Occupational Health Services

Dictionary

Arrhythmia – any deviation from the normal rhythm of the heart. Arrhythmias include ectopic beats, ectopic tachycardias, fibrillation, and heart block.

Arthritis – inflammation of one or more joints, characterized by swelling, warmth, redness of the overlying skin, pain, and restriction of motion.

Arthrodynia – pain in a joint.

Asbestosis – a lung disease - a form of pneumoconiosis - caused by fibres of asbestos inhaled by those who are exposed to the mineral.

Asthenopia (eye strain) – a sense of fatigue brought on by use of the eyes for prolonged close work or in persons who have uncorrected error of refraction. Symptoms are usually aching or burning of the eyes, accompanied by headache.

Astigmatism – a defect of vision in which the image of an object is distorted because not all the light rays come to a focus on the retina. This is usually due to abnormal curvature of the cornea and/or lens, whose surface resembles part of the surface of an egg.

Audiogram – the graphic record of a test of hearing carried out on and audiometer.

Audiometer – an apparatus for measuring hearing at different sound frequencies, so helping in the diagnosis of deafness.

Audiometry - the testing and measurement of hearing acuity for variations in sound intensity and pitch and for tonal purity.

Auriscope – an apparatus for examining the eardrum and the external meatus.

Auscultation – the process of listening, usually with a stethoscope, to sounds produced by movement of gas or liquid within the body as an aid to diagnosis.

Blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelids.

Blepharon (eyelid) – the protective covering of the eye. Each eye has two eyelids consisting of skin, muscle, and connective tissue. Each eyelid is lined with membrane and fringed with eyelashes.

Blood pressure – the pressure of blood against the walls of the main arteries. Pressure is highest during systole, when the ventricles are contracting and lowest during diastole, when the ventricles are relaxing and refilling. Blood pressure is measured - in millimetres of mercury - by means of a sphygmomanometer at the brachial artery of the arm. A young adult would be expected to have a systolic pressure of around 120 mm and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm. These are recorded as 120/80.

Body Mass Index (BMI) - an anthropometric measure of body mass, defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; a method of determining caloric nutritional status.

Capnometry - is the measurement of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the respiratory gases.

Cardiology – the science concerned with the study of the structure, function, and diseases of the heart.

Cataract – any opacity in the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts most commonly occur in the elderly, but some are congenital or result from metabolic disease (such as diabetes) or from injury or exposure of the eye to harmful radiation. Cataract is treated by surgical removal of the affected lens.

Chemosis – swelling of the conjunctiva.

Cholesterol – a fatlike material (a sterole) present in the blood and most tissues, especially in nervous tissue. Elevated blood concentration of cholesterol is often associated with atheroma, of which cholesterol is a major component. Cholesterol is also a constituent of gall stones.

Choroid – the layer of the eyeball between the retina and the sclera. It contains blood vessels and a pigment that absorbs excess light and so prevents blurring of vision.

Choroiditis – inflammation of the choroid layer of the eye. Vision becomes blurred but the eye is usually painless.

Choroidocyclitis – inflammation of the choroid layer and the ciliary body of the eye.

Chronic – describing a disease of long duration involving very slow changes. Such disease is often of gradual onset.

Ciliary body – the part of the eye that connects the choroid with the iris. It consists of three zones: the ciliary ring, which adjoins the choroid; the ciliary processes, a series of about 70 radial ridges behind the iris to which the suspensory ligament of the lens is attached; and the ciliary muscle,So he contraction of which alters the curvature of the lens.

Cochlea – the spiral organ of the labyrinth of the ear, which is concerned with the reception and analysis of sound.

Conjunctiva – the delicate mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.

Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the conjunctiva, which becomes red and swollen and produces a watery or pus-containing discharge. Conjunctivitis is caused by infection by bacteria or viruses, allergy, or physical or chemical irritation.

Cornea – the transparent circular part of the front of the eyeball. It refracts the light entering the eye onto the lens, which then focuses it onto the retina.

Dermatitis – an inflammatory condition of the skin, especially one in which outside agents play a primary role.

Dermatology – the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.

Dermatosis – any disease of the skin, particularly one without inflammation.

Diabetes – any disorder of metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large volumes of urine.

Diplopia – double vision: the simultaneous awareness of two images of the one object. It is usually due to limitation of movement of one eye, which may be caused by a defect of the nerves or muscles controlling eye movement or a mechanical restriction of eyeball movement in the orbit. Double vision that does not disappear on covering one eye can be caused by early cataract.

Dyscoria – abnormality in the shape or form of the pupil of the eye.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – a recording of the electrical activity of the heart on a moving paper strip. The ECG tracing is recorded by means of an electrocardiograph. It aids in the diagnosis of heart disease, which may produce characteristic changes in the ECG.

Emphysema – air in the tissues.

Endaural – within the ear, especially relating to the external auditory meatus of the outer ear.

Endemic – occurring frequently in a particular region or population: applied to diseases that are generally or constantly found among people in a particular area.

Endolymph – the fluid that fills the membranous labyrinth of the ear.

