symptom

/ˈsɪm(p)təm/

/ˈsɪmptəm/

Other forms: symptoms

A symptom is the result or byproduct of something else—specifically, the result we use to prove that that other thing exists. Simple example: a cough is a symptom of a cold. We know we have a cold because we have the symptom, a cough.

Don't confuse the symptom with the cause. Even when the symptom is worse than the cause, don't be tempted to confuse them. Fever, sneezing, achiness: all of these are symptom of a cold. But they are not the cold. They are symptoms of it. Relationship experts argue over whether "cheating” is the cause of unhappiness or the symptom. In other words, do people think about breaking up because of cheating, or do they cheat because they're thinking about breaking up.

Definitions of symptom

1. noun

   (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
   types:

   crepitation rale

   the crackling sound heard on auscultation when patients with respiratory diseases inhale; associated with tuberculosis and pneumonia and congestive heart failure

   hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia

   abnormally heavy or prolonged menstruation; can be a symptom of uterine tumors and can lead to anemia if prolonged

   alkalinuria, alkaluria

   a condition in which the urine (which is normally slightly acidic) is alkaline

   eosinopenia

   a decrease in the number of eosinophils in the blood

   haemoglobinemia, hemoglobinemia

   presence of excessive hemoglobin in the blood plasma

   haemoptysis, hemoptysis

   coughing up blood from the respiratory tract; usually indicates a severe infection of the bronchi or lungs

   hyperlipaemia, hyperlipemia, hyperlipidaemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoidaemia, hyperlipoidemia, lipaemia, lipemia, lipidaemia, lipidemia, lipoidaemia, lipoidemia

   presence of excess lipids in the blood

   albuminuria, proteinuria

   the presence of excessive protein (chiefly albumin but also globulin) in the urine; usually a symptom of kidney disorder

   aminoaciduria

   abnormal presence of amino acids in the urine; usually a symptom of metabolic defects

   ammoniuria

   excessive ammonia in the urine

   Jacquemier's sign

   a purplish discoloration of the mucous membrane of the vagina that occurs early in pregnancy

   Kayser-Fleischer ring

   a pigmented ring at the outer edge of the cornea of the eye; a symptom of Wilson's disease

   keratomalacia

   softening and drying and ulceration of the cornea resulting from vitamin A deficiency; symptom of cystic fibrosis or sprue

   Kernig's sign

   symptom of meningitis; patient cannot extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings

   acetonemia, ketonemia, ketosis

   an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the blood as in diabetes mellitus

   Koplik's spots

   small red spots with white centers found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue; symptom of measles that appears one or two days before the measles rash appears

   glycosuria

   the presence of abnormally high levels of sugar in the urine

   lymphuria

   the presence of lymph in the urine

   monocytosis

   increase in the number of monocytes in the blood; symptom of monocytic leukemia

   thrombocytosis

   increase in the number of platelets in the blood which tends to cause clots to form; associated with many neoplasms and chronic infections and other diseases

   ochronosis

   an accumulation of dark pigment in cartilage and other connective tissue; usually a symptom of alkaptonuria or phenol poisoning

   hypercalcaemia, hypercalcemia

   the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or Paget's disease

   hypocalcaemia, hypocalcemia

   abnormally low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypoparathyroidism or kidney malfunction or vitamin D deficiency

   hypercalcinuria, hypercalciuria

   the presence of abnormally high levels of calcium in the urine; usually the result of excessive bone resorption in hyperparathyroidism or osteoporosis

   hypercholesteremia, hypercholesterolemia

   the presence of an abnormal amount of cholesterol in the cells and plasma of the blood; associated with the risk of atherosclerosis

   hyperkalemia

   higher than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood; associated with kidney failure or sometimes with the use of diuretic drugs

   hypokalemia

   abnormally low level of potassium in the circulating blood leading to weakness and heart abnormalities; associated with adrenal tumors or starvation or taking diuretics

   kaliuresis, kaluresis

   the presence of excess potassium in the urine

   natriuresis

   the presence of abnormally large amounts of sodium in the urine

   hypoproteinemia

   abnormally low level of protein in the blood; can indicate inadequate diet or intestinal or renal disorders

   hypernatremia

   excessive amounts of sodium in the blood; possibly indicating diabetes insipidus

   hyponatremia

   abnormally low level of sodium in the blood; associated with dehydration

   hypersplenism

   enlarged spleen and a decrease in one or more types of blood cells; associated with many disorders

