Mittehaigused

Mittehaigused is Estonian for “non-diseases” and refers to health-related phenomena that do not meet the biomedical criteria for a disease. It is not a formal diagnostic category or a part of standard medical classifications such as the ICD. The term is sometimes used in health education and public discourse to distinguish everyday or non-pathological states from conditions that require medical evaluation or treatment.

The concept describes phenomena that are benign, self-limiting, or not clearly linked to a disease process. Mittehaigused may encompass benign physiological variations, transient symptoms without identifiable pathology after evaluation, or health-related states that do not significantly impair function. It is often used to encourage appropriate use of health care and to avoid over-medicalizing normal life experiences.

In practice, mittehaigused can help people understand when medical attention is necessary and when it may be reasonable to monitor a situation or address lifestyle factors instead. However, the term is not without criticism. Relying on it too loosely can risk downplaying legitimate health concerns or delaying diagnosis for conditions that do warrant medical care.

See also: health literacy, non-communicable diseases. This article provides a general overview; for specific health guidance, consult medical professionals or reliable health authorities.