Endophthalmitis – inflammation, usually due to infection within the eye.

Entropion – interning of the eyelid towards the eyeball. The lashes may rub against the eye and cause irritation.

Epidermis – the outer layer of the skin, which is divided into four layers. The top three layers are continually renewed as cells from the continuously dividing Malpighian layer are gradually pushed outwards and become progressively impregnated with keratin.

Farmer’s lung – an occupational lung disease caused by allergy to fungal spores that grow in inadequately dried stored hay, straw, or grain, which then becomes mouldy. An acute reversible form can develop a few hours after exposure; a chronic form, with the gradual development of irreversible breathlessness, occurs with or without preceding acute attacks.

Gait – a manner of walking.

Glucometer – an apparatus for measuring blood sugar levels.

Grocer’s itch – dermatitis of the hands caused by frequent contact with flour and sugar.

Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) - Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of vibrating hand-held tools, such as pneumatic jack hammers, drills, gas powered chain saws, and electrical tools such as grinders. The nature of these tools involves vibration (a rapid back and forth type of motion) which is transmitted from the tool to the hands and arms of the person holding the tool.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – a statutory body responsible for the health and safety of workers (including factory, office, and agricultural workers).

Helix – the outer curved fleshy ridge of the pinna of the outer ear.

Heteropsia – different vision in each eye.

Hypertropia – strabismus in which one eye looks upwards.

Hyphaema – a collection of blood in the chamber of the eye that lies in front of the iris.

Hypopyon – pus in the chamber of the eye that lies in front of the iris.

Hypotropia – strabismus in which one eye looks downwards.

Industrial disease – an occupational disease associated with a particular industry or group of industries.

Iridocele – the protrusion of part of the iris through a wound in the cornea.

Iritis – inflammation of the iris.

Ishihara Test - a test for colour-vision deficiency employing a series of plates on which numbers or letters are printed in dots of primary colours surrounded by dots of other colours; the figures are discernible by individuals with normal colour vision.

Keratitis – inflammation of the cornea of the eye. The eye waters and is very painful and vision is blurred. It may be due to physical or chemical agents or result from infection.

Keratoconjunctivitis – combined inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye.

Lung Capacity - this is the total amount of air that the subject can breathe out after completely filling their lungs.

Macropsia – a condition in which objects appear larger than they really are. It is usually due to disease of the retina.

Micropsia – a condition in which objects appear smaller than they really are. It is usually due to disease of the retina.

Miosis – constriction of the pupil. This occurs normally in bright light, but persistent miosis is most commonly caused by certain types of eye drops used to treat glaucoma.

Myopia (short-sightedness) – the condition in which parallel light rays are brought to a focus in front of the retina. The condition is corrected by wearing spectacles with concave lenses and can now be treated surgically.

Nystagmus – rapid involuntarymovements of the eyes that may be from side to side, up and down, or rotatory.

Occupational disease – any one of various specific diseases to which workers in certain occupations are particularly prone. Examples include the various forms of pneumoconiosis, cataracts in glass blowers, decompression sickness in divers, and infectious diseases contracted from animals by farm workers, such as woolsorter’s disease.

Ophthalmology – the branch of medicine that is devoted to the study and treatment of eye diseases.

Ophthalmoscope – an instrument for examining the interior of the eye.

Optometry – the practice of testing the visual acuity of eyes and prescribing lenses to correct defects of vision.

Orf – an infectious disease of sheep and goats caused by a poxvirus. Those handling infected sheep may develop a painful nodule on the fingers or hands; it resolves spontaneously.

Otalgia – pain in the ear.

Otitis – inflammation of the ear.

Otorrhagia – bleeding from the ear.

Otorrhoea – any discharge from the ear. Commonly a purulent discharge in chronic middle ear infection.

Outer ear – the pinna and the external auditory meatus of the ear.

Palpebral – relating to the eyelid.

Panophthalmitis – inflammation involving the whole of the interior of the eye.

Panotitis – inflammation of both the middle and the inner ears.

Paracusis – any abnormalitiy of hearing.

Patch test – a test to discover which allergen is responsible for contact dermatitis in a patient. Very low concentrations of different allergens are applied under a patch on the back: a positive test will show an eczematous reaction.

Pneumoconiosis – a group of lung diseases caused by inhaling dust. In practice industrial exposure to coal dust, silica, and asbestos produces most of the cases of pneumoconiosis.

Polyopia – the sensation of multiple images of one object. It is sometimes experienced by people with early cataract.

Prescribed disease – one of a number of illnesses arising as a result of employment requiring close contact with a hazardous substance or circumstance. Examples include decompression sickness in divers and infections such as anthrax in those handling wool.

Psittacosis – an endemic infection of birds, especially parrots, budgerigars, canaries, finches, pigeons, and poultry, caused by the bacterium chlamydia psittaci. The infection is transmitted to humans by inhalation from handling the birds or by contact with feathers, faeces, or cage dust, but person-to-person transmission also occurs. The symptoms include fever, dry cough, severe muscle pain, and headache; occasionally a severe generalized systemic illness results. The condition responds to tetracycline of erythromycin.