   acetonuria, ketoaciduria, ketonuria

   excessive amounts of ketone bodies in the urine as in diabetes mellitus or starvation

   amenia, amenorrhea, amenorrhoea

   absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow

   aura

   a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure

   chloasma, mask of pregnancy, melasma

   a tan discoloration of a woman's face that is associated with pregnancy or with the use of oral contraceptives

   clubbing

   a condition in which the ends of toes and fingers become wide and thick; a symptom of heart or lung disease

   cyanosis

   a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished (as in carbon monoxide poisoning)

   diuresis

   increased secretion of urine; if not due to increased liquid intake or to the action of a diuretic drug it can be a symptom of diabetes mellitus

   prodroma, prodrome

   an early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur

   syndrome

   a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease

   effect

   a symptom caused by an illness or a medication

   abscess

   symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

   purulence, purulency

   symptom of being purulent (containing or forming pus)

   exophthalmos

   protrusion of the eyeball from the socket

   festination

   involuntary shortening of stride and quickening of gait that occurs in some diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease)

   furring

   a furlike coating of matter as on the tongue

   haematuria, hematuria

   the presence of blood in the urine; often a symptom of urinary tract disease

   haemoglobinuria, hemoglobinuria

   presence of hemoglobin in the urine

   haemosiderosis, hemosiderosis

   abnormal deposit of hemosiderin; often a symptom of thalassemia or hemochromatosis

   nebula

   cloudiness of the urine

   sneeze, sneezing, sternutation

   a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose

   lump, puffiness, swelling

   an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement

   bubo

   a lymph node that is inflamed and swollen because of plague or gonorrhea or tuberculosis

   palsy

   a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor

   pyuria

   presence of white blood cells in the urine; symptom of urinary tract infection

   hyperglycaemia, hyperglycemia

   abnormally high blood sugar usually associated with diabetes

   hypoglycaemia, hypoglycemia

   abnormally low blood sugar usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet

   icterus, jaundice

   yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia

   congestion

   excessive accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part

   eruption

   symptom consisting of a breaking out and becoming visible

   numbness

   partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction

   hurting, pain

   a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

   paraesthesia, paresthesia

   abnormal skin sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning) usually associated with peripheral nerve damage

   postnasal drip

   chronic secretion of mucus from the rear of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx

   cardiomegaly, enlarged heart, megacardia, megalocardia

   an abnormal enlargement of the heart

   cardiac murmur, heart murmur, murmur

   an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves

   palpitation

   a rapid and irregular heart beat

   heartburn, pyrosis

   a painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder

   flush, hot flash

   sudden brief sensation of heat (associated with menopause and some mental disorders)

   agita, dyspepsia, indigestion, stomach upset, upset stomach

   a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea

   inflammation, redness, rubor

   a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat

   chill, shivering

   a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

   ague, chills and fever

   successive stages of chills and fever that is a symptom of malaria

   cough, coughing

   a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis

   hiccough, hiccup, singultus

   (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion

   meningism

   symptoms that mimic those of meningitis but without inflammation of the meninges

   nausea, sickness

   the state that precedes vomiting

   cramp, muscle spasm, spasm

   a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

   cicatrice, cicatrix, scar

   a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue

   hardening

   abnormal hardening or thickening of tissue

   floater, musca volitans, muscae volitantes, spots

   spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens

   febricity, febrility, fever, feverishness, pyrexia

   a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection

   atrophy, wasting, wasting away

   a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse

   apnea

   transient cessation of respiration

   dyspnea, dyspnoea

   difficult or labored respiration

   constipation, irregularity

   irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels; can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis

   diarrhea, diarrhoea, looseness, looseness of the bowels

   frequent and watery bowel movements; can be a symptom of infection or food poisoning or colitis or a gastrointestinal tumor

   dizziness, giddiness, lightheadedness, vertigo

   a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall

   anaemia, anemia

   a lack of vitality

   wheeziness

   presence of abnormal high-pitched sound heard with a stethoscope when an airway is blocked (as in asthma or chronic bronchitis)

   withdrawal symptom

   any physical or psychological disturbance (as sweating or depression) experienced by a drug addict when deprived of the drug

