Disease, illness, or sickness?

First off, it is important for you to know that you may see three words when reading about problems people
have with their body: disease, illness, and sickness. Even though they are used interchangeably, there are
some differences between them.
Disease is the name a health professional gives to a health condition.
Example: Giving up smoking reduces the risk of heart disease.
Illness is the name people give to what they are feeling. There is a saying (an expression that usually contains
some wisdom or advice) that goes like this and may help us understand the difference: a patient goes to the
doctor with an illness, and goes home with a disease.
Example: Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.
Sickness is how we refer to the social and cultural conceptions of disease. Sick is an adjective we use to say we
are not feeling well (similar to ill), but is also used to say we are nauseous (e.g. I get sick during long car rides)
or that something is cool (e.g. The concert was sick! You would have loved it!).
Example: Stress is often a factor in the development of long-term sickness.

How to describe health symptoms in English

Here we have some of the most common diseases and their symptoms. It is important to describe symptoms
in English so that the doctor can diagnose you.

Disease Symptoms
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy
Flu nose, muscle or body aches, headaches,
tiredness
cramps, constipation, vomiting, fever, loss of
Stomachache
appetite
pain on one or both sides of your head, pain
Headache (types of headaches: migraines,
that throbs or pulses, sensitivity to light and
tension, sinus)
sounds, nausea, vomiting
pain inside the ear, difficulty hearing,
Earache discharge running out the ear, pressure
inside the ear, itching around the ear
rashes (red spots), fluid-filled blisters, fever,
Chickenpox
aches, pains

Medicines are divided into two categories: over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and prescription drugs. OTC
medicines are those which we can purchase without a medical prescription.
Making an appointment
When you are feeling unwell, you need to see a doctor. Unfortunately, doctors are busy people so you have to
make an appointment. This involves calling (or visiting) the doctor's clinic and making an appointment with the
receptionist. When you make an appointment you arrange a date and a time when you can see the doctor.
'Good morning. I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor today.'
'The doctor is busy this morning, but he is free this afternoon. Is 2 o'clock OK?'
Symptoms
When you see the doctor he (or she) might ask you 'What's wrong?' or 'What's the problem?' A more
specialised question is 'What are your symptoms?' Symptoms are any feelings of illness or discomfort which
are caused by a health problem. E.g. If you had the flu (influenza) your symptoms would be a fever, a runny
nose and I have been coughing.
The doctor might also ask 'When did the symptoms start?'
Diagnosis
After telling the doctor your symptoms he will tell you the name of your problem. A diagnosis is when a doctor
tells you the medical name of your problem.
For example, you tell your doctor your symptoms: 'I have a fever, a runny nose and I have been sneezing.' Your
doctor says: 'My diagnosis is that you have the flu.'
Explaining your problem
Look at these two forms we can use to talk about our health problems:
'I have been coughing a lot these days / recently / for the last few days / since yesterday.' (PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS)

'I have a cough.' (PRESENT SIMPLE)

Both of these are used to describe our health problems. The present perfect continuous is used to show that
something started in the past and is still happening now. We use 'I have been + -ing verb.' Other examples of
this form include:
'I have been sneezing.' 'My head has been hurting.'
'I have been having headaches.' 'I have been feeling tired.' 'I haven't been sleeping well.'
The present simple is used to focus on a situation at the present. It is more common to use the present simple
than the present continuous when we see a doctor: 'My head hurts' is more common than 'My head is
hurting'.
We also use:
I have + noun
'I have a bad back'
'I have a sore throat.'
'I have a fever.'
I feel + adjective
'I feel dizzy.'
'I feel under the weather.'
'I feel rundown.'
Types of illness
Allergy (adjective Allergic) To have a bad reaction to animals, dust, foods or plants. The symptoms are red
eyes, runny nose and sneezing.
Cough (verb to Cough) Pronounced 'coff'. To force air out of the lungs making a loud and uncomfortable noise:
'Smoking makes me cough.'
Dizziness (adjective Dizzy). To have the feeling that everything around you is spinning.
'I felt dizzy after standing up too quickly when I was in the bath.'
Fever / Temperature A rise in body temperature. To feel hot.
The Flu (also called Influenza) A very strong cold caused by a virus. Symptoms include: fever, headache, runny
nose and sneezing.
Insomnia Not being able to sleep at night.
Rash Uncomfortable, itchy, red spots on the skin. A skin condition.
'She got a rash on her hand after touching a strange plant.'
Rundown / Under the Weather
(idioms) Both of these mean a general feeling of sickness. Rundown usually comes from living an unhealthy
lifestyle. Under the weather means to not feel your usual, healthy self.
Runny Nose Mucus coming from the nose. The need to blow your nose a lot.
Sneeze (verb to Sneeze) An uncontrollable movement of air from the nose and mouth.
'The strong smell of flowers makes me sneeze.'
Sunburn Red and painful skin that comes from being in the sun too long.

Something ache / sore something / bad something

These three forms are usually used to talk about general problems. These are the common collocations:
+ ache
Headache backache stomachache muscle ache
bad + bad back bad head bad leg
sore + sore throat sore eyes sore feet

Types of doctor
Cardiologist: A heart doctor Dermatologist: A skin doctor
Dentist: A doctor who treats teeth General Practitioner: (G.P.) A family doctor who you would usually go to
see for common health problems Pediatrician: A doctor for children
Surgeon: A doctor who performs operations