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Medication

Medicine is the field of science and practice that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disease.

Think of it like this:

  • Your body is a complex machine.
  • Medicine is like a toolbox, and knowledge is needed to keep it running smoothly.
  • Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals use medicine to help people when they’re sick or injured and to prevent illness altogether.

Examples of medicine:

  • Medications: prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs (like pain relievers), and antibiotics.
  • Treatments: surgery, therapy (physical or occupational), and radiation therapy for cancer.
  • Vaccinations: shots that help prevent serious diseases.

Etymology:

The word “medicine” comes from the Latin word “medicus,” which means “physician” or “healer.” Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass the entire field of healthcare practices.

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