Why do signs and symptoms matter?
Many people use the words ‘sign’ and ‘symptom’ interchangeably. However, there are important differences that affect their use in the field of medicine.
Any objective evidence of a disease, such as a skin rash or a cough, is a sign. A doctor, family members, and the individual experiencing the signs can identify these.
However, less obvious breaks in normal function, such as stomachache, lower back pain, and fatigue, are symptoms and can only be recognized by the person experiencing them. Symptoms are subjective, meaning that other people only know about them if informed by the individual with the condition.
This MNT Knowledge Center article will look at the implications of signs and symptoms as well as their history. The piece will also introduce the different types of sign and symptom and their uses in medicine.
Fast facts on signs and symptoms
A light headache can only ever be a symptom because no one else can observe it.
Medical symptoms are split into chronic, relapsing, and remitting.
An example of a medical sign is high blood pressure, as it can be measured and observed by another person.
Anthony van Leuwenhoek invented the microscope in 1674, forever changing the face of diagnostic tools.
Sign Meaning
In the medical world, a sign is a health issue that can be observed. This might be a skin rash that indicates eczema, the rasping sound of a bronchitis cough, or red rings around the eyes brought on by dermatitis. Signs can be identified by anyone, but should be professionally diagnosed by doctors, who have the training and experience to identify their possible cause. Many signs are able to be measured by doctors, which is an important part of the diagnosis.
The most important medical signs are called vital signs, and include your heart rate (pulse), breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. Doctors observe these signs to diagnose various medical problems. During operations, when the patient is at a higher level of risk, vital signs are closely observed to monitor their health status5.
Signs can indicate symptoms. If a person is squinting their eyes and rubbing their temples, this could be a sign that they’re experiencing symptoms of pain, possibly from a headache. If your pregnant partner wakes up and flies to the bathroom like a bat out of hell, her vomiting is probably a sign of nausea symptoms, as a result of morning sickness.
Symptom Meaning
A symptom is the subjective experience of a potential health issue, which cannot be observed by a doctor. Examples include stomach cramps as a result of eating undercooked meat, a throbbing headache brought on by stress, or an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. The doctor cannot see, hear, feel, or smell any of these issues, which makes them symptoms, not signs. If you’re having symptoms, you’re the only person who can describe them.
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