exacerbate symptoms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbate symptoms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical or health-related contexts to describe actions or factors that worsen the symptoms of a condition or illness. Example: "Certain environmental factors can exacerbate symptoms of asthma, making it difficult for patients to breathe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exercise, it was believed, could exacerbate symptoms.

The New York Times

In addition, stress may exacerbate symptoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is useful because stress and tension exacerbate symptoms dramatically.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Muscular exertion seems to exacerbate symptoms, but rest helps restore strength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For people with irritable bowel syndrome, which has some overlap in gastrointestinal symptoms with celiac disease, FODMAPs can exacerbate symptoms, says Murray.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mostly they find it does not exacerbate symptoms, rather they feel relaxed, "cool", and more in touch emotionally.

Independent

The evidence is conflicting but nevertheless some cannabis products (mainly those high in THC) can induce transient symptoms similar to the symptoms of schizophrenia and exacerbate symptoms in individuals already suffering from psychosis.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a car, sit in the front seat and focus on something distant; keeping your eyes glued to a book or watching the scenery zip by out a side window will exacerbate symptoms, Dr. Derebery said.

The New York Times - Travel

Dr. Robert C. Cantu, a clinical professor in neurosurgery at the Boston University School of Medicine and a co-author of "Concussions and Our Kids," said, "The overriding theme is not to exacerbate symptoms".

The New York Times

Estelle Levin from the academy said: "Longer pollen seasons and high levels of pollen certainly can exacerbate symptoms for people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and for those who previously had minimal symptoms".

Independent

Home environments are established sources of exposure that exacerbate symptoms and home-based interventions are effective.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, consider using "worsen symptoms" instead of "exacerbate symptoms" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbate symptoms" in contexts where simpler terms like "worsen" or "aggravate" would suffice. Overusing complex vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbate symptoms" functions as a verb phrase, where "exacerbate" is the verb and "symptoms" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English, particularly in health-related contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exacerbate symptoms" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the worsening of symptoms, particularly in medical and health-related discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While "exacerbate symptoms" is common in scientific and news contexts, simpler alternatives like "worsen symptoms" may be more appropriate for general audiences. When using this phrase, be mindful of the formal tone it conveys and ensure it aligns with your intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsen symptoms

Replaces "exacerbate" with the more common and simpler term "worsen".

intensify symptoms

Substitutes "exacerbate" with "intensify", highlighting the increase in severity of symptoms.

aggravate symptoms

Uses "aggravate" instead of "exacerbate", implying a making worse effect.

compound symptoms

Replaces "exacerbate" with "compound", indicating symptoms are added to or increased.

heighten symptoms

Substitutes "exacerbate" with "heighten", suggesting an increase in the intensity or prominence of symptoms.

trigger symptoms

Focuses on the action that initiates or worsens symptoms, rather than the worsening itself.

inflame symptoms

Uses "inflame" to suggest making symptoms more fiery or agitated.

provoke symptoms

Shifts the focus to what stimulates the symptoms to become worse.

deteriorate symptoms

Implies a decline in the state of health, leading to a worsening of symptoms.

increase the severity of symptoms

This is a more descriptive and less concise way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How do I use "exacerbate symptoms" in a sentence?

You can use "exacerbate symptoms" to describe factors that worsen a medical condition. For example: "Stress can "exacerbate symptoms" of anxiety."

What can I say instead of "exacerbate symptoms"?

You can use alternatives like "worsen symptoms", "aggravate symptoms", or "intensify symptoms depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exacerbate symptoms" or "worsen symptoms"?

"Exacerbate symptoms" is more formal and often used in medical or scientific contexts, while "worsen symptoms" is more common in general writing. The best choice depends on your audience and the tone you want to convey.

What factors might "exacerbate symptoms" of a cold?

Factors that can "exacerbate symptoms" of a cold include lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, and exposure to irritants like smoke or allergens.