aggravate symptoms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aggravate symptoms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to increasing the severity of a symptom or symptoms. For example, "Stress can often aggravate symptoms of anxiety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Certain medications can actually aggravate symptoms.

The New Yorker

The disorder has no cure, but symptoms can be managed in the following ways: Diet modification: Certain foods and beverages may aggravate symptoms.

The New York Times - Health

This does not mean I.B.S. is a psychosomatic condition caused by emotions, but rather that emotional upsets can aggravate symptoms in someone with a hyper-reactive bowel.

The New York Times - Health

The student's pediatrician, parents and teachers should communicate about the incident, the recommendations said, and be watchful for when academic tasks aggravate symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and difficulty concentrating.

The New York Times

Is there any unequivocal evidence that testosterone (T) can stimulate growth and aggravate symptoms in men with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa)?

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

They also become prone to such ancillary illnesses as pneumonia that aggravate symptoms.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Psychosocial problems can aggravate symptom burden and seriously affect health-related quality of life [ 7].

BMC Cancer

Traumatic experiences can also stir up memories of stressful events, aggravated symptoms of acute stress, but these also usually diminish over time.

The New York Times

Girls selected their diets carefully and reduced physical activity during menstruation to avoid aggravating symptoms.

Pain Management Nursing

Relevant research continues to emerge supporting a gradual return to pre-injury activity levels without aggravating symptoms; however, available guidance does not provide detailed standards for this return to activity process.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

It's an idea shared by the "Hearing Voices Movement," who challenge the medical models of schizophrenia and suggest that pathologization aggravates symptoms.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical conditions, be specific about what factors might "aggravate symptoms". For instance, instead of a general statement, specify particular foods, activities, or environmental conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "aggravate symptoms" without specifying the aggravating factor. Saying "stress can aggravate symptoms" is less helpful than saying "chronic stress can aggravate symptoms of anxiety, leading to increased heart rate and difficulty concentrating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aggravate symptoms" functions as a verb phrase where "aggravate" acts as a transitive verb taking "symptoms" as its direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of making existing symptoms worse. This aligns with its usage in provided examples, where external factors are shown to worsen medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aggravate symptoms" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to make symptoms worse. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and wiki sources. When using the phrase, specify the aggravating factor to provide clear and actionable information. While alternatives like "worsen symptoms" or "exacerbate symptoms" exist, the original phrase remains a widely understood and accepted way to communicate the worsening of symptoms. Avoiding overgeneralizations and pinpointing precise triggers will enhance clarity and effectiveness when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsen symptoms

Replaces "aggravate" with the more common synonym "worsen".

exacerbate symptoms

Substitutes "aggravate" with "exacerbate", a more formal synonym.

intensify symptoms

Replaces "aggravate" with "intensify", focusing on the increase in severity.

inflame symptoms

Uses "inflame" instead of "aggravate", suggesting an increase in irritation or inflammation.

trigger symptoms

Shifts the focus to the action that initiates or worsens the symptoms.

compound symptoms

Indicates that the symptoms are becoming more complex or severe due to an additional factor.

heighten symptoms

Replaces "aggravate" with "heighten", emphasizing the increase in intensity.

worsen the condition

Changes the focus from the symptoms to the overall condition.

increase the severity of symptoms

A more descriptive and formal way of saying "aggravate symptoms".

make symptoms worse

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

What does it mean to "aggravate symptoms"?

To "aggravate symptoms" means to make them worse or more severe. It implies an increase in the intensity or frequency of the symptoms experienced.

What are some common things that can "aggravate symptoms"?

Many factors can "aggravate symptoms" depending on the condition. Common examples include stress, certain foods, lack of sleep, environmental allergens, and specific activities.

How can I prevent factors from "aggravating symptoms"?

Prevention strategies vary by condition, but generally involve identifying and avoiding triggers, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and following medical advice. Keeping a symptom diary can help identify personal triggers.

What's the difference between "aggravate symptoms" and "exacerbate symptoms"?

While both terms mean to make symptoms worse, "exacerbate" is often considered more formal and is frequently used in medical or scientific contexts, while "aggravate" is more common in everyday language.