Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence about health, medicine, and well-being.
Example: The doctor told her to take the ______ twice a day. (medicine / remedy / prescription / treatment)
Answer: The doctor told her to take the medicine twice a day.
Health, Medicine and Well-being in English
Whether you are describing a visit to the doctor, discussing a friend's recovery from illness, or talking about lifestyle choices that affect your long-term health, having a strong command of health and medicine vocabulary is essential at B2 level. This topic covers a wide range of language — from clinical terminology used in formal medical contexts to everyday expressions people use when discussing their physical and mental well-being.
Setting the Scene
Imagine you are speaking with a colleague who has just returned to work after a two-week absence. She tells you: "I was completely run-down after months of overworking. My GP referred me to a specialist who diagnosed me with severe anaemia. I've been prescribed iron supplements, but honestly, the recovery has been more about making sustainable lifestyle changes than taking medication."
This short exchange is full of vocabulary that B2 learners need to understand and use accurately. Let's explore the language of health, medicine and well-being in depth.
Key Vocabulary & Meaning Breakdown
1. Medical Conditions, Symptoms and Diagnosis
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| symptom | noun — a physical or mental sign that indicates the presence of an illness or condition | Fatigue and loss of appetite are common symptoms of depression. | display / present / experience a symptom; flu symptoms; early symptoms |
| diagnosis | noun — the identification of a disease or condition through examination and testing | Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes came as a shock to her entire family. | receive / make / confirm a diagnosis; misdiagnosis; early diagnosis |
| chronic | adjective — persisting for a long time or recurring frequently; often used for ongoing conditions | He has been living with chronic back pain for over a decade. | chronic illness / condition / pain / fatigue; contrasts with acute |
| acute | adjective — (of an illness) severe and coming on quickly; short-term but intense | She was admitted to hospital with acute appendicitis. | acute pain / infection / episode; acute vs chronic (see differences section) |
| inflammation | noun — a localised physical condition where part of the body becomes red, swollen, and often painful | The scan revealed inflammation in the lining of the stomach. | cause / reduce / treat inflammation; chronic inflammation; inflammatory (adjective) |
| deteriorate | verb — to become progressively worse in condition or quality | His mental health began to deteriorate after he lost his job. | health / condition deteriorates; rapidly / gradually deteriorate |
| prone to | adjective phrase — likely or liable to suffer from something; having a tendency towards | People who smoke are more prone to respiratory infections. | prone to illness / injury / anxiety; naturally prone to |
| susceptible | adjective — easily influenced or harmed by something; lacking resistance | Young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to flu viruses. | susceptible to infection / disease / stress; highly / particularly susceptible |
| underlying | adjective — existing beneath the surface or as a root cause; not immediately obvious | The doctor suspected an underlying condition was responsible for the repeated infections. | underlying cause / condition / issue; underlying health problems |
| relapse | noun / verb — a return of an illness after a period of improvement; to suffer such a return | She had been doing well, but suffered a relapse after stopping her medication too soon. | suffer / have a relapse; relapse into (illness / old habits); risk of relapse |
2. Medical Treatment, Procedures and Healthcare Systems
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP (General Practitioner) | noun — a doctor who treats general medical problems and refers patients to specialists when necessary | My GP referred me to a cardiologist after I mentioned chest pains. | see / visit / consult your GP; GP surgery / practice; family doctor (informal equivalent) |
| specialist | noun — a doctor who has expert knowledge in a particular area of medicine | The specialist recommended a different course of treatment after reviewing the test results. | refer to a specialist; see / consult a specialist; medical specialist |
| prescribe | verb — (of a doctor) to authorise a patient to receive and take a particular medicine or treatment | The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for the chest infection. | prescribe medication / antibiotics / treatment; be prescribed something |
| prescription | noun — an official written instruction from a doctor allowing a patient to obtain medicine | You'll need a prescription from your doctor to obtain that medication from the pharmacy. | issue / fill / collect a prescription; prescription drugs / medication; on prescription |
| dosage | noun — the size or frequency of a dose of medicine or drug | The recommended dosage is two tablets twice a day with meals. | correct / recommended dosage; adjust / reduce / increase the dosage; dosage instructions |
| side effect | noun — an undesirable secondary effect of a drug or medical treatment | Drowsiness is a common side effect of this antihistamine. | experience / suffer from side effects; common / severe / potential side effects |
| surgical procedure | noun phrase — a medical operation or intervention performed by a surgeon | The surgical procedure was considered low-risk, but required a two-day hospital stay. | undergo / perform a procedure; minimally invasive procedure; elective procedure |
| anaesthetic | noun — a substance administered to prevent sensation of pain, particularly during surgery | The patient was placed under general anaesthetic before the operation began. | local / general anaesthetic; administer / be under anaesthetic |
| ward | noun — a room or division of a hospital containing beds for patients | She spent three nights on the orthopaedic ward following her hip replacement. | hospital ward; maternity / surgical / intensive care ward; be admitted to a ward |
| rehabilitation | noun — the process of restoring someone to health, normal activity, or good behaviour after illness, injury, or addiction | After the stroke, he underwent six months of intensive rehabilitation to regain his speech. | undergo / complete rehabilitation; rehabilitation programme / centre / therapy |
