Medical Glossary

Terms starting with D

DebilityDebilität: «Debilität» is an older term, hardly used today, for a mild form of mental handicap. Modern diagnoses speak more neutrally of an intellectual disability.
DebridementDébridement: Débridement refers to the removal of dead or contaminated tissue from a wound so that healthy tissue can heal better. It is an important step in the treatment of poorly healing wounds.
DecompensationDekompensation: Decompensation refers to a situation in which an organ can no longer compensate for an existing weakness and its function fails. The term is frequently used for suddenly worsening heart failure.
DecongestionDekongestion: Decongestion means the reduction of swelling in tissue, for example in a blocked nasal lining or where fluid has accumulated in the body. The term describes the receding of a swelling.
DecubitusDekubitus: A pressure ulcer is a pressure sore or wound that develops when constant pressure disrupts blood flow to the skin, for example from lying down for a long time. People who can move very little are particularly at risk.
DéfenseDéfense: Défense refers to a reflex-like, rigid tensing of the abdominal wall during examination, a warning sign of irritation of the peritoneum. It points to a serious condition within the abdomen.
Defibrillation: Defibrillation is a targeted electric shock delivered to the heart in order to restore a normal heartbeat in certain life-threatening rhythm disturbances. It is used during resuscitation with a defibrillator.
DeformityDeformität: A deformity is a permanent malformation or distortion of a part of the body, for example a joint, a bone or the spine. It may be congenital or result from illness or injury.
degenerativedegenerativ: «Degenerative» describes changes in which tissues or organs gradually lose function due to wear and tear or ageing. One example is degenerative joint changes in osteoarthritis.
DehydrationDehydratation: Dehydration means a lack of fluid in the body, for example due to drinking too little, heavy sweating, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. Signs can include thirst, tiredness, dry skin and dizziness.
DeliriumDelir: Delirium is an acute, often temporary state of confusion with disturbed attention, perception and orientation. It occurs frequently in severe illness, in hospital or after operations.
DementiaDemenz: Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions in which memory, thinking and everyday abilities progressively decline. The most common form is Alzheimer's disease.
Depression: Depression is a mental illness with persistently low mood, lack of drive and loss of interest and enjoyment. It may be accompanied by sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating and physical complaints.
DermabrasionDermabrasion: Dermabrasion is a procedure in which the upper layers of skin are deliberately removed by mechanical means, for example to treat scars. It is used in dermatology and in aesthetic medicine.
Dermatitis: Dermatitis refers to an inflammation of the skin, which can appear with redness, itching, scaling or blisters. Triggers include irritants, allergies or dry skin.
DermatologyDermatologie: Dermatology is the specialty dealing with diseases of the skin, hair and nails. Dermatologists treat, for example, rashes, eczema, acne and skin cancer.
DermatomeDermatom: A dermatome is an area of skin that receives its sensation from a particular spinal nerve. This knowledge helps to deduce the affected nerve from the location of sensory disturbances.
DermatomyositisDermatomyositis: Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory disease that affects both the skin and the muscles. Typical features are skin changes and increasing muscle weakness.
DermatosisDermatose: Dermatosis is a collective term for skin conditions of all kinds, regardless of their cause. It is used when there is a change in the skin without an exact diagnosis being immediately established.
DermographismDermographismus: Dermographism refers to an excessive skin reaction in which even light stroking of the skin leaves red, raised welts. In a pronounced form it can be a type of hives (urticaria).
Diabetes: Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the sugar level in the blood is permanently raised, because the hormone insulin is missing or does not work properly. A distinction is made mainly between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes insipidusDiabetes insipidus: Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder of the body's water balance in which the kidneys excrete too much water. Those affected suffer from intense thirst and pass large amounts of urine; despite the name, the condition has nothing to do with blood sugar.
DiabetologyDiabetologie: Diabetology is the branch of medicine specialising in the treatment of diabetes and metabolic disorders. It is a focus area within endocrinology.
DiagnosisDiagnose: A diagnosis is the determination of which illness or disorder is behind your symptoms. It is based on the consultation, the physical examination as well as on laboratory and imaging findings.
DiagnosticsDiagnostik: Diagnostics covers all examinations and procedures used to identify a disease, from the consultation and laboratory tests through to imaging. The aim is to determine the cause of symptoms as precisely as possible.
DialysisDialyse: Dialysis is a procedure that partly takes over the tasks of the kidneys by cleaning the blood of waste products and excess fluid. It becomes necessary when the kidneys are permanently severely weakened.
DiaphragmDiaphragma: The diaphragm is the medical name for the large breathing muscle between the chest and the abdominal cavity. Its movements make breathing in and out possible.
