At the Doctor

Health, Illness and Disease Vocabulary

pain
feeling in your body when you have been hurt or when you are ill,sick

·         Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her neck, shoulder, waist, arm, leg, stomach.

·         Take an aspirin to relieve the pain.

ache
continuous pain; feel a continuous pain

·         I can’t sleep because my head aches too bad.

·         I have a terrible headache, backache, stomach-ache.

ill
suffering from an illness or disease; not feeling well; sick

·         My elder sister is seriously ill in St John’s hospital.

·         The children started to feel ill an hour after the meal.

sick
physically or mentally ill; wanting to vomit

·         I feel very sick, I don’t think I can work today.

·         Be careful with the cake, too much of it can make you sick.

sore
painful (and often red) because of infection or because a muscle has been used too much

·         I have a sore throat, I mustn’t take that cold drink.

·         She says her stomach is still sore after the operation.

·         His feet were sore after the bicycle trip.

illness
the state of being physically or mentally ill

·         Our secretary missed a lot of work through illness last month.

·         Flu can be a serious illness if you aren’t careful enough.

disease
serious illness, often caused by infection

·         Peter’s uncle suffers from a rare blood disease.

·         A fatty diet increases the risk of heart disease.

·         The government is planning further health measures to prevent the spread of disease.

heal
become healthy again; make something, somebody healthy again, make somebody feel happy again

·         As I see it will take a long time for your wounds to heal.

·         This ointment will help to heal your scratches.

·         The tea you made really healed me.

cure
make somebody or something healthy again after an illness; make an illness go away

·         He was seriously ill for a long time, but the doctor cured him at last.

·         Scarlet fever is a serious illness, but it can be cured fairly fast.

cure
medicine or medical treatment that cures an illness; the act of curing or the process of being cured

·         There is no known cure for this illness but the it can be treated.

·         I’m afraid you must be taken to hospital for the cure.

treat
give medical care or attention to somebody or something; deal with something or somebody

·         I was treated for flu, but later I was diagnosed with pneumonia.

·         This illness is usually treated with antibiotics and a strict diet..

treatment
(the way or process of) curing an illness or injury or making somebody look and feel good; the way of dealing with something or somebody

·         Doctors apply various treatments for this illness.

·          My sister goes to a wellness centre to receive beauty treatments.

diagnose
define what an illness or the cause of a problem is

·         The blood test is used to diagnose all kinds of diseases.

·         She was diagnosed (as) (a) diabetic in her early childhood.

diagnosis
medical description of an illness or condition

·         The doctors didn’t share every detail of the diagnosis with the patient’s family.

·         We had to wait a lot for the exact diagnosis after the examination.

injury
harm done to the body, for example in an accident

·         They were lucky to escape the fight without serious injuries.

·         There were only minor injuries in the crash.

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injure
harm somebody or yourself physically, especially in an accident, receive/suffer an injury

·         He injured his finger when he was cutting the meat.

·         Nobody was killed in the accident, but two people were seriously injured.

wound
an injury to part of the body, especially one in which a hole is made in the skin

·         He died from the wounds that he had received in the crash.

·         He was taken to hospital although his wounds didn’t seem too serious.

cut
a wound caused by something sharp

·         He had such a deep cut on his arm that he was taken to hospital.

·         The victim had several cuts on his chest, still he survived.

bruise
a blue, brown or purple mark on the skin after somebody has fallen

·         He was covered in bruises at the end of the football match.

·         The man came to the surgery with a huge bruise over his eye.

scratch
rub your skin with your nails, usually because it’s itching; a mark or a small cut or injury made by scratching

·         The cat continuously scratched itself behind the ear.

·         She had a long scratch on her arm when she came out of the rose garden.

infection
illness caused by bacteria or a virus; the act or process of causing or getting a disease

·         Wash your hands carefully to decrease the risk of infection.

·         She almost died from blood infection.

inflammation
a condition when a part of the body becomes red, sore and swollen because of infection or injury

·         My knee was twice the size of the other one due to the inflammation.

·         You had better not eat fatty food so soon after your stomach inflammation.

symptom
a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy

·         You don’t necessarily need a doctor with symptoms like a headache or sore throat.

·         Depression can cause physical symptoms, too.

temperature
the measurement of how hot your body is

·         have a temperature – when your temperature is higher than normal due to illness

·         I feel so weak, I think I have a temperature.

·         She had such a high temperature that she was immediately taken to hospital.

fever
a medical condition in which someone has a temperature that is higher than normal; a particular type of disease with high temperature

·         Did you take aspirin to reduce the fever?

