syndróma

Syndróma refers to a set of symptoms that occur together and are characteristic of a particular disease, disorder, or condition. The term is derived from the Greek words *syn* (meaning "together") and *dromos* (meaning "running"), originally used in medicine to describe a collection of symptoms that run together as a pattern. Unlike a syndrome, a disease typically has a known cause, such as a specific pathogen or genetic mutation, whereas a syndrome is defined by its symptoms rather than a single underlying cause.

Syndromes can arise from various factors, including genetic abnormalities, infections, environmental exposures, or unknown causes. Some well-known examples include Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of connective tissue disorders affecting skin, joints, and blood vessels. Other syndromes, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are primarily characterized by psychological symptoms following traumatic events.

Diagnosing a syndrome often involves evaluating a cluster of symptoms rather than relying on a single test. Treatment may focus on managing individual symptoms or addressing the underlying cause when known. Syndromes can affect different body systems and vary widely in severity, from mild to life-threatening.

The distinction between syndromes and diseases can sometimes be blurred, as research may later identify a specific cause for what was previously considered a syndrome. For example, what was once called "Reiter’s syndrome" is now recognized as a form of reactive arthritis with a known inflammatory trigger. Syndromes play a crucial role in medicine by helping clinicians recognize patterns of illness and guide appropriate care.