Glossary of terms: O

the word obesity means being so overweight that it's bad for your health. 

works as part of a multidisciplinary team. They either work for the health service or for social services. The two services work slightly differently but occupational therapists are all concerned with promoting a persons independence in every task to give the best quality of life.

are greasy and tend to stay on the surface of the skin. Some contain substances that help them mix with water so they wash off more easily.

stands for Outcome Measures in Rheumatology. It is an informal international network of working groups and gatherings interested in outcome measurement across the spectrum of rheumatology intervention studies. The Patient Liaison Group co-ordinates the participation of patients in the OMERACT Working Groups. OMERACT highly encourages the input of patient perspectives into all research groups. OMERACT holds Consensus Conferences every 2 years in various parts of the world.

a severe form of the psoriatic nail dystrophy where the nail becomes detached from the underlying nail bed and a gap develops under the nail. When it starts there is a white or yellowish patch at the tip of the nail, and this then extends down to the cuticle.

a chronic but painless fungal infection of the nail caused by a number of fungal species.

the best. The most favourable.

is concerned with examining the eyes, testing sight, giving advice on visual problems, and prescribing and dispensing spectacles or contact lenses. Optometrists are also trained to recognise eye diseases.

preparations taken orally are taken by mouth whereas topical application of medicine is applied to the skin.

is any living thing whether plant or animal.

means inflammation of the bone.

is a system of diagnosis and treatment, usually by manipulation, that focuses on musculoskeletal problems. Osteopaths believe that the problem lies with an impairment of blood supply.

use their hands both to diagnose and to treat abnormalities in the way the body is working

is the abbreviation for over the counter (non prescription) which appears on licensed medicines. These are generally purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription as oppossed to POM (prescription only medicine).