   hydrophobia

   a symptom of rabies in humans consisting of an aversion to swallowing liquids

   areflexia

   absence of a reflex; a sign of possible nerve damage

   myoglobinuria

   the presence of myoglobin in the urine

   oliguria

   abnormally small production of urine; can be a symptom of kidney disease or obstruction of the urinary tract or edema or an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes in the body

   eosinophilia

   a symptom of allergic states; increased eosinophils in the blood

   rhinorrhea

   persistent watery mucus discharge from the nose (as in the common cold)

   steatorrhea

   the presence of greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces which are frothy and foul smelling and floating; a symptom of disorders of fat metabolism and malabsorption syndrome

   stridor

   a whistling sound when breathing (usually heard on inspiration); indicates obstruction of the trachea or larynx

   tinnitus

   a ringing or booming sensation in one or both ears; a symptom of an ear infection or Meniere's disease

   uratemia

   presence of abnormal amounts of uric acid salts in the blood; symptom of gout

   uraturia

   presence of abnormally large amounts of uric acid in the urine; symptom of gout

   uricaciduria

   presence of abnormal amounts of uric acid in the urine; symptom of gout

   spermatocele

   a swelling on the epididymis or the testis; usually contains spermatozoa

   autism

   a condition involving difficulties in social and communication skills

   ADD, ADHD, MBD, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hyperkinetic syndrome, minimal brain damage, minimal brain dysfunction

   a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders

   amyotrophia, amyotrophy

   progressive wasting of muscle tissues

   Graves' disease, exophthalmic goiter

   exophthalmos occurring in association with goiter; hyperthyroidism with protrusion of the eyeballs

   tabes

   wasting of the body during a chronic disease

   Horner's syndrome

   a pattern of symptoms occurring as a result of damage to nerves in the cervical region of the spine (drooping eyelids and constricted pupils and absence of facial sweating)

   branched chain ketoaciduria, maple syrup urine disease

   an inherited disorder of metabolism in which the urine has a odor characteristic of maple syrup; if untreated it can lead to mental retardation and death in early childhood

   kinetosis, motion sickness

   the state of being dizzy or nauseated because of the motions that occur while traveling in or on a moving vehicle

   Kaposi's varicelliform eruption, eczema vaccinatum

   a now rare complication of vaccinia superimposed on atopic dermatitis with high fever and generalized vesicles and papulovesicles

   adenitis

   inflammation of a gland or lymph node

   alveolitis

   inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs caused by inhaling dust; with repeated exposure the condition may become chronic

   alveolitis, dry socket

   inflammation in the socket of a tooth; sometimes occurs after a tooth is extracted and a blood clot fails to form

   angiitis

   inflammation of a blood vessel or lymph duct

   aortitis

   inflammation of the aorta

   appendicitis

   inflammation of the appendix causing pain and illness

   arteritis

   inflammation of an artery

   balanitis

   inflammation of the head of the penis

   balanoposthitis

   inflammation of both the head of the penis and the foreskin

   blepharitis

   inflammation of the eyelids characterized by redness and swelling and dried crusts

   bursitis

   inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder

   haematocyturia, hematocyturia

   the presence of red blood cells in the urine

   fructosuria

   the presence of levulose is the urine

   glucosuria

   the presence of abnormally high levels of glucose in the urine

   Raynaud's sign, acrocyanosis

   cyanosis of the extremities; can occur when a spasm of the blood vessels is caused by exposure to cold or by strong emotion

   primary amenorrhea

   delay of menarche beyond age 18

   secondary amenorrhea

   cessation of menstruation in a woman who had previously menstruated

   cervical disc syndrome, cervical root syndrome

   an abnormal condition resulting from compression of spinal nerve roots in the neck region; involves neck pains and muscular weakness and paresthesia

   Chinese restaurant syndrome

   headache and tingling or burning feelings and sweating caused by eating food that contains monosodium glutamate

   Conn's syndrome

   disturbances in saltwater balance and symptoms of weakness and muscular cramps and twitching and convulsions and sometimes paralysis; usually caused by a benign tumor of the cortex of the adrenal gland that leads to excess secretion of aldosterone

   FAS, fetal alcohol syndrome

   a congenital medical condition in which body deformation occurs or facial development or mental ability is impaired because the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy

   Gulf War syndrome, Persian Gulf illness

   a medical condition of uncertain origin that affected many veterans of the 1991 Gulf War; characterized by fatigue and headache and dizziness and nausea and rashes and joint pain and respiratory disorders

   Klinefelter syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, XXY-syndrome

   syndrome in males that is characterized by small testes and long legs and enlarged breasts and reduced sperm production and mental retardation; a genetic defect in which an extra X chromosome (XXY) is present in the male

   malabsorption syndrome

   a pattern of symptoms including loss of appetite and bloating and weight loss and muscle pain and steatorrhea; associated with celiac disease and sprue and cystic fibrosis

   Munchausen syndrome, Munchausen's syndrome

   syndrome consisting of feigning acute and dramatic illness for which no clinical evidence is ever found

   nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome

   a syndrome characterized by edema and large amounts of protein in the urine and usually increased blood cholesterol; usually associated with glomerulonephritis or with a complication of various systemic diseases

   Noonan's syndrome

   syndrome seen only in males; marked by short stature and lowset ears and subnormal fertility

   phantom limb syndrome

   syndrome consisting of discomfort or pain in a limb that has been amputated

   PMS, premenstrual syndrome

   a syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation

   radiation, radiation sickness, radiation syndrome

   syndrome resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g., exposure to radioactive chemicals or to nuclear explosions); low doses cause diarrhea and nausea and vomiting and sometimes loss of hair; greater exposure can cause sterility and cataracts and some forms of cancer and other diseases; severe exposure can cause death within hours

   Ramsay Hunt syndrome

   syndrome resulting from infection by the herpes varicella zoster virus; characterized by vertigo and pain in the ears and facial nerve paralysis and sometimes hearing loss

   Reiter's disease, Reiter's syndrome

   an inflammatory syndrome (etiology unknown) predominantly in males; characterized by arthritis and conjunctivitis and urethritis

   Ekbom syndrome, restless legs, restless legs syndrome

   feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the legs after going to bed (sometimes causing insomnia); may be relieved temporarily by walking or moving the legs

   Reye's syndrome

   acquired encephalopathy following acute viral infections (especially influenza or chicken pox) in young children; characterized by fever, vomiting, disorientation, coma, and fatty infiltration of the liver

   scalenus syndrome

   discomfort and vascular symptoms and loss of sensation in a shoulder and arm; caused by a scalene muscle compressing the subclavian artery and part of the brachial plexus

   apyretic tetanus, intermittent cramp, intermittent tetanus, tetanilla, tetany

   clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures; associated with calcium deficiency (hypoparathyroidism) or vitamin D deficiency or alkalosis

   thoracic outlet syndrome

   tingling sensations in the fingers; caused by compression on a nerve supplying the arm

   Tietze's syndrome

   syndrome characterized by swelling of rib cartilage (causing pain)

   Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, Tourette's syndrome

   neurological disorder characterized by facial grimaces and tics and movements of the upper body and grunts and shouts and coprolalia

   aftereffect

   a delayed effect of a drug or therapy

   bummer

   a bad reaction to a hallucinogenic drug

   side effect

   a secondary and usually adverse effect of a drug or therapy

   abscessed tooth

   an abscess of a common kind in the tissue around a tooth

   bloat

   swelling of the rumen or intestinal tract of domestic animals caused by excessive gas

   bunion

   a painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe

   dropsy, edema, hydrops, oedema

   swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities

   haematocele, haematocoele, hematocele, hematocoele

   swelling caused by blood collecting in a body cavity (especially a swelling of the membrane covering the testis)

   intumescence, intumescency

   swelling up with blood or other fluids (as with congestion)

   iridoncus

   swelling of the iris of the eye

   lymphogranuloma

   swelling of a lymph node

   oscheocele, oscheocoele

   swelling of the scrotum

   tumidity, tumidness

   slight swelling of an organ or part

   icterus neonatorum, jaundice of the newborn, physiological jaundice of the newborn

   yellowish appearance in newborn infants; usually subsides spontaneously

   kernicterus

   an abnormal accumulation of bile pigment in the brain and other nerve tissue; causes yellow staining and tissue damage

   hydrothorax

   accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the walls of the chest) often resulting from disease of the heart or kidneys

   haemothorax, hemothorax

   accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the walls of the chest)

   hyperaemia, hyperemia

   increased blood in an organ or other body part

   pulmonary congestion

   congestion in the lungs

   stuffiness

   state of obstruction or stoppage or air in the nose or throat

   enanthem, enanthema

   eruption on a mucous membrane (as the inside of the mouth) occurring as a symptom of a disease

   exanthem, exanthema, skin eruption

   eruption on the skin occurring as a symptom of a disease

   efflorescence, rash, roseola, skin rash

   any red eruption of the skin

   ache, aching

   a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain

   agony, excruciation, suffering

   a state of acute pain

   arthralgia

   pain in a joint or joints

   formication

   hallucinated sensation that insects or snakes are crawling over the skin; a common side-effect of extensive use of cocaine or amphetamines

   burn, burning

   pain that feels hot as if it were on fire

   causalgia

   a burning pain in a limb along the course of a peripheral nerve; usually associated with skin changes

   colic, gripes, griping, intestinal colic

   acute abdominal pain (especially in infants)

   chest pain

   pain in the chest

   chiralgia

   a pain in the hand that is not traumatic

   distress

   extreme physical pain

   dysmenorrhea

   painful menstruation

   glossalgia, glossodynia

   pain in the tongue

   growing pains

   pain in muscles or joints sometimes experienced by children and often attributed to rapid growth

   haemorrhoid, hemorrhoid, piles

   pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter

   keratalgia

   pain in the cornea

   labor pain

   pain and discomfort associated with contractions of the uterus during labor

   mastalgia

   pain in the breast

   melagra

   rheumatic or myalgic pains in the arms or legs

   meralgia

   pain in the thigh

   metralgia

   pain in the uterus

   myalgia, myodynia

   pain in a muscle or group of muscles

   nephralgia

   pain in the kidney (usually felt in the loins)

   neuralgia, neuralgy

   acute spasmodic pain along the course of one or more nerves

   odynophagia

   severe pain on swallowing due to a disorder of the esophagus

   orchidalgia

   pain in the testes

   pang

   a sharp spasm of pain

   pang, sting

   a mental pain or distress

   photalgia, photophobia

   pain in the eye resulting from exposure to bright light (often associated with albinism)

   costalgia, pleuralgia, pleurodynia

   pain in the chest caused by inflammation of the muscles between the ribs

   podalgia

   foot pain

   proctalgia

   pain in the rectum

   referred pain

   pain that is felt at a place in the body different from the injured or diseased part where the pain would be expected

   renal colic

   sharp pain in the lower back that radiates into the groin; associated with the passage of a renal calculus through the ureter

   smart, smarting, smartness

   a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore

   sting, stinging

   a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung

   stitch

   a sharp spasm of pain in the side resulting from running

   rawness, soreness, tenderness

   a pain that is felt (as when the area is touched)

   thermalgesia

   pain caused by heat

   throb

   a deep pulsating type of pain

   torment, torture

   unbearable physical pain

   ulalgia

   pain in the gums

   urodynia

   pain during urination

   systolic murmur

   a murmur heard during systole

   carditis

   inflammation of the heart

   catarrh

   inflammation of the nose and throat with increased production of mucus

   cellulitis

   an inflammation of body tissue (especially that below the skin) characterized by fever and swelling and redness and pain

   cervicitis

   inflammation of the uterine cervix

   cheilitis

   inflammation and cracking of the skin of the lips

   quartan

   a malarial fever that recurs every fourth day

   cholangitis

   inflammation of the bile ducts

   cholecystitis

   inflammation of the gall bladder

   chorditis

   inflammation of the vocal cords

   chorditis

   inflammation of the spermatic cord

   colitis, inflammatory bowel disease

   inflammation of the colon

   colpitis

   inflammation of the vagina

   colpocystitis

   inflammation of the vagina and bladder

   conjunctivitis, pinkeye

   inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye

   corditis

   inflammation of the spermatic cord

   costochondritis

   inflammation at the junction of a rib and its cartilage

   dacryocystitis

   inflammation of the lacrimal sac causing obstruction of the tube draining tears into the nose

   diverticulitis

   inflammation of a diverticulum in the digestive tract (especially the colon); characterized by painful abdominal cramping and fever and constipation

   cephalitis, encephalitis, phrenitis

   inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus; symptoms include headache and neck pain and drowsiness and nausea and fever (`phrenitis' is no longer in scientific use)

   encephalomyelitis

   inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

   endarteritis

   inflammation of the inner lining of an artery

   endocervicitis

   inflammation of the mucous lining of the uterine cervix

   enteritis

   inflammation of the intestine (especially the small intestine); usually characterized by diarrhea

