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A comprehensive list of over 100 common words of illness vocabulary
Mastering some English illness vocabulary will help you communicate easily in situations related to the medical field. Below is a comprehensive compilation of the most complete English illness vocabulary, meticulously compiled by PREP. Please save and study them diligently!
I. A comprehensive list of over 100 common words of illness vocabulary
For easier acquisition, PREP has divided this topic into the following basic word groups:
1. Symptoms
Some commonly used English symptom and illness vocabulary include:
Health and illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Fever | /ˈfiːvər/ | a medical condition in which a person has a temperature that is higher than normal | She has a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius. |
Cough | /kɒf/ | to force out air suddenly and noisily through your throat, for example when you have a cold | I have had a cough that has persisted for over a week and showed no signs of improvement. |
Headache | /ˈhɛdeɪk/ | a continuous pain in the head | Because of the headache, I couldn’t work. |
Nausea | /ˈnɔːziə/ | the feeling that you have when you want to vomit, for example because you are sick or are shocked or frightened by something | Nausea is a symptom of food poisoning. |
Diarrhea | /daɪəˈriːə/ | an illness in which waste matter is emptied from the bowels much more frequently than normal, and in liquid form | Diarrhea is a sign of poor digestion. |
Fatigue | /fəˈtiːɡ/ | a feeling of being extremely tired, usually because of hard work or exercise | Fatigue and fever are symptoms of the flu. |
Shortness of breath | /ˈʃɔːrtnəs ʌv brɛθ/ | the feeling of being unable to breathe easily, especially because you are ill | Shortness of breath is a symptom of Covid 19. |
Rash | /ræʃ/ | a lot of small red spots on the skin | I have a rash due to seasonal allergies. |
Sore throat | /sɔːr θroʊt/ | a condition in which your throat is red and feels painful, especially when you swallow | Sore throat is a symptom of tonsillitis. |
Swelling | /ˈswɛlɪŋ/ | the condition of being larger or rounder than normal (= of being swollen) | I have swellings around my feet due to edema. |
Dizziness | /ˈdɪzɪnɪs/ | the feeling that everything is turning around you and that you are not able to balance | Dizziness is a manifestation of cerebral ischemia. |
2. Common illnesses
The English sickness vocabulary and diseases can be categorized into the following smaller topics:
2.1. Digestive system
English vocabulary related to digestive system disorders includes the following basic words:
English health problem vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Acid reflux | /ˈæsɪd ˈriː.flʌks/ | a condition in which stomach acid comes up from the stomach to the oesophagus (= the tube in the body that takes food from the mouth to the stomach), which can cause damage inside the body | Acid reflux disease often leads to heartburn. |
Constipation | /ˌkɑːn.stɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/ | the condition of being unable to get rid of waste material from the bowels easily (= being constipated) | Constipation is caused by a lack of fiber in the diet. |
Diarrhea | /daɪəˈriːə/ | an illness in which waste matter is emptied from the bowels much more frequently than normal, and in liquid form | Diarrhea can be due to the body’s intolereance of poor quality food . |
Indigestion | /ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛsʧən/ | pain caused by difficulty in digesting food | If you have indigestion, don’t overeat at night. |
Peptic ulcer | /ˈpɛptɪk ˈʌlsər/ | an ulcer in the digestive system, especially in the stomach | Eating too much food will cause peptic ulcers. |
Ulcerative colitis | /ˈʌlsəreɪtɪv kɑːˈlaɪtɪs/ | an illness in which parts of the bowels are inflamed (= red, painful and swollen) and can produce ulcers (= breaks in the skin, or on the surface of an organ inside the body, that do not heal naturally) | Chronic ulcerative colitis causes persistent abdominal pain. |
Gallstones | /ˈɡɔːlstoʊnz/ | a small piece of hard material that sometimes forms in the gall bladder (= an organ in the body) and can cause great pain | Gallstones can affect the body’s cleansing function. |
Pancreatitis | /ˌpænkrəˈtaɪtɪs/ | a condition that causes pain and swelling in the pancreas (= the organ in the body that produces insulin) | Pancreatitis is common in the elderly. |
2.2. Nervous system
