For the 1974 horror film, see Symptoms (film).
A symptom (from Greek σύμπτωμα, "accident, misfortune, that which befalls",[1] from συμπίπτω, "I befall", from συν- "together, with" + πίπτω, "I fall") is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality. A symptom is subjective,[2] observed by the patient,[3] and cannot be measured directly.[4]
The term is sometimes also applied to physiological states outside the context of disease, as for example when referring to "symptoms of pregnancy".
Contents
- 1 Types
- 1.1 Positive and negative symptoms
- 2 Possible causes
- 3 Symptom versus sign
- 4 See also
- 5 References
Types[edit]
Symptoms may be chronic, relapsing or remitting. Asymptomatic conditions also exist (e.g. subclinical infections and, sometimes, high blood pressure).
Constitutional or general symptoms are those that are related to the systemic effects of a disease (e.g., fever, malaise, anorexia, and weight loss). They affect the entire body rather than a specific organ or location.
The terms "chief complaint", "presenting symptom", "iatrotropic symptom", or "presenting complaint" are used to describe the initial concern which brings a patient to a doctor. The symptom that ultimately leads to a diagnosis is called a "cardinal symptom".
Non-specific symptoms are those self-reported symptoms that do not indicate a specific disease process or involve an isolated body system. For example, fatigue is a feature of many acute and chronic medical conditions, whether physical or mental, and may be either a primary or secondary symptom. Fatigue is also a normal, healthy condition when experienced after exertion or at the end of a day.
Positive and negative symptoms[edit]
In describing mental disorders,[5][6] especially schizophrenia, symptoms can be divided into positive and negative symptoms.[7]
- Positive symptoms are symptoms that most individuals do not normally experience but are present in the disorder. It reflects an excess or distortion of normal functions (i.e., experiences and behaviours that have been added to a person’s normal way of functioning.[8] Examples are hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior.[5]
- Negative symptoms are functions that are normally found in healthy persons, but that are diminished or not present in affected persons. Thus, it is something that has disappeared from a person’s normal way of functioning.[8] Examples are social withdrawal, apathy, inability to experience pleasure and defects in attention control.[6]
Possible causes[edit]
Some symptoms occur in a wide range of disease processes, whereas other symptoms are fairly specific for a narrow range of illnesses. For example, a sudden loss of sight in one eye has a significantly smaller number of possible causes than nausea does.
Some symptoms can be misleading to the patient or the medical practitioner caring for them. For example, inflammation of the gallbladder often gives rise to pain in the right shoulder, which may understandably lead the patient to attribute the pain to a non-abdominal cause such as muscle strain.
Symptom versus sign[edit]
A symptom can more simply be defined as any feature which is noticed by the patient. A sign is noticed by other people. It is not necessarily the nature of the sign or symptom which defines it, but who observes it.
A feature might be a sign or a symptom, or both, depending on the observer(s). For example, a skin rash may be noticed by either a healthcare professional as a sign, or by the patient as a symptom. When it is noticed by both, then the feature is both a sign and a symptom.
Some features, such as pain, can only be symptoms, because they cannot be directly observed by other people. Other features can only be signs, such as a blood cell count measured in a medical laboratory.
See also[edit]
- Category:Symptoms
- List of medical symptoms
- Pathogenesis
- Symptomatic treatment
References[edit]
- ^ "Sumptoma, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', at Pursues". Perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
- ^ Pathology - Glossary[dead link]
- ^ eMedicine/Stedman Medical Dictionary Lookup![dead link]
- ^ Devroede G (1992). "Constipation—a sign of a disease to be treated surgically, or a symptom to be deciphered as nonverbal communication?". J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 15 (3): 189–91. doi:10.1097/00004836-199210000-00003. PMID 1479160.
- ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders: positive symptom". Minddisorders.com. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
- ^ a b http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Negative-symptoms.html Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders: negative symptom
- ^ "Mental Health: a Report from the Surgeon General". Surgeongeneral.gov. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
- ^ a b Understanding Psychosis, Mental Health Illness of Australia.
