HealthAugust 16, 2026

deconditioning

dee-kun-DISH-un-ing

Definition

The physiological decline or loss of physical fitness, muscle strength, and functional ability that often occurs in patients during a prolonged hospital stay.

Etymology

The word is a modern medical derivation formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning reversal or removal) combined with 'conditioning' (referring to the process of training or maintaining physical fitness).

In the news

The article uses the term to highlight that keeping older patients in hospital beds for too long can lead to a decline in their physical health, justifying a shift toward home-based care.

Health board considers concentrating services at fewer sites under major shake-up

Read the full article ↗

Nation.Cymru

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