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 | 585 |
Rx | Prescription | 587 |
STD | Sexually transmitted disease | 588 |
CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | 592 |
ICU | Intensive care unit | 593 |
DM | Doctor of Medicine | 593 |
RN | Registered nurse | 593 |
HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus | 594 |
ADD | Attention deficit disorder | 595 |
ACL | Anterior cruciate ligament | 595 |
Snapback culture | Pressure on new moms to snap back to their pre-pregnancy bodies | 595 |
PTSD | Post-traumatic stress disorder | 596 |
AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome | 596 |
OI | Opportunistic infection | 596 |
MD | Medical doctor | 596 |
EMT | Emergency medical technician | 596 |
PPE | Personal Protective Equipment | 596 |
Non-GMO | Unvaccinated | 596 |
HWP | Height weight proportionate | 597 |
OTC | Over-the-counter | 597 |
ADHD | Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder | 597 |
IVF | In Vitro Fertilization | 597 |
AMA | American Medical Association | 597 |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration | 597 |
CHF | Congestive heart failure | 597 |
BM | Bowel movement | 597 |
POS | Point of service | 597 |
Fauci Ouchie | COVID-19 vaccine | 597 |
vax | Vaccination | 597 |
Perc30 | Oxycodone, commonly mixed with fentanyl | 597 |
Thumb day | When you browse your phone incessantly at the gym | 597 |
CAFO | Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation | 597 |
AMA | Against medical advice | 597 |
PFO | Pissed and fell over | 598 |
meds | Medications | 598 |
SOB | Shortness of breath | 598 |
STI | Sexually transmitted infection | 598 |
OBGYN | Obstetrics and gynecology | 598 |
OBG | Obstetrics and gynecology | 598 |
ENT | Ear, nose, and throat specialist | 598 |
BLS | Basic life support | 598 |
ALS | Advanced life support | 598 |
EHR | Electronic health record | 598 |
EOB | Explanation of benefits | 598 |
Long-hauler | A person suffering long-term effects from COVID-19 | 598 |
BDD | Body dysmorphic disorder | 598 |
ACV | Apple cider vinegar | 598 |
mia | Bulimia | 598 |
Thinspiration | Inspiration to be thin | 598 |
PED | Performance enhancing drug | 599 |
HGH | Human growth hormone | 599 |
ER | Emergency room | 599 |
CAD | Coronary artery disease | 599 |
SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome | 599 |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | 599 |
iv | Intravenous | 599 |
LCL | Lateral collateral ligament | 599 |
DO | Doctor of Osteopathy | 599 |
DNR | Do not resuscitate | 599 |
EMS | Emergency medical services | 599 |
APS | Adult protective services | 599 |
ARF | Acute renal failure | 599 |
tb | Tuberculosis | 599 |
TBI | Traumatic brain injury | 599 |
BID | Twice a day | 599 |
Fitspiration | Inpiration to be fit | 599 |
GOMER | Get Out of My Emergency Room | 599 |
Chub rub | Chafing where your thighs rub together | 599 |
Fire thighs | Thighs inflamed from chafing | 599 |
ROM | Range of motion | 599 |
Delta | COVID-19 Delta variant | 599 |
Omicron | COVID-19 Omicron variant | 599 |
Flurona | Having both the flu and covid | 599 |
Twindemic | A dual pandemic | 599 |
Long COVID | Long-term COVID-19 symptoms | 599 |
Never Covid | A person exposed to but uninfected by COVID-19 | 599 |
F2M | Female to male | 599 |
NoPoo | No shampoo | 599 |
CGM | Curly girl method | 599 |
Co Washing | Conditioner-only washing | 599 |
Pro-ana | Pro anorexia | 599 |
ana | Anorexia | 599 |
Leg day | Workout day specializing on legs | 599 |
Gains | Increased healthiness | 599 |
BPD | Borderline personality disorder | 599 |
ppd | Postpartum depression | 600 |
OOP | Out of pocket | 600 |
xt | Cross-training | 600 |
EPO | Erythropoietin | 600 |
WHO | World Health Organization | 600 |
LDL | Low-density lipoprotein | 600 |
ACLS | Advanced cardiac life support | 600 |
AED | Automated external defibrillator | 600 |
AND | Allow natural death | 600 |
DNI | Do not intubate | 600 |
USFDA | United States Food and Drug Administration | 600 |
ALOS | Average length of stay | 600 |
AMI | Acute myocardial infarction | 600 |
ARI | Acute respiratory infection | 600 |
CICU | Cardiac intensive care unit | 600 |
TCU | Transitional care unit | 600 |
STEL | Short term exposure limit | 600 |
FPL | Federal poverty level | 600 |
AAA | Apply to affected area | 600 |
Q | Every | 600 |
ED | Eating disorder | 600 |
IF | Intermittent fasting | 600 |
FTM | Female to male | 600 |
GSM | Gender and sexuality minority | 600 |
MTF | Male to female | 600 |
M2F | Male to female | 600 |
DSAB | Designated sex at birth | 600 |
AFAB | Assigned female at birth | 600 |
AMAB | Assigned male at birth | 600 |
SOGI | Sexual orientation and gender identity | 600 |
DOC | Drug of choice | 601 |
PPO | Preferred provider organization | 601 |
HMO | Health maintenance organization | 601 |
PCP | Primary care physician | 601 |
ITU | Intensive treatment unit | 601 |
CCU | Critical care unit | 601 |
AE | Accident and emergency | 601 |
ICN | Intensive Care Nursery | 601 |
COI | Certificate of insurance | 601 |
ED | Emergency department | 602 |
NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | 602 |
ST | Speech therapy | 602 |
SSI | Surgical site infection | 602 |
CVI | Cerebrovascular insult | 603 |
EMR | Electronic medical record | 603 |
MCL | Medial collateral ligament | 600 |
BP | Blood pressure | 600 |
VD | Venereal disease | 600 |
HDL | High-density lipoprotein | 600 |
PCL | Posterior cruciate ligament | 600 |
PT | Physical therapy | 600 |
CNA | Certified nursing assistant | 600 |
HHA | Home health aide | 600 |
ALP | Assisted living program | 600 |
CDT | Continuing day treatment | 600 |
COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 600 |
CRNA | Certified registered nurse anesthetist | 600 |
CVA | Cerebrovascular accident | 600 |
HCAI | Health care associated infection | 600 |
ACO | Accountable care organization | 600 |
EOC | Evidence of coverage | 600 |
h | Hour | 600 |
HS | At bedtime | 600 |
PO | By mouth | 600 |
CTE | Chronic traumatic encephalopathy | 600 |
Anti-vax | Against vaccines | 600 |
SAAB | Sex assigned at birth | 600 |
Arm day | Workout day specializing on arms | 600 |