Illness and Health Promotion

Abstract

Illness is defined as a state in which a person’s physical, emotional, intellectual social or spiritual functioning is diminished or impaired compared with previous health. The illness can be classified as acute illness, chronic illness, terminal illness. According to the cause, it is classified as primary illness, secondary illness and idiopathic illness. When a person is sick, he/she exhibits certain behaviors to adapt to the changes caused by the diseases. It is called illness behavior. Age, gender, family values and socio economic status, all have an influence on illness behavior. Illness brings changes in the individual and in the family. It depends on the nature, severity and duration of illness. The activities which are taken by the individual or community to promote health are called as health promotion activities.