algesi-, alge-, alges-, algesio-, algi-, algio-, -algesia, -algesic, -algetic, -algic, -algia, -algy

(Greek: pain, sense of pain; painful; hurting)

Used actively in medical terminology to denote a condition of sensitivity to pain as specified by the combining root.

eparsalgia, epersalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Pain and soreness from overuse or unaccustomed use of a part of the body: At the fitness studio, Stella set the weights too high in the beginning and noticed the next day how her muscles really hurt, and found out that she had a case of eparsalgia which would get better after a few days.
epicondylalgia (s) (noun), epicondylalgias (pl)
Pain in an epicondyle of the humerus or in the tendons or muscles originating therefrom: Epicondylalgia refers to the agony a person feels in the elbow joint of the area of the epicondyle.
epigastralgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Suffering in the epigastric region: Epigastralgia describes the pain in the area above the stomach between the right and left hypochondriac regions (the anatomic area of the upper abdomen just below (Greek hypo, "below") the cartilage (Greek chondros, "cartilage" or the rubbery tissue) between the ribs.

Hypochondriasis was thought by the ancients to be caused by the disturbed function of the spleen and other organs in the upper abdomen.

erythralgia, rodonalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
In pathology, a mottled reddening of the skin, usually accompanied by throbbing pain: Erythralgia is a skin disorder characterized by a painful burning sensation, raised skin temperature, and redness, generally of the lower limbs.

Erythralgia exhibits a redness of the skin, especially of the extremities, with burning pain, and increased skin temperature.

erythromelalgia, erythermalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
A throbbing and burning pain in the skin: Erythromelalgia is often brought about by exertion or heat, affecting the hands and feet, accompanied by a mottled redness of the parts with increased skin temperature.

Erythromelalgia can be considered to be a rare disorder of middle age, characterized by paroxysmal attacks of severe burning pain, reddening, hyperalgesia and sweating, involving one or more extremities, usually both feet and the attacks can be triggered by heat, and are usually relieved by cold packs and limb elevation.

erythroprosopalgia (s) (noun), erythroprosopalgias (pl)
A disorder similar to erythromelalgia (burning pain in the skin), but with the pain and redness occurring in the face: Alice quickly went to the dermatologist to find out why her face hurt so much, and after the examination, Dr. Tall explained that she had a case of erythroprosopalgia which also caused the redness in her face.
esophagalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
A rarely used term for pain in the esophagus; esophagodynia: Dr. Wilson explained to Betty that the agony she experienced was located in the passage between her pharynx and her stomach and was called esophagalgia.
fecanalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Pain caused by elimination of large and hard fecal masses: Dr. Jason thought that Cathy had a case of fecanalgia and asked her to give him a sample of the solid excretory material from the bowels the following day, and told her that her problem could be treated.
fibromyalgia (s) (noun), fibromyalgia (pl)
A syndrome characterized by chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints without detectable inflammation: Fibromyalgia does not cause body damage or deformity, however undue fatigue plagues the large majority of patients with fibromyalgia and sleep disorders are common.

Fibromyalgia is considered an arthritis-related condition, but it is not a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) since it does not cause inflammation in the joints, muscles, or other tissues or does not damage them.

Fibromyalgia can (like arthritis) cause significant pain and fatigue and it can similarly interfere with a person's ability to carry on daily activities.

gastralgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Stomach ache; neuralgia of the stomach; belly-ache: Deborah complained of her tummy hurting her, and since it persisted, her parents took her to Dr. Hathaway, who examined her and said she had a condition of gastralgia and said that it could be treated.
gingivalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Pain in the gingiva (the gum) or gingivae (gums) around the roots of the teeth: Dr. Straight, the dentist, noticed that Elain's teeth needed treatment because she had a case of gingivalgia which was causing her sun agony in her mouth.
glossagra, glossalgia (s) (noun), glossalgias (pl)
Painful sensations in the tongue: Dr. Green explained that glossagra was a neuralgic pain and was a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder.
gnathalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
A pain in the jaw; gnathodynia: In dental school, Frank learned that gnathalgia was applied to a patient's agony in the mouth, especially in the bones that frame the mouth.
gonalgia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Outdated, pain in the knee: Old Mr. Graham couldn't walk very well anymore because he had a condition of gonalgia which was quite painful when walking, especially when going upstairs.
haphalgesia (s) (noun) (no pl)
Pain or an extremely disagreeable sensation caused by the merest touch: The elderly Mr. Higgens always wore gloves, even at home, because he had a condition of haphalgesia.
Haphalgesia is a severe tenderness felt by the mere touching of something or by being touched lightly.

You may take self-scoring quizzes over some of the words in this unit by going to Algesi Quiz to check your word knowledge of these words.