Disease
May be defined as a failure of the adaptive mechanisms of an organism to counteract adequately, normally or appropriately to stimuli and stresses to which it is subjected, resulting in a disturbance in the function or structure of some part of the organism. This definition emphasizes that disease is multi-factorial and may be prevented or treated by changing any or a combination of factors. However, disease is an elusive and difficult concept to define, being largely socially defined.
