🔤 A – E

Anorexia
Loss of appetite or desire to eat, commonly seen in chronic infections, malignancy, depression, and systemic illness.

Arthralgia
Joint pain without inflammation. Seen in viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic conditions.

Ascites
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, typically due to liver cirrhosis, malignancy, or heart failure.

Bradycardia
Heart rate less than 60 bpm. May be physiological (athletes) or pathological (e.g., hypothyroidism, heart block).

Chest Pain
A discomfort or pain felt anywhere along the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen. Causes include myocardial infarction, angina, GERD, and anxiety.

Clubbing
Bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges, associated with chronic hypoxia (e.g., lung cancer, cyanotic heart disease).

Cough
A reflex action to clear the airways. Can be acute, chronic, dry, or productive. Causes vary from infection to malignancy.

Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes due to increased deoxygenated hemoglobin. Seen in respiratory and cardiac conditions.

Diarrhea
Frequent, loose, or watery stools. Can be acute (infectious) or chronic (IBS, IBD, malabsorption).

Dyspepsia
Indigestion or upper abdominal discomfort. Often caused by peptic ulcer disease, GERD, or functional disorders.

Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing. May indicate esophageal obstruction, neuromuscular disorders, or malignancy.

Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or labored breathing. Common in heart failure, COPD, asthma, and pulmonary embolism.

Edema
Swelling due to fluid accumulation in tissues. Common in heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and liver cirrhosis.

🔤 F – L

Fatigue
Persistent tiredness not relieved by rest. A nonspecific symptom seen in anemia, depression, chronic infections, and cancer.

Fever
Body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F). Suggests infection, inflammation, malignancy, or autoimmune conditions.

Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood. Indicates upper GI bleeding due to ulcers, varices, or gastric cancer.

Hematuria
Presence of blood in urine. Can be microscopic or visible. Causes include UTI, stones, glomerulonephritis, or malignancy.

Hemoptysis
Coughing up blood. Causes include bronchitis, TB, lung cancer, or pulmonary embolism.

Hepatosplenomegaly
Enlargement of the liver and spleen. Seen in chronic liver disease, infections, and hematologic disorders.

Hyperpigmentation
Darkening of the skin. Associated with Addison’s disease, hemochromatosis, and chronic sun exposure.

Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of skin/sclera due to increased bilirubin. Suggests liver dysfunction or hemolysis.

Lethargy
A state of fatigue or lack of energy. May reflect metabolic derangements, infections, or depression.

Lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph nodes. May result from infections, malignancy, or autoimmune diseases.

🔤 M – R

Melena
Black, tarry stools indicating upper GI bleeding. Caused by ulcers, varices, or tumors.

Myalgia
Muscle pain, commonly seen in viral infections, autoimmune disorders, or statin use.

Nausea
The sensation of wanting to vomit. Often precedes vomiting and occurs in GI, CNS, or metabolic disorders.

Night Sweats
Profuse sweating during sleep. Often associated with TB, lymphoma, or menopause.

Orthopnea
Difficulty breathing while lying flat. Common in left-sided heart failure.

Palpitations
Awareness of heartbeat, may be fast, irregular, or pounding. Associated with arrhythmias, anxiety, or hyperthyroidism.

Paralysis
Loss of muscle function. Can be due to stroke, spinal cord injury, or neuropathy.

Photophobia
Sensitivity to light. Seen in meningitis, migraine, or uveitis.

Polyuria
Increased urine output. Common in diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

Pruritus
Itching. May result from allergies, liver or kidney disease, or dermatologic conditions.

Rash
Skin eruption with varied appearance. Seen in infections, drug reactions, and autoimmune diseases.

🔤 S – Z

Stridor
High-pitched, wheezing sound due to upper airway obstruction. Common in laryngeal edema or foreign body.

Syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral perfusion. Causes include vasovagal response, arrhythmias, or orthostatic hypotension.

Tachycardia
Heart rate over 100 bpm. May be physiological or due to fever, anxiety, anemia, or arrhythmias.

Tachypnea
Rapid breathing. Seen in respiratory distress, fever, or metabolic acidosis.

Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears. Often associated with hearing loss or ototoxicity.

Vomiting
Expulsion of stomach contents via the mouth. Can be caused by GI, CNS, metabolic, or drug-related issues.

Weight Loss
Unintentional reduction in body weight. Associated with malignancy, chronic disease, depression, or hyperthyroidism.

Wheezing
High-pitched sound during expiration due to narrowed airways. Common in asthma, COPD, or bronchitis.