Pupillary reflex – the reflex change in the size of the pupil according to the amount of light entering the eye.

Q fever – an acute infectious disease of cattle, sheep, and goats that is caused by rickettsia, Coxiella burnetii, and can be transmitted to man primarily through contaminated unpasteurized milk. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, and respiratory problems. Treatment with tetracyclines or chloramphenicol is effective.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) – pain with associated loss of function in a limb resulting from its repeated movement or sustained static loading. Tenosynovitis and tendovaginitis of the wrist associated with typing or operating a word processor is the injury most frequently encountered.

Residual volume – the volume of air that remains in the lungs after the individual has breathed out as much as he can. This volume is increased in emphysema.

Retina – the light-sensitive layer that lines the interior of the eye. The inner part of the retina, next to the cavity of the eyeball, contains rods and cones (light-sensitive cells) and their associated nerve fibres. The outer part is pigmented to prevent the passage of light.

Retinopathy – any of various disorders of the retina resulting in impairment or loss of vision. It may occur as a complication of diabetes, high blood pressure, or AIDS.

Retro-ocular – behind the eye.

Roth spot – a pale area surrounded by haemorrhage sometimes seen in the retina of those who have bacterial endocarditis, septicaemia or leukaemia.

Sclera – the white fibrous outer layer of the eyeball. At the front of the eye it becomes the cornea.

Scleritis – inflammation of the sclera.

Scleromalacia – thinning of the sclera (white of the eye) as a result of inflammation.

Silicosis – a lung disease - a form of pneumoconiosis - produced by inhaling silica dust particles. It affects workers in hard-rock mining and tunnelling, quarrying, stone dressing, and boiler scaling. Silica stimulates fibrosis of lung tissue, which produces progressive breathlessness and considerably increased susceptibility to tuberculosis.

Snellen chart – the commonest chart used for testing sharpness of distant vision. It consists of rows of capital letters, called test types, the letters of each row becoming smaller down the chart.

Sphygmomanometer – an instrument for measuring blood pressure in the arteries. It consists of an inflatable cuff connected via a rubber tube to a column of mercury with a graduated scale.

Spirograph – an instrument for recording breathing movements. The record obtained is called a spirogram.

Spirometer – an instrument for measuring the volume of air inhaled and exhaled. It is used in tests of ventilation.

Spud – a blunt needle used for removing foreign bodies embedded in the cornea of the eye.

Staphyloma – abnormal bulging of the cornea or sclera (white) of the eye..

Strabismus – squint: any abnormal alignment of the two eyes. The strabismus is most commonly horizontal but it may also be vertical. Double vision is possible, but the image from the deviating eye usually becomes ignored.

Stress – any factor that threatens the health of the body or has an adverse effect on its functioning, such as injury, disease, or worry. Constant stress brings about changes in the balance of hormones in the body.

Stye – acute inflammation of a gland at the base of an eyelash, caused by bacterial infection. The gland becomes hard and tender and a pus-filled cyst develops at its centre.

Superciliary – of or relating to the eyebrows.

Tinnitus – any noise (buzzing, ringing, etc.) in the ear. The many causes include wax in the ear, damage to the eardrum, and diseases of the inner ear.

Urinalysis – the analysis of urine, using physical, chemical and microscopical tests, to determine the proportions of its normal constituents and to detect alcohol, drugs, sugar, or other abnormal constituents.

Vibration Syndrome - a group of symptoms related to the use of vibrating tools and includes -some or all of the following: muscle weakness, muscle fatigue, pain in the arms and shoulders, and vibration-induced white finger. Many researchers believe that other symptoms--headaches, irritability, depression, forgetfulness, and sleeping problems--should also be included in descriptions of Vibration Syndrome.

Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF) - also known as "Dead Finger" or "Dead Hand" is the result of impaired circulation (poor blood supply in the fingers, caused by the prolonged use of vibrating tools. VWF may appear after only several months on the job, or may not appear until twenty to forty years on the job. The harmful health effects of vibrating tools are related to the length of time that a worker has been using vibrating tools and to the frequency of the vibration (how fast the tool goes back and forth). The longer a person uses a vibrating tool, and the faster the tool vibrates, the greater the risk of health effects. The length of the initial symptom-free period of vibration exposure (i.e., from first exposure to the first appearance of a white finger) is known as the latent interval. It is related to the intensity of the vibration - the shorter the latent period, the more severe the resulting VWF if vibration exposure continues. Temporary tingling or numbness during or soon after use of a vibrating hand tool is not considered to be VWF, however tingling and numbness in the fingers lasting more than an hour after finishing work may indicate early stages of VWF.Visual acuity – sharpness of vision. The commonest way of assessing visual acuity is the Snellen chart.

Visual field – the area in front of the eye in any part of which and object can be seen without moving the eye.

Vital capacity – the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale after maximum inhalation.

Weber’s test – a hearing test in which a vibrating tuning fork is placed at the midpoint of the forehead. If one ear is affected by conductive deafness the sound appears now louder in the affected ear.