disease

an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

A disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, syndromes, symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts these may be considered distinguishable categories. Pathology is the study of diseases. The subject of systematic classification of diseases is referred to as nosology. The broader body of knowledge about diseases and their treatments is medicine.

Syndromes, illness and disease - Medical usage sometimes distinguishes a ''disease'', which has a known specific cause or causes (called its etiology), from a ''syndrome'', which is a collection of signs or symptoms that occur together. However, many conditions have been identified, yet continue to be referred to as "syndromes". Furthermore, numerous conditions of unknown etiology are referred to as "diseases" in many contexts.Illness, although often used to mean disease, can also refer to a person's ''perception'' of their health, regardless of whether they in fact a disease. A person without any disease may feel unhealthy and believe he has an illness. Another person may feel healthy and believe he does not have an illness even though he may have a disease such as dangerously arterial hypertensionhigh blood pressure which may lead to a fatal myocardial infarctionheart attack or cerebrovascular accidentstroke.

Transmission of disease - Some diseases, such as influenza, are contagious or infectioninfectious, and can be transmitted by any of a variety of mechanisms, including droplets from coughs and sneezes, by bites of insects or other vector (biology)vectors, from contaminated water or food, etc. Other diseases, such as cancer and heart disease are not considered to be due to infection, although micro-organisms may play a role.

Social significance of disease - The identification of a condition as a disease, rather than as simply a variation of human structure or function, can have significant social or economic implications. The controversial recognitions as diseases of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as "shell shock"; repetitive motion injury or repetitive stress injury (RSI); and Gulf War syndrome has had a number of positive and negative effects on the financial and other responsibilities of governments, corporations and institutions towards individuals, as well as on the individuals themselves. The social implication of viewing senescenceaging as a disease could be profound, though this classification is not yet widespread.A condition may be considered to be a disease in some cultures or eras but not in others. Oppositional-defiant disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and, increasingly, obesity are conditions considered to be diseases in the United States and Canada today, but were not so-considered decades ago and are not so-considered in some other countries. Conversely, the number of people in the West who consider homosexuality to be a disease became widespread in the 20th century but has been decreasing in the last two decades. To consider a condition to be a disease can sometimes involve a negative social value judgement. LeprosyLepers were a group of afflicted individuals who were historically shunned and the term "leper" still evokes social stigma. Fear of disease can still be a widespread social phenomena, though not all diseases evoke extreme social stigma.

Other uses of the term - In biology, ''disease'' refers to any abnormal condition of an organism that impairs function.The term ''disease'' is often used metaphorically for disordered, dysfunctional, or distressing conditions of other things, as in ''disease of society''.

See also -

List of childhood diseases

List of common diseases

List of diseases for a huge list of 6000+ diseases, many very rare.

List of genetic disorders

List of environment topics

Diagnosis

Epidemic

Illness

Palliative care

Therapy

Transmission (medicine)Transmission

External links -

nlm.nih.gov - Health Topics, MedlinePlus descriptions of most diseases, with access to current research articles.

cdc.gov - Center for Disease Control Health Topics A-Z, fact sheets about many common diseases

rarediseases.about.com - Rare/Orphan Diseases

national-health.org - National Organization for Rare Disorders Extensive, useful information on rare diseases.

merck.com - The Merck Manual, detailed description of most diseases, freely searchable !online.Category:DiseasesCatego ry:Medical? !termsals:Krankheitzh-min-nan:P īⁿbr:Kleñvedca:Malaltiacs: Nemocda:Sygdomde:Krankheites:E nfermedadeo:Malsanoeu:Gaixotas unfa:بیماریfr:Maladieio: Morboid:Penyakitia:Maladiait:M alattiahe:מחלהms:Penyakitn l:Ziekteja:病気no:Sykdomnn:S jukdompl:Chorobapt:Doençaru:� �олезньsimple:Diseasesk: Chorobasl:Bolezensv:Sjukdomtl: Karamdamanzh:疾病

The author's site, devoted to the buteyko therapy which corrects the breath for treatment of an allergy, an asthma, bronchites and other illnesses
Author's Buteyko site, documents, author - Konstantin P. Buteyko, history of the Buteyko discovery, the scientific and popular literature on the Buteyko therapy, consultations of experts on Buteyko therapy
http://www.buteyko.ru/

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
A service of the Federal Government’s National Institute on Aging, the ADEAR Center provides current, comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease information to patients and families, health care providers, caregivers, and the public. Resources include a toll-free information and referral line (1-800-438-4380), free publications, quarterly newsletter for professionals, and our Web site www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov.
http://www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov

Cholestcheck Corporation
Information about public health screenings and community wellness programs.
http://www.cholestcheck.com/

Reid Winick, DDS
Holistic/Biological Dentistry
http://www.reiddds.com/

EUROPSO - European Federation of Psoriasis Associations
EUROPSO is a federation of psoriasis patients’ associations based in the geographic region of Europe. Europso is the strong-voiced ambassador and negotiator for psoriasis patient associations and as an umbrella organization operating within Europe has close ties to the worldwide psoriasis movements. EUROPSO's actions are directed especially towards the supra-national level of the health authorities and related organizations, the health professions, associations and companies, and the media.
http://www.europso.org/

chinese medicne
index on chinese medicne
http://www.connective.org/

Triune of Life
Come visit us to learn about True Chiropractic and the deductive natural religion of Expressionism. What started out as an experiment in 1895 has transformed into a completely natural way of life, health, healing and expression of the physical, mental and spiritual individual.
http://www.triuneoflife.org/

