Types of Diseases

Mar 23, 2010 | By NoreneA The definition of a disease includes any pathological process with a specific set of symptoms. The entire body or any part of the body may be affected. Each disease process has an origin, but the source of some diseases is sometimes difficult to determine. General categories of diseases include cancer, viral, bacterial, autoimmune, sexually transmitted, heart, digestive, thyroid, blood and nerve diseases.

Cancer
Cancer is a disease process in which the cells divide, grow and destroy adjacent tissues. Cancer can affect any part of the body. The location of the cancer determines the cancer name, such as bladder cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and throat cancer. Cancer is further identified by type that includes sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, melanoma and adenoma.

Viral Infections
Viruses, tiny microorganisms that require a living host to survive and multiply, cause viral infections. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. The use of antiviral medications is effective against some types of viruses, such as specific strands of influenza. Viral infections include the common cold, chickenpox, viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), measles and respiratory tract infections.

Bacterial Infections
Bacteria, as defined by the Merck Manual, an online medical dictionary, are single-celled microorganisms that live in all kinds of environment. Harmful bacteria, known as pathogens, cause a variety of illnesses including Lyme disease, toxic shock syndrome, strep throat, meningitis, tetanus and pneumonia.

Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases result when the body's immune system cannot tell the difference between the body tissue and that of antigens (the substance that produces antibodies). Autoimmune diseases include type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.

Heart Disease

Heart disease includes any cause of interruption in the ability of the heart to function normally. Types of heart disease include coronary heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, heart rhythm abnormalities, heart murmurs, rheumatic heart disease, stroke and angina (chest pain).

Digestive Diseases
Digestive diseases affect any portion of the digestive system from the mouth to the anus. Diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, appendicitis, celiac disease, diarrhea, diverticulitis, food poisoning, gallstones, pancreatitis and hemorrhoids.

Thyroid Diseases
The thyroid, an endocrine gland, makes hormones that help the body control metabolism. Hashimoto's thyroiditis develops when the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism). Graves' disease develops when the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism). Other thyroid diseases include goiters and hypopituitarism.

Blood Diseases
Blood diseases include anemia, bacteremia and septicemia. Types of anemia, a lack of healthy red blood cells, include iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia. Causes for bacteremia, the presence of bacteria in the blood, include intravenous catheters, dental procedures and pneumonia. Septicemia, a serious blood disease caused by infections anywhere in the body, requires immediate intervention to prevent septic shock and death.

Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases decrease the ability of the body to properly process thoughts, movement, communication and balance. Degenerative nerve diseases include Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Lewy body and Parkinson's.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) include syphilis, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, genital herpes, AIDS, HIV and scabies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that HPV is the most common STD in the United States.