Health Conditions

Singultus

Hiccups occur when the diaphragm suddenly and involuntarily contracts (tightens), resulting in a hiccup sound being produced at the top of the windpipe.

Sinus headache

Sinus headaches are an uncommon type of headache caused by inflamed sinuses (Sinusitis). They are felt as a dull, throbbing pain in the upper face.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a common condition in which the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. It's usually caused by a viral infection and often improves within two or three weeks.

Sjogren's syndrome

Sjgren's (pronounced Show-grin's) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder.The bodys immune system attacks glands that secrete fluid, such as the tear and saliva glands.

Skin cancer (melanoma)

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body.

Skin cyst

A skin cyst is afluid-filled bump lying just underneath the skin. It'scommon and harmless, andmay just go away without treatment.

Skin rashes in babies

It's normal for babies to develop rashes from as early as a few days old, as their sensitive skin adapts to a different environment. Most rashes are harmless and go away on their o…

Skin rashes in children

Childhood rashes are common and aren't usually a cause for concern. Most rashes are harmless and disappear without the need for treatment.

Skin tags

Skin tags are small, soft,skin-coloured growths that hang off the skin and look a bit like warts.

Skin-picking habit

Dermatillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pick at their skin, to the point where it causes visible wounds.

Skin, blue

If a person's skin or lipsturn blue, it's usuallycaused bylow blood oxygen levels orpoor circulation. It can be a sign of a serious problem, so it's important to seek medical advic…

Slapped cheek syndrome

Slapped cheek syndrome (also called fifth disease or parvovirus B19) is a viral infection that's most common in children, although it can affect people of any age. It usually cause…

Sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interruptingnormalbreathing.

Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when you're waking up or falling asleep.

Sleepiness in the day (severe and unexplained)

'Hypersomnia' means excessive sleep or sleepiness that interferes with everyday life.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is when someone walks or carries out complex activities while not fully awake.

Slipped disc

A slipped disc means that one of the discsof cartilagein the spine is damaged and pressing on the nerves.

Small bowel transplant

A small bowel (intestinal) transplant is an operation to replacea diseased or shortened small bowel with a healthy bowel from a donor.

Smear test

A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.

Smell sense, loss of

Anosmia is the medical term for loss of the sense of smell. It's usually caused by a nasal condition or brain injury, but some people are born without a sense of smell (congenital…

Smelly Urine

Healthy urine should be clear and straw-coloured, and shouldn't be particularly smelly.

Smoking treatments

If you want to stop smoking, several different treatments are available from shops, pharmacies and on prescription to help you beat your addiction andreduce withdrawal symptoms.

Snake bites

A snake will sometimes bite in self-defence if disturbed or provoked.

Snoring

Snoring is where a person makes a snorting or rattling noise when they breathe during sleep.