History and symptoms

acute

new-onset illness that is of short duration, rapidly progressive, and in need of urgent care

acute on chronic

exacerbation of a chronic condition

anasarca

whole-body swelling

angioedema

rapid swelling of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue

arthralgia

pain in a joint

arthritis

inflammation of a joint

asthma

airway constriction due to muscular contraction/spasm of the muscles of the bronchioles

baseline

normal state for a specific patient

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchus

CA

cancer

CABG

coronary artery bypass grafting, heart bypass surgery

CAD

coronary artery disease

celiac disease

autoimmune disease due to a reaction to gluten

cephalgia

headache

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

stroke

cervicalgia

neck pain

CF

cystic fibrosis

CHF

congestive heart failure

chronic

longstanding, persisting for a long time or constantly recurring

cirrhosis

damage of liver tissue

CKD

chronic kidney disease

colic

severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines (suffered especially by babies)

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke), costovertebral angle

deep venous thrombosis

clot in a deep vein of an extremity

diaphoresis

excessive sweating

diffuse

generalized, non-localized

diplopia

double vision

distention

protrusion or enlargement due to internal mass or pressure

dizziness

sensation that one is faint or lightheaded, no sensation that surroundings are moving

DM

diabetes mellitus

DOE

dyspnea on exertion

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

dyspepsia

indigestion

dyspnea

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing due to underlying cause/disease (e.g. COPD, asthma)

dysuria

painful urination

ecchymosis

bruising

eczema/eczematous

inflammatory dry skin

edema/edematous

swelling due to accumulation of fluid in the body tissues

emesis

vomitus or vomiting

epigastric

central upper region of the abdomen

epistaxis

nosebleed

erythema/erythematous

redness

ESRD

end-stage renal disease

EtOH

alcohol

fainting

loss of consciousness, typically due to neurologic condition

FHx

family history

fluctuating

symptoms that are constantly present but change in severity

gastroenteritis

inflammation of the GI tract, sometimes called a "stomach bug"

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

gout

joint inflammation due to uric acid accumulation

HA

headache

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematochezia

passage of bright red blood in the stool, concerning for lower gastrointestinal bleed

hematoma

localized collection of blood

hematuria

blood in the urine

hemoptysis

coughing/spitting up blood, differs from hematemesis

hemorrhage

excessive bleeding

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

HLD

hyperlipidemia

HPI

history of present illness

HTN

hypertension

Hx

history

hyperlipidemia

elevated cholesterol and lipids

hyperthyroidism

overactive thyroid

hypothyroidism

underactive thyroid

intermittent

repeatedly returning symptoms that occasionally resolve but come back

intractable

no improvement in symptom despite intervention, hard to control

LMP

last menstrual period

LOC

loss of consciousness

malaise

general feeling of unwellness

mass

abnormal growth of tissue

melena

black tarry stool

MI

myocardial infarction

migraine

type of headache that is often accompanied by nausea and photophobia (discomfort/pain by presence of light)

MOI

mechanism of injury

MVA, MVC

motor vehicle accident, motor vehicle collision

myalgia

muscular pain

myocardial infarction (MI)

heart attack; death of cardiac muscle tissue due to prolonged ischemia

N/V/D

nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

neuralgia

pain along the course of a nerve

nocturia

urge to urinate during the night, waking the person from sleep

odontalgia

toothache

odynophagia

pain with swallowing

ophthalmalgia

eye pain

otalgia

earache

paresthesia

abnormal skin sensation (such as tingling, burning, or numbness) with no apparent physical cause

paroxysmal

sporadic or occasional occurrence of symptoms or the acute exacerbation (abrupt worsening) of pre-existing symptoms

PCP

primary care provider, primary care physician

photophobia

light sensitivity

PMHx

past medical history

PNA

pneumonia

pneumonia

infection inside lung tissue

polydipsia

persistent thirst and/or excessive drinking

polyphagia

persistent hunger and/or excessive eating

polyuria

urinating in excessive amounts

postictal

post-seizure state descriptive of poor responsiveness

pruritic

itchy