"A Comprehensive Guide to Health Vocabulary in English"

How  To Talk About Health

In today’s class we will go over how to talk about health. The important thing to take away from this lesson is how to describe what you feel. It is common for students to feel like they must be perfect, however, the important thing is to be understood. If you do not feel well, do not to speak perfectly, try to be understood!

We will have a list of adjectives and vocabulary and then after there will be functional language for you to use if you need to go to the doctor’s office or clinic.

Lethargy

• Definition: A state of tiredness or lack of energy.

• Examples:

• After a long day at work, Sarah felt lethargy and decided to take a nap.

• The heat made everyone feel a sense of lethargy, so they took a break in the shade.

Lethargic

• Definition: Feeling tired or lacking in energy.

• Examples:

• Lisa was lethargic after staying up late studying for exams.

• The rainy weather made the kids feel lethargic and unwilling to play outside.

Fever

• Definition: A higher than normal body temperature, often a sign of illness.

• Examples:

• Mark had a fever, so he stayed home from school to rest.

• The doctor recommended rest and fluids to reduce the fever.

Temperature

• Definition: The degree of hotness or coldness in the body or the environment.

• Examples:

• The nurse measured the patient's temperature with a thermometer.

• In hot weather, it's important to stay hydrated to regulate body temperature.

Weak

• Definition: Lacking physical strength or energy.

• Examples:

• After the long hike, Sarah's legs felt weak, and she needed to sit down.

• Being sick made Tom feel weak, so he stayed in bed all day.

-Itis (suffix)

• Definition: A suffix indicating inflammation of a specific part of the body.

• Examples:

• Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils.

• Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints.

Inflammation

• Definition: A localized physical condition where part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.

• Examples:

• The doctor prescribed medication to reduce the inflammation in Jane's knee.

• Allergic reactions can lead to inflammation and discomfort.

Swollen

• Definition: Enlarged or puffed up, usually as a result of injury or illness.

• Examples:

• After the bee sting, Sarah's hand became swollen.

• The injured ankle was swollen, so she applied an ice pack.

Swelling

• Definition: The condition of being swollen.

• Abnormal enlargement of a body part due to inflammation or fluid build up.

• Examples:

• The swelling in his face went down after taking the prescribed medication.

• Ice can help reduce swelling after a minor injury.

Pain

• Definition: The physical suffering or discomfort caused by injury or illness.

• Examples:

• Emma felt a sharp pain in her shoulder after lifting a heavy box.

• The dentist relieved the toothache pain with a filling.

Aches

• Definition: A continuous, dull pain.

• Examples:

• After the workout, Maria experienced aches in her muscles.

• Rest and a warm bath can alleviate the aches and pains.

Headache

• Definition: A continuous pain in the head.

• Examples:

• Sally took a break from studying because she had a headache.

• Drinking water and resting can help relieve a mild headache.

Backache

• Definition: A continuous pain in the back.

• Examples:

• John's backache was relieved after using a heating pad.

• Poor posture can contribute to backaches.

Earache

• Definition: A continuous pain in the ear.

• Examples:

• The child couldn't sleep due to an earache and was taken to the doctor.

• Swimmer's ear can lead to discomfort and earaches.

Toothache

• Definition: A continuous pain in the tooth.

• Examples:

• Tom visited the dentist to address his severe toothache.

• Chewing on ice can sometimes trigger a toothache.

Upset stomach

• Definition: A feeling of discomfort or nausea in the stomach.

• Examples:

• Eating too quickly can result in an upset stomach.

• Ginger tea is often recommended for soothing an upset stomach.

Constipation

• Definition: A condition where bowel movements are infrequent or difficult.

• Examples:

• Drinking plenty of water can help relieve constipation.

• A diet rich in fiber can prevent constipation.

Diarrhea

• Definition: A condition where bowel movements are frequent and watery.

• Examples:

• Food poisoning can lead to diarrhea.

• The doctor advised plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration during diarrhea.

Tylenol

• Definition: A brand name for a common pain reliever and fever reducer (acetaminophen).

• Examples:

• Mary took Tylenol to relieve her headache.

• The doctor recommended Tylenol for reducing fever.

Advil

• Definition: A brand name for a common over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen).

• Examples:

• After twisting her ankle, Sarah took Advil to reduce inflammation and pain.

• The doctor suggested Advil for relieving muscle aches.

Antibiotics

• Definition: Medications that inhibit the growth of or destroy bacteria.

• Examples:

• The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.

• It's important to finish the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed.

Prescribe

• Definition: To authorize or recommend the use of a particular medicine or treatment.

• Examples:

• The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

• The pharmacist can prescribe over-the-counter medication for minor ailments.

Prescription

• Definition: A written order from a doctor for a specific medication.

• Examples:

• Tom took his prescription to the pharmacy to get his medication.

• The doctor gave a prescription for cough syrup to relieve the symptoms.

Food poisoning

• Definition: Illness caused by consuming contaminated food or water.

• Examples:

• The picnic resulted in food poisoning for several attendees.

• Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea and vomiting.

Allergy

• Definition: An abnormal immune system response to a substance that is usually harmless.

• Examples:

• Julia has an allergy to peanuts and avoids all peanut products.

• Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing and itchy eyes.

Sore throat

• Definition: A painful or irritated condition of the throat.

• Examples:

• Drinking warm tea with honey can soothe a sore throat.

• A sore throat is a common symptom of a cold. 

Cough

• Definition: A sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, often as a result of irritation or infection.

• Examples:

• Linda took cough drops to alleviate her persistent cough.

• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing helps prevent the spread of germs.

A cold

• Definition: A common viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms like a runny nose and cough.

• Examples:

• Sarah caught a cold and stayed home to rest and recover.

• Drinking plenty of fluids can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold.

The flu

• Definition: Short for influenza, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

• Examples:

• Mary got the flu vaccine to protect herself from getting sick.

• Symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, and fatigue.

Rash

• Definition: A change in the skin's color or texture, often accompanied by redness or irritation.

• Examples:

• After touching a plant, Jane developed a rash on her arm.

• Some allergies can cause a rash as a skin reaction.

Dizzy

• Definition: Feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or as if the surroundings are spinning.

• Examples:

• After spinning around in circles, the child felt dizzy and had to sit down.

• Getting up too quickly from bed may make you feel dizzy for a moment.

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I have/ I feel/ I am

I have and I feel, are used to describe how we feel and/or what we are experiencing.

I feel+ adjective.

·        The phrase "I feel + adjective" is a simple structure used to express emotions, physical sensations, or states of being. Here are some examples:

I feel lethargic.

• After a long day at work, she felt lethargic and decided to rest.

I feel swollen.

• After the insect bite, her arm felt swollen and warm.

I feel upset.

• Eating spoiled food can make you feel upset and nauseous.

I feel constipated.

• A lack of fiber in the diet can make some people feel constipated and uncomfortable.

I feel dizzy.

• Standing up too quickly can make you feel dizzy for a moment.

I feel sore.

• After the intense workout, his muscles felt sore and tender.

I feel feverish.

• Wrapped in blankets, she felt feverish and decided to take a sick day from work.

I feel weak.

• Recovering from the flu, he still felt weak and needed to take it easy.

I feel itchy.

• Coming into contact with certain plants can make your skin feel itchy and irritated.

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Now you can also describe how you feel using the verb be.

I am worried.

• Noticing the persistent cough, he was worried about his health.

I am constipated.

• A lack of hydration can cause a person to be constipated and uncomfortable.

I am lightheaded.

• Standing up too quickly can cause a person to be lightheaded for a moment.

I am achy.

• In cold weather, joints can be achy and stiff.

  I am itchy.

•    Exposure to certain fabrics can cause the skin to be itchy and irritated.

   I am in pain.

•    The toothache caused him to be in pain, prompting a visit to the dentist.

.   I am exhausted.

•    After the long journey, she was exhausted and needed a good night's sleep.

   My wrist is swollen.

• I fell and hurt my wrist, now it is swollen.

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I have

·        I have is used to talk about pain and can be used to describe how you are breathing.

I have a headache.

• After a long day at work, I have a persistent headache.

I have a backache.

• Gardening for hours yesterday, I have a noticeable backache today.

I have an earache.

• Since I went swimming without earplugs, I have a bothersome earache.

I have a toothache.

• Eating ice cream too quickly, I have a sudden and sharp toothache.

I have stomach pain.

• Trying a new dish, I have stomach pain, probably from the unfamiliar spices.

I have joint pain.

• With the changing weather, I have increased joint pain.

I have muscle pain.

• Overexerting myself at the gym, I have muscle pain the next day.

I have chest pain.

• Feeling stressed lately, I have occasional chest pain.

I have abdominal pain.

• Eating too much greasy food, I have abdominal pain now.

I have migraines.

• Bright lights and stress trigger migraines, so I have migraines occasionally.

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Now for breathing and respiration issues.

I have difficulty breathing.

• Climbing the stairs quickly, I have difficulty breathing.

I have shortness of breath.

• After a brisk walk, I have shortness of breath.

I have wheezing.

• During allergy season, I have wheezing due to pollen in the air.

I have chest tightness.

• With anxiety, I have chest tightness from time to time.

I have a cough.

• Catching a cold, I have a persistent cough.

I have difficulty taking deep breaths.

• After recovering from a respiratory infection, I have difficulty taking deep breaths.

I have a congested chest.

• Having a cold, I have a congested chest and find it challenging to breathe deeply.

I have labored breathing.

• Experiencing high altitude, I have labored breathing.

I have a wheezing sound when breathing.

• Being around smoke, I have a wheezing sound when breathing.

I have pain when breathing deeply.

• After a vigorous workout, I have pain when breathing deeply.

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Ache vs Pain

"Ache" and "pain" are both terms used to describe discomfort or distress, especially in the context of physical sensations, but they are often used in slightly different ways.

Ache:

• Definition: A continuous, dull pain or discomfort. It is often associated with a persistent, throbbing sensation.

• Examples:

• "I have an ache in my lower back after sitting for hours."

• "After the long hike, my legs were aching."

Pain:

• Definition: A general term for a physical sensation of discomfort, often ranging from mild to severe. It can be sharp, throbbing, or aching.

• Examples:

• "The sudden pain in my shoulder took me by surprise."

• "She experienced pain in her abdomen after eating spicy food."

Distinguishing Factors:

Intensity:

• "Pain" is a broader term that can encompass a wide range of sensations, from mild to severe.

• "Ache" often suggests a milder, continuous discomfort rather than intense pain.

Duration:

• "Ache" may imply a more persistent and prolonged discomfort.

• "Pain" can be more varied in terms of duration, ranging from momentary to chronic.

Nature:

• "Ache" is often associated with a dull, continuous sensation.

• "Pain" can encompass sharp, throbbing, stabbing, or aching sensations.

Usage:

• Both terms are often used interchangeably, and the choice between them can be subjective. Context and personal preference play a role in how individuals describe their sensations.

Usage in Examples:

• If someone says, "I have an ache in my muscles after exercising," it suggests a continuous, mild discomfort.

• If someone says, "I have pain in my tooth," it may imply a more acute or sharp sensation.

In everyday language, people might use "ache" and "pain" somewhat interchangeably based on personal preferences or the specific nuance they want to convey.

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Sore

"Sore" is another term commonly used to describe discomfort or pain, particularly in the context of physical sensations. Here's how it differs from "ache" and "pain":

Sore:

• Definition: Soreness is a state of being tender, painful, or irritated, often as a result of injury, strain, or inflammation.

• Examples:

• "After the intense workout, my muscles were sore for a couple of days."

• "I have a sore throat, so I'll drink hot tea to soothe it."

Distinguishing Factors:

Cause:

• "Ache" and "pain" can be general terms for discomfort, while "sore" often implies a specific cause, such as muscle strain, injury, or inflammation.

Characteristics:

• "Sore" often describes a tender or irritated feeling rather than a sharp or throbbing pain.

Usage:

• "Sore" is commonly used to describe specific areas of the body that are tender or painful due to a particular reason, such as sore muscles, a sore throat, or a sore spot.

Usage in Examples:

• "After running a marathon, I felt sore all over my body."

• "She had a sore back from lifting heavy boxes."

In summary, while "ache," "pain," and "sore" share similarities in describing physical discomfort, "sore" often emphasizes tenderness or irritation resulting from specific causes like muscle strain or inflammation. The choice of term can depend on the context and the nature of the discomfort being described.