Health, Illness and Disease Flashcards
Definition of health
State of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Definition of chronic illness
Long/lifetime duration that needs long term care
What is the WHO definition of health
What are the current criticisms of this definition
State of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Is complete wellbeing possible?
-demographic shifts and increase in chronic illnesses
What 5 factors can be involved in health
Definitions vary by nationality, culture, social class, age
- absence of illness
- whether it disrupts our ability to function day to day
- fitness, wellbeing
- willpower, self discipline, self control
- moral duty
What is the difference between disease and illness
Disease
-Alteration in biological functioning
Illness
-Innately human experiences of symptoms and suffering
Can you have disease without illness?
Give and example
Early stage cancer
- asymptomatic
- normal symptoms/ordinary
Symptoms not perceived as illness/serious
Can you have illness without disease
Medically unexplained symptoms
-CFS, myalgic encephalopathy
Distress experienced but biological origin is unknown
What is chronic illness and why is it a concern
Describe the current prevalence of chronic illness
Long/lifetime duration that needs long term care
Major cause of mortality in high income states, increasing in middle and low income states
Changing demographics => increase in elderly => increase in prevalence
What is the role of the doctor in chronic illness if it can’t be cured
Help people manage their chronic illness
Help people prevent chronic illness from getting worse
How would you help stop chronic illnesses from developing/getting worse
Address individual behaviours
Address environment, make it conducive for preventing chronic illness
Address population level behaviours
What are the effects of living with a chronic condition
Managing symptoms, medical treatment
Daily practicalities
Work and finances
Social relationships
Psychological consequences
Existential
What are some common perceptions of chronic conditions and treatments
-why are some people non adherent to treatment
Not seen as an illness so doesnt need to be treated
Affordability of treatment
Dislike of side effects
Aim to treat underlying causes instead (stress)
Asymptomatic
Describe the medical model of impairment and disability
Impairment
-loss/abnormality of psychological, physiological, anatomical function
Disability
-any restriction/lack of ability to peform an activity in the manner/within the range of activity considered normal for a human
Describe the social model of impairment and disability
What are the solutions to the problems raised in the social model’s definition
Impairment and disability
-disabled by environment and negative attitudes in society
AIMS TO PROMOTE EQUALITY WHEN BARRIERS ARE REMOVED
Change laws, policies and attitudes
What is health related quality of life
Considers the impact of disease and the impact of treating the disease on social, physical, mental and emotional functioning
