Warm-up
Preparing the body for exertion with light movement that gradually raises heart rate, muscle temperature and mobility. It can improve performance and is recommended to prevent injuries, although the evidence is mixed.
See also: Cool-down
Weaning from breastfeeding
Ending breastfeeding, ideally gradually over weeks to avoid milk stasis and mastitis. Medicines to stop lactation are used only in special situations.
WHO physical activity guidelines
The worldwide recommendation that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, plus muscle strengthening on two days.
See also: Physical inactivity
Withdrawal (discontinuation) syndrome
Symptoms that occur after suddenly stopping or rapidly reducing a medicine, such as dizziness, restlessness or flu-like symptoms after antidepressants. They are not automatically the same as dependence.
See also: Tapering (medication)
Work of breathing
The energy the respiratory muscles expend to overcome the elastic resistance of the lungs and the flow resistance of the airways. It rises sharply in lung disease and can lead to respiratory muscle fatigue.
See also: Airway resistance
Workaholism
A compulsive, hardly controllable need to work that persists despite consequences for health and relationships. It is not a separate diagnosis in the classification systems but is discussed as a behavioural addiction.
See also: Burnout
Working diagnosis
A provisional diagnosis on which doctors act initially while investigations are still ongoing. It is later confirmed or replaced by the final diagnosis.
See also: Differential diagnosis
Working memory
The ability to hold information briefly while working with it, for example in mental arithmetic. Its capacity is limited; it relies heavily on the frontal lobe and is often impaired in ADHD, schizophrenia or dementia.
Workplace health management
The systematic management of all workplace measures to maintain and promote employees’ health, such as ergonomics, exercise programmes and stress prevention. It complements legally required occupational safety.
See also: Occupational medicine
Water deprivation test
Function test in which the patient does not drink for several hours under medical supervision while urine and blood osmolality, weight and sodium are measured. It is used to distinguish diabetes insipidus from excessive drinking (primary polydipsia).
See also: Diabetes insipidus