Basic medical terms used to describe disease conditions
|
|
|
Medical sign
Symptom
Syndrome
|
Medical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Prognosis
|
Acute
Chronic
Cure/Remission
|
Disease
Eponymous disease
Acronym or abbreviation
|
|
|
Pathology: Medical conditions and ICD code
|
|
(Disease / Disorder / Syndrome / Sequence, Symptom / Sign, Injury, etc.)
|
|
(A/B, 001–139) |
Infectious disease/Infection: Bacterial disease (G+, G-) · Virus disease · Parasitic disease (Protozoan infection, Helminthiasis, Ectoparasitic infestation) · Mycosis · Zoonosis
|
|
(C/D,
140–239 &
279–289) |
Cancer (C00–D48, 140–239)
|
Tumor
|
|
Myeloid hematologic (D50–D77, 280–289)
|
Anemia · Coagulopathy
|
|
Lymphoid immune (D80–D89, 279)
|
Immunodeficiency · Immunoproliferative disorder · Hypersensitivity
|
|
|
(E, 240–278) |
Endocrine disease · Nutrition disorder · Inborn error of metabolism
|
|
(F, 290–319) |
Mental disorder
|
|
(G, 320–359) |
Nervous system disease (CNS, PNS) · Neuromuscular disease
|
|
(H, 360–389) |
Eye disease · Ear disease
|
|
(I, 390–459) |
Cardiovascular disease (Heart disease, Vascular disease)
|
|
(J, 460–519) |
Respiratory disease (Obstructive lung disease, Restrictive lung disease, Pneumonia)
|
|
(K, 520–579) |
Stomatognathic disease (Tooth disease) · Digestive disease (Esophageal, Stomach, Enteropathy, Liver, Pancreatic)
|
|
(L, 680–709) |
Skin disease · skin appendages (Nail disease, Hair disease, Sweat gland disease)
|
|
(M, 710–739) |
Musculoskeletal disorders: Myopathy · Arthropathy · Osteochondropathy (Osteopathy, Chondropathy)
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|
(N, 580–629) |
Urologic disease (Nephropathy, Urinary bladder disease) · Male genital disease · Breast disease · Female genital disease
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|
(O, 630–679) |
Complications of pregnancy · Obstetric labor complication · Puerperal disorder
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|
(P, 760–779) |
Fetal disease
|
|
(Q, 740–759) |
Congenital disorder (Congenital abnormality)
|
|
(R, 780–799) |
Syndromes · Medical signs (Eponymous)
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|
(S/T, 800–999) |
Bone fracture · Joint dislocation · Sprain · Strain · Subluxation · Head injury · Chest trauma · Poisoning
|
|
Symptoms and signs: circulatory (R00–R03, 785)
|
|
Cardiovascular |
Heart disease
|
- Tachycardia/Bradycardia
- Palpitation
- Heart sounds: Heart murmur
- Systolic
- Diastolic
- Continuous
- Gallop rhythm
- Third heart sound
- Fourth heart sound
- Pericardial friction rub
- Split S2
- Heart click
- Cardiovascular chest pain
- Vascular manifestations of heart disease (pulse): Pulsus tardus et parvus
- Pulsus paradoxus
- doubled
- Pulsus bisferiens
- Dicrotic pulse
- Pulsus bigeminus
- Pulsus alternans
- Carotid bruit
- Cannon A waves
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|
Vascular disease
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|
Myeloid/blood |
Shock
|
- Cardiogenic
- Hypovolemic
- Distributive
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Hyperaemia
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Anemia
|
|
|
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noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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proc, drug (C1A/1B/1C/1D), blte
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|
|
anat (a:h/u/t/a/l,v:h/u/t/a/l)/phys/devp/cell/prot
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noco/syva/cong/lyvd/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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proc, drug (C2s+n/3/4/5/7/8/9)
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|
|
cell/phys (coag, heme, immu, gran), csfs
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rbmg/mogr/tumr/hist, sysi/epon, btst
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drug (B1/2/3+5+6), btst, trns
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|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: respiratory system (R04–R07, 786)
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|
Hemorrhage |
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Abnormalities
of breathing |
- Respiratory sounds
- Stridor
