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'''Disease''' is a pathological [[state]] of a part of an [[organism]]. Disease may be brought about by multiple causes such as [[genetic]], infectious, or [[environment]]al factors. Distinct symptoms usually indicate the [[presence]] of disease.

'''Disease''' is a pathological [[state]] of a part of an [[organism]]. Disease may be brought about by multiple causes such as [[genetic]], infectious, or [[environment]]al factors. Distinct symptoms usually indicate the [[presence]] of disease.

The [[concept]] of disease is at the heart of biomedicine. The purpose of biomedicine, also referred to as [[allopathic medicine]], is to diagnose and cure physical pathology. Historically, disease has been understood in different ways. Before the use of the [[scientific method]] and the rise of biomedicine, disease and its symptoms were usually attributed to [[spirit]]s, witchcraft, humoral processes, or other causes in the social world. In contrast, biomedicine tends solely to consider [[organic]] causes and aspects of disease. [[Discoveries]] such as the [[germ theory]] of disease and the [[existence]] of entities such as [[virus]]es and [[bacteria]] did much to bolster this latter understanding. Discovering the root [[physical]] cause of the disease is considered essential to treating, [[healing|curing]], and preventing it. For example, if a patient has a bacterial infection, an antibacterial medication is given. When a medication like [[penicillin]] was discovered to fight the disease process, it changed the [[health]] outcomes of entire [[populations]]. Similarly, when it was discovered that diseases could be transferred by germs, handwashing became a common [[practice]]. This simple [[behavior]] changed obstetrical practice and reduced infant mortality rates when babies started to be delivered into clean hands. In addition to curative medications and behavioral changes, biomedicine has discovered vaccines that can prevent diseases that were otherwise disabling or deadly such as measles and diphtheria. Because of the [[power]] of the biomedical approach to disease, medical research continues to flourish with the promise of curing an increasing number of diseases.

The [[concept]] of disease is at the heart of biomedicine. The purpose of biomedicine, also referred to as allopathic medicine, is to diagnose and cure physical pathology. Historically, disease has been understood in different ways. Before the use of the [[scientific method]] and the rise of biomedicine, disease and its symptoms were usually attributed to [[spirit]]s, witchcraft, humoral processes, or other causes in the social world. In contrast, biomedicine tends solely to consider [[organic]] causes and aspects of disease. [[Discoveries]] such as the [[germ theory]] of disease and the [[existence]] of entities such as [[virus]]es and [[bacteria]] did much to bolster this latter understanding. Discovering the root [[physical]] cause of the disease is considered essential to treating, [[healing|curing]], and preventing it. For example, if a patient has a bacterial infection, an antibacterial medication is given. When a medication like [[penicillin]] was discovered to fight the disease process, it changed the [[health]] outcomes of entire [[populations]]. Similarly, when it was discovered that diseases could be transferred by germs, handwashing became a common [[practice]]. This simple [[behavior]] changed obstetrical practice and reduced infant mortality rates when babies started to be delivered into clean hands. In addition to curative medications and behavioral changes, biomedicine has discovered vaccines that can prevent diseases that were otherwise disabling or deadly such as measles and diphtheria. Because of the [[power]] of the biomedical approach to disease, medical research continues to flourish with the promise of curing an increasing number of diseases.

Biomedicine has made staggering improvements to the prevention and treatment of a myriad of diseases. However, the emphasis in this type of medical [[system]] is on disease rather than health or well-being. Allopathic means "against suffering or disease" and overwhelmingly [[focus]]es on removing [[pathology]] rather than sustaining health. In this disease-focused system, a person is often stripped of psychosocial or [[spiritual]] aspects and effectively becomes a set of [[body]] parts to fix. While this emphasis on pathology is changing to encompass health promotion to some extent, the Western medical system is still predominantly one of [[crisis]] management. Other systems, such as several Eastern medical models, focus on regular practices to sustain health in addition to disease treatment.