DiarrhoeaDiarrhoe: Diarrhoea is the technical term for loose bowel movements, that is, frequent, watery stools. Causes include, for example, infections, foods, medicines or chronic bowel diseases.
diastolicdiastolisch: «Diastolic» refers to the phase in which the heart relaxes and fills with blood. In blood pressure readings, the diastolic value is the second, lower number, for example the 80 in 120 over 80.
DietDiät: A diet is a deliberately chosen way of eating, for example to lose weight or to treat illnesses such as diabetes. The term generally means consciously planned nutrition, not just weight loss.
Differential diagnosisDifferentialdiagnose: The differential diagnosis comprises all illnesses that could explain certain symptoms. Doctors narrow them down step by step through examinations until the most likely cause is established.
diffusediffus: «Diffuse» means widespread, distributed or not sharply defined. In medicine it describes, for example, pain without a precise location or a change that affects an entire organ evenly.
Dilatation: Dilatation means widening or expansion, for example of a blood vessel, a hollow organ or a narrowed area. The term is used both for abnormal widening and for targeted treatments.
DiphtheriaDiphtherie: Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infectious disease that mainly affects the throat and airways and can form dangerous coatings. Thanks to vaccinations it is rare in Switzerland today.
DiscDiskus: In medicine, a disc refers to a disc-shaped structure, most notably the intervertebral disc between two vertebrae. A slipped disc is also professionally called a disc herniation.
distal: «Distal» means «further away from the centre of the body» and is the opposite of «proximal». The wrist, for example, lies distal to the elbow.
DiureticDiuretikum: A diuretic is a medicine that promotes the excretion of urine and thus flushes excess fluid out of the body. Such medicines are also colloquially called «water tablets».
DiverticulitisDivertikulitis: Diverticulitis is the inflammation of pouches in the bowel wall, the diverticula. Typical signs are pain in the left lower abdomen, fever and changes in bowel movements.
DiverticulumDivertikel: A diverticulum is a small pouch in the wall of a hollow organ, most often in the large intestine. Many diverticula cause no symptoms, but they can become inflamed.
DocumentationDokumentation: Documentation refers to the written recording of findings, diagnoses, treatments and progress in the medical record. It serves to make care traceable and to ensure safe further treatment.
Doppler: The Doppler examination is a special form of ultrasound with which blood flow in vessels and in the heart can be made visible and audible. It helps to detect narrowed areas, blockages or backflow.
dorsal: «Dorsal» means «towards the back» or «located on the rear side» and is the opposite of «ventral». Thus the back of the hand lies on the dorsal side of the hand.
DoseDosis: The dose is the amount of a medicine or active substance administered within a particular period of time. It is determined individually so that a medication is effective and as well tolerated as possible.
Drainage: A drain is a tube or system used to lead fluid, pus or blood out of a wound or body cavity to the outside. It is frequently used after operations or in the case of abscesses.
DuctDuktus: In anatomy, a duct (ductus) is a passage or excretory channel, for example for bile, saliva or glandular secretions. The term appears in many technical names for such passages.
Duodenum: The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine, directly following the stomach. Here the food pulp is mixed with digestive juices from the pancreas and bile.
DysfunctionDysfunktion: Dysfunction refers to a disturbance of the normal function of an organ or system. The term is used, for example, for a thyroid or heart function disorder.
DyskinesiaDyskinesie: Dyskinesia refers to involuntary, disordered movement patterns, such as jerky or writhing movements. They can occur as a consequence of nerve disorders or of certain medications.
DyslipidaemiaDyslipidämie: Dyslipidaemia refers to an unfavourable composition of the blood fats, for example too much «bad» cholesterol or too high triglycerides. It is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
DysmenorrhoeaDysmenorrhoe: Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful menstrual periods with cramping lower abdominal pain. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect everyday life.
DyspepsiaDyspepsie: Dyspepsia comprises complaints in the upper abdomen such as a feeling of fullness, pressure, early satiety or nausea, often in connection with eating. Colloquially, people speak of an upset or irritable stomach.
DysphagiaDysphagie: Dysphagia means a swallowing disorder, that is, difficulty or pain when swallowing solid food or liquids. It can arise from diseases of the throat, the oesophagus or the nervous system.
DysplasiaDysplasie: Dysplasia refers to a malformation or abnormal development of cells or tissue. Cell changes in the sense of a dysplasia can be precursors of cancer and are therefore monitored.
DyspnoeaDyspnoe: Dyspnoea is the technical term for shortness of breath or breathlessness, that is, the feeling of not getting enough air. It can occur during exertion or at rest and has many possible causes in the heart and lungs.
DysuriaDysurie: Dysuria means difficult or painful urination, often with a burning sensation. A common cause is an inflammation of the urinary tract, for example of the bladder.