Health

your health deteriorates

My aunt’s health deteriorated rapidly last year and she died in December.

look after your health

Remember to look after your health, and it will look after you!

nurse back to health

After his illness, his wife nursed him back to health.

your health improves

My daughter’s health has improved a lot since she stopped eating dairy products.

your health causes concern

The President’s health is causing great concern. The doctors are not sure if he will survive the night.

health reasons

I gave up smoking for health reasons.

a health risk

In the 1980s, the British were not aware of the health risks of eating meat.

the health service

This country has an excellent health service.

a health hazard

Increasing levels of pollution are becoming a major health hazard.

a health warning

In most countries, cigarette packets carry a health warning.

bad for your health

Smoking is bad for your health. So give up now!

harmful to your health

A high fat diet is harmful to your health, so cut down on butter!

essential for good health

Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health.

do wonders for your health

Did you know that keeping a pet can do wonders for your health? It is a fact that people with cats and dogs visit the doctor less often those who don’t have pets.

Notes   

Note the verbs we use to describe a loss of health:

• He was fine when I last saw him, but since then his health has taken a turn for the worse.
• My grandfather has been a fit man all his life, but at 96 his health is failing.

Note the following ways of describing good health and bad health:

• At the age of seventy-three she is still enjoying good health.
• My father is 91 and he’s blessed with excellent health. He’s never ill.
• The baby was in perfect health and weighed 4.1 kilograms at birth.
• He had been dogged by bad health all his life. He’s never been well.
• He wanted t continue working, but he was forced to resign because of ill health.
• It is a well-known fact that poverty and poor health go hand in hand.
• My mother is now 88 and her health is fragile.

Note these noun + of + health expressions:

• Regular exercise can make a big difference to your state of health.
• After a series of tests and examinations the doctors have given him a clean bill of health.

 

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Illness

suffer from an illness

One in four people will suffer from some kind of mental illness at some point in their lives.

cause an illness

She’s having some tests done to find out what’s causing her illness.

treat an illness

There is no cure for diabetes, but the illness can be treated with insulin.

recover from an illness

My sister hasn’t fully recovered from her illness. She’s still off work.

have an illness

I’ve had all the normal childhood illnesses – measles, mumps, chickenpox, etc.

diagnose an illness

They’re having difficulty diagnosing my illness. I’m having more tests next week.

a sudden illness

The night before the 100-meter final, Christie was struck down by a sudden illness. As a result, he had to withdraw from the race.

a long illness

Elvin Moon has died after a long illness. He battled for years against throat cancer.

a serious illness

TB used to be a really serious illness, but now it can be cured relatively easily.

a chronic illness

Older people with a chronic illness, like arthritis, can easily become depressed and exhausted.

a full recovery from an illness

At the moment, it’s impossible to say whether she’ll make a full recovery from her illness or not.

the cause of an illness

The doctors have attributed the cause of her illness to an unknown virus.

a symptom of an illness

A persistent cough is one of the symptoms of the illness.

a recurrence of an illness

He’s fine now and he’s back at work but he’s afraid of a recurrence of the illness.

the extent of an illness

I think he’s keeping the true extent of his illness from me. I know it’s far more serious than he has told me.

Note   

Note the following:

• He missed three days of work through illness. (because he was ill)

 

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Disease and infection

prevent diseases

We all know that regular exercise helps to prevent heart disease.

suffer from a disease

My son suffers from motor neuron disease and need 24-hour care.

contract/get a disease

Almost all the people who contract the disease make a completely recovery.

eradicate diseases

Advances in medicine have eradicated many of the terrible diseases of the past, such as smallpox.

a fatal disease

Hepatitis is a potentially fatal disease. If you’re not treated early, you could die.

an infectious disease

The disease is so rare that the doctors have isolated him from other patients.

a rare disease

My uncle suffers from an incurable blood disease. Only one in a million have it.

an incurable disease

The government must act quickly to halt the spread of the disease.

resistance to a disease

A good diet helps the body to build up resistance to disease.

a cure for a disease

The race has begun to find a cure for this new disease.

an outbreak of a disease

Doctors were sent to the area after a sudden outbreak of the disease.

suffer from an infection

He’s having trouble breathing. He’s suffering from a chest infection.

prevent infection

Always apply antiseptic cream to minor cuts to prevent infection.

clear up an infection

The doctor prescribed some drops to clear up my ear infection.

an infection spreads

If the skin infection isn’t treated, it could spread from your legs to your body.

Note   

Note these noun + preposition + infection expressions:

• I’m afraid these masks offer very little protection against infection.
• The doctor examined the cut on his leg for signs of infection.

