Word: Intermittent Claudication
Definition:
Intermittent claudication is a medical term that describes a condition where a person feels pain or cramping in their leg muscles, especially when they walk or exercise. This pain happens because the muscles are not getting enough blood, which can occur when there is a problem with blood flow. The pain usually goes away when the person stops walking or rests.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "intermittent claudication" when discussing health issues, particularly related to circulation problems. It is often used in medical contexts or when talking about symptoms related to exercise.
Example Sentence:
"After walking for a short distance, John experienced intermittent claudication, so he had to sit down to rest."
Advanced Usage:
In medical discussions or literature, you might see this term used to describe the severity or causes of the condition, like in the sentence: "Patients with intermittent claudication often benefit from vascular surgery to improve blood flow."
Word Variants:
- Claudication (noun): This is a shorter form that can refer to pain in the legs while walking, without specifying that it is intermittent. - Intermittent (adjective): This describes something that occurs at irregular intervals, not continuous.
Different Meanings:
While "intermittent" generally means something that starts and stops, "claudication" specifically refers to pain in the muscles. Together, they describe a specific health condition.
Synonyms:
- Leg pain - Muscle cramps (in the context of activity) - Vascular pain (more general, related to blood vessels)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "intermittent claudication," but you might hear phrases related to walking or exercise, like "hit the brakes" (to stop suddenly) when someone needs to rest due to pain.
Conclusion:
Intermittent claudication is a specific term used in healthcare to describe a painful condition in the legs due to inadequate blood flow, usually experienced during physical activity.