Modismos- Idioms:

Abierta la cintura: Literally this means – The waist is open. The populace uses this form of speech in Spanish to mean that they have low back pain, disc disease. Patient may say: Me abrí la cintura.

Aire: Commonly used symptom by the populace associated with a painful sensation in the abdomen or chest. The populace thinks that this is the  result of going outside without proper attire- see also sereno. But the “aire” is more acute and severe than the “sereno.” Could lead to what is nationally known as a "cold" or "flu", and its origin is not term related.

Alta al enfermo: Literally it means: High to the patient. It is technically used to mean that the patient is being discharged or is discharged.

Chichón: Elevated cranial protrusion usually caused by the fall or trauma. Essentially a hematoma or inflammatory reaction in the subcutaneous tissue.

Chochera: Symptom affecting the elderly. Characteristics include all around crabbiness, irritation, indecent behavior and obscene verbal abuse. It must be worked up for dementia.  

Cuerpo Cortado: Literally means “Cut Body.” It means malaise and a feeling of weakness. It may be sometimes used in syndromes of a "cold" or viral illness.  

Culebrilla: Essentially this is a term used to describe herpes zoster. The Spanish work is derived from a “small snake” or culebra.

Curda: It means drunk.

Destemplanza: Abnormal feeling of body temperature, usually not high enough to be considered fever.

Empacho: Digestive disorder which occurs after the consumption of a large meal. The medical Spanish literature uses the term “ingesta” for a somewhat serious indigestion associated with mild elevations in the serum amylase.

Enfriamiento: Something related to a low body temperature and slowed metabolism caused by emotional episodes, the weather or fear.

Golondrino: This is essentially axillary forunculitis.

Mollera: Soft cranial spot found on new born babies. The populace thinks that the slightest touch to that area can lead to irreparable brain damage.  The mollera is the vertex of the skull. Everyone has a mollera but only babies have the mollera “open” that is soft.

Muñeca Abierta: Literally it means “open doll”. It is a symptom associated with a disorder of the wrist.  

Patatús: Attack or paroxysms of unclear etiology that can be associated with loss of posture or balance and altered consciousness. It may be a presentation of a stroke or cerebral event syndrome.

Seca: This term is used in two forms. La seca or Una seca. It refers to a ganglion, lymph node or buboes in the groin. Not usually associated by the populace with venereal diseases but thought to be infectious. It was dealt with by local non-physician healers –“curanderos” by drainage and a prayer.

Sereno: A feeling of malaise or sneezing or coldness in the scalp thought to occur when someone steps outdoors suddenly at night and is sprinkled by a mysterious substance or the dew. 

Sirimba: Attack or paroxysms with sudden or somewhat sudden onset associated with weakness and maybe loss of posture without loss of consciousness. It may last from seconds to minutes. It may be described as a “fatiga”. Physiologically it may be associated with a drop in blood pressure from any etiology. Folks usually swear that it can be alleviated by lying on a bed with a wash cloth soaked in alcohol on the forehead.

Siquitrilla: This word is used to described the hyoid bone. For example, if someone says that they have broken my siquitrilla….. Essentially they said: Me partieron la siquitrilla. Since the location of the hyoid bone is so central, this means that you have sustained major trauma. Many times it is used figuratively as if someone is emotionally devastated but physically intact.