 

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Stress

relieve stress

Massage can help to relieve headaches, stress, and pains. It Is a relaxation technique which has been used for centuries.

suffer from stress

Worried by a number of recent suicides, the university has set up a new service to help students who are suffering from stress.

cope with stress

I don’t know how she copes with the stress of bringing up two disabled children on her own. I certainly couldn’t handle it.

thrive on stress

I work better when things are difficult. I think I thrive on stress.

place stress on you

Decisions about who should look after a sick child often place considerable stress on working couples.

in moments of stress

In moments of great stress, I close my eyes and imagine I’m on a sunny beach.

a source of stress

A common source of stress in the workplace is having to do the work of colleagues who are off sick.

the effects of stress

Nowadays people are more aware of the damaging effects of stress on the body.

a sign of stress

Not being able to relax and sleep is often a sign of stress.

levels of stress

High levels of stress are a common feature of modern life. People today are more wound up and tense than they were in previous generations.

Notes   

Note the common expressions with ‘under stress’:

• People under a lot of stress may experience headaches, fatigue, and sleeping problems.
• Considering the amount of stress she’s under, it’s not surprising she gets angry so easily.
• I think the stress I was under at the time affected my judgment, and that was why I made some these mistakes.

Note the following expressions:

• Because of the rapid increase in stress-related illness in recent years, many companies have started providing courses in stress management for all their staff.

Note these expressions, then think of other ways o completing them:

• One way of dealing with stress is to think positively.
• You can escape from the stresses and strains of life by going for a long walk in the countryside.

 

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Smoking and drugs (illegal)

give up smoking

I had to give up smoking for health reasons. It’s now two years since I quit.

cut down on smoking

I used to be a heavy smoker but I’ve managed to cut down in recent months.

refrain from smoking

The sign on the wall said, ‘Please refrain from smoking in the waiting room’.

approve of smoking

I don’t approve of smoking in restaurants. I think it should be banned.

take up smoking

I took up smoking when I was 12 and I’ve been a heavy smoker ever since.

take/use drugs

I don’t do drugs. I’ve never taken drugs at any time in my life.

legalize drugs

I think the crime rate would decrease if soft drugs like cannabis were legalized.

come off drugs

He says he’s now clean. He came off drugs a year ago.

supply drugs

It was his best friend who supplied him with the drugs that killed him.

seize drugs

UK customs officials have just seized drugs with a street value of $2 million.

smuggle drugs

Anyone caught smuggling drugs into the country faces the death penalty.

drug addict

AIDS can be spread by drug addicts sharing needles.

drug dealer

He’s a known drug dealer who’s often seen pushing drugs outside the local café.

drug overdose

The rock star, Lentrix, died of a drug overdose in a New York hotel in 1969.

drug abuse

All parents should be aware of the early signs of drug abuse.

drug habit

Many addicts are forced to turn to crime in order to support their drug habit.

drug trafficking

Drug trafficking is an international problem. Police forces around the world are now working together in an effort to stop it.

Notes   

Note the verbs we use to describe the effects of smoking:

• Smoking can seriously damage your health.
• Passive smoking kills thousands of people every year.
• It is now an accepted fact that smoking causes lung cancer.

Note the following ways of saying that you can’t smoke in a particular place:

• In the interest of safety, smoking is forbidden/prohibited in this building.
• Passengers are reminded that smoking is not allowed/ not permitted on this aircraft.

Note these expressions with ‘drugs’:

• He always looks as though he’s on drug. (using drugs regularly)
• For years he was dependent on drugs, but he has finally managed to overcome his addiction.
• The President denied that he has experimented with drugs while he was a student.

 

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Pain

cause pain

An old sports injury is causing him a lot of pain at the moment.

bear the pain

I couldn’t bear the pain any longer, so I took some painkillers.

pain gets worse

The tablets might help, but if the pain persists or gets worse, see your doctor.

pain passes

The pain was so severe that I had to hold on to a chair until it passed.

complain of a pain

She’s been complaining of pains in her chest for few days. I’ve called the doctor.

a throbbing pain

I’ve had terrible toothache all night long – just a constant throbbing pain. I’m ringing the dentist.

a sudden pain

I just bent over to pick up my suitcase and I got this sudden pain in my back. I think I’ve done something!

a burning pain

I was cleaning some paintbrushes and I put my hand up to my eye. I must’ve got some paint in it. I suddenly got this burning pain in my left eye. That’s why I came straight round to the hospital.

unbearable pain

My poor grandmother was in the most unbearable pain for the last few months of her life.

constant pain

This pain never goes away. It’s just constant – night and day.

a dull pain

What’s the pain like? Is it a sharp pain or more of a dull pain?

alleviate pain

Unfortunately, the drugs did nothing to alleviate the pain.

relieve pain

Antacids relieve pain by neutralizing acid in the contents of the stomach.

ease the pain

After a tiring day at work, a hot bath can ease all your aches and pains.

soothe the pain

Rub this gel onto the baby’s gums and it will soothe the pain and stop her crying.

kill the pain

Morphine is given to accident victims to deaden or kill pain quickly.

Notes   

Note these expressions:

• He was in a lot of pain.
• I had a few minor aches and pains, but nothing serious.

Note these ways of describing someone with pain:

• The patient was screaming with pain.
• Stomach ulcers cause great distress. The patient is often bent double with pain.

We talk of back pain, chest pains, and growing pains (in children).

