Virtual Medical Centre

Iatrogenic means resulting from a doctor's actions, and is most commonly used to refer to complications from treatment such as surgery.

More information on idiopathic subglottic stenosis

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the second most abundant immunoglobulin. An immunoglobulin (or antibody) is a protein which is involved in immune responses. IgA plays an important role in the cellular defence of mucosal surfaces. IgA is excreted into bodily secretions such as tears, saliva and breast milk. A lack of IgA often causes major infections of mucosal surfaces, such as the mouth, throat and lungs.

IgE is the largest immunoglobulin, but is present at extremely low levels in a healthy individual. An immunoglobulin (or antibody) is a protein which is involved in immune responses. IgE has a high affinity for mast cells, causing them to release substances that stimulate an allergic reaction. Hayfever is a condition caused by too much IgE activity.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most abundant immunoglobulin, and is one of the major activators of the complement pathway. An immunoglobulin (or antibody) is a protein which is involved in immune responses. Part of the IgG molecule is able to interact with lots of cells of the immune system, and so it has the ability to stimulate a very direct attack on anything that it recognises. IgG is also the only type of immunoglobulin that is transferred across the placenta from mother to foetus. This gives unborn children some protection from diseases to which they have not yet been exposed.

IgM is the first immunoglobulin synthesised in an antibody response. An immunoglobulin (or antibody) is a protein which is involved in immune responses. It is a strong activator of the complement system.

An immature cataract is where the lens has developed some opacities, but these are still separated by areas of normal, clear lens.

More information on Cataracts

Immersion Foot occurs when the feet are wet and cold for a prolonged period of time. The feet will initially feel numb and tingling, this is a sign to dry and warm up the feet. If the condition progresses it may cause serious damage to the muscles and the nerves of the foot. This condition can happen in any limb however it is most commonly found in the foot because feet are more likely to be immersed in water or snow.

Immunotherapy is used in the treatment of allergies. It involves administering slowly increasing doses of a specific antigen to a sensitised individual, with the aim of gradually increasing their tolerance towards the allergen.

Imovane is used to relief insomnia. It is used for short term treatment and is not recommended for use for more than 4 weeks at a time.

A technique in which egg cells are fertilized outside the woman's womb. This is a major treatment in infertility, often used when other methods of achieving conception have failed.

For more information, see In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

The inactive ingredients of a drug, also called the excipients, have no therapeutic effect on physiological functioning in the body. They are included to fill, bind and lubricate the drug. The inactive ingredients of the drug influence the shape, colour, texture and ease of swallowing.

Inactive ingredients include lactose, dyes and gluten.

Incident cases are newly occurring cases of a disease.

Indigestion is a condition characterised by difficulty digesting foods. It is often associated with eating too quickly and can result in heartburn and nausea.

Linkage analysis (also known as indirect gene tracking) is a technique used in the identification of inherited disease genes.

The technique is based on the fact that special DNA sequences that flank particular genes will travel with the gene when passed from parent to child. These DNA sequences are called ‘polymorphic markers’ or ‘polymorphic repeat sequences’. If a particular polymorphic marker is found only in members of a family with a particular disease then it is likely that a gene located near the marker is associated with the disease.  

Induction of labour is the process of using drugs or other methods to artificially start labour. Induction is carried out so that a baby can be delivered even though labour has not started spontaneously (on its own).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a term encompassing both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These are both chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestinal lining. Crohn's disease can affect anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, whilst ulcerative colitis is confined to the large intestine. There is significant overlap between the two disorders, however it is important to distinguish between the two for treatment purposes.

Also colloquially referred to as the ‘flu’, influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza viruses. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and a dry cough. Influenza often occurs in outbreaks (epidemics), which are more common during the winter months.

More information on influenza

Injection site reactions (ISR) are skin reactions that occur as a result of an injection. They occur at the site that the needle was inserted.

Preputial means of or relating to the prepuce or foreskin. The inner preputial epithelium is the mucus layer on the inner section of the foreskin (i.e. the section of the foreskin which is hidden whilst retracted).

Innervate means to supply nerves to (a body part). Different levels of the spinal cord innervate different areas of the body. For example, the nerves that supply the fingers exit the central nervous system at one level of the spinal cord, and the nerves that supply the toes exit at a different level.

Interstitial cells are testosterone-producing cells in both the male and female reproductive system. In males, they are found in the testes, are responsible for some 95% of testosterone production, and are often referred to as Leydig cells. In females, the interstitial cells produce about 50% of all testosterone and are located in the ovaries.

For more information, see Testosterone, the Male Urogenital System and the Female Urogenital System.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder condition of unknown cause which mainly affects women. It is also known as painful bladder syndrome. Symptoms may include lower abdominal or pelvic pain, and urinary symptoms such as urgency, frequency or incontinence. The cause of the condition is not known.

For more information, see Interstitial Cystitis.

Interstitial nephritis is a condition in which the spaces surrounding the tubes which run through the kidneys become inflamed.

For more information, see Interstitial Nephritis.

Intestinal strongyloidiasis is a worm infection which largely affects the skin and intestines. Symptoms may include an itchy rash, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Intracapsular surgery is a procedure used to treat cataracts. It involves removing the opacified lens as well as the surrounding lens bag. However it is not performed frequently compared to other methods of treatment such as phacomemulsification surgery.

More information on Cataracts

An assisted reproductive technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into the nucleus of an egg.

More on male reproductive system.

More on female reproductive system.

Intraocular inflammation means inflammation of the eye.

An intrathecal injection is one that is injected into the spinal canal.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a form of long-term birth control that can last for 5 to 8 years. There are two types of IUD; the older copper IUD and the newer hormone-releasing IUD. Both are inserted into the uterus and work to prevent pregnancy by preventing sperm from moving through the uterus. The copper IUD is toxic to sperm as is the hormone released from the hr-IUD. They also cause changes to the lining composition of the uterus so if an egg is fertilised it is unable to implant.

For more information see Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An assisted reproductive technique in which sperm is injected directly into a woman's uterus.

For more information, see Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

For more information, see Female Reproductive System.

An intumescent cataract is where the lens has become swollen and enlarged due to water uptake by the lens.

More information on Cataracts

Invasive aspergillosis is an infection caused by a fungus called aspergillus. Most of these infections begin in the respiratory tract (in the nose, sinuses, or lungs) because the spores of the fungus are usually present in the air we breathe.

The spores are harmless in most healthy people due to the body's natural ability to fight disease. However, invasive aspergillosis can be serious in certain circumstances as it can spread to other tissues and organs. Groups of people who are at increased risk of invasive aspergillosis include those who have poor immune systems, such as people with organ transplants, certain cancers and HIV/AIDS.

Iridocyclitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the iris and ciliary body in the eye.

Iritis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the iris of the eye.

Irreversible pulpitis is said to occur when there is such strong inflammation of the tooth's pulp that it will not recover and the pulp will eventually die. Either root canal treatment or removal of the tooth are required if this is the case.

Ischaemic heart disease is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease.

Isoflavones are a type of phyto-oestrogen. They are used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, though not much evidence currently exists regarding the effectiveness and safety of isoflavones when used by menopausal women.

Isokinetic training is a mixture of both isometric and isotonic muscle contractions. Like isotonic training, there is a constant weight exercised through the entire range of motion of the muscle, however the speed is constant with maximum muscle overload. Isokinetic training permits maximal strength improvement along the muscles full range of movement. It is performed using a specialised weight machine.