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Can you guess these common diseases from their scientific names?

Published on August 29, 2025

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Do you know your conjunctivitis from your pharyngitis? How about your hyperhidrosis from your hyperlipidaemia? If not, this game is for you! Join us for an article-quiz that will help you learn the official scientific names of common health conditions. While you're at it, treat yourself with a full-body scan on causes, symptoms, and treatments!

Scientific term #1: Hyperhidrosis

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This medical condition has to do with a bodily secretion we all produce. However, some people do it excessively, often as an abnormal response to stressful situations, overstrain, or environmental heat.

Still a bit lost? Let's see if the etymology of the word helps a little. Hyperhidrosis comes from the Greek. It combines the prefix hyper, meaning "excessive" or "above normal", with hidrosis, a word that derives from "water".

Scientific term #2: Conjunctivitis

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Conjunctivitis is a condition that affects a part of the face and can be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection or by seasonal allergies.

It is usually very annoying and contagious, and to treat it, you should consult a specialist. Conjunctivitis comes from the Latin word conjunctiva, referring to a certain mucous membrane, and -itis, meaning "inflammation." How close are you?

Scientific term #3: Pharyngitis

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This disease affects an internal region of your upper body. It is usually triggered by an infection, although it can also be caused by irritants such as smoke, pollution, and dry air.

Pharyngitis is usually very painful and uncomfortable, especially when accompanied by fever and other symptoms. Any idea what the colloquial name for this condition is?

Scientific term #4: Tussis

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The Latin word tussis is mainly used in medical or scientific contexts to refer to a very common condition that we have all experienced at one time or another. Generally, it is a symptom that warns of a major illness, probably related to the respiratory tract.

Need another hint? The term tussis derives from the Proto-Indo-European root tud-ti-s, meaning "to push, hit."

Scientific term #5: Pyrexia

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Pyrexia is a very common symptom you have experienced more than once throughout your life. It is a body response to infections or other causes, such as side effects of specific treatments or vaccinations.

It usually causes weakness, nausea, headaches, and muscle pain. Do you know what we're talking about? Scroll down to find out the answer!

Scientific term #6: Hyperlipidaemia

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Hyperlipidaemia is a medical condition characterized by the presence of elevated levels of lipids in the blood. Excess of these fats can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other vascular conditions.

The term hyperlipidaemia derives from the Greek and literally means "excessive fat in the blood." This disease can affect people of all ages, but is most commonly found in people over 40. It is generally caused by lifestyle factors, such as overweight, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, genetics, and certain diseases. We bet you already figured it out!

Common Condition #1: Excessive sweating

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Did you guess it? This one was easy! Hyperhidrosis is the scientific term for excessive sweating, a condition that, as its common name indicates, produces heavy perspiration as a result of an increase in the secretion of the sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis affects about 1% of the population —almost half of the cases are hereditary— and can lead to bad odor and bacterial skin infections. The initial treatment of excessive sweating is topical. In other, more extreme cases, other oral drugs might be used, and patients can even receive Botox injections to treat certain affected areas.

Common Condition #2: Pink eye

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Yes, we are all more familiar with this condition’s colloquial term: pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an irritation or inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eyeball, causing the eye to turn reddish or pink —hence the common name!

Most conjunctivitis are mild, only on rare occasions they cause more significant damage. Symptoms include itching, watery eyes, secretions, and crusting around the eyes. It is usually treated with antiallergic medication or antibacterial eye drops.

Common Condition #3: Sore throat

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Pharyngitis, or as it is more commonly known, sore throat, is an inflammation of the pharynx, the region between the nose and the larynx. It is an infection caused by viruses or bacteria, and in many cases, begins with a painful enlargement of the neck lymph nodes that makes swallowing difficult.

Regardless of the cause, the patient must stay hydrated. In addition, a sore throat is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some severe cases, it may be necessary to use steroids, especially to treat pain and inflammation.

Common Condition #4: Cough

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How did you do with this one? Have you heard the word tussis before? Tussis is Latin for "cough." Coughing is the body's way of responding when something irritates the throat or airways. An occasional cough is normal and healthy. However, a cough that persists for several weeks may indicate an underlying illness that needs medical attention.

Tussis can be acute or chronic: Acute coughs usually begin suddenly and are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. In most cases, coughs are treated with over-the-counter medicine. Doctors also recommend drinking plenty of fluids, using a humidifier, and, in cases of dry coughs, taking throat lozenges.

Common Condition #5: Fever

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Pyrexia is the scientific term for the common fever. Fever is basically a temporary increase in body temperature. It is not a disease per se, but a defense mechanism of the body against certain external agents, such as bacterial or viral infections.

Fever can cause joint pain, drowsiness, chills, and even delirium. Treatment includes acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. In some cases, especially in young children or elderly people, a high fever can be dangerous, so it is very important to consult a physician as soon as possible.

Common Condition #6: High cholesterol

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Were you right? Hyperlipidaemia is, in simpler words, high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a lipid, a fat-like substance found in every cell. Our body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamins, and substances that help us digest food. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to coronary diseases.

The presence of high cholesterol levels can have different causes, but they are mainly linked to lifestyle. A recent study found that 1 in 10 of US adults have high total cholesterol. In addition to specific medications, healthy eating and regular physical activity have shown to significantly lower high cholesterol levels.