   epicondylitis

   painful inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues around an epicondyle

   epididymitis

   painful inflammation of the epididymis

   epiglottitis

   inflammation of the epiglottis; characterized by fever and a severe sore throat and difficulty in swallowing

   episcleritis

   inflammation of the sclera of the eye

   esophagitis, oesophagitis

   inflammation of the esophagus; often caused by gastroesophageal reflux

   fibrositis

   inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths)

   fibromyositis

   local inflammation of muscle and connective tissue

   folliculitis

   inflammation of a hair follicle

   funiculitis

   inflammation of a funiculus (especially an inflammation of the spermatic cord)

   gastritis

   inflammation of the lining of the stomach; nausea and loss of appetite and discomfort after eating

   glossitis

   inflammation of the tongue

   hydrarthrosis

   inflammation and swelling of a movable joint because of excess synovial fluid

   ileitis

   inflammation of the ileum

   iridocyclitis

   inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye

   iridokeratitis

   inflammation of the iris and cornea of the eye

   iritis

   inflammation of the iris

   jejunitis

   inflammation of the jejunum of the small intestine

   jejunoileitis

   inflammation of the jejunum and the ileum of the small intestine

   keratitis

   inflammation of the cornea causing watery painful eyes and blurred vision

   keratoconjunctivitis

   inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva

   keratoiritis

   inflammation of the cornea and the iris of the eye

   keratoscleritis

   inflammation of the cornea and sclera of the eye

   founder, laminitis

   inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse

   laryngitis

   inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx; characterized by hoarseness or loss of voice and coughing

   laryngopharyngitis

   inflammation of the larynx and pharynx

   laryngotracheobronchitis

   inflammation of the larynx and trachea and bronchial passageways

   lymphadenitis

   inflammation of lymph nodes

   lymphangitis

   inflammation of a lymph vessel

   mastitis

   inflammation of a breast (or udder)

   mastoiditis

   inflammation of the mastoid

   endometritis, metritis

   inflammation of the lining of the uterus (of the endometrium)

   myelitis

   inflammation of the spinal cord

   myositis

   inflammation of muscle tissue

   myometritis

   inflammation of the myometrium

   neuritis

   inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function

   oophoritis

   inflammation of one or both ovaries

   orchitis

   inflammation of one or both testes; characterized by pain and swelling

   osteitis

   inflammation of a bone as a consequence of infection or trauma or degeneration

   otitis

   inflammation of the ear

   ovaritis

   inflammation of the ovaries

   pancreatitis

   inflammation of the pancreas; usually marked by abdominal pain

   parametritis

   inflammation of connective tissue adjacent to the uterus

   parotitis

   inflammation of one or both parotid glands

   peritoneal inflammation, peritonitis

   inflammation of the peritoneum

   phalangitis

   inflammation of a finger or toe

   phlebitis

   inflammation of a vein (usually in the legs)

   pneumonitis

   inflammation of the lungs; caused by a virus or an allergic reaction

   posthitis

   inflammation of the foreskin of the penis; usually caused by bacterial infection

   proctitis

   inflammation of the rectum; marked by bloody stools and a frequent urge to defecate; frequently associated with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

   prostatitis

   inflammation of the prostate gland characterized by perineal pain and irregular urination and (if severe) chills and fever

   rachitis

   inflammation of the vertebral column

   radiculitis

   inflammation of the radicle of a nerve

   retinitis

   inflammation of the retina

   coryza, rhinitis

   an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose (usually associated with nasal discharge)

   sinusitis

   inflammation of one of the paranasal sinuses

   salpingitis

   inflammation of a Fallopian tube (usually the result of infection spreading from the vagina or uterus) or of a Eustachian tube

   scleritis

   inflammation of the sclera

   sialadenitis

   inflammation of the salivary glands

   splenitis

   inflammation of the spleen

   spondylitis

   inflammation of a spinal joint; characterized by pain and stiffness

   stomatitis

   inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth

   synovitis

   inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines a synovial joint; results in pain and swelling

   tarsitis

   inflammation of the eyelid

   tendinitis, tendonitis

   inflammation and pain from the overuse of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone

   thyroiditis

   inflammation of the thyroid gland

   tonsillitis

   inflammation of the tonsils (especially the palatine tonsils)

   tracheitis

   inflammation of the trachea

   tracheobronchitis

   common respiratory infection characterized by inflammation of the trachea and the bronchi

