Terminology

The BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) protects against TB.

NHS Inform - BCG vaccine

Basic life support (BLS) includes CPR and may include use of an AED, but does not include advanced monitoring or interventions such as use of airway equipment.

More advanced support is provided by ALS.

Resuscitation Council (UK) - Adult BLS

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students in the UK.

BMA website

Bone mineral density (BMD) is the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue, and can be measured using DEXA.

Body mass index (BMI) is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height (kg/m²).

BMI classifies people as underweight (BMI less than 18.5), healthy weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) and obese (30-39.9).

The British National Formulary (BNF) is a UK pharmaceutical reference source (publication/App) that contains information and advice on prescribing and pharmacology for medicines available on the NHS.

The BNF for Children (BNFc) is the paediatric version of the adult BNF.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostate enlargement, BPE) common in elderly men. BPH can cause a number of LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms), such as increased frequency and poor stream.

NICE CKS - LUTS in men

Beats per minute

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear disorder.

BPPV causes repeated, brief periods of vertigo with movements such as turning in bed or changing position. N&V are common.

Diagnosis can be made with the Dix–Hallpike test and BPPV can be treated with the Epley manoeuvre.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow" disease) causes variant CJD.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge (white/grey with a characteristic fishy smell) due to an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina.

BV is not an STI, but increases the risk of developing an STI.

BV is treated with antibiotics.