Listen to the following short conversations to understand signs and symptoms better.
1. Talking about having a cough
Patient: I have a terrible cough. It’s hard to breathe.
Health professional: Is your cough productive? Do you bring up phlegm?
Patient: Sometimes I do, especially in the morning.
Health professional: Ok, let’s see if we can find your problem before your start to cough up more than a little phlegm.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does it mean to cough up? Does it mean …
a.To vomit
b.To swell
c.To expel from lungs
Student: I think to expel from lungs?
Teacher: That is right.
2. Talking about having a headache
Patient: I have frequent headaches. My head throbs.
Health professional: Do you have a lot of stress in your life? Are things building up?
Patient: Well I am working on finishing my thesis and I have to present soon, so I guess I am a little stressed out.
Health professional: When overworked, some things, like frequent headaches, creep up on us when least expected. Try and rest and take a break once in a while and see if that helps.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does build up mean?
a. To increase
b. To heal
c. To vomit
Student: Maybe to increase?
Teacher: Yes, that’s right.
Teacher: What does it mean to creep up?
a. To slowly become apparent
b. To become dehydrated
c. To increase
Student: To become dehydrated?
Teacher: Actually, it means to slowly become apparent.
3. Talking about having a stomachache
Patient: Every time I eat, my stomach aches.
Health professional: Do you feel like your abdomen blows up after you eat a meal?
Patient: Yes, I get very bloated, very fast.
Health professional: Do you sometimes throw up?
Patient: Sometimes, I throw up my meal about an hour after eating.
Health professional: You may have an ulcer or acid reflux. Let’s run some tests.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does blow up mean?
a. To have a reduction in symptoms
b. To decrease in size or,
c. To swell
Student: I think to swell?
Teacher: That’s right.
Teacher: What does it mean to throw up?
a. To improve
b. To vomit
c. To lift something up
Student: Maybe to vomit?
Teacher: That’s right.
4. Talking about allergic reactions
Patient: My rosacea is really bothering me this winter.
Health professional: Is it flaring up due to stress or the cold weather do you think?
Patient: Cold weather.
Health professional: Have you taken medicine in the past that has helped clear it up?
Patient: I used to take medicine to help, but the medicine didn’t make me feel good. I had dry mouth.
Health professional: Let’s try a new medication and see if it helps.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does it mean to flare up?
a. To get worse
b. To become tighter
c. To burn
Student: Maybe to get worse?
Teacher: That’s right.
Teacher: What does it mean to clear up?
a. To improve
b. To deteriorate
c. To expel from lungs
Student: To expel from lungs
Teacher: Actually, it means to improve.
5. Talking about swelling
Patient: My ankles are swelling up and I can’t get my boots on.
Health professional: Your ankles are distended due to water retention. Elevate your feet and the swelling should ease up.
Patient: OK, thanks.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does swelling up mean?
a. To feel good
b. To increase in size
c. To lift up
Student: Maybe to increase in size?
Teacher: That’s right.
Teacher: What does it mean to ease up? Does it mean,
a. Reduction in symptoms
b. To vomit
c. To become tighter
Student: I think reduction in symptoms.
Teacher: That’s correct.
6. Talking about pain and discomfort
Patient: My eyes are itchy and scratchy. They hurt.
Health professional: Your eyes are puffed up. Allergies may be causing this.
Let’s try antihistamine and see if that helps ease up your symptoms.
Teacher: Let’s Practice.
What does puff up mean?
a. to itch
b. to blow
c. to become enlarged
Student: To become enlarged?
Teacher: That’s right.