"Understanding Medical Terminology – Breaking Down Barriers Introduction"

Welcome back to Radiant Moments, a J and B Podcast!

Hello and welcome to Radiant Moments: A J and B Podcast! I’m Michelle, your host, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Let’s take a pause—just for you. Inhale deeply… hold… and exhale slowly. Let the noise fall away. This moment is yours.

Caregiving is filled with decisions, appointments, and emotionally charged moments—and often, they’re made harder by one thing: medical language. When you don’t understand the terms being used, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or afraid to speak up.

That’s why today’s episode is all about breaking down medical terminology—so you can feel empowered and confident in every healthcare conversation.

In our last episode, we explored Navigating the Healthcare System with Confidence—a powerful look at how to organise, advocate, and speak up even when the system feels overwhelming. If you haven’t listened yet, I highly recommend going back—Episode 31 sets the perfect foundation for what we’re exploring today.

👉 Listen to Episode 31 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Cm4NffhyXo3deKY2A5cAe?si=19c2b96ab15f4844

💛 And don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’ll dive into Preparing for Doctor’s Appointments—a practical session on making the most of every medical visit with ease and clarity.

✨ Need support right now? Download your free Gratitude Journal, try our Medical Terms Cheat Sheet, or check out the 90-Second Reset Program—all available in the show notes or on the website.

Now, let’s dive in.

🌟 Reflecting on Episode 30: Rediscovering Your Passions as a Caregiver

If you’ve ever felt like you lost yourself in the demands of caregiving, Episode 30 is a must-listen. We talked about how to reclaim the joy and identity that often get buried under responsibility. Through personal stories and small actionable steps, we explored how to start bringing passion and purpose back into your life—without guilt.

If you’re looking for even more support on your caregiving journey, know that you don’t have to do it alone—there are tools and resources designed to lift you up, nurture your self-compassion, and help you thrive.

Free Download – Journalling Prompts for Caregivers

Start your journey of self-reflection and emotional clarity by downloading your free Journalling Prompts for Caregivers: Download Here.

This tool will guide you through thoughtful questions and prompts designed to help you process your emotions, celebrate your strengths, and reconnect with your own well-being. Whether you're looking to ease stress, gain perspective, or simply find a moment of peace, these prompts are crafted to support and uplift you on your caregiving journey.

Free Download – Mission Statement Guide

Begin your journey of clarity and purpose by downloading your free Mission Statement Guide: Download Here.

This tool will help you define your purpose, articulate your values, and create a mission statement that aligns with your personal and professional goals. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, caregiver, or leader, this guide is designed to provide structure and confidence as you refine your mission.

Free Download – Gratitude Journal

Begin your journey of self-discovery and reflection by downloading your free Gratitude Journal: Download Here.

This tool will help you acknowledge small wins and remember that even in caregiving, there’s room for personal growth and fulfilment.

Join J and B Oasis: Our Caregiver Membership

Become a founding member of J and B Oasis, our exclusive caregiver membership launching on January 1, 2025! By joining, you’ll gain access to:

• Exclusive Offers: Special discounts and perks reserved just for founding members.

• Early Access News: Be the first to know about updates, events, and new content.

• Tailored Support: Dive into a community built just for caregivers, where you'll find education, connection, and tools to thrive.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join a space designed to uplift and empower caregivers like you.

Join Here and start your journey with J and B Oasis today!

The 90 Second Reset Program: A Rapid Route to Calm

Picture a high-pressure caregiving moment—your loved one needs urgent attention, and your stress is peaking. The 90 Second Reset Program gives you fast, practical tools to break the overwhelm. In under two minutes, targeted breathing exercises or quick grounding techniques can soothe your fight-or-flight response, helping you return to calm and clarity.

Why It Works:

• Immediate Relief: Quickly halt stress before it escalates.

• Easy & Speedy: No lengthy training required—just simple, repeatable steps.

• Caregiver-Specific: Designed with the unique demands of caregiving in mind.

Learn more and unlock your toolkit for immediate stress relief at:  Try Now!

Listen to Radiant Moments:

Segment 1: The Problem With Medical Language

Let’s be honest—medical language often feels like a secret code.