English vocabulary related to neurological disorders includes the following words:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Stroke | /stroʊk/ | a sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, sometimes causing a loss of the ability to move particular parts of the body | The rate of stroke is increasing, especially in the 45-60 age group. |
Epilepsy | /ˈɛpəˌlɛpsi/ | a condition of the brain that causes a person to become unconscious for short periods or to move in a violent and uncontrolled way | Epilepsy occurs when the nervous system is disturbed. |
Alzheimer’s disease | /ˈæl.zaɪmərz dɪˈziːz/ | a disease that results in the gradual loss of memory, speech, movement, and the ability to think clearly, and that is common esp. among older people | Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by memory loss and severe loss of thinking ability. |
Parkinson’s disease | /ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz dɪˈziːz/ | a disease of the nervous system that makes the muscles become stiff and the body shake, and gradually gets worse as a person gets older | Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive, degenerative disorder. |
Migraine | /ˈmaɪɡreɪn/ | severe continuous pain in the head, often with vomiting and difficulty in seeing | Migraine headaches are characterized by unilateral throbbing pain, sensory sensitivity, and nausea. |
Cerebral palsy | /ˈsɛrəbrəl ˈpɔːlzi/ | a physical condition involving permanent tightening of the muscles that is caused by damage to the brain around or before the time of birth | Cerebral Palsy is a disease that causes damage to the brain and slows development. |
2.3. Otorhinolaryngology
English vocabulary about diseases related to the ear-nose-throat group has basic words including:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Tinnitus | /ˈtɪn.ɪ.təs/ | a condition of the ear in which the person suffering from it hears noises such as ringing | Loud sounds will cause tinnitus. |
Sinusitis | /ˌsaɪˈnaɪ.sɪs/ | inflammation of the lining of the sinuses (= hollow spaces in the bones of the face) especially around the nose: | In winter, my sinusitis gets worse. |
Sore throat | /sɔːr θroʊt/ | a condition in which your throat is red and feels painful, especially when you swallow | Drinking too much ice water will cause a sore throat. |
Stuffy nose | /ˈstʌfi noʊz/ | your nose is blocked because you have a cold | A stuffy nose is a symptom of the flu. |
Rhinitis | /raɪˈnaɪ.tɪs/ | a condition in which the inside of the nose becomes swollen (= larger than normal) and painful, caused by an infection or an allergy | I need to clean my nose every day to avoid rhinitis. |
Laryngitis | /ˌlærɪnˈdʒaɪ.tɪs/ | a medical condition in which the larynx becomes swollen and painful, making speaking difficult | Laryngitis causes us to limit the volume of speech. |
Ear infection | /ɪr ɪnˈfɛkʃən/ | an infection behind your eardrum | Ear infections are very dangerous, and should not be ignored. |
Pharyngitis | /ˌfærɪnˈdʒaɪ.tɪs/ | a condition in which the throat is red and painful | Pharyngitis is an infection of the pharynx. |
2.4. Dermatology
English vocabulary related to skin conditions includes the following basic words:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Acne | /ˈækni/ | a skin disease common in young people, in which small, red spots appear on the face and neck | Acne is a skin condition caused by the accumulation of bacteria and dirt. |
Eczema | /ˈɛk.zɪ.mə/ | a skin condition in which areas of the skin become red, rough, and sore and make you want to rub them | Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchiness, redness, dryness, and irritation of the skin. |
Psoriasis | /səˈraɪəsɪs/ | a disease in which areas of skin turn red and are covered with small dry pieces of skin | Psoriasis can’t be spread to other people. |
Hives | /haɪvz/ | a condition in which a person's skin develops red raised areas | Hives are often caused by pet allergies or food allergies. |
Wart | /wɔːrt/ | a small, hard lump (= a raised area) that grows on the skin, often on the face and hands | Warts are a manifestation of HIV disease. |
Athlete’s foot | /ˌæθliːts ˈfʊt/ | a disease in which the skin between the toes cracks (= breaks open) and feels sore | Athlete’s foot can be spread by sharing shoes. |
2.5. Ophthalmology
English vocabulary related to eye conditions includes the following basic words:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Conjunctivitis | /kənˌdʒʌŋk.tɪˈvaɪ.tɪs/ | a painful infection of the eyes that makes them red and makes the eyelids swollen and sticky | Conjunctivitis can be contagious. |
