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acute | sharp; having intense, often severe symptoms and a short course |
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chronic | a condition that develops slowly and persists over a period of time |
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benign | mild or noncancerous |
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malignant | harmful or cancerous |
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degeneration | gradual deterioration of normal cells and body functions |
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degenerative disease | any disease in which deterioration of the structure or function of tissue occurs |
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diagnosis | determination of the presence of a disease based on an evaluation of symptoms, signs, and test findings (results) (dia = through; gnosis = knowing) |
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etiology | study of the cause of a disease (etio = cause) |
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exacerbation | increase in the severity of a disease, with aggravation of symptoms (ex = out; acerbo = harsh) |
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remission | a period in which symptoms and signs stop or abate |
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febrile | relating to a fever (elevated temperature) |
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idiopathic | a condition occurring without a clearly identified cause (idio = one's own) |
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localized | limited to a definite area or part |
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systemic | relating to the whole body rather than to only a part |
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malaise | a feeling of uneasiness or discomfort; often the first indication of illness |
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marked | significant |
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morbidity | sick; a diseased state |
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mortality | the state of being subject to death |
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prognosis | foreknowledge; prediction of the likely outcome of a disease based on the general health status of the patient along with knowledge of the usual course of the disease; often noted in one word (e.g., “Prognosis: good”) |
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progressive | pertaining to the advance of a condition as the signs and symptoms increase in severity |
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prophylaxis | a process or measure that prevents disease (pro = before; phylassein = guard) |
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recurrent | to occur again; describes a return of symptoms and signs after a period of quiescence (rest or inactivity) |
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sequela | a disorder or condition usually resulting from a previous disease or injury |
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sign | a mark; objective evidence of disease that can be seen or verified by an examiner |
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symptom | subjective evidence of disease that is perceived by the patient and often noted in his or her own words |
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syndrome | a running together; combination of symptoms and signs that give a distinct clinical picture indicating a particular condition or disease (e.g., menopausal syndrome) |
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noncontributory | not involved in bringing on the condition or result |
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unremarkable | common; not out of the ordinary or significant |