   tympanitis

   inflammation of the inner ear

   ulitis

   inflammation of the gums

   ureteritis

   inflammation of the ureter

   uveitis

   inflammation of the uvea of the eye

   uvulitis

   inflammation of the uvula

   vaginitis

   inflammation of the vagina (usually associated with candidiasis)

   valvulitis

   inflammation of a valve (especially of a cardiac valve as a consequence of rheumatic fever)

   vasculitis

   inflammation of a blood vessel

   vasovesiculitis

   inflammation of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles; usually occurring with prostatitis

   vesiculitis

   inflammation of a seminal vesicle (usually in conjunction with prostatitis)

   vulvitis

   inflammation of the vulva

   vulvovaginitis

   inflammation of the vulva and the vagina

   morning sickness

   nausea early in the day; a characteristic symptom in the early months of pregnancy

   qualm, queasiness, squeamishness

   a mild state of nausea

   charley horse, charley-horse

   a muscular cramp (especially in the thigh or calf) following vigorous exercise

   graphospasm, writer's cramp

   muscular spasms of thumb and forefinger while writing with a pen or pencil

   blepharospasm

   spasm of the eyelid muscle resulting in closure of the eye

   crick, kink, rick, wrick

   a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (`rick' and `wrick' are British)

   myoclonus

   a clonic spasm of a muscle or muscle group

   opisthotonos

   severe spasm in which the back arches and the head bends back and heels flex toward the back

   twitch, twitching, vellication

   a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition

   callus

   bony tissue formed during the healing of a fractured bone

   cheloid, keloid

   raised pinkish scar tissue at the site of an injury; results from excessive tissue repair

   pockmark

   a scar or pit on the skin that is left by a pustule of smallpox or acne or other eruptive disease

   sword-cut

   a scar from a cut made by a sword

   vaccination

   the scar left following inoculation with a vaccine

   callosity, callous, callus

   an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)

   calcification

   tissue hardened by deposition of lime salts

   hyperpyrexia

   extremely high fever (especially in children)

   periodic apnea of the newborn

   irregular breathing of newborns; periods of rapid breathing followed by apnea; believed to be associated with sudden infant death syndrome

   orthopnea

   form of dyspnea in which the person can breathe comfortably only when standing or sitting erect; associated with asthma and emphysema and angina pectoris

   SOB, breathlessness, shortness of breath

   a dyspneic condition

   sleep apnea

   an interruption in breathing that occurs during rest that leads to oxygen deprevation

   dyschezia

   difficulty in defecating (usually as a consequence of long continued voluntary suppression of the urge to defecate)

   fecal impaction

   accumulation of hardened feces in the rectum or lower colon which the person cannot move

   obstipation

   severe constipation resulting from an obstruction in the intestines

   Montezuma's revenge

   diarrhea contracted in Mexico or Central America

   familial hypercholesterolemia

   congenital disorder characterized by high levels of cholesterol and early development of atherosclerosis

   Fallot's syndrome, Fallot's tetralogy, tetralogy of Fallot

   a congenital heart defect producing cyanosis; characterized by four symptoms: pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect and malposition of the aorta over both ventricles and hypertrophy of the right ventricle

   TSS, toxic shock, toxic shock syndrome

   syndrome resulting from a serious acute (sometimes fatal) infection associated with the presence of staphylococcus; characterized by fever and diarrhea and nausea and diffuse erythema and shock; occurs especially in menstruating women using highly absorbent tampons

   Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

   syndrome associated with bacterial meningitis; marked by sudden high fever and skin discoloration and petechiae with hemorrhage into the adrenal glands and cardiovascular collapse

   Williams syndrome

   a rare congenital disorder associated with deletion of genetic material in chromosome 7; characterized by mental deficiency and some growth deficiency and elfin faces but an overly social personality and a remarkable gift for vocabulary

   Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

   syndrome consisting of intractable peptic ulceration with gastric hypersecretion and hyperacidity

   shin splints

   painful inflammation of the muscles around the shins; frequent among runners

   kraurosis

   atrophy and shriveling of the skin or mucous membrane

   tenesmus

   painful spasm of the anal sphincter along with an urgent desire to defecate without the significant production of feces; associated with irritable bowel syndrome

   trismus

   prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles

   type of:

   evidence, grounds

   your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
2. noun

   anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X's existence
   type of:

   indicant, indication

   something that serves to indicate or suggest