Complication
unfavourable evolution of a disease, a health condition or a therapy, which may adversely affect the prognosis or outcome
In medicine, people talk about complications if a disease or condition a patient has gets worse. This makes it more difficult (or more complicated, that is where the word is from) to treat.
- Some people are allergic to certain anesthetics; they will have an allergic shock. This makes surgery more difficult.
- People with osteoporosis may have their ribs or sternum broken when they undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation.