Health Conditions

Pins and needles

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)is a pricking, burning, tingling or numbing sensation that'susually felt in the arms, legs, hands or feet.

PIP implants

PIP breast implants were withdrawn from the UK in 2010 after it was found they had been fraudulently manufactured with unapproved silicone gel, and were far more prone to splitting…

Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a relatively common skin condition that causes a temporary skin rash of raised, red scaly patches on the body.

Plagiocephaly

Babies sometimes develop aflattened head when they're a few months old, usuallyas a result of them spending a lot of time lying on their back.

Plantar fasciitis

Heel pain is a common foot condition.It's usuallyfelt as an intense pain when using the affected heel.

Plasma cell myeloma

Multiple myeloma, also known asm yeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer.

Plasma components

Plasma is the fluid part of blood and makes up the bulk of the volume. It contains substances that can be used totreat a number of different conditions.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is the branch of surgery specialising in repairing and reconstructing missing or damaged tissue and skin, usuallybecause of surgery, illness, injury or an abnormali…

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation of the sheet-like layers that cover the lungs (the pleura).

Pneumococcal infections

Pneumococcal infections are caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniaebacteria, and range from mildto severe.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Poisoning

Poisoning is when a person is exposed to a substance that can damage their health or endanger their life.

Polio

Polio is a serious viral infection that used to be common in the UK and worldwide. It's rare nowadays because it can be prevented with vaccination.

Polycystic kidney disease, autosomal dominant (ADPKD)

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited condition that causes small, fluid-filled sacs called cysts to develop in the kidneys.

Polycystic kidney disease, autosomal recessive (ARPKD)

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare inherited childhood condition, where the development of the kidneys and liver is abnormal. Over time, either one of…

Polycythaemia

Polycythaemia, orerythrocytosis, means having a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood.

Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid)

Polyhydramnios is a common complication of pregnancy, where there's an excessive amountof amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn baby (foetus).

Polymorphic light eruption

Polymorphic light eruption is a fairly common skin rashtriggered by exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammationin the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips.

Polymyositis

Myositis is a rare condition that affects the muscles. The term myositis means "inflammation of the muscles".

Pompholyx

Pompholyx is a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to develop across the fingers, palms of the hands and sometimes the soles of the feet.

Popliteal cyst

A Baker's cyst, also called apopliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee.

Popliteal cyst

Positron emission tomography

Positron emission tomography ( PET) scans areusedto produce detailed three-dimensional imagesof the inside of the body.