Health, Fitness & Wellness Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering health, fitness, medical treatments, and wellness expressions from the lecture notes.

fit as a fiddle

in excellent physical health

longevity

the quality of having a long life

trait

a distinguishing quality or characteristic

consumption

the act of eating, drinking, or using something

fast (noun/verb)

a period of voluntary abstinence from food or drink

contribute

to give or add something toward a common purpose

chop

to cut into pieces with repeated sharp blows

nutrition

the process of providing or obtaining food necessary for health and growth

dairy product

food made from milk, such as cheese or yogurt

favour (verb)

to support or approve of something

commitment

a pledge or obligation to do something

forbid

to order someone not to do something; prohibit

discourage

to advise against or try to prevent something

caffeinated

containing caffeine

whole wheat

made from the entire grain of wheat, including the bran and germ

relieve

to lessen or remove pain, stress, or difficulty

reveal

to make known or show something previously hidden

predictable

able to be foreseen or expected

worth (be worth)

having a particular value; deserving of

nod

to move the head up and down as a sign of agreement or acknowledgment

afflict

to cause pain or suffering

observe

to follow or adhere to rules, customs, or laws

nap

a short period of sleep, especially during the day

blood pressure

the force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries

ward

a hospital room or section for patients with similar conditions

surgeon

a doctor specialized in performing operations

additive

a substance added to improve or preserve food or other products

prescription

a doctor’s written order for medication or treatment

treadmill

an exercise machine for walking or running in place

crutch

a support used by an injured or disabled person to aid walking

twist

to sprain by turning a limb suddenly

wound

an injury in which the skin is cut or broken

X-ray

a diagnostic image created by electromagnetic radiation to view inside the body

preservative

a substance used to keep food from spoiling

heal

to become healthy again; to mend

recover

to return to a normal state of health or strength

reject

to refuse to accept

old wives’ tale

a traditional belief or superstition not based on fact

indeed

truly; in fact

wisdom

the quality of having knowledge and good judgment

starve

to suffer or die from lack of food

fever

an abnormally high body temperature

nourishing

providing the substances needed for health and growth

prescribe

to authorize a medical treatment or medication

treat

to give medical care to heal a patient

remedy

a medicine or treatment that cures or relieves

runny nose

excess nasal mucus causing a dripping nose

sniffles

slight, frequent sniffing due to a mild cold

sore throat

pain or irritation in the throat

tender

sensitive to pain; easily hurt

flu

an infectious viral illness with fever, aches, and respiratory symptoms

herbal tea

a drink made by infusing herbs or plants in hot water

sneeze

to expel air and droplets suddenly through the nose and mouth

treatment

medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury

be to blame

to be responsible for a fault or wrong

sleep patterns

regular habits or cycles of sleep

carry out

to perform or complete a task

deal with

to handle or manage a problem or situation

get rid of

to eliminate or discard

recreation

activities done for enjoyment or relaxation

encouraging

giving support or confidence; hopeful

dizzy

feeling faint or unsteady

harm

physical or mental damage or injury

cereal bar

a snack bar made from grains and often dried fruit

as fresh as a daisy

feeling lively and energetic

under the weather

feeling ill or unwell

do the world of good

to have a very positive effect

pick someone’s brains

to ask for detailed advice or information

unwell

not feeling healthy; ill

regain

to get something back after it was lost

light-hearted

cheerful and carefree

addicted

physically or mentally dependent on a substance or activity

common sense

sound practical judgment

the common cold

a widespread viral infection causing sneezing, runny nose, and cough

come down with

to start to suffer from an illness

handy

convenient or useful

head start

an advantage gained at the beginning

recovery

the process of becoming well again after illness

resistance

the body’s ability to fight disease

fight off

to defend against and overcome an illness

last but not least

important even though mentioned last

ensure

to make certain that something happens

surface

the outside layer or top of something

germ

a microscopic organism that can cause disease

prevention is better than cure

it is better to stop something bad from happening than to fix it afterward

drawback

a disadvantage or negative feature

prone

likely or liable to suffer from something

be out of shape

to be unfit or in poor physical condition

flexibility

the ability of muscles and joints to move freely

speed up

to increase the rate of something

stretch

to extend muscles to improve flexibility or relieve tension

warm up

to do gentle exercises to prepare the body for activity

work out

physical exercise session; to exercise

bug

a minor illness caused by germs; also, an insect or microbe

release

to set free or let go; to emit

lean

having little body fat; slim

rush hour

the busiest travel times of day when traffic is heaviest

get through

to successfully overcome a difficulty

put through

to subject someone to an ordeal or test