Maladie

Maladie, the French word for disease, is a broad medical term for a pathological condition that impairs normal bodily function. It covers a wide range of states, from acute infections to chronic conditions, and may affect any organ system. A maladie is typically identified by symptoms, signs, and an underlying or suspected cause.

Disease, illness, and syndrome denote related concepts with different emphases: disease refers to an objective abnormal state with a known mechanism; illness captures the patient's experience of unwellness; a syndrome groups symptoms that may not yet have a defined cause.

Maladies arise from infections, genetics, environment, lifestyle, or injury, and they are categorized by etiology, affected system, or course. Acute maladies begin suddenly and may be self-limited; chronic maladies persist and can be progressive or fluctuating.

Diagnosis relies on history, examination, and tests; treatment aims to cure, control symptoms, or prevent complications. Preventive measures include vaccination, hygiene, healthy lifestyle, and early screening when available.

Globally, the study of maladies informs public health, with metrics such as incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden guiding policy and resource allocation.

Historically, understanding of maladies has evolved from speculative theories to evidence-based medicine, with classifications such as the ICD providing standardized definitions.