✅ Acronyms like CBC or FBC and MRI are thrown around without explanation.
✅ You nod in appointments while wondering what’s really being said.
✅ You leave feeling more confused than when you arrived.

💡 The truth? Most medical professionals don’t mean to overwhelm you—they’re just used to a different language. But as a caregiver, this language barrier can create emotional stress, missed details, and a loss of confidence.

🌟 Affirmation: “I have the right to understand the care my loved one receives, and I am capable of asking for clarity.”

And sometimes, one question can change everything…

Segment 2: The Power of Simple Questions

The most powerful advocacy tool you have is this:

✔ “Can you explain that in everyday terms?”

✔ “What does that acronym mean?”

✔ “Can you walk me through what that actually looks like?”

🌿 Real-Life Story: One caregiver shared that for weeks, doctors referred to “GI motility issues” in her child. She finally asked—and learned it simply meant the digestive system wasn’t moving food properly. That one question shifted her entire understanding and ability to advocate.

🎙 My Story: I’ve lived this confusion, too. A referral to hepatology left me spiraling, thinking it was related to liver failure. But it turned out to be for post-surgical abdominal complications. There was no context—no clarity—and it caused days of unnecessary stress.

Even worse, I received a letter once saying my child had “voluntary anorexia.” I panicked, thinking it was an eating disorder. In medical terms, it simply meant he wasn’t eating due to discomfort. It wasn’t anorexia nervosa, but no one told me that.

Moments like this remind us that we cannot assume understanding—we must ask. Because when caregivers are confused, care suffers.

Segment 3: Your Medical Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

You don’t have to learn a new language—you just need a few tools to feel informed.

🧠 Diagnostic Terms • MRI – Uses magnets to create detailed images of the body.
• CT Scan – Combines X-rays with computer imaging.
• CBC/FBC – Blood test that checks red/white cells, platelets.
• ECG/EKG – Measures heart rhythms.
• Ultrasound – Sound waves that create images of internal organs.

🧪 Common Medical Language • Acute – Short-term condition.
• Chronic – Long-term, ongoing condition.
• Benign – Non-cancerous.
• Malignant – Cancerous.
• Inflammation – The body’s reaction to infection or irritation.
• Edema – Swelling due to fluid retention.
• Prognosis – Expected outcome.

💊 Medication Terms • PRN – Take “as needed.”
• Titration – Adjusting a dose slowly.
• Contraindication – A reason not to use a treatment.
• Side effect – Expected, manageable symptom.
• Adverse reaction – More severe, possibly dangerous symptom.
• Polypharmacy – Taking multiple medications.

📝 Try This: Start your own Medical Glossary in a journal or digital note:

✔ Jot down unfamiliar words during appointments.
✔ Ask your provider to explain them.
✔ Add personal notes relevant to your loved one’s care.

🌟 Affirmation: “I am building understanding one term at a time. I don’t need to know everything—I just need to be curious and ask.”

Segment 4: Making the Most of Medical Conversations

Here’s how to feel more empowered in real time:

✔ Take notes during appointments or record them with permission.
✔ Ask for written summaries or use patient portals.
✔ Repeat back what you’ve heard to confirm understanding:

🗣 “So you’re saying the inflammation is affecting his appetite—is that right?”

🎙 Pro Tip: Say: “Would you mind writing that down for me?” or “Can I take a photo of that document?”

🌿 Real empowerment starts when you stop pretending to understand—and start asking to be included.

Segment 5: Call to Action – Confidence Through Clarity

🌿 This week, take one step toward building your medical language confidence. 🌿

✨ Try one of these:

✔ Write down 3 medical terms you’ve heard but didn’t understand.
✔ Ask your care team to explain something in simpler language.
✔ Start your personal “caregiver glossary” for future reference.

💬 Share your moment of clarity—What’s one word you now understand that used to confuse you? Let’s grow together.

Thank you for joining me for this powerful episode of Radiant Moments. Medical language can be intimidating—but when you begin asking, listening, and learning, confidence follows.

🎙 Coming up next: Preparing for Doctor’s Appointments – How to Maximise Your Time and Get the Answers You Need.

✨ Until then, stay radiant, stay empowered, and keep shining your light bright. 💛