Environment, health and safety
A consulting company specializing in environmental risk assessment and safety management systems.
http://www.environmentalexpertise.com/

Coconut Research Center
Provides information on the health and nutritional aspects of coconut.
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Hypoglycemia: The Other Sugar Disease
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, affects up to 40% of North Americans. This is the only hypoglycemia book that includes an easy to follow workbook to help you eat better to live better!
http://www.theothersugardisease.com/

Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict
SSPC is an independent, non-profit research organization dedicated to research on issues relating to peace, conflict and human development
http://www.sspconline.org/

Hershel Toomim
Voluntary brain blood flow control, Hemoencephalography(HEG),renews your brain by intelligently activating stem cells. New neurons form healthy new memories of current brain activity.
http://www.biocompresearch.org/

Wendy's Multiple Sclerosis Site
Personal website providing a starting point for those seeking Multiple Sclerosis resources, information, and support on the internet.
http://www.wendys-ms-site.com/

IVA SUPPORT
Support for families whose children suffer from the rare metabolic disorder known as ISOVALERIC ACIDEMIA, IVA.
http://www.ivasupport.org/

Breast Cancer Choices
Innovative Research, Advocacy and Evidence-based Strategies for Breast Cancer
http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/

Hypoglycemia: The Other Sugar Disease
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a disorder that affects up to 40% of North Americans. Check this website to find out how to eat better to live better!
http://www.anitaflegg.com/

American Health Assistance Foundation
AHAF is one of America's leading supporters of scientific and medical investigations into Alzheimer's Disease, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Heart Disease, and Stroke. Founded in 1973, AHAF has since awarded more than $71 million in research grants to some of the most prominent scientists working at universities, hospitals and medical centers around the world. A complete list of all research grants is available in PDF format for viewing or printing. (You need Acrobat Reader on your computer to view the PDF version. If you do not have this free software, you may download a copy from Adobe). AHAF is currently supporting a total of 78 research efforts: 32 projects funded through Alzheimer's Disease Research; 24 through National Glaucoma Research; 5 through the National Heart Foundation; and 17 through Macular Degeneration Research.
http://www.ahaf.com/

Lyme Disease Action
The UK based Lyme Disease charity, Striving for prevention and treatment of Lyme Disease and associated tick-borne diseases. Organisers of the annual UK Tick Borne conference.
http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

The Louise Gergel Fellowship
A Charity established to fund research into Hughes Syndrome (Antiphospholipid Syndrome)and to improve awareness of the condition
http://www.lgfellowship.org/

healthysf: information that might improve the health of San Francisco's population
Local sites within a common umbrella, all of them attempting to link what is known about the causes of disease and injury in San Francisco to effective prevention strategies. Although this is not an official part of the SF Dept of Public Health, it shares its broad mission to improve health. Its conception of health is based on that of the Institute of Medicine: public health is “…what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.”
http://www.healthysf.org/

PDAMedisoft.com: PDA health and medical software download resource
PDA health and medical software download resource for Windows Mobile, Smartphones, Blackberry, Symbian and Palm.
http://www.pdamedisoft.com/

SOS Elms Coalition
A Saskatchewan-based citizen's coalition for the prevention and management of Dutch Elm disease.
http://www.soselms.org/

Birds and Exotics Animal Care
Birds and Exotics Animal Care is a complete veterinary and surgical facility specializing in the care of birds and exotics animals including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles, amphibians, turtles, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, etc. Please visit our website for more information!
http://www.birdsandexotics.com/

AdverseMusic
Information & contact info for Chicago's most Brutal Thrash Metal band! Pictures, Bios, audio, & more are provided for your perusal.
http://www.adversemusic.com/

Villa Appalaccia Winery
A Virginia vineyard and winery growing Italian-derived grape varietal. Sangiovese, Primitivo, Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, Trebbiano, Aglianico as well as Cabernet Franc. For the last 8 years, most purchased grafted vines have Esca, Black Goo.
http://www.villaappalaccia.com/

Arthritis Trust of America
Provides free books, articles and physician referral lists on how to get well from so-called incurable rheumatoid diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
http://www.arthritistrust.org/

The National Parkinson Foundation
Our Mission: To find the cause of and the cure for Parkinson disease through research, to improve the quality of life for persons with Parkinson and their caregivers, to educate persons with Parkinson, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general public about Parkinson disease and its treatment.
http://www.parkinson.org/

Koo Self Defense
Koo Self Defense is not a traditional martial art nor a mixture of different types of martial arts. Koo Self Defense has a different approach to training its students for health, fitness and street self defense! There are hundreds of different martial arts' styles in the world today. All of them are variations of each other except for Koo Self Defense which is not a style but was uniquely created from an out of the box approach which is from a street fighting viewpoint.
http://ksdi.net

Rapunzel'S Delight
All things long and beautiful hair™ for friends, health, & support: Personal Health & Hair Care; namely, information and awareness concerning nutrition, exercise, toxic chemicals, parasites, etc., plus information on braiding, styles, and overall maintenance.
http://www.rapunzelsdelight.com/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The best place to learn about virology and diseases.
http://www.cdc.gov

National Center for Biotechnology Information
U.S. government-funded national resource for molecular biology information. Access to many public databases and other references, including the draft human genome.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response
Information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention agency that provides current news, emergency contacts, biological agents. learning resources, and official statements on biological terrorism.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Charged under U.S. CERCLA statute to assess the presence and nature of health hazards at Superfund sites and to help reduce further exposures. Website has toxicity profiles for hazardous chemicals and extensive information on topics such as multiple chemical exposures and PCBs.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov