Disease is an abnormal condition of the body. It is caused by either physical or chemical factors. The disease can be acute or chronic. Acute disease is a disease that occurs suddenly and disappears quickly after treatment. Chronic disease is a long term illness which requires treatment for a long period of time. There are various types of diseases. Some are infectious, others are non-infectious and some are inherited.
Infectious Diseases: Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. They spread from person to person through contact with contaminated objects such as food, water, air, or infected animals.
Non-infectious Diseases: Non-infectious diseases are those which are not caused by microorganisms. Examples of non-infectious diseases are cancer, diabetes mellitus, asthma, arthritis, heart disease and AIDS.
Inherited Diseases: Inherited diseases are genetic disorders caused by certain genes that are passed down from parents to their children. These diseases cannot be prevented but they can be treated if detected early. Examples of inherited diseases are sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s chorea and Tay-Sachs disease.
Treatment of Disease: Treatment of disease is based on the type of disease and its severity. In mild cases, it may require no treatment. For example, if you have a cold, you can just take medication to relieve your symptoms. However, in severe cases, it may require medical attention. If you have fever, you should see your doctor. He will check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate. You will also undergo other tests to determine if there is any other cause for your fever. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to bring down your fever and to treat other symptoms.
In some cases, doctors may recommend that you go through surgery to remove part of the diseased organ. This is done to prevent further damage to the organ and to remove the source of infection. In other cases, the diseased organ may need to be removed completely. This may be done because the organ has become too large to function normally. The diseased organ may also be removed to prevent further spread of infection.
