Common Health Problems

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to common health problems, including various disorders affecting different systems in the body.

Benign tumors

Do not spread to other body parts and rarely threaten life.

Malignant tumors

Cancer that invades and destroys nearby tissue and may be life-threatening.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells to other body parts.

Arthritis

Joint inflammation.

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

A chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints.

Osteoporosis

A condition where bones become porous and brittle.

Phantom pain

Pain felt in a part of the body that has been amputated.

Stroke (CVA)

A cerebrovascular accident affecting blood flow to the brain.

Parkinson’s disease

A nervous system disorder characterized by a shuffling gait.

Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Disease of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

A heart attack.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A respiratory disorder characterized by difficulty breathing.

Asthma

A respiratory condition that requires patients to avoid smoking.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Infections that occur in the urinary system; more common in women.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A condition requiring kidney dialysis as kidney function declines.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Infections transmitted through sexual contact, also known as STIs.

Diabetes

The most common endocrine disorder where the body cannot produce or use insulin properly.

Autoimmune disorders

Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own cells.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

An infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus that can reactivate years after chickenpox.