Disease. Death due to disease is called death by natural causes.
There are four main types of disease: pathogenic disease, deficiency disease, hereditary disease, and physiological disease. Diseases can also be classified as communicable and non-communicable. The deadliest disease in humans is ischemic heart disease (blood flow obstruction),[2] followed by cerebrovascular disease and lower respiratory infections respectively.[3] Terminology[edit] Concepts[edit] In many cases, the terms disease, disorder, morbidity and illness are used interchangeably.[4] In some situations, specific terms are considered preferable. Disease Illness Illness and sickness are generally used as synonyms for disease.[6] However, this term is occasionally used to refer specifically to the patient's personal experience of his or her disease.[7][8] Disorder In medicine, a disorder is a functional abnormality or disturbance. Medical condition A medical condition is a broad term that includes all diseases and disorders.
Morbidity. Acute (medicine) In medicine, an acute disease is a disease with a rapid onset and/or a short course.[1][2] The term 'acute' may often be confused by the general public to mean 'severe'[citation needed].
However, not all acute injuries are severe, and vice versa. For example, a mild stubbed toe is an acute injury. Similarly, many Acute upper respiratory infections and Acute gastroenteritis cases in adults are mild and usually resolve within a few days. [citation needed] The term 'acute' is also included in the definition of several diseases, such as Severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute leukemia, acute myocardial infarction, and acute hepatitis. Associated terms may include: Acute care is the early and specialist management of adult patients suffering from a wide range of medical conditions requiring urgent or emergency care usually within 48 hours of admission or referral from other specialties.[2] Acute hospitals are those intended for short-term medical and/or surgical treatment and care. Chronic (medicine) The non-communicable diseases are also usually lasting medical conditions but are separated by their non-infectious causes.
In contrast, some chronic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, are caused by transmissible infections. Chronic diseases constitute a major cause of mortality and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports chronic non-communicable conditions to be by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 35 million deaths in 2005 and over 60% of all deaths.[1] Chronic illnesses cause about 70% of deaths in the US and in 2002 chronic conditions (heart disease, cancers, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness and kidney diseases) were 6 of the top ten causes of mortality in the general US population.[2] 90% of seniors have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have two or more chronic conditions.[3] For most people, medical conditions do not impair normal activities.
Examples of chronic diseases and health conditions include: Gout (Wikipedia) Clinical diagnosis may be confirmed by seeing the characteristic crystals in joint fluid.
Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or colchicine improves symptoms. Once the acute attack subsides, levels of uric acid are usually lowered via lifestyle changes, and in those with frequent attacks, allopurinol or probenecid provides long-term prevention. Gout has become more common in recent decades, affecting about 1–2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. The increase is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy, and changes in diet. Gout was historically known as "the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease. " Signs and symptoms Gout presenting in the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe: Note the slight redness of the skin overlying the joint.
Cause Lifestyle Genetics Medical conditions Gout frequently occurs in combination with other medical problems. Medication.
Epidemic (Dictionary.com)