- Wheeze
- Crackles
- Rhonchi
- Hamman's sign
- Apnea
- Dyspnea
- Hyperventilation/Hypoventilation
- Hyperpnea/Tachypnea/Hypopnea/Bradypnea
- Orthopnea/Platypnea
- Trepopnea
- Biot's respiration
- Cheyne–Stokes respiration
- Kussmaul breathing
- Hiccup
- Mouth breathing/Snoring
- Breath holding
|
|
Other |
- Asphyxia
- Cough
- Pleurisy
- Sputum
- Respiratory arrest
- Hypercapnia/Hypocapnia
- Pectoriloquy: Whispered pectoriloquy
- Egophony
- Bronchophony
- Silhouette sign
- Post-nasal drip
|
|
Chest, general |
- Chest pain
- Precordial catch syndrome
|
|
|
anat (n, x, l, c)/phys/devp
|
noco (c, p)/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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proc, drug (R1/2/3/5/6/7)
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|
|
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Symptoms and signs: digestive system and abdomen (R10–R19, 787,789)
|
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Gastrointestinal (GI)
tract |
Upper GI tract |
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Dysphagia (Oropharyngeal, Esophageal)
- Halitosis
- Xerostomia
- Hypersalivation
|
|
Lower GI tract |
- Flatus: Flatulence
- Abdominal distension
- Bloating
- Belching
- Tympanites
- Stool: Fecal incontinence
- Blood: Fecal occult blood
- Rectal tenesmus
- Constipation
- Obstructed defecation
- Diarrhea
- Rectal discharge
- Football sign
- Psoas sign
- Obturator sign
- Rovsing's sign
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|
|
Accessory |
- Hepatosplenomegaly/Hepatomegaly
|
|
Abdominopelvic |
|
|
Abdominal – general |
- Abdominal pain
- Acute abdomen
- Colic
- Baby colic
- Abdominal guarding
- Abdominal mass
- Rebound tenderness
- Shifting dullness
- Bulging flanks
- Puddle sign
- Fluid wave test
|
|
|
anat (t, g, p)/phys/devp/enzy
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noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon
|
proc, drug (A2A/2B/3/4/5/6/7/14/16), blte
|
|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: skin and subcutaneous tissue (R20–R23, 782)
|
|
Disturbances of skin sensation/
somatosensory disorder |
- Hypoesthesia
- Paresthesia (Formication)
- Hyperesthesia
|
|
Circulation |
- Cyanosis
- Pallor/Livedo (Livedo reticularis)
- Flushing
- Petechia
|
|
Edema |
- Peripheral edema
- Anasarca
|
|
Other |
- Rash
- Desquamation
- Induration
- Diaphoresis
- Mass (Neck mass)
|
|
|
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noco (i/b/d/q/u/r/p/m/k/v/f)/cong/tumr (n/e/d), sysi/epon
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proc, drug (D2/3/4/5/8/11)
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noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon
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|
|
|
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Symptoms and signs: nervous and musculoskeletal systems (R25–R29, 781.0, 781.2–9)
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|
Primarily nervous system |
Primarily CNS
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Movement disorders
|
Dyskinesia: Athetosis · Tremor · Dyskinesia
|
|
Gait abnormality
|
Scissor gait · Cerebellar ataxia · Festinating gait · Marche a petit pas · Propulsive gait · Stomping gait · Spastic gait · Magnetic gait
|
|
Lack of coordination
|
Dyskinesia: Ataxia (Cerebellar ataxia/Dysmetria, Sensory ataxia)
Dysdiadochokinesia · Asterixis
|
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Other
|
Abnormal posturing: Opisthotonus
Sensory processing disorder: Hemispatial neglect
Facial weakness · Hyperreflexia · Pronator drift
|
|
|
Primarily PNS
|
Gait abnormality
|
Steppage gait · Antalgic gait
|
|
|
|
Primarily muscular |
Movement disorders
|
Spasm (Trismus) · Fasciculation · Fibrillation · Myokymia · Cramp
|
|
Gait abnormality
|
Myopathic gait · Trendelenburg gait · Pigeon gait
|
|
Other
|
Tetany · Meningism
|
|
|
Primarily skeletal |
Rachitic rosary · Clubbing
|
|
Primarily joint |
Joint locking
|
|
|
anat (n/s/m/p/4/e/b/d/c/a/f/l/g)/phys/devp
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noco (m/d/e/h/v/s)/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
|
proc, drug (N1A/2AB/C/3/4/7A/B/C/D)
|
|
|
anat (h/r/t/c/b/l/s/a)/phys (r)/devp/prot/nttr/nttm/ntrp