| holistic | adjective — treating or considering the whole person — body, mind, and environment — rather than just symptoms | The clinic takes a holistic approach to healthcare, combining physical therapy with counselling. | holistic approach / treatment / care / medicine; holistic practitioner |
| palliative | adjective — relieving pain or symptoms without curing the underlying disease; relating to end-of-life care | When a cure was no longer possible, the focus shifted to palliative care. | palliative care / treatment; palliative medicine |
3. Mental Health, Well-being and Lifestyle
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| well-being | noun — the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy; general quality of life | Regular exercise has a proven positive effect on both physical and emotional well-being. | emotional / mental / physical well-being; promote / improve / affect well-being |
| burnout | noun — a state of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, typically work-related | After years of overworking, she finally reached a point of complete burnout. | suffer from / experience burnout; workplace burnout; on the verge of burnout |
| anxiety | noun — a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, particularly about future events; can be a clinical disorder | Many students experience increased levels of anxiety during examination periods. | suffer from / experience anxiety; anxiety disorder / attack; trigger anxiety; manage anxiety |
| resilience | noun — the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; mental toughness | Developing emotional resilience is key to managing the pressures of modern life. | build / develop / show resilience; emotional / mental resilience; resilient (adjective) |
| mindfulness | noun — the practice of maintaining conscious awareness of the present moment, used as a mental health technique | She took up mindfulness meditation to help manage her stress levels. | practise mindfulness; mindfulness meditation / techniques / exercises; mindful (adjective) |
| sedentary | adjective — characterised by much sitting and little physical movement; not physically active | A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. | sedentary lifestyle / job / behaviour; increasingly sedentary |
| susceptibility | noun — the state or condition of being easily affected or harmed by something | Poor nutrition can increase susceptibility to mental health conditions. | genetic susceptibility; susceptibility to disease / stress / infection |
| coping mechanism | noun phrase — a strategy or behaviour used to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult situations | Exercise became his primary coping mechanism during the difficult months after the bereavement. | develop / use / rely on a coping mechanism; healthy / unhealthy coping mechanisms |
| stigma | noun — a mark of disgrace or negative social association attached to a particular circumstance or group | The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents many people from seeking help. | social stigma; reduce / tackle / overcome stigma; stigmatise (verb); stigmatised (adjective) |
| prognosis | noun — a medical forecast of the likely course and outcome of a disease or condition | The oncologist gave a cautiously optimistic prognosis following the successful surgery. | give / offer a prognosis; good / poor / positive prognosis; long-term prognosis |
Collocations & Useful Expressions
Strong collocations are essential at B2 level. The following natural pairings will help you sound more fluent and accurate when discussing health and medicine.
Medical Collocations
seek + medical advice / attention
If your symptoms persist for more than a week, you should seek medical advice.
undergo + treatment / surgery / tests / rehabilitation
She underwent extensive physiotherapy after her knee operation.
be diagnosed with + a condition / disorder / illness
He was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of forty-five.
make + a full recovery / a speedy recovery
We all hope she makes a full recovery after the operation.
carry out + tests / a procedure / research
The hospital carried out a series of blood tests to identify the cause.
be admitted to + hospital / a ward / intensive care
He was admitted to hospital after collapsing at work.
be discharged from + hospital
She was discharged from hospital two days after the procedure.
put + someone on / take + someone off + medication
The doctor put her on a low dose of antidepressants initially.
After a year, they gradually took her off the medication.
Well-being and Lifestyle Collocations
maintain + a healthy lifestyle / work-life balance
It can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you are under constant pressure at work.
take a toll on + health / mental health / the body
Years of poor sleep and overworking began to take a toll on his physical health.
be run-down
I've been feeling completely run-down lately — I think I need a proper break.
Note: run-down is an informal expression meaning tired, weak, and generally unwell due to overwork or stress.
address + the root cause / underlying issues
Taking painkillers is a short-term solution; we need to address the underlying cause of the pain.
raise + awareness of / about
The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
come to terms with + a diagnosis / illness / condition
It took her several months to come to terms with her diagnosis.
lead + a sedentary lifestyle / an active lifestyle
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Register: Formal vs Informal Health Language
At B2 level, you should be aware of when to use formal or informal language in health contexts.
| Informal / Everyday | Formal / Medical |
|---|---|
| feel sick / under the weather | experience symptoms / feel unwell |
| get better / recover | make a recovery / recuperate |
| take time off work | be on sick leave / medical leave |
| have a check-up | attend a medical examination / consultation |
| give someone pills | prescribe medication / administer treatment |
| a bad reaction to medicine | an adverse reaction / contraindication |
| stress and burnout | occupational stress / psychological exhaustion |
Important Differences & Confusing Words
Chronic vs Acute
These two words are frequently confused because both describe the severity or nature of a medical condition, but they refer to very different things.
