Health Conditions

Vegetative state

A disorder of consciousness, or impaired consciousness, is a state where consciousness has been affected by damage to the brain.

Venous leg ulcer

A leg ulcer is a long-lasting (chronic) sore that takes more than four to six weeks to heal. They usuallydevelop on the inside of the leg, just above the ankle.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE)

Every year, thousands of people in the UK develop a blood clot in a vein. It's known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and is a serious, potentially fatal, medical condition.

Vertigo

Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It's the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.

Vestibular neuronitis

Vestibular neuronitis, or neuritis, is an infection of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear. It causes the vestibular nerve to become inflamed, disrupting your sense of balance.

Vestibular schwannoma

An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. It's also known as a vestibular schwannoma.

Vestibular schwannoma

Vision tests for children

Routine eye tests are offered to newborn babies and children to identify any problems early on in their development.

Visual impairment

In the UK, there are almost 2 million people living with sight loss. Of these, around 360,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted.

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia

Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurswhen a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that can't func…

Vitamins, minerals and supplements

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrientsyour body needs in small amounts to work properly.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It's caused by the lack of melanin, a pigment in the skin.

Vomiting blood

Vomiting blood (haematemesis)could be a sign of a serious problem .

Vomiting in adults

Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) in adults isn't usually a sign of anything serious. In most cases, you won't need any specific treatment and can take care of yourse…

Vomiting in children and babies

It's normal for babies and children to vomit occasionally.In most cases, it will last nolonger than one to twodays and isn't a sign of anything serious.

Von Willebrand disease

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder.

Vulval cancer

Cancer of the vulva is a rare type of cancer that affects women. Around 1,200 new casesare diagnosed each year in the UK.

Vulvodynia (persistent vulval pain)

Vulvodynia is persistent, unexplained pain in the vulva ( the skin surrounding the entrance to the vagina).

Warfarin

Warfarin is the main oral anticoagulant used in the UK. Oral means it's taken by mouth. An anticoagulant is a medicine that stops blood clotting.

Warts and verrucas

Warts are small lumps that develop on the skin. Verrucas are a type of wart that affect the bottom of the feet.

Warts, genital

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around the genital or anal area.

Watering eyes

Watering eyes occur if too many tears are produced or if they cannot drain away properly.

Weber-Christian disease

Panniculitis is a broad term refering to inflammation of the fatty layer underneath the skin. It's usually seen in women, on the thighs and lower legs.

Wegener's granulomatosis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disease which causes the walls of the blood vessels to become inflamed (swollen).