controlling the symptoms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controlling the symptoms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical or health-related contexts when discussing the management of a condition or illness. Example: "The doctor prescribed medication aimed at controlling the symptoms of the patient's chronic condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Medical

Health

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Promethazine is effective in controlling the symptoms of hay fever, acute skin reactions (such as hives), and contact dermatitis (as from poison ivy).

Britannica

The mother of Stella Akello, 12, said she had had no luck controlling the symptoms at various health clinics and had heard that Mr. Ojara was passing through.

The New York Times

It is effective in controlling the symptoms of hay fever, acute skin reactions (such as hives), and contact dermatitis (such as from poison ivy).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Elderly patients, and those with serious medical conditions, will benefit from simply controlling the symptoms they have from high blood sugars, like frequent urination and incontinence, rather than aiming for any particular A1c level.

Harvard University

Metastatic MTC is considered incurable with a five-year survival rate of 28% and treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms of hormonal excess.

European Radiology Experimental

There is currently no cure for eczema, and for many sufferers, the most reliable way of controlling the symptoms is to use powerful corticosteroid creams, but these can cause side effects and ideally should only be used in short bursts.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

DANI DANZIG, on the hormone replacement therapy she takes to control the symptoms of menopause.

The New York Times

She began taking the hormone combination when she was 49, to control the symptoms of menopause.

The New York Times

Kerr works out daily and does yoga to help control the symptoms.

The New York Times - Sports

By copying the action of the natural protein, the drug works with the immune system to help control the symptoms.

The New York Times - Health

"I ended up sitting on my rucksack and trying to do deep breathing to control the symptoms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical treatments, use "controlling the symptoms" to accurately describe the management of a condition when a cure is not possible. It emphasizes the ongoing effort to keep symptoms in check.

Common error

Avoid implying a cure when using "controlling the symptoms". This phrase indicates management, not elimination, of the underlying cause. Be precise in communicating the goal of the treatment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controlling the symptoms" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a noun in a sentence. It describes the action of managing or mitigating the manifestations of a disease or condition, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controlling the symptoms" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used in medical and health contexts to describe the management of a disease's manifestations, especially when a cure is not possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, indicating its relevance in both research and public communication. Alternative phrases like "managing symptoms" or "alleviating symptoms" can be used to add nuance. When using the phrase, ensure you're accurately representing the goal of the treatment as symptom management, not a cure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managing symptoms

Focuses on the broader act of handling symptoms, rather than specifically exerting control.

alleviating symptoms

Emphasizes reducing the severity of symptoms.

mitigating symptoms

Suggests lessening the impact or severity of symptoms, often used in more formal contexts.

reducing symptoms

Highlights the act of decreasing the number or intensity of symptoms.

easing symptoms

Implies making symptoms less severe or troublesome.

addressing symptoms

Focuses on dealing with or attending to the symptoms.

treating symptoms

Specifically refers to medical treatment aimed at managing symptoms.

handling symptoms

A general term for managing or dealing with symptoms.

curbing symptoms

Suggests restraining or limiting the symptoms.

lessening the severity of symptoms

Focuses specifically on reducing how severe the symptoms are.

FAQs

How is "controlling the symptoms" used in medical contexts?

In medicine, "controlling the symptoms" refers to managing the manifestations of a disease or condition to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life, especially when a cure isn't available. For instance, medications might be used for "managing pain" or "reducing inflammation".

What are some alternative ways to say "controlling the symptoms"?

Alternatives include "managing symptoms", "alleviating symptoms", or "mitigating symptoms". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "controlling the symptoms" the same as curing a disease?

No, "controlling the symptoms" is not the same as curing a disease. Controlling the symptoms involves managing or reducing the effects of a disease, while curing a disease means completely eliminating it.

When should I use "controlling the symptoms" instead of "treating the disease"?

Use "controlling the symptoms" when the focus is on managing the effects of a disease, often when a cure is not possible or not yet available. Use "treating the disease" when the goal is to address the underlying cause of the illness.