Health & Body vocabulary
100 words to learn about health & body.
doctorA physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured.nurseA person involved in providing direct care for the sick:.hospitalA large medical facility, usually in a building with multiple floors, where seriously ill or injured patients are given extensive medical or surgical treatment.medicineA substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way; a pharmaceutical drug.patientA person or animal that receives health care from a doctor, nurse, dentist, allied health practitioner, or other person educated in health care.headacheA pain or ache in the head.feverA higher than normal body temperature of a person (or, generally, a mammal), usually caused by disease.healthyEnjoying good health; free from disease or disorder.exerciseActivity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.muscleA contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.boneA composite material consisting largely of calcium phosphate and collagen and making up the skeleton of most vertebrates.heartA muscular organ that pumps blood through the body, traditionally thought to be the seat of emotion.stomachAn organ in animals that stores food in the process of digestion.injuryDamage to the body of a living thing.symptomA signal; anything that indicates, or is characteristic of, the presence of something else, especially of something undesirable.treatmentMedical care for an illness or injury.recoverTo replenish to, resume (a good state of mind or body).illnessA state of bad health or disease.allergySpecifically, hypersensitivity of class I in the modern classification thereof: the immunoglobulin E–mediated type.vitaminPreceding a word or its initial letter, to imply that the referent benefits health or wellness.dentistA medical doctor who specializes in teeth.prescriptionA written order from an authorized medical practitioner for provision of a medicine or other treatment, such as (ophthalmology) the specific lenses needed for a pair of glasses.bandageA strip of gauze or similar material used to protect or support a wound or injury.woundAn injury, such as a cut, stab, or tear, to a (usually external) part of the body.breatheTo draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.pulseA normally regular beat felt when arteries near the skin (for example, at the neck or wrist) are depressed, caused by the heart pumping blood through them.surgeryA procedure involving major incisions to remove, repair, or replace a part of a body.therapyAttempted remediation of a health problem following a diagnosis, usually synonymous with treatment.wellnessThe quality or state of being in good health (sometimes emphasizing both health and safety); mental and physical soundness.nutritionThat which nourishes; nutriment.immuneProtected by inoculation, or due to innate resistance to pathogens.infectionAn uncontrolled growth of harmful microorganisms in a host.diagnosisThe process of, or an instance of, identification of the nature and cause of a medical condition or illness.clinicA medical facility, such as a hospital, especially one for the treatment and diagnosis of outpatients.acheTo suffer pain; to be the source of, or be in, pain, especially continued dull pain; to be distressed.dizzyExperiencing a sensation of whirling and of being giddy, unbalanced, or lightheaded.coughTo push air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound) and out through the mouth, usually to expel something blocking or irritating the airway.sneezeTo expel air as a reflex induced by an irritation in the nose.swollenProtuberant or abnormally distended (as by injury or disease).healTo make better from a disease, wound, etc.; to revive or cure.painfulCausing pain or distress, either physical or mental.fatigueA weariness caused by exertion; exhaustion.checkupA routine visit to the doctor, dentist, or the like.remedyA medicine, application, or treatment that relieves or cures a disease.contagiousEasily transmitted to others.wristThe complex joint between forearm bones, carpus, and metacarpals where the hand is attached to the arm; the carpus in a narrow sense.ankleThe skeletal joint which connects the foot with the leg; the uppermost portion of the foot and lowermost portion of the leg, which contain this skeletal joint.shoulderThe part of an animal's body between the base of the neck and forearm socket.elbowThe joint between the upper arm and the forearm.surgeonOne who performs surgery; a doctor who performs operations on people or animals.physicianA medical doctor trained in human medicine.pharmacistOne who studies pharmacy.therapistSomeone who provides therapy, usually professionally.paramedicA person who is licensed at the state or national level to practice medical interventions in an emergency prehospital setting.midwifeA person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth, but who is not a physician.specialistSomeone who is an expert in, or devoted to, some specific branch of study or research.pediatricianA physician that specializes in pediatrics; the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.psychiatristA medical doctor specializing in psychiatry.radiologistA person who is skilled in or practices radiology.ambulanceAn emergency vehicle designed for transporting seriously ill or injured people to a hospital.stretcherA simple litter designed to carry a sick, injured, or dead person.wheelchairA chair mounted on large wheels for the transportation or use of a sick or disabled person.crutchA device to assist in motion as a cane, especially one that provides support under the arm to reduce weight on a leg.syringeA device consisting of a hypodermic needle, a chamber for containing liquids, and a piston for applying pressure (to inject) or reducing pressure (to draw); a hypodermic syringe.needleTo pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.stitchA single pass of a needle in sewing; the loop or turn of the thread thus made.plasterA paste applied to the skin for healing or cosmetic purposes.ointmentA viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.antibioticAny substance that can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and similar microorganisms, generally transported by the lymphatic system.painkillerA drug that numbs the pain in the body.dosageThe administration of a medication etc, in a measured amount; dosing.tabletA pill; a small, easily swallowed portion of a substance in solid form.capsuleA small container containing a dose of medicine.pillA small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication.vaccineThe process of vaccination; immunization, inoculation.antisepticCapable of preventing microbial infection.sanitizeTo rid of microorganisms by cleaning or disinfecting.hygieneThose conditions and practices that promote and preserve health.sanitaryClean and free from pathogens; hygienic.sterileGermless; free from all living or viable microorganisms.quarantineA period, instance, or state of isolation from the general public or from native livestock and flora enacted to prevent the spread of any contagious disease.epidemicA widespread disease that affects many humans in a population.pandemicA pandemic disease; a disease that affects a wide geographical area and a large proportion of the population.outbreakAn eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc.virusA disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.bacteriaA type, species, or strain of bacterium.germA pathogen: a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus.diseaseAn abnormal condition of a human, animal or plant that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.chronicOf a problem, that continues over an extended period of time.acuteIntense; sensitive; sharp.terminalA building in an airport where passengers transfer from ground transportation to the facilities that allow them to board airplanes.benignKind; gentle; mild.malignantHarmful, malevolent, injurious.tumorAn abnormal growth; differential diagnosis includes abscess, metaplasia, and neoplasia.cancerA disease in which the cells of a tissue undergo uncontrolled (and often rapid) proliferation.diabetesDiabetes insipidus; any condition characterized by excessive or incontinent urine, now specifically as caused by impaired production of, or response to, the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin.asthmaA long-term respiratory condition, in which the airways may unexpectedly and suddenly narrow, often in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress.migraineA severe, disabling headache, usually affecting only one side of the head, and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia and visual disturbances.nauseaA feeling of illness or discomfort in the digestive system, usually characterized by a strong urge to vomit.vomitTo regurgitate or eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth; puke.