Biomedicine has made staggering improvements to the prevention and treatment of a myriad of diseases. However, the emphasis in this type of medical [[system]] is on disease rather than health or well-being. Allopathic means "against suffering or disease" and overwhelmingly [[focus]]es on removing [[pathology]] rather than sustaining health. In this disease-focused system, a person is often stripped of psychosocial or [[spiritual]] aspects and effectively becomes a set of [[body]] parts to fix. While this emphasis on pathology is changing to encompass health promotion to some extent, the Western medical system is still predominantly one of [[crisis]] management. Other systems, such as several Eastern medical models, focus on regular practices to sustain health in addition to disease treatment.

Current controversy exists over whether some conditions should be considered diseases or not in allopathic medicine. For example, a long-standing area of disagreement is [[addictions]]. [[Alcoholism]], once considered a [[moral]] failing, is increasingly [[thought]] of as a disease with [[genetic]] factors related to the malfunctioning of [[neurotransmitters]]. Many psychiatric disorders have also been redefined as diseases rather than bad behavior such as [[Tourette's syndrome]], eating disorders, and [[obsessive-compulsive disorder]]. For many in Western societies, having a troubling condition defined as a disease rather than a [[character]] flaw removes stigma and aids the solicitation of professional help.

Current controversy exists over whether some conditions should be considered diseases or not in allopathic medicine. For example, a long-standing area of disagreement is [[addictions]]. Alcoholism, once considered a [[moral]] failing, is increasingly [[thought]] of as a disease with [[genetic]] factors related to the malfunctioning of [[neurotransmitters]]. Many psychiatric disorders have also been redefined as diseases rather than bad behavior such as [[Tourette's syndrome]], eating disorders, and [[obsessive-compulsive disorder]]. For many in Western societies, having a troubling condition defined as a disease rather than a [[character]] flaw removes stigma and aids the solicitation of professional help.

Medical [[anthropologist]] Arthur Kleinman identified an important distinction between disease and illness. He argues that disease refers to the [[biological]] pathology as well as health care practitioners' understanding of the pathology according to biomedical models. On the other hand, illness refers to a broader set of [[experiences]] around the disease including the patient's and family's subjective recognition, naming, and experience of the problem. Whereas disease is presented as acultural in a medical model¹, illness includes the sociocultural [[context]] of a problem. The social and cultural components of the experience of a condition have been identified as crucial to the course of the condition. Therefore, medical [[sociologists]] and [[anthropologists]] point to the importance of examining the illness in addition to the disease, even in biomedical contexts. In the study of disability, several anthropologists such as Robert Edgerton, Benedicte Ingstad, and Susan Reynolds Whyte proved that cultural context makes a significant difference in the identification, experience, and outcome of a condition. The disease/illness distinction is also especially relevant as allopathic medicine expands transculturally and as heavy transnational immigration creates multicultural communities. In such cases, experiences of illness and disability as well as [[symptom]] reporting may vary greatly, and it is crucial that important cultural differences are not dismissed in the professional health care setting.

Medical [[anthropologist]] Arthur Kleinman identified an important distinction between disease and illness. He argues that disease refers to the [[biological]] pathology as well as health care practitioners' understanding of the pathology according to biomedical models. On the other hand, illness refers to a broader set of [[experiences]] around the disease including the patient's and family's subjective recognition, naming, and experience of the problem. Whereas disease is presented as acultural in a medical model¹, illness includes the sociocultural [[context]] of a problem. The social and cultural components of the experience of a condition have been identified as crucial to the course of the condition. Therefore, medical [[sociologists]] and [[anthropologists]] point to the importance of examining the illness in addition to the disease, even in biomedical contexts. In the study of disability, several anthropologists such as Robert Edgerton, Benedicte Ingstad, and Susan Reynolds Whyte proved that cultural context makes a significant difference in the identification, experience, and outcome of a condition. The disease/illness distinction is also especially relevant as allopathic medicine expands transculturally and as heavy transnational immigration creates multicultural communities. In such cases, experiences of illness and disability as well as [[symptom]] reporting may vary greatly, and it is crucial that important cultural differences are not dismissed in the professional health care setting.