·         Our daughter has been diagnosed with scarlet fever.

cold
illness affecting the nose and/or throat, making you cough and/or sneeze

·         I think I caught a cold on the ice rink yesterday.

·         She can’t come to school, she’s in bed with a cold.

flu
a very bad cold, an infectious disease with fever, pains and weakness

·         Please don’t visit us this week, the whole family has the flu.

·         If you’re not careful enough and you don’t take antibiotics, you may even die from the flu.

vomit
discharge stomach contents through the mouth

·         There must have been something wrong with the food as both children vomited shortly after the meal.

·         I’m afraid I’m pregnant; I vomit after getting up every morning.

medicine
a substance that you drink or swallow so as to cure an illness

·         You look so pale. Haven’t you taken your medicine this morning?

·         The doctor prescribed three kinds of medicine for me.

antibiotics
medicine that kills bacteria and cures infections

·         My mum’s throat infection went away after she started the antibiotics.

·         Hot tea won’t be enough to cure your flu, I think you also need antibiotics.

pain killer
kind of medicine that takes away some or all of the discomfort of an illness or injury

·         I had such a horrible headache last night that I took two pain killers.

·         She says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea to take pain killers too often.

blood pressure
the rate at which blood flows through the body

·         Drink some coffee if you feel your blood pressure is too low.

·         High blood pressure increases the risk of having a heart attack.

pulse
the regular beat of blood as it is sent around the body

·         The doctor started the examination with taking my pulse and blood pressure.

·         He has such a weak pulse that it’s hard to feel.

x-ray
a photograph of a somebody’s bones and organs

·         They took x-rays of my knee to make sure it wasn’t broken.

·         The doctor says that the x-ray has proved his suspicion of cancer, but I don’t believe him.

patient
a person staying in a hospital or medical facility

·         The doctor examined the patient very carefully but he didn’t find any disorder.

·         There were so many patients in the doctor’s surgery that I didn’t wait and I went home.

surgery
a place where a doctor or dentist sees patients; medical treatment of injuries or diseases involving cutting open somebody’s body

·         I wanted to see a doctor but the surgery was closed.

·         I hope they can cure me with medicine and I don’t need undergo surgery.

operation
cutting open a part of somebody’s body in order to remove or cure a part

·         The operation was successful but the patient died.

·         The doctor says I can hardly escape an operation.

operate on somebody (for something)
cut open a part of somebody’s body in order to remove or cure a part

·         He soon recovered after he was operated on for appendicitis.

·         The doctor ordered to take my brother to hospital and they will operate on himtomorrow.

operating theatre
a room in a hospital used for medical operations

·         The patient died on the way to the operating theatre.

·         She felt nervous as she looked round the operating theatre.

chemist’s (shop)
a shop where medicine is sold

·         The doctor suggested to go to the chemist’s for the medicine straight from the surgery.

·         This syrup is also sold in the supermarket, so you don’t need to go to the chemist’s.

prescription
an official piece of paper filled out by a doctor with which you can get medicine from a chemist’s shop

·         Unfortunately, the doctor forgot to sign the prescription and so the chemist refused to give me the medicine. 

Keep this prescription even though you don’t need the medicine now; you may need it later.

Illness expressions

·         feel ill, sick

·         have a temperature

·         have a pain in your back, chest, waist, arm, shoulder

·         have a headache

·         feel weak

·         feel dizzy

·         suffer from stomach cramps

·         have a black eye

·         have a swollen, sprained ankle, wrist, foot

·         have a lump

·         have a broken leg

·         have a fracture

·         burn, cut a finger

·         sprain an ankle

·         be allergic to antibiotics

·         produce an allergic reaction

·         come down with a cold

·         be in bed with a cold

·         have a heart attack, stroke

·         suffer from asthma, malnutrition, diabetes

·         fight cancer, depression, addiction, alcoholism

·         (go to) see a doctor

·         examine a patient

·         take, feel your pulse

·         take, measure your temperature

·         diagnose an illness, disease

·         diagnose a condition, disorder

·         prescribe medicine

·         make up a prescription

·         take someone to hospital

·         undergo an examination, operation

·         dress a wound

·         a bandaged arm, leg

·         put on a plaster

·         give an injection

·         have a blood test

·         prevent the spread of disease

·         enhance, build immunity to a disease

Common Illnesses and Diseases in English

·         flu

·         cold

·         diarrhoea

·         pneumonia

·         mumps

·         measles

·         chickenpox

·         scarlet fever

·         tonsillitis

·         bronchitis

·         indigestion

·         ulcer

·         appendicitis

·         hepatitis

·         heart attack

·         heart disease

·         stroke

·         arthritis

·         asthma

·         lung cancer

·         diabetes

·         amnesia

·         nervous breakdown

Medicine, Medical Equipments and Tools

·         pill

·         tablet

·         capsule

·         syrup

·         ointment

·         cream

·         eye drops

·         injection

·         tranquilizer

·         pain-killer

·         antiseptic

·         antifebrile

·         dressing

·         bandage

·         cast

·         brace

·         gauze

·         plaster

·         elastic tape

·         thermometer

·         stethoscope

·         syringe, forceps, scissors, oxygen mask, test tube, vial, IV bag, blood pressure monitor, crutches, wheelchair 

