Word parts
What it means
A word used in many diagnoses for an organ that falls short. Venous insufficiency means leg veins do not return blood well; valve insufficiency means a heart valve does not close tightly and lets blood leak backward; adrenal insufficiency means the adrenal glands make too little cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry ; renal insufficiency is reduced kidney function.
For the nurse
Read the word before it to know which organ is affected, and look up the specific condition for what to watch.
At a glance
| Spanish | insuficiencia |
|---|---|
| Also written | insufficiencies |
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.