Describing Health and Sickness

relating to a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, or organs

In autoimmune diseases, the body attacks itself.

related to diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect means

The flu is a communicable disease that spreads through respiratory droplets.

(of an illness) difficult to cure and long-lasting

Mary's chronic asthma requires daily medication to control her symptoms.

to stop and hold an object that is moving through the air

Be careful to catch the egg without breaking it.

referring to impacts or influences that are advantageous or helpful

The new policy reforms created a more benign economic environment for small businesses.

having autism spectrum disorder, a developmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior

The autistic child thrives in a structured environment with clear routines.

(of a disease) not showing any symptoms associated with it

Regular testing is essential to identify asymptomatic cases and prevent the spread of the virus.

having a disease since birth that is not necessarily hereditary

Mary's congenital condition caused her to be born with an extra finger on each hand.

(of a disease) transmittable from one person to another through close contact

COVID-19 is highly contagious, spreading easily among individuals in crowded places.

characterized by the gradual deterioration or decline of a particular organ, system, or function in the body

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder leading to memory loss.

having the symptoms of a fever, such as high temperature, sweating, shivering, etc.

His febrile condition left him shivering under multiple blankets.

(of an illness) developing suddenly and progresses rapidly, often with severe and intense symptoms

A fulminant infection can lead to rapid and severe deterioration of health.

(of a disease or a sick person) impossible to cure or unresponsive to treatment

(of a disease or condition) capable of transmitting from one person, organism, or object to another through direct or indirect contact

Sarah stayed home from work to avoid spreading her infectious cold to her coworkers.

causing or involving swelling and irritation of body tissues

Inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema result in redness and itching of the skin.

(of a tumor or disease) uncontrollable and likely to be fatal

Malignant tumors have the potential to spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

regarding one's mind, mental capacities, or aspects of mental well-being

The chess game challenged him mentally, requiring strategic thinking and concentration.

having a gentle or not very strong effect

Her mild response to criticism shows her maturity.

having an excessive and unhealthy interest in disturbing subjects, especially in death and disease

His morbid fascination with crime scenes disturbed his friends.

of or relating to the practice of pathology

(of a physical illness) caused or aggravated by mental factors, such as stress and anxiety

not currently in motion, operation, or expression

The volcano remained quiescent, showing no signs of eruption.

a person suffering with rheumatism

a building where trains, buses, planes, or ships start or finish their journey

She arrived at the bus terminal just in time to catch her ride.

a person with pulmonary tuberculosis

behaving in an angry way and having a tendency to be violent

He became aggressive during arguments, raising his voice and making threatening gestures.

having negative reactions to specific substances, such as sneezing, itching, or swelling, due to sensitivity to those substances

Tom gets itchy eyes and sneezes whenever he's near cats because he's allergic to cat dander.

lacking in strength, energy, and effect

The anemic response to the proposal suggested a lack of interest.

someone who is suffering from asthma

a person who suffers from diabetes

affected by a disease

The diseased plants showed signs of wilting and discoloration due to a fungal infection.

to become thin or malnourished and physically fade away

relating to an incurable chronic illness or a medical condition that will eventually lead to patient's death

related to or infected by malaria, a chronic disease that is caused by the bite of specific types of mosquito

feeling as if one is likely to vomit

The bumpy car ride made her feel nauseous, and she had to close her eyes to avoid getting sick.

caused by or related to a virus

The doctor diagnosed her illness as a viral infection after conducting tests.

extremely poisonous

The snake's bite was virulent and required immediate treatment.

(of a disease or a crime) so chronic or serious that requires official notification and must be reported to the appropriate authorities

looking pale or sickly

Despite her usual vibrant demeanor, Sarah looked peaky after staying up all night studying for exams.

of or in or belonging to the cavity of the abdomen

displaying signs typical of a particular disease or medical condition

Chest pain can be symptomatic of heart problems.

to use something without care or more than needed

She tends to waste water by leaving the faucet running while brushing her teeth.

not adequately fed or nourished therefore in bad health

not suitable or capable enough for a specific task or purpose

The old shoes were unfit for hiking, lacking proper traction and support.

not having a good physical or mental condition

From his unhealthy appearance, it was clear that Tom had been skipping meals frequently.

not strong or vigorous in body or movement

After several days without food, he felt too weak to stand.

not running because a spring‑driven mechanism has lost its tension

The antique clock stood rundown on the mantel until someone rewound it.

feeling sick or nauseous due to the motion of the ship or boat one is traveling with

She felt seasick soon after the boat left the harbor.

not in a good and healthy physical or mental state

I think the milk was bad; it made me sick.

a gymnastics position where the legs are extended in opposite directions, either sideways or front and back

She performed a flawless split during her floor exercise routine.

(of a disease or characteristic) able to be passed on to a child through the genes of its parents

Hereditary traits, like eye color, are passed down from parents to their children.

connected to the parts of the DNA in cells, called genes, that determine hereditary traits

Genetic testing can provide insights into an individual's risk of developing certain diseases.

a person who has an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and severe food restriction

The clinic specializes in treating anorexics, providing both medical care and psychological support.

to tightly grip and squeeze something, particularly someone's flesh, between one's fingers

He had to pinch the bridge of his nose to alleviate the growing headache.

a person's ability to adjust to a new or unfamiliar situation

It took some time, but Jake eventually found his sea legs in his new job and became comfortable with the tasks and responsibilities.