diseases

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 DEBUG REDIRECT (disease)

Access Ability
Site for the disabled,handicapped,including resources, contacts,advice & information.Government addresses, phone numbers Fun, Games and downloads,articles.cornucopia of links providing information concerning disability products, research, organizations, events, and politics
http://www.access-ability.org/

Shining Stars Foundation
The mission of the Shining Stars Foundation is to provide outreach programs, sport, and recreational services for children and young adults with cancer and life threatening diseases at no cost to the child or their families. Typically, the children serviced, come from poorer economic backgrounds, often single family households, and are actively being treated for cancer or a life threatening disease. In order to accomplish our mission, the Shining Stars Foundation has established the following goals: 1) To create and foster an ongoing support network through diversified outreach programs for these children and their families so that they learn from their shared experiences and lean on each other in times of need. 2) To introduce children and young adults with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses to recreation and sports programs, through which they can gain self-confidence, physical endurance, independence and self-determination. Most importantly we try to install the “will to live” for these challenged youngsters who so often see no hope for their future.
http://www.shiningstarsfoundation.com/

Best Massage Therapy in Dallas, Texas
Massage therapy by registered therapists with advanced training in numerous modalities such as: Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Trigger Point, Myofascial and many others. Located near the Galleria Mall.
http://www.elite-massage.us/

ARTI CLINIC--On-line Homeopathic Clinic
Homeopathic Treatment for INFERTILITY and CHRONIC DISEASES.
http://www.articlinic.com

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

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Provides major support for scientists conducting research aimed at developing better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent the many infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

NORD-National Organization For Rare Disorders
Offering discussions, resources, links, and synonyms for many immune deficiencies.
http://www.rarediseases.org/