Illnesses and diseases are common topics in daily conversations, especially when talking about health, symptoms, or doctor visits. Learning the names of common diseases in English will help you describe health problems clearly and understand others better. In this article, we’ll cover essential disease vocabulary with meanings and examples to improve your English fluency.
Common Diseases and Illnesses Vocabulary with Meanings and Examples
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Cold – A mild viral infection causing sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose.
Example: I caught a cold last week. -
Flu – A stronger viral infection causing fever, chills, and body aches.
Example: She has the flu and needs rest. -
Cough – A forceful release of air from the lungs.
Example: His cough is getting worse at night. -
Sore throat – Pain or irritation in the throat, often from an infection.
Example: A sore throat is a common cold symptom. -
Fever – A high body temperature due to illness.
Example: He stayed home because of a fever. -
Runny nose – When mucus drips from the nose, often due to a cold.
Example: My runny nose won’t stop! -
Backache – Pain in the lower or upper back.
Example: Sitting for long hours gives me a backache. -
Earache – Pain inside the ear, usually caused by an infection.
Example: She has an earache and can’t hear properly. -
Headache – Pain in the head, often due to stress or illness.
Example: I need some rest because I have a headache. -
Vomiting – The act of throwing up food or liquids.
Example: He started vomiting after eating spoiled food. -
Toothache – Pain in or around a tooth.
Example: He went to the dentist because of a toothache. -
Stomachache – Pain in the stomach area.
Example: She has a stomachache from eating too much. -
Nasal congestion – A blocked nose due to mucus buildup.
Example: Nasal congestion makes it hard to breathe. -
Allergy – A reaction to dust, pollen, or certain foods.
Example: Her allergy gets worse in the spring. -
Asthma – A condition that makes breathing difficult.
Example: He carries an inhaler for his asthma. -
Bronchitis – Inflammation of the airways causing coughing and mucus.
Example: Smoking increases the risk of bronchitis. -
Pneumonia – A serious lung infection causing fever and difficulty breathing.
Example: Pneumonia can be dangerous for elderly people. -
Tuberculosis (TB) – A serious bacterial lung infection.
Example: TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs. -
Sinus infection (Sinusitis) – Swelling and congestion in the sinuses.
Example: I have a sinus infection and a terrible headache. -
Diabetes – A disease affecting blood sugar levels.
Example: People with diabetes need to monitor their sugar intake. -
Hypertension (High blood pressure) – A condition where blood pressure is too high.
Example: Stress can cause hypertension. -
Heart disease – A range of conditions affecting the heart.
Example: Heart disease is common in people with an unhealthy lifestyle. -
Heart attack – A sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart.
Example: He had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. -
Stroke – A loss of blood flow to the brain, causing paralysis or speech problems.
Example: A stroke can happen if blood pressure is too high. -
Arthritis – A condition causing joint pain and stiffness.
Example: My grandmother suffers from arthritis in her knees. -
Osteoporosis – A condition where bones become weak and brittle.
Example: Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures. -
Migraine – A severe headache often with nausea and sensitivity to light.
Example: She has a migraine and needs to rest. -
Insomnia – Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Example: Drinking coffee late at night gives me insomnia. -
Depression – A mental health condition causing sadness and loss of interest.
Example: Depression affects millions of people worldwide. -
Anxiety – A mental condition causing excessive worry and nervousness.
Example: He suffers from anxiety before public speaking. -
Dementia – A condition causing memory loss, often in older adults.
Example: Dementia affects memory and thinking ability. -
Alzheimer’s disease – A progressive brain disease that causes memory loss.
Example: Alzheimer’s disease makes it hard to recognize people. -
Epilepsy – A neurological disorder causing seizures.
Example: Epilepsy can be managed with medication. -
Parkinson’s disease – A disorder affecting movement and coordination.
Example: Parkinson’s disease causes shaking and slow movement. -
Thyroid disease – A condition where the thyroid gland does not function properly.
Example: Thyroid disease can cause weight gain or loss. -
Anemia – A condition where there are too few red blood cells.
Example: Anemia makes people feel tired and weak. -
Obesity – A condition where a person has excessive body fat.
Example: Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. -
Indigestion – Stomach discomfort after eating.
Example: Spicy food gives me indigestion. -
Food poisoning – Illness caused by eating contaminated food.
Example: He got food poisoning after eating seafood. -
Diarrhea – Frequent, watery bowel movements.
Example: Drinking unclean water can cause diarrhea. -
Constipation – Difficulty passing stools.
Example: Not eating enough fiber can cause constipation. -
Nausea – The feeling of needing to vomit.
Example: She felt nausea after the long car ride. -
Rash – A red, itchy skin irritation.
Example: She got a rash from using a new soap. -
Eczema – A skin condition that causes dryness and itching.
Example: Eczema makes my skin very dry in the winter. -
Psoriasis – A chronic skin condition causing red patches.
Example: Psoriasis runs in my family. -
Conjunctivitis (Pink eye) – An eye infection that causes redness.
Example: Conjunctivitis spreads easily in schools. -
Meningitis – An infection causing swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
Example: Meningitis is a serious disease that requires urgent care. -
Measles – A viral infection causing fever and a red rash.
Example: Measles is preventable with a vaccine. -
Chickenpox – A viral infection causing an itchy rash.
Example: Most children get chickenpox once in their lifetime. -
Mumps – A viral infection causing swollen glands.
Example: Mumps can cause fever and swelling in the face. -
Hepatitis – An infection that affects the liver.
Example: Hepatitis can be transmitted through contaminated food. - Dizziness – A feeling of losing balance or spinning.
Example: Dizziness can be a symptom of dehydration.
Diseases and Illnesses Vocabulary Quiz
1. She has a high fever and a cough. The doctor said she has the _____.
a) Flu
b) Rash
c) Allergy
2. After eating seafood, he started vomiting. The doctor said it was _____.
a) Asthma
b) Food poisoning
c) Indigestion
3. If you have trouble breathing, it might be _____.
a) Arthritis
b) Asthma
c) Migraine
4. My skin is very dry and itchy. I think I have _____.
a) Psoriasis
b) Diabetes
c) Hypertension
5. He is always stressed, and now he has high blood pressure. This is called _____.
a) Hypertension
b) Obesity
c) Tuberculosis
6. She has red, swollen eyes. It looks like she has _____.
a) Insomnia
b) Conjunctivitis
c) Backache
7. My grandmother has pain in her joints. The doctor says it is _____.
a) Arthritis
b) Stroke
c) Pneumonia
8. He has a severe headache that won’t go away. It might be a _____.
a) Stomachache
b) Migraine
c) Depression
9. After eating too much junk food, I have a terrible _____.
a) Diabetes
b) Stomachache
c) Alzheimer’s
10. He forgot where he lives and has memory problems. He may have _____.
a) Dementia
b) Epilepsy
c) Measles
Quiz Answers
1) Flu
2) Food poisoning
3) Asthma
4) Psoriasis
5) Hypertension
6) Conjunctivitis
7) Arthritis
8) Migraine
9) Stomachache
10) Dementia
