Disease
WHAT IS DISEASE?
An abnormal condition of an organism which interrupts the normal bodily functions that often leads to feeling of pain and weakness, and usually associated with symptoms and signs.
How can a disease be transmitted?
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND SYNDROMES
Signs - A sign is an objective physical manifestation of illness, injury or disease. It is an objective finding, something one can observe and measure. A rapid pulse, a high temperature, a low blood pressure, an open wound, bruising, etc. are all signs. Signs give a more definite indication of the presence of a particular disease to the physician
Symptoms - A symptom is subjective from the patient point of view. A symptom is what the patient experiences about the illness, injury or disease. Symptoms can only be experienced, they are not able to be observed or measured objectively. Pain is a symptom. I do not know you are having pain unless you tell me. Nausea is also a symptom, as are: chills, numbness, fatigue, e.t.c.
Syndromes - A combination of medical problems that commonly go together, which might show the existence of a particular disease or mental condition
WHAT HAPPENS IF I SHOW SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS?
If you have shown signs and symptoms or a virus or syndrome your next step is to go see a health care specialist.
Your health care specialist will give you a diagnosis and a prognosis based on your signs and symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS VS PROGNOSIS
Diagnosis - Identifying the cause of signs and symptoms shown by an organism. For example using an x-ray to see that your tibia has broken results in a diagnosis of a broken leg.
Prognosis - A forecasting of the probable course and outcome of a disease, especially of the chances of recovery. For example the recovery time for a broken leg is 3-6 months.
HOW DO I RECOVER?
Once you have been given a prognosis, you will be given therapy recommendations to promote a healthy recovery.
Therapy - Management and care of a patient or the combating of disease or disorder. For example performing selected movements during a rotator cuff tear, as seen in the picture to the right.
WHAT OTHER TYPES OF MEDICINE ARE THERE?
Complementary/Alternative Medicine - Health care approaches developed outside of mainstream Western, or conventional medicine. Examples: naturopathy, acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, meditation…
Integrative Health - It combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques -- all in the effort to treat the whole person. For example, there is evidence that teaching breast cancer patients to meditate, a complementary treatment, in combination with chemotherapy, a conventional treatment, improves their recovery chances.
Preventative medicine - Preventative medicine is the utilization of therapies and complementary medicine to help prevent the onset of injury and maintain homeostasis
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