Indication (medicine)
Indication (medicine)
Indication in medicine refers to the valid reason to use a certain test, medication, procedure, or surgery. The opposite of an indication is a contraindication.
Pronunciation
In English, indication is pronounced as /ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/.
Etymology
The term 'indication' comes from the Latin word 'indicare', which means to point out or show.
Definition
In medicine, an indication is a reason for administering a particular treatment. An indication can be a symptom or specific finding on a medical examination or procedure that makes it advisable to use a particular treatment.
Types of Indications
There are two main types of indications in medicine: Absolute indication and Relative indication.
- Absolute indication means that the benefits of treatment clearly outweigh the risks.
- Relative indication means that the benefits usually outweigh the risks, but the decision needs to be made on an individual basis.
Related Terms
- Contraindication: A condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment.
- Prophylaxis: Measures taken to prevent diseases.
- Symptom: A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease.
- Diagnosis: The identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon.
- Therapy: Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Indication (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Indication (medicine)
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