Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «S»:
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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, debilitating, and deadly brain disorder related to measles (rubeola) infection.
Causes
Ordinarily, the measles virus does not cause brain damage, but an abnormal immune response to measles or, possibly, certain mutant forms of the virus m...
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Subacute thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis involves swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland that usually follows an upper respiratory infection.
Causes
Subacute thyroiditis is a rare condition. It is thought to be caused by a viral infection. The condition often occurs after a viral infection of the upper respirato...
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid space.
Causes
Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by:
Bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
Bleeding disorder
Bleeding from a cerebral ane...
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Subareolar abscess
A subareolar abscess is an abscess or growth on the areolar gland, which is located in the breast under or below the areola (colored area around nipple).
Causes
The cause of a subareolar abscess is a blockage of the small glands or ducts under the areola, with development of an infection under the ...
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Subconjunctival hemorrhage
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red patch appearing in the white of the eye. This condition is also called red eye.
Causes
A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a small blood vessel breaks open and bleeds near the surface of the white of the eye (bulbar conjunctiva). It may happen without...
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Subcutaneous
The term "cutaneous" refers to the skin. Subcutaneous means beneath or under all the layers of the skin. For example, a subcutaneous cyst is under the skin....
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Subcutaneous emphysema
Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air gets into tissues under the skin covering the chest wall or neck.
Considerations
Subcutaneous emphysema can often be seen as a smooth bulging of the skin. When a health care provider feels (palpates) the skin, it produces an unusual crackling sensation as the ...
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Subdural effusion
A subdural effusion is a collection of pus beneath the outer lining of the brain.
Causes
A subdural effusion is a rare complication of bacterial meningitis. Subdural effusion is more common in infants and in persons who have meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
Symptoms
Bulging fontanelle...
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Subdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood on the surface of the brain.
Causes
Subdural hematomas are usually the result of a serious head injury. When one occurs in this way, it is called an "acute" subdural hematoma. Acute subdural hematomas are among the deadliest of all head injuries. The ble...
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Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death.
Causes
SIDS rates have dropped dramatically since 1992, when parents were first told to put babies to sleep on their backs or sides to reduce t...
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Sugar-water hemolysis test
The sugar-water hemolysis test is a blood test to detect fragile red blood cells by testing their ability to withstand swelling in a low-salt solution.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned w...
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Suicide and suicidal behavior
Suicide is the act of deliberately taking one's own life. Suicidal behavior is any deliberate action with potentially life-threatening consequences, such as taking a drug overdose or deliberately crashing a car.
Causes
Suicidal behaviors almost always occur in people with depression, bipolar disord...
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Sulindac overdose
Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to relief pain and swelling associated with certain types of arthritis. Sulindac overdose occurs when someone takes too much of this medicine.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actua...
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Sunburn
A sunburn is reddening of the skin that occurs after you are exposed to the sun or other ultraviolet light.
Considerations
The first signs of a sunburn may not appear for a few hours. The full effect to your skin may not appear for 24 hours or longer. Possible symptoms include:
Red, tender skin th...
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Superficial thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot in a vein located just below the skin's surface.
Causes
Superficial thrombophlebitis may occur after injury to the vein or the recent use of an intravenous (IV) line or catheter. It may also develop for no apparent reason i...