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Appointment, symptom, and test

make an appointment

Can I make an appointment to see Dr. Wilkins, please?

get an appointment

I’ll ring the surgery, but I don’t think I’ll get an appointment at such short notice.

miss an appointment

I missed my appointment at the clinic today. I forgot all about it.

cancel an appointment

I had a sore throat, so I had to phone up and cancel my dental appointment.

wait for an appointment

Unfortunately, you may have to wait up to six months for an appointment.

have an appointment

I won’t be at work tomorrow morning. I have an appointment with the dentist.

keep an appointment

A lot of valuable time is lost when patients fail to keep their appointments.

symptoms go away

Keep taking the medicine until your symptoms go away.

doctors treat symptoms

It is often said that Western medicine treats the symptoms and not the cause.

symptoms include headaches

The symptoms of the disease include a high temperature and vomiting.

symptoms persist

If these symptoms persist or get worse, consult your doctor.

show symptoms

My father is beginning to show the classic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

repeat a test

I’m afraid the blood tests were inconclusive, so we need to repeat them.

take a test

He says he’s willing to take a paternity test to prove he isn’t the child’s father.

do a test

We’ll need to do some tests to find out what’s causing your headaches.

have to have some tests

The specialist said that I have to have some blood tests to see what’s wrong.

Notes   

Note the prepositions in these expressions:

• Consultation is by appointment only.
• I have an appointment with Dr. Andrews tomorrow afternoon.
• I’ve got an appointment at the antenatal clinic this afternoon.

Note these expressions:

• The tests came back positive/negative.
• Her latest tests show that she is in the clear. (no longer has the medical problem)

We talk about ‘blood, eye, hearing and pregnancy tests’, and we ‘get our eyes and blood tested’.

Tests are specific whereas an examination is more general, so we use ‘examination’ and not ‘test’ in following sentence:

• A doctor will need to give you a full examination, and then he may decide he needs to do some tests.

 

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Treatment and cure

give treatment

The driver was given emergency treatment at the scene of the accident.

respond to treatment

My mother is responding well to treatment and should soon be able to walk again.

undergo treatment

Some cancer patients prefer to continue working while undergoing treatment.

need treatment

Ten prisoners needed medical treatment after a riot at the prison.

begin treatment

There’s a better chance of success if we begin the treatment as soon as possible.

a new treatment

Doctors are trying out a new treatment for asthma which involves special breathing exercises.

an effective treatment

A daily dose of aspirin is a simple but highly effective treatment for certain heart conditions.

various treatments

There are various treatments for this complaint – surgery is just one option, but so much depends on the individual patient.

urgent treatment

Three firefighters needed urgent medical treatment after breathing in toxic fumes.

free treatment

You get free dental treatment if you are under 18 or if you are pregnant.

no known cure

There is no known cure for the common cold.

a complete cure

The treatment won’t provide a complete cure for your back pain, but it will help to reduce it significantly.

an instant cure

I’m afraid there isn’t an instant cure for this condition. It will take three months of treatment with creams before your skin returns to normal.

Notes   

Note this expression:

• Thanks to the treatment, her condition has improved significantly. (as a result of the treatment)

Note these expressions with ‘cure’:

• Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in the search for cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Prevention is better than cure, so make sure you look after your health.
• I think it’s possible that a cure for cancer will be found in my lifetime.

 

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Operation and drug

perform an operation

Don’t worry. a very experienced brain surgeon will be performing the operation.

have an operation

My mother had an operation on her eye last month.

need an operation

I need a hip replacement operation, but the waiting list is over nine months.

survive the operation

The surgeon said that I only have a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the operation.

go through with an operation

I couldn’t go through with the operation – I was too scared.

an operation goes well or badly

The early indications are that the life-saving operation has gone well. Doctors expect the patient to make a full recovery.

take drugs

I have to take drugs daily for high blood pressure.

prescribe drugs

Your doctor may prescribe pain-killing drugs to make you more comfortable.

inject drugs

The drug works more effectively if it is injected directly into the bloodstream.

drugs are withdrawn

The drug had to be withdrawn after a number of people suffered serious side-effect.

drugs are approved

The painkiller, Nohex, is not available in the UK. It hasn’t been approved for use.

test drugs

New drugs are not allowed into the shops until they have been thoroughly tested.

a powerful drug

Powerful drugs are used to treat cancer and these can have unpleasant side-effects.

a fast-acting drug

It’s a fast-acting drug. It only takes a few minutes for the drug to begin to work.

a safe drug

The drug company claims that the drug is completely safe. It has been successfully tested on thousands of patients.

a wonder drug

Prozac has been hailed as a wonder drug – a cure for lots of mental problems.

Notes   

Note these useful expressions:

• The patient was fully conscious throughout the operation.
• The operation is performed under general anesthetic.
• Recovery from this type of operation is a slow and painful process.

Note these drug + verb collocations:

• The drug may affect your vision, so avoid driving while taking it.
• The effects of the drug will wear off in a couple of hours and you’ll be back to normal.

Note these expressions:

• This drug is not available over the counter. It is only available on prescription.
• I had an allergic reaction to the drug and had to stop taking it.