What Are Diseases

WHAT ARE DISEASES? DOES BEING DISEASE FREE MEAN HEALTHY?

Word Breakdown: Disease = Dis (disturbed) + ease. In other words, disease means being uncomfortable. In biology, the word is used to refer to specific and particular causes of the discomfort. When the functioning of one or more organs or systems of the body is adversely affected, characterised by various signs and symptoms, we say that we are not healthy, i.e., we have a disease. Diseases can be broadly grouped into infectious and non-infectious. Diseases which are easily transmitted from one person to another, are called infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are very common and every one of us suffers from these at some time or other. Some of the infectious diseases like AIDS are fatal. Among non-infectious diseases, cancer is the major cause of death. Drug and alcohol abuse also affect our health adversely.

Being healthy means that you are well physically, socially and mentally. Therefore, simply being disease free does not mean that you are healthy, because you may suffer socially. Diseases only usually refer to physical health. For ex. being unwilling to interact with others. In the recent times, mental health is also considered important and mental diseases are being recognized universally as well.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘‘Health is the state of complete physical, emotional and social well- being, not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity.’