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Concept of health and disease

Definition of disease, illness, and sickness

Concept of disease:

It is a condition in which body health is impaired, departure

from a state of health, an alteration of the human body interrupting

the performance of vital function.

 Disease: is a physiological/psychological dysfunction defined

professionally ( Professional definition based on a pathological

process- Objectives )

 Illness: is a subjective state of the person who feels aware of not

being well

 Sickness: is a state of social dysfunction based on professional and

social agreement

Classification of Diseases:

Diseases can be classified in different manners

1. By organ or organ system

2. By causative agent ( biological, chemical, or physical )

3. Acute or chronic

4. Communicable or non-communicable(Infectious and Non-

Infectious)

5. Hereditary and Acquired

Acute Diseases

 Acute diseases are those conditions in which the peak severity of

symptoms occurs within three months (usually sooner), and

recovery in those who survive is usually complete.

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