metadata: - people: [[Dinethra Menon]] --- > ## Excerpt > Learn what a disease is and how it differs from a disorder, syndrome or condition. --- LAST UPDATED August 29, 2023 | FIRST PUBLISHED October 13, 2015 | BY  I’m sure you’re familiar with the basic concepts of diseases, disorders, syndromes and conditions. The terms are often used interchangeably – but they actually have different meanings. And, for some of us – especially [ESL writers looking for tips](https://www.healthwriterhub.com/tips-for-esl-medical-writers/) – describing _what_ a disease is and _how_ it differs from a disorder, syndrome or condition can be quite difficult. Read on to learn how to understand and define diseases, disorders, syndromes, and conditions. ### **What is a disease?** One of the original definitions of a disease was [published in the _British Medical Journal_ as early as 1900](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2464033/). **Definition of disease:** Resulting from a pathophysiological response to external or internal factors.  Today, doctors treat and diagnose a disease based on abnormalities in systemic functions – for example, cardiovascular disease. These abnormalities can cause both physical and emotional signs and symptoms, as well as pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems or death. ### **What is a disorder?** While doctors diagnose and treat a disease, a **disorder** is defined as follows. **Definition of disorder**: A disruption of the disease to the normal or regular functions in the body or a part of the body. For example, a disorder resulting from cardiovascular disease is an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. An arrhythmia is not a disease itself – it’s an abnormal heartbeat that occurs as a result of having cardiovascular disease. Disorders can be classified into the following areas: - Mental - Physical - Genetic - Emotional - Behavioural - Structural ### **What is a syndrome?** **A syndrome** is a term that refers to a disease or a disorder that has more than one identifying feature or symptom. In other words, a syndrome is defined as follows: **Definition of syndrome:** A collection or set of signs and symptoms that characterise or suggest a particular disease. Down syndrome is a well-known genetic syndrome. It is characterised by having an extra copy of chromosome 21 in combination with a number of distinctive physical features at birth. [Medical syndromes](http://www.medindia.net/medical-syndromes/index.asp) can be caused by genetic mutations or other factors. ### **What is a condition?** Sometimes, a syndrome can be caused by a number of diseases or it can be a medical **condition** itself. **Definition of condition:** An abnormal state of health that interferes with the usual activities or feeling of wellbeing. For example, chronic fatigue syndrome is a neurological condition, diagnosed from a collection of symptoms in addition to the main symptom of post-exertional malaise. ## **Further reading** If you need to write [patient education materials](https://www.healthwriterhub.com/how-to-write-patient-education-materials/) or [assess your writing](https://www.healthwriterhub.com/assess-your-writing/) to ensure you’re communicating about diseases, disorders, conditions and syndromes accurately, here are more resources to help. The AMA Style Insider provided a [comprehensive overview of the origins of disease, condition and disorder which you can read here.](http://blog.amamanualofstyle.com/2011/11/21/condition-disease-disorder/) You can also read [this overview on DifferenceBetween.com](http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-condition-and-vs-disease/) and [this Quora discussion](https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-disease-and-a-disorder-a-condition-and-a-syndrome) if you want to investigate some other perspectives on the topic. The **110 Websites That Accept Health Article Pitches Guide** includes: - A detailed list of 110 websites that accept pitches from health writers - A description of the content each website typically publishes - A pitching template to help you write the perfect pitch - Sample pitches that work! [LEARN MORE](https://www.healthwriterhub.com/110-websites-that-accept-health-article-pitches/) Remember: - A **disease** is a pathophysiological response to internal or external factors. - A **disorder** is a disruption to regular bodily structure and function. - A **syndrome** is a collection of signs and symptoms associated with a specific health-related cause. - A **condition** is an abnormal state of health that interferes with normal or regular feelings of wellbeing. _**Do you have trouble articulating the differences between diseases, disorders, syndromes and conditions?**_   #### About Dinethra Menon Dinethra Menon is a medical and science writer with over a decade of experience communicating and writing medical education for doctors. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne and a postgraduate diploma in genetic counseling. Connect with her on [LinkedIn](https://au.linkedin.com/in/dinethramenon), follow her on [Twitter - @dinethra\_menon](https://twitter.com/dinethra_menon) or check out her Facebook page, [Living With Hereditary Disease](https://www.facebook.com/hereditarydisease). **Dinethra is a member of the [Health Writer Hub Alumni](https://www.healthwriterhub.com/health-writer-hub-alumni/).** ## 110 Websites That Accept Health Article Pitches ## Your guide to getting published Ready to get published in 2023? Get our comprehensive article pitching guide, and start pitching your health article ideas today!  The **110 websites that accept health article pitches guide** includes: - A detailed list of 110 websites that accept pitches from health writers - A description of the content each website typically publishes - A pitching template to help you write the perfect pitch - Examples of pitches that resulted in published health articles! 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