Haigusnähu

Haigusnähu is an Estonian term that translates to symptom in English. A symptom is a subjective experience or change in an individual's body that indicates the presence of a disease or illness. Unlike a sign, which is an objective finding that can be observed or measured by a healthcare professional, a symptom is something the patient feels or perceives. Examples of symptoms include pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms are crucial for diagnosis as they provide initial clues to a medical professional about what might be wrong. They can vary greatly in intensity, duration, and character depending on the underlying condition. For instance, a headache can be a symptom of a common cold, a migraine, or a more serious neurological issue. Patients are encouraged to report all their symptoms accurately to their doctor to facilitate a proper medical evaluation and treatment plan. The absence of specific symptoms does not always rule out a disease, just as the presence of a symptom does not definitively confirm one. Therefore, symptoms are considered alongside medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.