Glaucoma | /ˈɡlɔːkəʊmə/ | a disease of the eye that can cause a person to gradually lose their sight | Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve. |
Cataract | /ˈkætərækt/ | a disease in which an area of someone's eye becomes less clear so that they cannot see clearly, or the area affected in this way | Cataract leads to a cloudy, no longer transparent lens. |
Myopia | /maɪˈoʊpiə/ | a condition in which someone cannot clearly see things that are far away | Myopia is a common disease among young people. |
Hyperopia | /ˌhaɪpəˈroʊpiə/ | a condition in which someone can see things clearly that are far away but not things that are near | Hyperopia is a common problem in the elderly. |
Macular degeneration | /ˈmækjələr ˌdiːˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/ | a condition in which the macula (= the central area of the retina in the eye) changes, resulting in a loss of central vision. It usually affects old people | Macular degeneration is a condition in which the retinal cells of the eye are damaged. |
2.6. Cardiology
English vocabulary related to cardiovascular diseases includes the following basic words:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Hypertension | /ˌhaɪpərˈtɛnʃən/ | a medical condition in which your blood pressure is extremely high | Hypertension will make it difficult for patients to breathe normally. |
Angina | /ˈændʒɪnə/ | a condition that causes strong chest pains because blood containing oxygen is prevented from reaching the heart muscle by blocked arteries | Frequent angina caused me to go to the emergency room. |
Arrhythmia | /əˈrɪðmɪə/ | a medical condition in which the heart does not beat with a regular rhythm, or at the normal rate | Arrhythmia is very dangerous, and can lead to sudden cardiac death. |
Atherosclerosis | /ˌæθəroʊskləˈroʊsɪs/ | a form of arteriosclerosis (= hardening of the arteries, the thick tubes carrying blood from the heart) that is caused by a fatty substance building up inside the arteries | Obesity is the leading cause of atherosclerosis. |
Heart attack | /hɑːrt əˈtæk/ | a serious medical condition in which the heart does not get enough blood, causing great pain and often leading to death | Coronary artery disease is the main cause of heart attack. |
Heart failure | /hɑːrt ˈfeɪljər/ | an occasion when the heart stops working correctly or stops completely | Heart failure can lead to death. |
Coronary artery disease | /ˈkɔːrnəri ˈɑːrtəri dɪˈziːz/ | happening when coronary arteries struggle to supply the heart with enough blood, oxygen and nutrients | Chest pain is a sign of coronary artery disease. |
Heart valve disease | /ˈvælv dɪˈziːz/ | happening when one or more of your heart valves don't work well | Heart valve disease is a disease in which the heart valves have problems with their function. |
Peripheral artery disease | /pəˈrɪfərəl ˈɑːrtəri dɪˈziːz/ | the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart | Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the atherosclerosis of the arteries in the legs. |
2.7. Liver, lung, and kidney diseases
English vocabulary related to liver, lung, and kidney diseases includes the following basic words:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Cirrhosis | /səˈroʊsɪs/ | a serious disease of the liver, caused especially by drinking too much alcohol | Cirrhosis reduces the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. |
Hepatitis | /ˌhɛpəˈtaɪtɪs/ | a serious disease of the liver. There are three main forms: hepatitis A, the least serious, caused by infected food (= containing harmful bacteria), and hepatitis B and hepatitis C, both very serious and caused by infected blood. | Hepatitis B is a disease that is transmitted only from mother to child. |
Pneumonia | /nuːˈmoʊniə/ | a serious illness affecting one or both lungs that makes breathing difficult | Pneumonia can lead to a persistent cough, especially in the cold season. |
Tuberculosis | /tuːˌbɜːrˈkjuːloʊsɪs/ | a serious disease, caused by bacteria, in which swellings appear on the lungs and other parts of the body | Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease, and patients need to be isolated. |
Kidney stones | /ˈkɪdni stoʊnz/ | a solid mass of hard material that can form in the kidney and cause pain | Holding in urine can cause kidney stones. |
Renal failure | /ˈriːnl ˈfeɪljər/ | the situation when the kidneys cannot remove waste products of the body through the urine leading to electrolyte imbalances | People with Renal failure need regular dialysis. |
