Definition and Types of Diseases
– A disease is an abnormal condition that affects the structure or function of an organism.
– There are four main types of diseases: infectious, deficiency, hereditary, and physiological.
– Diseases can be classified as communicable or non-communicable.
– Non-infectious diseases include cancer, heart disease, and genetic diseases.
Terminology and Categories of Diseases
– Terms like disease, disorder, morbidity, sickness, and illness are often used interchangeably.
– Disease categories include hereditary, iatrogenic, idiopathic, incurable, primary, and secondary diseases.
Illness and Disease
– Illness refers to the personal experience of a disease.
– Some diseases are terminal, leading to death.
– AIDS, although incurable, can be managed with medications.
Stages, Extent, and Classification of Diseases
– Stages of diseases include incubation period, latency period, viral latency, acute disease, and chronic disease.
– Diseases can be localized, disseminated, or systemic.
– Diseases can be classified by cause, pathogenesis, symptoms, or organ system involvement.
Causes, Prevention, Treatments, Epidemiology, and Burdens of Disease
– Diseases can be caused by microorganisms, genetics, environment, or a combination.
– Prevention of diseases can be achieved through sanitation, proper nutrition, vaccinations, and self-care.
– Treatments for diseases include medications, surgery, medical devices, and self-care.
– Epidemiology studies factors that cause diseases and guides prevention efforts.
– Disease burden is measured by financial cost, mortality, morbidity, years of potential life lost, and quality-adjusted life years. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease
