What suffix is commonly used to indicate a painful condition?

The suffix that indicates a painful condition is commonly -algia. This term derives from Greek, where "algos" means pain. In medical terminology, it is used in words to describe various types of pain related to specific organs or systems. For example, "neuralgia" refers to nerve pain, while "fibromyalgia" refers to widespread musculoskeletal pain.

The other suffixes serve different purposes in medical terminology. The suffix -itis denotes inflammation, as seen in "arthritis," which indicates joint inflammation. The suffix -osis indicates a condition, often implying a state of disease or abnormality, such as in "sclerosis," which refers to hardening of tissues. Meanwhile, -emia refers to a condition of the blood, like in "anemia," which pertains to a deficiency of red blood cells. Therefore, -algia specifically highlights discomfort or pain, making it the correct term related to painful conditions.