2.8. Musculoskeletal system
In the English vocabulary related to bone and joint diseases, there are some common words as follows:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Arthritis | /ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs/ | a serious condition in which a person's joints (= the places where two bones are connected) become painful, swollen, and stiff: | The breakdown of the tissue in the joints leads to arthritis. |
Osteoarthritis | /ˌɒs.ti.əʊ.ɑːˈθraɪ.tɪs/ | a disease that causes painful swelling (= the condition of being larger or rounder than normal) and permanent damage in the joints of the body, especially the hips, knees and thumbs | Osteoarthritis is common in the elderly. |
Gout | /ɡaʊt/ | a disease that causes painful swelling (= the condition of being larger or rounder than normal) in the joints, especially of the toes, knees and fingers | Consuming too much protein is the main cause of gout. |
Ankylosing spondylitis | /ˌæŋ.kəˌloʊzɪŋ ˌspɑːndəˈlaɪtɪs/ | an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse | Ankylosing spondylitis will lead to many dangerous complications in the joints if not treated promptly. |
Osteoporosis | /ˌɑːsti.oʊpəˈroʊsɪs/ | a condition in which the bones become weak and are easily broken, usually when people get older or because they do not eat enough of certain substances | Elderly people often suffer from osteoporosis. |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | /ˌkɑːrpl ˈtʌnl ˌsɪndroʊm/ | a painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by pressure on a nerve because of repeated movements over a long period | Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel causes numbness and pain in the hand. |
Fibromyalgia | /ˌfaɪbroʊ.maɪˈældʒiə/ | a medical condition that causes pain in the muscles and surrounding tissue as well as extreme tiredness | The symptoms of Fibromyalgia can be widespread pain, fatigue, and headaches. |
2.9. Other diseases
Below is the table of English words for other diseases:
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Diabetes | /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz/ | a disease in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood | One of the causes of diabetes is obesity. |
Obesity | /oʊˈbiːsəti/ | the quality or fact of being very fat, in a way that is not healthy | People with obesity are more prone to cardiovascular diseases. |
Allergies | /ˈælərdʒiz/ | a medical condition that causes you to react badly or feel ill when you eat or touch a particular substance | An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that can cause harm to your body. |
Insomnia | /ɪnˈsɑːmniə/ | the condition of being unable to sleep | Excessive exposure to electronic devices can lead to insomnia. |
Depression | /dɪˈprɛʃən/ | a medical condition in which a person feels very sad, anxious, and without hope and often has physical symptoms such as being unable to sleep, etc. | Depression is a dangerous mental illness that young people are facing today. |
3. English illness and treatment vocabulary
Below is some common English illness and remedy vocabulary.
English illness vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
Exercise | /ˈɛksərsaɪz/ | to do sports or other physical activities in order to stay healthy or become stronger; to make an animal do this | Exercise improves physical health. |
Hydration | /haɪˈdreɪʃən/ | the process of making something/somebody take in and hold water | Hydration for the body will beautify the skin and be good for the excretory system. |
Balanced diet | /ˈbælənst ˈdaɪət/ | a combination of the correct types and amounts of food | Maintaining a balanced diet will keep the body healthy and prevent disease. |
Stress management | /strɛs ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ | a method of limiting stress and its effects by learning ways of behaving and thinking that reduce it | Effective stress management reduces the risk of depression. |
Sleep hygiene | /sliːp ˈhaɪdʒiːn/ | the use of various practices to make sure that you sleep well at night | Good sleep hygiene will help improve your sleep quality. |
Immunization | /ˌɪmjʊnɪˈzeɪʃən/ | the act of protecting a person or an animal from a disease, especially by giving them an injection of a vaccine | Immunization is necessary to prevent disease. |
Here is a comprehensive compilation of English vocabulary related to diseases that you should keep and apply.
