Health Conditions

Weight Loss

A compendium of articles aimed at informing general audiences of various ways through which one can lose weight via a healthy, proactive approach.

Weight loss (unexpected and unplanned)

Sudden, noticeable weight loss canhappen after astressful event, although it can also be a sign of a serious illness.

Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is used to treat people who are dangerously obese.

Weil's disease

Leptospirosis is a type of bacterial infection spread by animals. It's caused by a strain of bacteria called leptospira.

Welts

Urticaria also known as hives, weals, welts or nettle rash is a raised, itchy rash that appears on the skin.It may appear on one part of the body or be spread across large areas.

West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus that's found in many countries around the worldand spread by mosquitoes.

Whiplash

Whiplash injury is a type of neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways.

White blood cell deficiencies

Granulocytes are a typeof white blood cell that help fight infection. 'A granulocytosis ' and 'neutropenia' are terms often used to describe a deficiency of these cells.

White coated tongue

A coated or white tongueoccurs when the surface is colonised by bacteria or fungi, and dead cells become trapped between the small nodules on the tongue.

Whitlow finger

A herpetic whitlow, or whitlow finger,is an abscess of the end of the finger caused byinfection with the herpes simplex virus (the "cold sore virus").

Whooping cough

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways.

Winter vomiting disease

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It's also called the "winter vomiting bug" because it's more common in winter, alt…

Wisdom tooth removal

The removal of wisdom teeth, or third molars, is one of the most common procedures carried out in the UK.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time.

Womb cancer

Cancer of the womb (uterus) is a common cancer that affects the female reproductive system. It's also called uterine cancer and endometrial cancer.

Work related upper limb disorder (WRULD)

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse.

X-ray

An X-ray is aquick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body.

Xanthelasma

Eyelid problems are commonand rarely serious, but see your GP if you're worried or your eye is particularly uncomfortable.

Xerostomia

It's normal tooccasionally have adry mouth if youre dehydrated or feeling nervous, but a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying problem.

XXY (Klinefelter syndrome)

Klinefelter syndrome (sometimes called Klinefelter's, KS or XXY) is where boys and men are born with an extra X chromosome.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection that is spread by certain types of mosquito. Its mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa, South America and parts of the Caribbean.

Zika virus

Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it is a very mild infection and isn't harmful.