Unit 1 Health and Disease Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to disease processes, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and health states from Unit 1.

Homeostasis

A stable internal environment is maintained.

Compensation

The body responds to stress and restores balance.

Decompensation

If compensation is insufficient or sustained, function begins to decline.

latrogenic

Harm caused by a medication, treatment, procedure, or other medical intervention that was intended to help.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease.

Pathogenic

Capable of causing disease.

Acute

Begins suddenly, lasts a short time, and often resolves.

Chronic

Develops slowly, lasts a long time, and may have periods of improvement and worsening.

Latent

Disease is present, but signs and symptoms are not yet apparent.

Subclinical

An early stage of disease with no noticeable signs or symptoms, but abnormal changes can be detected by tests.

Prodromal

Early, vague, or mild symptoms that precede the more obvious signs and symptoms of a disease.

Signs

Objective findings that can be observed, measured, or detected by others.

Symptoms

Subjective experiences reported by the patient that cannot be directly observed by others.

Manifestations

The total collection of signs and symptoms of a disease.

Syndrome

A group of signs and symptoms that occur together and indicate a particular disease or condition.

Diagnostic Tests

Procedures used to gather information about the body to help identify or confirm disease.

Diagnosis

The determination of the specific disease or condition causing a patient's signs and symptoms.

Remission

A period in which disease activity decreases or disappears, either temporarily or permanently.

Exacerbation

A worsening or flare-up of an existing disease.

Sequelae

Conditions or effects that remain after the original disease or injury has resolved.

Convalescence

The period of recovery after illness, injury, or surgery.

Therapy

The management and treatment of a disease or condition to relieve symptoms, slow progression, or restore function.

Prophylaxis

Measures taken to prevent disease or reduce the risk of developing a disease or complication.

Prognosis

An evidence-based medical prediction of how a disease or condition is expected to progress and the likelihood of recovery.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations.

Morbidity

The presence of disease or illness in a population; a measure of how much disease exists.

Mortality

The occurrence of death in a population; a measure of how many lives are lost.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease in a population during a specific time period.

Prevalence

The number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific point in time.

Communicable

Describes a disease that can be spread from one person to another, directly or indirectly.

Reportable

Describes a disease that must be reported to public health authorities by law to help monitor disease and protect the public.

Risk Factor

A characteristic, behavior, or exposure that increases the chance of developing a disease.

Idiopathic

Describes a disease or condition for which the cause is unknown.

Congenital

A condition that is present at birth.

Hereditary

A condition or trait passed from parents to offspring through genes.

Contagious

Describes a disease that can be easily spread from one person to another.

Carrier

A person who has a pathogen and can spread it to others, sometimes without showing symptoms.

Complication

An additional problem that develops during or as a result of a disease or its treatment.

Relapse

The return of a disease or its symptoms after a period of improvement.