II. Tips for learning English illness vocabulary and diseases
To effectively remember English vocabulary related to diseases, please consider the following tips:
1. Allocate study time/number of words to study per day.
The amount of vocabulary is extensive. To memorize effectively, avoid forcing yourself to absorb a large quantity in a single day or even a few hours. Instead, divide the vocabulary into manageable groups, focusing on studying only 5-10 words each day and utilizing the spaced repetition method for optimal memorization.
- On Monday, study 5 English medical vocabulary words related to symptoms.
- On Tuesday, study 5 English medical vocabulary words related to digestive diseases.
- Then on Wednesday, review the symptom-related words and add 2-3 new words related to nervous system diseases.
In this way, you will remember the English illness vocabulary and diseases much longer and more effectively.
2. Regularly apply them in practice
To most naturally remember and apply the vocabulary, you should use them in real-life situations. Take the initiative to actively name any symptoms or illnesses you are experiencing in English or during direct communication situations at hospitals. In addition, you can also introduce your speaking topic related to diseases and then proactively practice each day.
3. Learn through mind maps
Learning vocabulary through mind maps is an extremely effective method that you should apply. This method will help you remember vocabulary for longer and in a more systematic way. For example, with a group of English illness vocabulary and diseases, you can apply the following steps to create a mind map:
- First, take the root: English illness vocabulary and diseases is the main branch.
- Then divide into smaller branches according to similar topics divided above: nervous system, dermatology, cardiology, etc.
- In each vocabulary group, information about pronunciation, translation, and specific examples should be provided for easy visualization.
Below is a sample mind map for English illness vocabulary and diseases that you can refer to:
4. Learn advanced vocabulary with PREP
Prep offers vocabulary courses ranging from basic to advanced, covering a diverse range of topics from daily life to academics such as family or friends. Those courses not only provide vocabulary by theme but also deliver effective learning methods.
The main courses at Prep include:
- Basic vocabulary
- Intermediate vocabulary
- Advanced specialist vocabulary
To enhance and expand your vocabulary, check out Prep's vocabulary learning roadmap now!
III. Exercises on English illness vocabulary and diseases
Below are some exercises on English illness vocabulary and diseases that you should do to practice your memory:
Exercise 1: Make an example for the following words:
- Sinusitis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Myopia
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer:
- My grandmother suffers from ___________, which makes it hard for her to remember things.
- A. Arthritis
- B. Diabetes
- C. Alzheimer’s disease
- Children often have convulsions because of ___________
- A. high fever
- B. cold
- C. cough
- I had ___________ from eating rancid food.
- A. A cough
- B. Diarrhea
- C. A headache
- Because of eating too much fat and not controlling calories, she suffered from ___________
- A. Gallstones
- B. Obesity
- C. Osteoporosis
- Eating too much protein is the main cause of ___________
- A. Gout
- B. Depression
- C. Insomnia
Answer keys
Exercises 1: Below are some samples from PREP. Students can make their own examples:
- In winter, my sinusitis gets worse.
- Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by memory loss and severe loss of thinking ability.
- Myopia is a common disease among young people.
- Hypertension will make it difficult for patients to breathe normally.
- Elderly people often suffer from osteoporosis.
Exercise 2:
1 – C | 2 – A | 3 – B | 4 – B | 5 – A |
This is a collection of the most common English illness vocabulary. Let’s apply suitable thematic vocabulary learning methods related to medical conditions to effectively remember and utilize these terms.
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