Thursday, July 3, 2025

Symptoms



🧠 Nervous System

Symptom Definition

Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Headache Pain in the head or scalp




Due to tension (muscle contraction), increased intracranial pressure, migraine (vasodilation + neurogenic inflammation), or inflammation of meninges
Dizziness Lightheadedness or feeling faint

Decreased cerebral perfusion, anemia, hypotension, vestibular imbalance
Vertigo Illusion of movement or spinning
Disturbance in vestibular system – inner ear, vestibular nerve, or cerebellum
Seizure Sudden, uncontrolled brain activity
Abnormal neuronal firing due to electrolyte imbalance, tumor, trauma, infection, or epilepsy
Syncope Temporary loss of consciousness
Global cerebral hypoperfusion caused by cardiac, neurogenic, or orthostatic causes
Paresthesia Tingling, prickling sensation
Due to nerve injury, ischemia, or peripheral neuropathy (e.g., diabetes)
Weakness Loss of muscle strength
May be due to stroke (UMN lesion), neuropathy, myopathy, or NMJ disorders
Ataxia Loss of coordination
Damage to cerebellum or dorsal columns
Aphasia Inability to speak or comprehend language
Lesions in dominant hemisphere (Broca’s, Wernicke’s areas)

❤️ Cardiovascular System

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Chest Pain Discomfort in chest

Due to ischemia (angina, MI), pericarditis, aortic dissection
Palpitations Awareness of heartbeat
Arrhythmia, anxiety, caffeine, thyrotoxicosis
Dyspnea Shortness of breath
Pulmonary congestion, LV failure, low cardiac output
Orthopnea Breathlessness on lying down



Pulmonary venous return increases → fluid backs up into lungs


PND Sudden night-time breathlessness Reabsorption of interstitial fluid in lungs during sleep
Pedal Edema Swelling of legs/feet
Right heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, renal causes
Cyanosis Bluish discoloration of skin
Due to deoxygenated hemoglobin > 5 g/dL in capillaries
Syncope Sudden loss of consciousness
Drop in cerebral perfusion due to arrhythmias, valve disease

🫁 Respiratory System

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)


Cough


Sudden forceful expulsion of air



Irritation of airways from infection, allergens, or secretions
Sputum

Expectoration
 of mucus from lungs

Produced in response to inflammation/infection
Hemoptysis
Coughing up blood


Bronchial vessel rupture due to TB, cancer, bronchiectasis

Wheeze High-pitched breath sound Bronchial narrowing in asthma or COPD
Stridor

Harsh inspiratory sound


Upper airway obstruction (e.g., foreign body, croup)
Dyspnea Difficulty breathing
Reduced oxygen exchange or airflow obstruction

Pleuritic chest pain Sharp pain on deep breathing Inflammation of pleura (pleuritis, PE)

🍽️ Gastrointestinal System

Symptom Definition

Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Nausea/Vomiting

Urge or act of expelling gastric contents
Stimulated by vomiting center (toxins, GI irritation, ICP)
Anorexia Loss of appetite

Cytokine response in infection, malignancy, or GI irritation
Abdominal Pain Pain in the abdomen

Stretch, inflammation, or ischemia of viscera
Diarrhea Frequent, loose stools

Increased intestinal motility, secretions (infection, IBS)
Constipation Infrequent, hard stools

↓ Motility, dehydration, hypothyroidism, obstruction
Dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing

Obstruction, neurological lesion, esophageal motility disorder
Heartburn Burning chest pain

Acid reflux irritating esophagus (GERD)
GI bleeding Blood in vomit or stool
Ulcers, varices, carcinoma, hemorrhoids

🧬 Renal / Genitourinary System

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Dysuria Pain during urination
UTI, urethritis, inflammation of mucosa
Frequency
Increased urge to urinate

Bladder irritation or reduced capacity

Urgency

Sudden strong urge to urinate

Detrusor instability, cystitis
Hematuria Blood in urine
Glomerular damage, stones, cancer
Oliguria
<400 mL/day urine output

AKI, dehydration, obstruction
Incontinence
Involuntary urine leakage


Stress, overflow, neurogenic bladder
Flank pain Pain in loin area
Stone, pyelonephritis, trauma

🧠 Endocrine System

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Weight Loss Unintended loss of weight
↑ Metabolism (hyperthyroid), malignancy, DM
Weight Gain Unintended gain
Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome
Polyuria
Excess urination


Osmotic diuresis in DM, ↓ ADH in DI

Polydipsia Excess thirst

Dehydration due to polyuria

Fatigue Lack of energy
Hypothyroid, Addison’s, anemia

Cold Intolerance Sensitivity to cold
↓ Basal metabolic rate in hypothyroid

Heat Intolerance Overheating ↑ BMR in hyperthyroid

🦴 Musculoskeletal System

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)

Joint Pain (Arthralgia)

Pain in joints

Inflammation (RA), cartilage wear (OA)
Morning stiffness Stiffness after waking
RA, spondyloarthritis (inflammatory)
Muscle Cramps Painful spasm of muscle
Electrolyte imbalance (low Ca/K), overuse
Back Pain Pain in lumbar region
Disc herniation, strain, spinal stenosis

🧠 Psychiatric Symptoms

Symptom Definition Why It Happens (Pathogenesis)
Insomnia Inability to sleep
Anxiety, depression, stress, stimulant use
Depression Persistent low mood and energy
Neurotransmitter imbalance (low serotonin)
Anxiety Excessive worry or fear
Overactive sympathetic system; GABA imbalance
Delusions

False belief not based on reality


Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia
Hallucinations

Perception without stimulus


Dopamine excess (schizophrenia, drugs)


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