illness
(il'nĭs 
)
- Sickness; disease.
- An ailment.
catabolic i.Rapid weight loss with loss of body fat and muscle mass that frequently accompanies short-term, self-limiting conditions such as infection or injury. This condition may be associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, multiple organ system failure, and chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.
Inflammation should be reduced and appropriate nutrients provided.
catastrophic i.An unusually prolonged or complex illness, esp. one that causes severe organ dysfunction or threatens life. Catastrophic illnesses often make exceptional demand s on patients, caregivers, families, and health care resources.
decompression i.Aeroembolism due to an excessively rapid ascent to the surface by a deep-sea diver. SYN: bends; caisson disease.SYN: diver's palsy.
SEE: aeroembolism.
Affected patients should be transported to specialized treatment centers where recompression or hyperbaric chambers are available.
folk i.A disease or condition found only in specific societies, ethnic groups, or cultures. Often the culture has causal explanations for these illnesses, as well as preventive and treatment measures. Well-known examples are present in the Hispanic American culture, e.g., empacho, caida de mollera, mal de ojo, susto. These are diagnosed and treated by folk healers called curand eros. Some other examples of folk illnesses include amok and piblokto, though numerous other examples exist within multiple cultures.
functional i.Functional disease.
heat i.A general term for the harmful effects on the human body when exposed to high temperature and /or humidity.
SEE: table - Examination Findings of Heat Illnesses; heat cramp; heat exhaustion for table; heatstroke; syncope.
ABBR: ILI
Any disease of the respiratory tract that causes cough, fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, and fatigue. ILI can be caused by rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, rickettsia, and other infectious microorganisms.intercurrent i.Intercurrent disease.
mass psychogenic i.Mass sociogenic illness.
ABBR: MSI
An unexplained, self-limiting illness characterized by nonspecific symptoms among people in a social setting such as a school, workplace, church, or military group. The onset is usually rapid and may occur after an unusual or peculiar odor is detected. Symptoms may include dizziness, weakness, headache, abdominal pain, rash, itching, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, and fainting. There are no laboratory studies to confirm a cause. Resolution of the mass illness may occur when those affected are reassured that it is not due to a toxic substance or disease. SYN: mass psychogenic illness.mental i.Any disorder that affects mood or behavior. SYN: mental disorder.
occupational i.Any acute or chronic disorder associated with or caused by an individual's occupation.
SEE: table - Representative Occupational Illnesses;chronic lead poisoning.
SEE: somatoform disorder.
Southern tick–associated rash i.
SEE: Southern tick–associated rash illness.
terminal i.A final, fatal illness.
The health care professional supports the patient and family by anticipating their loss and grief and helps the patient to deal with fear, pain and suffering, hopelessness, dependency, disability, loss of self-esteem, and loss of pleasure. Hospice care is provided if desired and available. The patient receives caring comfort and help in adjusting to decreased quality of life to ensure that death occurs with dignity.