Learn medical vocabulary for upper respiratory and chest symptoms in Spanish. In this lesson, Luis and I cover common medical symptoms for the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and chest in Spanish. This lesson covers essential vocabulary for clinical encounters, including terms for congestion, sore throat, cough, and chest pain. Learn important nuances, such as the difference between oreja and oído, and how to describe respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

ENT and Chest Symptoms in Spanish

Ears (and Eyes)

1:21 

watery eyes
los ojos llorosos

ringing in the ears
el zumbido en los oídos
el tintineo en los oídos

When referring to the sensory apparatus of the ear, we say OÍDO. When referring to the outer part of the ear or the auricle, we say OREJA.

plugged ear
el oído tapado

Mouth

2:24 

toothache
el dolor de muelas
el dolor de dientes

MUELAS specifically refers to the molars, but it is very common to use DOLOR DE MUELAS when referring to a toothache. 

bleeding gums
las encías sangrantes

mouth sores
las llagas en la boca

dry mouth
la boca seca

Learn more vocabulary for the mouth and teeth: Spanish for Dentistry and Dental Sealants in Spanish.

Nose

3:33 

congestion
la congestión

congested or stuffy nose
la nariz congestionada
la nariz tapada
la nariz constipada

Cuidado con CONSTIPADO. It means CONGESTIONADO, not constipated.

runny nose
mucha secreción nasal
(los) mocos

Learn more: Runny Nose

nosebleed
el sangrado por/de la nariz
la hemorragia nasal

Throat

5:07 

sore throat
el dolor de garganta

scratchy or itchy throat
la picazón en la garganta
la comezón en la garganta

change in voice
el cambio en la voz

hoarseness
la ronquera

snoring
los ronquidos

cough
la tos

cough with phlegm or productive cough
la tos con flemas

lots of phlegm
mucha flema

blood in the phlegm
la sangre en las flemas

Cold and Flu

6:49 

cold, as in upper respiratory infection
el catarro
el resfriado

flu or bad cold
la gripe
la gripa

When you hear someone say, “Tengo gripe” or “Tengo gripa,” they usually mean they have a bad cold and are not referring specifically to LA INFLUENZA.  Learn Flu Symptoms in Spanish

Chest

7:35 

chest pain
el dolor de pecho
el dolor en el pecho

Often, people with angina will deny having chest pain. Instead, they’ll describe a discomfort or pressure in the chest. Do you know how to evaluate chest pain in Spanish?

chest discomfort
las molestias en el pecho

chest pressure
la presión en el pecho

rapid heartbeat
los latidos rápidos del corazón

irregular heartbeat
los latidos irregulares del corazón

palpitations
las palpitaciones

difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
la dificultad para respirar
la falta de aire

wheezing 
la sibilancia 
el silbido 

Not all patients will know the word SIBILANCIA, so you could also use SILBIDO, which means “whistle”. 

Practice asking about Shortness of Breath in Spanish | Key Questions

Gracias por escuchar. 🤗

Quiz Yourself: Upper Respiratory and Chest Symptoms in Spanish