Vocabulary - Health and Health Care

This is a list of vocabulary items related to health and health care

How to say you are ill

 I'm ill.
 I feel really rough.
 I'm shattered (meaning tired out or exhausted)
 I'm on my last legs (to be very tired, especially after a lot of physical activity or
work. It also means to be going to die soon - 'the old man is on his last leg').
 I feel / look poorly / peaky / rough / bloody awful.
 I feel / look like death warmed up (very ill or appearing very sickly - Poor thing!
She looks like death warmed up)

How to say you are feeling OK

 I am alive and kicking (to continue to be well, healthy or successful - Don't worry
about your grandfather; he is alive and kicking)
 I feel good (used to talk about emotional state)
 I feel great / well
 He is a picture of (good) health (to be in a very healthy condition - The doctor
told him that he is a picture of good health)
 She is hale and hearty (to be in a good health - In spite of her old age, she looks
hale and hearty)

Health problems

 I have a headache / toothache / backache / stomachache / earache...

 I have a pain in my back / tooth / head...
 I have a broken / sprained / twist an ankle / wrist.
 I have a flu / cold / runny nose / fever / high temperature / sore throat
 I feel sick. I'm feeling nauseous.
 I have a bruise / cut / graze / wound.

Health advice:

 Exercise regularly.
 Eat healthy food.
 Brush your teeth regularly.
 Sleep early (= don't stay up late!)
 Have regular medical check up.
 Relax.
 Go on a diet.

1
Medicines

 eye drops
 cream
 syringe
 syrup
 bandage
 dose (of medicine)
 drugs
 shot / injection (give some an injection)
 medicine (take medicine)
 pain-killer
 pill
 plaster
 tablet
 tranquilizer

Treatment

 check-up
 diagnosis
 operation / surgery
 prescription

People

 ophthalmologist
 dentist
 doctor / physician
 general practitioner (GP)
 midwife
 nurse
 patient
 specialist
 surgeon

Places

 doctor's
 pharmacy / drugstore /chemist's
 hospital
 operating theater
 surgery (medical operation)
 waiting room
 ward (a geriatric/maternity/psychiatric ward)

2
 Six health tips

The context in which an individual lives is of great importance on health status and
quality of life. Health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and
application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle
choices of the individual and society. Here are some basic tips for maintaining a good
health.

1. Exercise
You don't have to belong to a gym club. Thirty minutes walk every day will to
prevent weight gain and encourage moderate weight loss.
2. Eat healthy
Reduce fat intake, cut down on sugar and opt for fruits and vegetables. This helps
reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Healthy food will also lead to better blood
sugar control.
3. Reduce stress
Not everything we want we get. We have to accept that there are things that we
cannot control. Managing time is also of great importance too. We must allow
ourselves enough time to get things done. Set a time during the day for
relaxation.
4. Improve sleep
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that interfere with sleep.
Equip your bedroom with a comfortable mattress and pillows. Sleep in a dark
clean and quiet environment.
5. Meditation
Meditation has been linked to a variety of health benefits. It has been linked to
changes in metabolism, blood pressure, brain activation, and other bodily
processes.
6. Positive thinking
People who think positively have an optimistic view of life that affects their
health and well-being. Optimism has been shown to explain between 5–10% of the
variation in the likelihood of developing some health conditions, notably including
cardiovascular disease,stroke, depression, and cancer.

3
 Other health related vocabulary
English Spanish
ache Dolor
cold Resfriado
cough Tos / toser
flu La gripe
heart attack Ataque al corazón
infection Infección
pain dolor
Health and Healthcare – Minor Injuries
bruise Moreton / contusionar (sustantivo/verbo)
cut Cortarse
wound Herida/herir (sustantivo/verbo)
Health and Healthcare – Treatment
bandage Bendaje
check-up Cheque medico
dose (of medicine) Dosis
drugs Medicina
injection Inyeccíon
give some an injection Aplicar inyección
medicine Medicina
take medicine Tomar medicina
operation Operación
pain-killer Analgésico
pill Pastille
tablet Tablet
tranquilizer Tranquilizante
Health and Healthcare – People
dentist Dentist
doctor Doctor
general practitioner Otro término para los médicos
midwife Partera
nurse Enfermera
patient Paciente
specialist Especialista
surgeon Cirujano
Health and Healthcare – Places
hospital Hospital
surgery Cirujia
waiting room Sala de espera
Health and Healthcare – Verbs

4
Catch (a cold) Cojer (un resfriado)
cure Curarse
heal Sanarse
hurt Herir/lastimar/doler
injure Herir
operate on Operar
prescribe Resetar
prescription Reseta
treat Tartar
treatment tratamiento
Health and Healthcare – Adjectives
fit Estar en forma
sick Enfermo
feel sick Sentirse enfermo
be sick Estar enfermo
vomit Vomitar
healthy Saludable
painful doloroso