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What is obesity? Obesity is a medical condition defined as having an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat on the body, enough so that it can be a risk to the health of the person. Themost common way of classifying the amount of weight on the body, and what constitutes as a healthy balance, is the

What is obesity surgery? Obesity surgery, otherwise known as bariatric or weight-loss surgery, describes a range of procedures that are designed to treat people with obesity. Whilst there are different types of gastric surgery, the aim of the procedure is always to reduce the size of the stomach.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a form of anxiety disorder, characterised by obsessions and...

What is obstetric physiotherapy? Obstetric physiotherapy is a type of physiotherapy that focuses on gynaecological and pelvic floor issues. Obstetric physiotherapists may specialise in:

What is obstructed defecation syndrome? Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a condition characterised by difficulty in evacuating the bowels despite the urge to defecate. Patients with ODS often experience straining, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and the need for manual assistance to pass stool. This syndrome can...

What is obstructive bronchitis? Obstructive bronchitis is a condition that affects the bronchi. It is defined as the swelling or inflammation of the main airways of the lungs, which can make breathing more difficult. This condition can develop for different reasons, the most common one being a viral...

What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy may be helpful for anyone having trouble performing everyday tasks. An occupation is any task you want to accomplish, fromgetting out of bed to washing yourself, cooking, going out to see friends, or working. For a range of reasons, such as illness, injury, or disability, you might find it difficult to carry out some of these tasks. An occupational...

What is OCT (optical coherence tomography)? An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan is an imaging test that uses low coherence light beams analyse different sections of the human body, obtaining highly precise and reliable pictures of several levels of tissue. This scan is primarily used in

What is ocular hypertension? Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure)is higher than normal. This pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is considered normal when it is between 10-21mmHg. It should be noted that intraocular pressure increases with...

What is ocular melanoma? Ocular melanoma is a form of cancer that affects melanin, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the body. Although this disease is rare, it is the most common type of cancer that affects the eyes. It can affect all parts of this organ, especially hard-to-access parts that make detection difficult. This is why it is...