I want to define the word we think we all understand here, the word symptom, we all knows what that means, or do we? If I went to the doctor with flu and told him what the symptoms were I’d probably tell him had aching joints, a headache, I was running a temperate, was shivering etc. quite a list. In reality the only symptom I had would be an elevated temperature, the other things are called signs. Let’s consult a medical dictionary here…

SYMPTOM –(noun) subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance observed by the patient.

SIGN – (noun) an objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer

Do you understand the difference? Symptoms are subjective experiences experienced by the patient (you) and would include such things as itching, dizziness, nausea and more importantly pain. Although these are the thing that cause us most distress and discomfort it is impossible for your doctor to experience your symptoms also. He will of course emphasis with your pain and discomfort but the only way you have of communicating this to him by talking. He can’t see your pain, depression or dizziness – you must explain it. His main diagnostic instrument is his ears

If however your disease has a sign, you have a rash, a temperature or elevated blood pressure then this is observable and objective, your doctor can see and measure it using maybe a thermometer, of sphygmomanometer – he can see it, you don’t need to explain just point it out. His main diagnostic instrument here is his eyes.

So in my earlier example of flu aching joints and a headache are symptoms of flue whereas an elevated temperature (which can be measured with a thermometer) is a sign of flu. Shivering can also be a sign

The insidious thing about Hypertension is that, in the majority of cases, it does have a sign that can be measured – with a blood pressure monitor or sphygnomanometer.  But the disease has no symptoms (we still feel well) and it is the symptoms of diseases which drive us to our doctor so often the condition isn’t noticed or diagnosed until it’s too late.