Category: Su-Sy

A constellation of symptoms and signs that appear from 20 to 40 years after the initial polio infection, and at least 10 years after what was thought to be recovery from polio It is estimated that 1.63 million Americans were struck by polio in the epidemics of the 1940’s, 50’s, and early 60’s, and that 440,000 of…

A common gastrointestinal disorder involving an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the years. Although the disorder can cause chronic recurrent discomfort, it does not lead to any serious organ problems. Making…

A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

A set of linked health problems involving two or more afflictions, interacting synergistically, and contributing to excess burden of disease in a population. Syndemics occur when health-related problems cluster by person, place, or time. For example, the SAVA syndemic is comprised of substance abuse, violence, and AIDS, three conditions that disproportionately afflict those living in poverty in US cities.…

The temporary loss of consciousness upon coughing. Syncope is the temporary loss of consciousness or, in plain English, fainting. The situations that trigger this reaction are diverse and include having blood drawn, straining while urinating (micturition syncope) or defecating, coughing or swallowing. The reaction also can be due to the emotional stress of fear or pain. Under these conditions, people often become pale and feel…

Partial or complete loss of consciousness with interruption of awareness of oneself and one’s surroundings. When the loss of consciousness is temporary and there is spontaneous recovery, it is referred to as syncope or, in nonmedical quarters,?fainting. Syncope is due to a temporary reduction in blood flow and therefore a shortage of oxygen to the brain. This…

A protein structure that forms between two homologous chromosomes during meiosis and that is thought to mediate chromosome pairing, synapsis, and recombination. The synaptonemal complex is a tripartite structure consisting of two parallel lateral regions and a central element. Three specific components of the synaptonemal complex have been characterized: SC protein-1 (SYCP1), SC protein-2 (SYCP2), and SC protein-3 (SYCP3).…

Therapy that eases the symptoms without addressing the basic cause of the disease. For example, symptomatic treatment of advanced lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) beyond the lung is designed to decrease the pain and other symptoms but not to eradicate the disease. Symptomatic treatment is also called palliative treatment.

1 With symptoms, as a symptomatic infection. 2 Characteristic of an illness or other medical condition. 3 Directed at the symptoms as symptomatic treatment.

Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood coming out a nostril is a sign; it is apparent to the patient, physician, and others. Anxiety, low back pain, and fatigue are all symptoms; only the patient can perceive them.