Medical Specialists List

Allergist: treats food and environmental allergies
Anaesthesiologist: provides pain prevention during surgery
Cardiologist: heart specialist
Dentist: tooth specialist
Dermatologist: skin specialist
Gynecologist: specializes in women’s needs
Midwife: helps women deliver babies
Neurologist: brain specialist
Oncologist: tumour specialist
Ophthalmologist: deals with eye diseases
Pediatrician: treats babies and children
Physical therapist: specializes in the body’s movement
Psychiatrist: mental health specialist
Radiologist: specializes in imaging tests (x-ray, etc.)

What to say at the doctor?

Going to Doctor

·         I think you should see a doctor.

·         You look very pale. Shall I call the ambulance?

·         I’m ill. I don’t feel well. I need a doctor. I must see a doctor.

·         Doctor Bulb’s surgery hours are from 9 to 12 every morning.

·         Where do I find the GP’s office? (general practitioner – a doctor who is trained in general medicine working in the local community)

·         What are the consulting hours of the ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist?

·         Do I have to make an appointment?

Doctor’s Questions and Answers to Patient

·         What’s the matter? Where’s the pain? What do you complain of?

·         Have you taken your temperature?

·         For how long have you been feeling ill?

·         Take your clothes off. I’ll examine you. Let me take your pulse, please.

·         I’ll measure your blood pressure.

·         Your blood pressure is rather high. Your blood pressure is too low.

·         Let me sound your back. Take a deep breath. I’ll check your lungs.

·         Can I have a look? Where does it hurt?

·         Does it hurt here? Breath out slowly.

·         Show me your tongue. Poke out your tongue.

·         Have you got any other symptoms?

·         What infectious diseases have you had?

·         What have you eaten/drunk?

·         Have you been injured?

·         Don’t worry. There’s no serious problem.

·         I don’t think it’s too serious.

·         You’ve got to be vaccinated against tetanus.

·         You must stay in bed and take this medicine three times a day, after meals.

·         I’ll dress the wound and put a plaster on your arm.

·         You must follow a diet, you need to rest and you shouldn’t worry.

·         Your test results have come in. The blood test came back negative.

·         The biopsy shows a tumour.

·         You should consult a specialist.

·         We’ll know more in a few days.

·         It would be better if you went to hospital.

·         I think you’ll have to stay in hospital for a week.

·         Hopefully, there won’t be any complications.

·         I don’t think you need chemotherapy.

·         I’ll give you a prescription. Take this medicine three times a day / after meals / an hour before lunch.

·         You’ll soon be well again.

·         Come back next week if you don’t feel better.

Patient Symptoms 

·         I’ve got a high temperature.

·         I feel really rough. I’m shattered/exhausted.

·         Could you check my blood pressure? I’ve got high blood pressure.

·         There’s a sharp pain here. I’ve got a pain in my limbs.

·         I feel dizzy. I’ve got a kidney problem. I’ve lost weight.

·         I always feel bad after meals. I’ve got a stomach ache.

·         I’ve got a splitting headache. I often have nosebleeds.

·         I have diarrhoea. I’ve lost my appetite.

·         I’ve got circulation problems. I sweat all night.

·         My ears are buzzing. I’ve got an upset stomach.

·         I’ve sprained my wrist/ankle. My hand/foot is badly swollen.

·         I think I’ve pulled a muscle in my leg/arm.

·         I’ve had scarlet fever, mumps, the measles.

·         Is it something serious? Is this a common problem at my age?

·         When will the tests results come in? Are you going to run more tests?

·         Do I have to be operated on? Will I need surgery?

·         How long do I have to stay in hospital?

·         I hope there won’t be any complications.

·         Could you prescribe some medicine for me?

·         How often should I take this medicine?

·         Shall I come back next week if I don’t get better?

At the dentist’s

·         I’ve got a pain in my back teeth and my gum is bleeding.

·         I’ve lost a filling. My denture’s broken.

·         Does the tooth have to be extracted or can you replace the filling?

At the chemist’s

·         Would you make up this prescription for me?

·         Shake well before use. Not to be taken orally.

·         Can I get a packet of vitamin tablets?