Common misconceptions

12 completely false "facts" everyone believes to be true

Published on August 29, 2025

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Many of us have grown up thinking that bats are blind, that we can't go swimming right after lunch, that we only have five senses, or that camels store water in their humps. Wait, do you still believe in any of these things? Don't worry! To prevent you from continuing to spread wrong ideas, we have compiled a list of 12 myths that we all believe to be true but are actually false. Do you dare to question your common sense?

We only have 5 senses

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It’s interesting how some ideas remain common sense for centuries without us questioning their veracity. A great example is the notion that we have only five senses, a concept that was developed by Aristotle more than 2,300 years ago and is still taught today from early childhood.

Fortunately, the advancement of science allows us to better understand the complexity and diversity of the world around us. Today, scientists argue that we have far more than just five senses—anywhere from 20 to 30—including thermoception, pain, hormonal sense, and balance, among many others.

Water conducts electricity

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Contrary to what you may have thought all your life, pure water is not a good conductor of electricity. What really conducts electricity in water are its impurities, such as salts and minerals.

For example, tap water, which contains several dissolved ions, is a good conductor. In contrast, distilled water molecules have no free electrons to transfer an electric current. Hence, when handling electrical appliances near water, the real danger doesn't come from the water itself, but from its impurities.

Alcohol helps us keep warm

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This is a typical scene in movies: a tough character taking a swig of some spirit before crossing a snow-covered field as an antidote to the cold. Although it is a widespread idea, it is not something you should imitate.

In fact, alcohol causes your body temperature to drop. Alcohol produces a momentary sensation of warmth by dilating blood vessels and directing blood to the surface of the skin, but before long, the body's core temperature drops, and you feel colder. Did you know that?

You can’t go swimming after a meal

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No matter what your parents told you as a child, there is no scientific evidence that swimming after eating is dangerous. The assumption that you should wait at least an hour stems from the idea that after we eat, all the blood travels to the stomach and the body is not able to adequately supply the muscles.

As convincing as this may sound, the truth is that our body manages to maintain muscle work while we digest. In fact, some professional swimmers eat immediately before a competition to have enough energy to perform well.

We only use 10% of our brains

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One of the most widespread myths in neuroscience is that we only use 10% of our brains. In reality, we use it all, even when we are doing nothing.

This misconception probably arose at the end of the 19th century. Since then, scientists have been able to determine that our entire brain is active thanks to modern neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging. Despite the evidence, popular culture, the media, and even some scholars continue to perpetuate the myth that we only use 10% of our brains. So remember, no matter what you hear out there, your brain is never off; it’s active even when you sleep.

Never wake up a sleepwalker

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Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder that occurs when people, usually children or young adults, walk or do other activities while they are still asleep.

Contrary to popular belief, waking a sleepwalker is unlikely to pose a major health risk. Moreover, according to experts, in the event of witnessing someone in such a state, the wise thing to do is to help them back to bed and, if necessary, wake them up.

Camels store water in their humps

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Camels can indeed stay hydrated even in the most inhospitable, arid, and hot environments. However, a common misconception is that these animals store water in their humps.

In reality, their humps are filled with fat, which provides them with energy for long distances. So, how do they manage to last up to 10 days without drinking water? The main key lies in their kidneys, which are able to concentrate urine to prevent water loss. In addition, their fur protects them from the ambient heat, preventing perspiration, and the mucosal structure of their nose can retain 66% of the moisture in the air.

Knuckle cracking causes arthritis

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Knuckle cracking is a common habit. You might have noticed that many people do it, often without giving it much thought. For others, that characteristic popping sound raises concerns about its impact on health, such as its possible link to arthritis.

However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the manipulation of joints is associated with the development of arthritis. Numerous studies have found no correlation between knuckle cracking and chronic joint inflammation. In fact, this habit is usually harmless and is often simply a way to release tension.

You can’t use a cell phone on a plane

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Setting your phone to airplane mode when boarding a flight seems like common sense. You wouldn't be crazy to think that your phone's signal could interfere with an airplane's navigation systems, potentially causing a disaster. However, the need for airplane mode is largely a myth.

There is actually no evidence that a cell phone has ever interfered with aircraft systems. The real reason airlines don't allow phone communications in the air is to avoid disturbing noises. Let's be honest, the majority of travelers probably prefer the silence anyway.

Bats are blind

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Bats hunt in the dark by echolocation, which means they use self-produced sound echoes that bounce off objects to help them navigate. But that doesn't mean that they can't see.

Bats are not blind at all; in fact, they have pretty good vision. Although they can't see as well as humans, they can see better than many mammals —they can distinguish shapes, contrasts, and some colors. So, despite their nocturnal habits and the many popular sayings we like to repeat, bats have pretty good eyesight.

There is zero gravity in space

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We're sorry to be the ones to debunk this myth, but it's time you knew that gravity exists everywhere in the universe. The term "zero gravity" is often used to describe the conditions experienced by astronauts in space, but it's a bit misleading, as gravity is never truly zero.

The more correct term to describe the phenomenon experienced by astronauts when they are on the International Space Station, for example, would be "microgravity".

Bears are honey fanatics

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Fictional characters such as Winnie the Pooh helped fuel this myth. While it is true that it’s common to see bears eating honey, it is the bees and larvae they are really interested in.

While honey alone provides them with some vitamins, minerals, and calories, such as sugar, the insects found inside the beehives give them the protein they need to stay strong.