So You're a Hypochondriac! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Common cold

All these ailments are usually caused by viruses. The name of coryza is believed to derive from the Greek words for 'kara', meaning head, and 'zeein', meaning to boil, which describes the runny nose associated with the illness. The only really effective cure for the common cold is time.

Influenza has similar symptoms to the cold, including sore throat and headache, but is caused by a different virus and is more serious. Sinusitis is inflammation of the nasal cavities, and bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages to the lungs.

Answer: Fungus

The fungus is contagious and thrives in damp, humid environments such as the areas around swimming pools and changing rooms. People who have wet feet for any length of time can also suffer from this infection, which causes itching and flaking of the affected skin. Keeping the feet dry, particularly between the toes, is the best preventive measure. Treatment is by creams or powders on the affected areas, although severe infections may need stronger, oral medication.

Answer: Indigestion

This is another term with Greek origins, with 'dys' meaning bad and 'pepsis' meaning digestion. The symptoms include pain, bloating and a feeling of fullness and can be relieved by taking antacids to neutralise stomach acids. Occasionally, the symptoms can be caused by a peptic ulcer or even cancer, so your fears may be realistic this time. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and small intestine, causing vomiting and diarrhoea and nausea is the feeling that you need to vomit. Belching involves the expulsion of gas from the mouth and is also known as eructation.

Answer: A boil

Boils are caused by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, infecting a hair follicle, which then fills with pus. They usually need to be drained, but can clear spontaneously and do not normally cause any additional problems. A blackhead is caused by excess oil (sebum) blocking a hair follicle.

This then attracts skin debris, which turns black to give the problem its common name. The medical name is an open comedo. A freckle is also known by the Greek name of ephelis, and is formed by a concentration of melanin, usually in fair skinned people. Cellulite produces dimpling of the skin, often of the thighs, formed by pockets of fat under the skin.

Answer: Bunion

Bunions, corns and ingrowing toenails can all be caused by wearing tight and ill-fitting footwear. Bunions are a bony swelling over the first joint of the big toe (hallux), which can force the toe to angle inwards and make the problem worse. They can be treated by wearing wider shoes and foam pads, although surgery is sometimes needed. An ingrowing toenail occurs when the nail cuts into the nail bed, and has the medical name of onychocryptosis. Corns are areas of thick skin, usually on the tops or sides of toes and can also be known by the name of callus.

A verruca is a wart on the sole of the foot, caused by a virus.

Answer: Black eye

Usually caused by a blow to the face or nose, a black eye is caused by the accumulation of blood and fluids in the spaces around the eye. The bleeding causes a bruise to appear which looks dramatic, but rarely leads to any problems. A stye is an infection of the glands at the base of an eyelash and is known as a hordeolum, and pink eye is the common name for conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eye. Floaters are the dark bits which form in the eye, usually with age, and are normally harmless unless linked to other symptoms.

Answer: Hay fever

Hay fever is an inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergy and was named as it seemed to strike during the hay making season. Allergies to pollen, grass or dust can trigger the symptoms of runny nose and swollen eyes. Epistaxis is the medical term for a nose bleed and stertor refers to snoring. Catarrh is an inflammation of the mucous membranes and is often a consequence of a head cold.

It derives from the Greek words for down, which is 'kata' and flow, which is 'rhein', which is an accurate description of the symptoms.

Answer: Earache

Any word ending in 'algia' refers to pain and comes from the Greek word 'algos'. 'Otic' means of or relating to the ear, again with a Greek origin, so the combination of the two words means ear pain. In children, earache is usually caused by an ear infection, although in adults the pain is often referred from another part of the body, for example the teeth. Toothache is odontalgia and one of the causes of a sore throat is pharyngitis, an inflammation of the pharynx at the back of the throat. One of the causes of a cauliflower ear is injury while playing rugby or boxing, when it is called traumatic auricular haematoma.

The ear swells and distorts, which can give an appearance similar to a cauliflower.

Answer: Itching

Pruritus refers to the itching sensation which makes you want to scratch and is usually a symptom rather than a diagnosis in itself. It can be caused by localised problems, such as head lice, dermatitis on the hands or even by dry skin. More serious illnesses can also cause itching, including diabetes or kidney failure. Varicose veins are twists, usually in the veins of the leg and sunburn can be referred to as erythema. Crows feet can be called 'lateral canthal wrinkles', but they are not life threatening, even to hypochondriacs.

Answer: Tussis

Tussis has a Latin derivation, and refers to a slight cough which is unlikely to lead to your demise. The word also appears in the medical term for the rather more serious illness of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Tachycardia means that the heart is beating too fast, and transpiration can be used as an alternative to perspiration. Talipes refers to a deformity of the foot, one type being a club foot, and is a condition that some babies are born with.