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noco/auto/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
|
|
|
|
anat (h/n, u, t/d, a/p, l)/phys/devp/hist
|
noco (m, s, c)/cong (d)/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
|
|
|
|
anat (c/f/k/f, u, t/p, l)/phys/devp/cell
|
noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
|
|
|
|
|
noco (arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
|
|
|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: urinary system (R30–R39, 788)
|
|
Pain |
Renal colic · Costovertebral angle tenderness · Dysuria · Vesical tenesmus
|
|
Control |
Urinary incontinence/Enuresis (Diurnal enuresis, Giggling, Nocturnal enuresis, Post-void dribbling, Stress, Urge, Overflow) · Urinary retention
|
|
Volume |
Oliguria/Anuria · Polyuria
|
|
Other urination disorders |
Lower urinary tract symptoms (Nocturia · Urinary urgency · Urinary frequency)
Extravasation of urine · Extrarenal uremia · Urinoma
|
|
|
|
noco/acba/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, urte
|
proc/itvp, drug (G4B), blte, urte
|
|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour (R40–R46, 780.0–780.5, 781.1)
|
|
Cognition |
Alteration of
consciousness |
- Confusion (Delirium)
- Somnolence
- Obtundation
- Stupor
- Unconsciousness
- Syncope
- Coma
- Persistent vegetative state
|
|
Fainting/Syncope |
- Carotid sinus syncope
- Heat syncope
- Vasovagal episode
|
|
Other |
- Amnesia
- Anterograde amnesia
- Retrograde amnesia
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Presyncope/Lightheadedness
- Disequilibrium
- Convulsion
|
|
|
Emotional state |
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Hostility
- Suicidal ideation
|
|
Behavior |
|
|
Perception/
sensation
disorder |
- Olfaction : Anosmia
- Hyposmia
- Dysosmia
- Parosmia
- Phantosmia
- Hyperosmia
- Taste: Ageusia
- Hypogeusia
- Dysgeusia
- Parageusia
- Hypergeusia
- Hallucination: Auditory hallucination
|
|
|
|
dsrd (o, p, m, p, a, d, s), sysi/epon, spvo
|
proc (eval/thrp), drug (N5A/5B/5C/6A/6B/6D)
|
|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: Speech and voice / Symptoms involving head and neck (R47–R49, 784)
|
|
Acute Aphasias |
Expressive aphasia · Receptive aphasia · Conduction aphasia · Anomic aphasia · Global aphasia ·
Transcortical sensory aphasia · Transcortical motor aphasia · Mixed transcortical aphasia
|
|
Progressive Aphasias |
Progressive nonfluent aphasia · Semantic dementia · Logopenic progressive aphasia
|
|
Other speech disturbances |
Speech disorder · Apraxia of speech · Auditory verbal agnosia · Dysarthria · Schizophasia · Aprosodia/Dysprosody
Specific language impairment · Thought disorder · Pressure of speech · Derailment · Clanging · Circumstantiality
|
|
Communication disorders |
Developmental dyslexia/Alexia · Agnosia (Astereognosis, Prosopagnosia, Visual agnosia) · Gerstmann syndrome ·
Developmental coordination disorder/Apraxia (Ideomotor apraxia) · Dyscalculia/Acalculia · Agraphia
|
|
Voice disturbances |
Dysphonia/Aphonia
|
|
Other |
Auditory processing disorder · Epistaxis · Headache · Post-nasal drip · Neck mass
|
|
|
|
dsrd (o, p, m, p, a, d, s), sysi/epon, spvo
|
proc (eval/thrp), drug (N5A/5B/5C/6A/6B/6D)
|
|
|
|
noco/cofa (c)/cogi/tumr, sysi
|
|
|
|
|
Symptoms and signs: general / constitutional (R50–R61, 780.6–780.9)
|
|
Temperature |
heat: Fever (Fever of unknown origin, Drug-induced fever, Postoperative fever) • Hyperhidrosis (e.g., Sleep Hyperhidrosis; "Sweating") • Hyperpyrexia • Hyperthermia
cold: Chills
|
|
Aches/Pains |
Headache • Chronic pain • Cancer pain
|
|
Malaise and fatigue |
Atrophy (e.g., Muscular atrophy) • Debility (or Asthenia) • Lassitude • Lethargy • Muscle tremors • Tenderness
|
|
Miscellaneous |
Flu-Like Symptoms
|
|
Symptoms and signs: Symptoms concerning nutrition, metabolism and development (R62–R64, 783)
|
|
Ingestion/Weight |
decrease: Anorexia • Weight loss/Cachexia/Underweight
increase: Polyphagia • Polydipsia • Orexigenia • Weight gain
|
|
Growth |
Delayed milestone • Failure to thrive • Short stature (e.g., Idiopathic)
|
|
|
|
noco (d)/cong/tumr, sysi/epon
|
proc, drug (A10/H1/H2/H3/H5)
|
|
|
|
noco, nuvi, sysi/epon, met
|
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|
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