Minor illnesses, disorders, or health problems that cause discomfort or pain. Troubles or problems, not necessarily physical.
From Middle English 'ailment,' from 'ailen' (to ail) meaning 'to cause pain or distress,' possibly from Old English 'eglian' (to afflict). The suffix '-ment' indicates the result or condition of the action.
Ailments occupy a linguistic middle ground between 'illness' (serious) and 'complaint' (minor), perfectly capturing those nagging health issues that aren't quite diseases but definitely bother us - like the common cold or a sore back.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.