopathy | 599 |
PT | Physical therapy | 599 |
DNR | Do not resuscitate | 599 |
USFDA | United States Food and Drug Administration | 599 |
CNA | Certified nursing assistant | 599 |
COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 599 |
ARF | Acute renal failure | 599 |
TBI | Traumatic brain injury | 599 |
Q | Every | 599 |
Fitspiration | Inpiration to be fit | 599 |
Fauci Ouchie | COVID-19 vaccine | 599 |
Fire thighs | Thighs inflamed from chafing | 599 |
ROM | Range of motion | 599 |
Flurona | Having both the flu and covid | 599 |
Twindemic | A dual pandemic | 599 |
Never Covid | A person exposed to but uninfected by COVID-19 | 599 |
GSM | Gender and sexuality minority | 599 |
SOGI | Sexual orientation and gender identity | 599 |
ACV | Apple cider vinegar | 599 |
Leg day | Workout day specializing on legs | 599 |
BPD | Borderline personality disorder | 599 |
LW | Lowest weight | 599 |
HW | Highest weight | 599 |
SW | Starting weight | 599 |
roids | Steroids | 599 |
ISF | Insulin Sensitivity Factor | 600 |
EPO | Erythropoietin | 600 |
HMO | Health maintenance organization | 600 |
ED | Emergency department | 600 |
ICN | Intensive Care Nursery | 600 |
WHO | World Health Organization | 600 |
LDL | Low-density lipoprotein | 600 |
AND | Allow natural death | 600 |
DNI | Do not intubate | 600 |
ALOS | Average length of stay | 600 |
AMI | Acute myocardial infarction | 600 |
ARI | Acute respiratory infection | 600 |
CICU | Cardiac intensive care unit | 600 |
STEL | Short term exposure limit | 600 |
FPL | Federal poverty level | 600 |
GOMER | Get Out of My Emergency Room | 600 |
IF | Intermittent fasting | 600 |
MTF | Male to female | 600 |
AFAB | Assigned female at birth | 600 |
AMAB | Assigned male at birth | 600 |
Gains | Increased healthiness | 600 |
H&W | Height and weight | 600 |
ITU | Intensive treatment unit | 601 |
CCU | Critical care unit | 601 |
NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | 601 |
ACLS | Advanced cardiac life support | 601 |
AED | Automated external defibrillator | 601 |
APS | Adult protective services | 601 |
TCU | Transitional care unit | 601 |
ACO | Accountable care organization | 601 |
COI | Certificate of insurance | 601 |
PO | By mouth | 601 |
DSAB | Designated sex at birth | 601 |
AE | Accident and emergency | 602 |
SSI | Surgical site infection | 602 |
CVI | Cerebrovascular insult | 603 |
EMR | Electronic medical record | 603 |
ST | Speech therapy | 610 |
MCL | Medial collateral ligament | 600 |
BP | Blood pressure | 600 |
PCL | Posterior cruciate ligament | 600 |
HHA | Home health aide | 600 |
ALP | Assisted living program | 600 |
CDT | Continuing day treatment | 600 |
CRNA | Certified registered nurse anesthetist | 600 |
CVA | Cerebrovascular accident | 600 |
HCAI | Health care associated infection | 600 |
EOC | Evidence of coverage | 600 |
HS | At bedtime | 600 |
CTE | Chronic traumatic encephalopathy | 600 |
SAAB | Sex assigned at birth | 600 |
Arm day | Workout day specializing on arms | 600 |