General Verbs Related to Health and Sickness: English Vocabulary List

to physically cause harm to a person or thing

"She injures her shoulder quite badly."

"The careless worker managed to injure his back while lifting a heavy box without using proper lifting techniques to protect his spine."

to spread or transfer cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body, leading to the formation of new tumors

"The cancer metastasized to other organs."

"The doctors were devastated to learn that the cancer had begun to metastasize to other organs."

to eject what has been eaten or drunk through the mouth

"He vomited after eating bad food."

"The sick passenger began to vomit during the turbulent flight and the flight attendant brought him a bag."

to make a problem, situation, or condition worse or more serious

"His rude comments aggravated the situation."

"His constant complaining only served to aggravate the tense situation between the two coworkers."

to push air out of our mouth with a sudden noise

"He coughs loudly during the night."

"The patient continued to cough for several weeks after recovering from the flu because his lungs were still irritated and inflamed."

to make someone physically sick or to cause mental trouble

"What ails the old man today?"

"The doctor asked the patient what exactly was ailing him because he looked very pale and weak."

to throw up the contents of the stomach, often due to illness or nausea

"I think I am going to be sick."

"She cannot come to work today because she is sick with a bad cold and fever."

to state that one feels ill or one's body part is in pain

"He complains of a severe headache today."

"Many patients complain of severe headaches and fatigue during the first few days of this new treatment."

(of an illness or injury) to confine someone to bed

"Lay up when you are sick."

"The knee injury will lay him up for at least six weeks and prevent him from playing sports."

to become sick again after an improvement in one's health

"His cancer relapsed after treatment."

"The cancer patient was devastated when her doctors told her that the disease had relapsed after several months of successful treatment and remission."

to blow air out of our nose and mouth in a sudden way

"People sneeze into their elbow please."

"If you sneeze without covering your mouth you can spread germs to other people in the same room very quickly."

to suddenly lose consciousness from a lack of oxygen in the brain, which is caused by a shock, etc.

"She faints from the intense summer heat."

"The bride nearly fainted at the altar because it was very hot and she had not eaten breakfast."