Chronic describes a condition that is long-lasting or persistent. It does not necessarily mean severe — it means the condition continues over a prolonged period, often months or years.
She has been living with chronic migraines since her early twenties.
Acute describes a condition that is sudden in onset, intense, and short-term. Acute conditions often require immediate medical attention.
He was rushed to A&E suffering from acute chest pain.
⚠️ Remember: A condition can begin as acute and later become chronic. For example, an acute injury might develop into a chronic pain condition if left untreated.
Symptom vs Sign
Symptom refers to something the patient experiences and reports — it is subjective.
The patient described symptoms of dizziness and nausea.
Sign refers to something that a doctor or medical professional can observe or measure — it is objective.
An elevated temperature is a classic sign of infection.
In everyday English, symptom is used in both senses. In formal medical language, the distinction between symptom (subjective) and sign (objective) is important.
Cure vs Treatment vs Remedy
Cure refers to a complete resolution of a disease — after a cure, the illness is entirely eliminated.
There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis.
Treatment refers to medical care given to a patient, which may manage but not necessarily eliminate the condition.
The treatment involves a combination of medication and physiotherapy.
Remedy is often used more informally and can refer to a solution for a minor problem, or a traditional / home-based approach to health.
Honey and lemon is a popular home remedy for a sore throat.
Disorder vs Disease vs Condition vs Illness
Disease typically refers to a specific pathological process with identifiable causes and symptoms.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Disorder is often used for disruptions to normal bodily or mental functioning, particularly in psychiatry.
She was referred to a specialist for an eating disorder.
Condition is a general, often more neutral or careful term that refers to any ongoing state of health.
He manages his condition with regular medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Illness refers to the experience of being unwell and is often used from the patient's perspective.
Her illness prevented her from attending the conference.
Contagious vs Infectious
Infectious describes a disease caused by micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) that can spread through the air, water, or direct contact.
Tuberculosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease.
Contagious more specifically describes diseases that spread through direct physical contact with an infected person or their secretions.
Chickenpox is extremely contagious, particularly among young children.
In everyday British English, people often use contagious for both meanings. In formal or medical contexts, the distinction is worth knowing.
Common Mistakes
❌ She was prescribed with antibiotics by the doctor.
✅ She was prescribed antibiotics by the doctor. — The verb prescribe does not take the preposition with. Say: prescribe something or be prescribed something.
❌ He suffers of chronic back pain.
✅ He suffers from chronic back pain. — Always use suffer from, not suffer of.
❌ The doctor made me a diagnosis of diabetes.
✅ The doctor gave me a diagnosis of diabetes. — Use give a diagnosis or make a diagnosis, but note that when the subject receives it, use give. Alternatively: I was diagnosed with diabetes.
❌ She has a very good prognosis because the doctors are hopeful about her sickness.
✅ She has a very good prognosis because the doctors are hopeful about her recovery. — Sickness sounds unnatural here; use recovery, condition, or outlook.
❌ I have a chronic cold this week — it came on suddenly last night.
✅ I have an acute cold this week — it came on suddenly last night. — A sudden, short-term illness is acute, not chronic. A chronic condition persists over a long period.
❌ The treatment cured his symptoms temporarily.
✅ The treatment relieved / eased his symptoms temporarily. — A cure is permanent and complete. If symptoms are only temporarily reduced, use relieve, ease, or alleviate.
❌ She is very susceptible of stress.
✅ She is very susceptible to stress. — The correct preposition is susceptible to, not susceptible of.
❌ He went to the hospital for a routine check.
✅ He went to hospital for a routine check-up. — In British English, go to hospital (without the article) means as a patient. Go to the hospital suggests going to the building for another reason. Also note: check-up, not simply check, is the standard medical term.
Health, Medicine and Well-being: Quick Summary & Review
In this lesson, you have explored a broad and nuanced range of vocabulary connected to health, medicine, and well-being at B2 level. Here are the key takeaways:
- Conditions and symptoms — Learn the difference between chronic and acute, understand terms like inflammation, relapse, underlying condition, and prognosis.
- Medical treatment and systems — Know how to talk about prescriptions, dosage, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and the difference between a GP and a specialist.
- Mental health and well-being — Use terms like burnout, resilience, mindfulness, stigma, and coping mechanism accurately and sensitively.
- Collocations — Use natural verb-noun combinations: seek medical advice, undergo treatment, make a full recovery, take a toll on, and come to terms with.
- Register — Be aware of the difference between informal everyday expressions (feel run-down, have a check-up) and more formal medical language (experience symptoms, attend a consultation).
- Easily confused words — Distinguish between cure / treatment / remedy, disease / disorder / condition / illness, and contagious / infectious.
Building a strong vocabulary in this area will allow you to communicate confidently — whether you are describing your own health to a doctor, discussing public health issues, reading medical articles, or listening to health-related content in English.
Now practise your Health, Medicine and Well-being vocabulary in the exercises below.
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