1. To cause some kind of grievous physical or mental suffering and distress on someone or others: Famine, pandemic diseases, and wars are afflicting many people in several parts of the world.
2. Etymology: from Latin affligere, "to throw down"; from ad-, "to" + figere, "to strike".

If a person is afflicted, his or her health or hopes have been "dashed down" or "struck down".

Descriptive of sever suffering or distress and trouble: Sam's afflicted body is a result of arthritis in the joints of his fingers, toes, arms, knees, and back.