Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «S»:
-
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a species of mite that is very small.
Causes
Scabies is found worldwide among people of all groups and ages. It is spread by direct contact with infected people and less often by sharing clothing or bedding. Sometimes whole families are affected.
The m...
-
Scalded skin syndrome
Scalded skin syndrome is a skin infection in which the skin becomes damaged and sheds.
Causes
Scalded skin syndrome is caused by infection with certain strains of bacteria in the Staphylococcus family. During the infection, the staphylococci produce a poison that causes the skin damage. The damage ...
-
Scales
Scales are a visible peeling or flaking of outer skin layers.
Alternative Names
Skin flaking
...
-
Scar revision
Scar revision is surgery to improve or reduce the appearance of scars. It also restores function, and corrects skin changes (disfigurement) caused by an injury, wound, or previous surgery.
Description
Scar tissue forms as skin heals after an injury (such as an accident) or surgery. The amount of sc...
-
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by infection with the group A Streptococcus bacteria (the same bacteria that causes strep throat).
Causes
Scarlet fever was once a very serious childhood disease, but now is easily treatable. It is caused by the streptococcal bacteria, which produce a toxin that le...
-
Scheie syndrome
Scheie syndrome is an inherited disease of metabolism in which the body cannot properly break down long chains of sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (formerly called mucopolysaccharides).
The syndrome belongs to a group of diseases called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). Specifically, it is known...
-
Schilling test
The Schilling test is used to determine whether the body absorbs vitamin B12 normally.
How the Test is Performed
This test may be performed in four different stages to find the cause of low vitamin B12 levels.
Stage I: You will get two doses of vitamin B12 (cobalamin). You will take a small, first ...
-
Schirmer's test
Schirmer's test determines whether the eye produces enough tears to keep it moist.
How the Test is Performed
The health care provider will place paper strips under the eyelid, usually the bottom one. Both eyes are tested at the same time. Before the test, you may be given numbing eye drops to preve...
-
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is infection with a type of Schistosoma parasite.
Causes
You get a schistosoma infection through contact with contaminated water. The parasite in its infective stages is called a cercaria. It swims freely in open bodies of water.
On contact with humans, the parasite burrows into the...
-
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental condition that causes both a loss of contact with reality (psychosis) and mood problems.
Causes
The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is unknown. Changes in genes and chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) may play a role. Some experts do not believe i...
-
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person has a lifelong pattern of indifference to others and social isolation.
Causes
Personality disorders are patterns of behaviors and relationships that interfere with a person's life over many years. The cause of schizoid pers...
-
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations.
Causes
Schizophrenia is a complex illness. Even experts in the field are not su...
-
Schizophrenia - disorganized type
Disorganized schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia in which behavior is disturbed and has no purpose.
Causes
The cause is unknown. This type of schizophrenia usually begins before age 25.
Symptoms
Active behavior, but in an aimless and not constructive way
Bizarre and inappropriate emotional re...
-
Schizophrenia - paranoid type
Paranoid type schizophrenia is a mental illness that involves false beliefs of being persecuted or plotted against.
Symptoms
People with paranoid schizophrenia may have mistaken beliefs (delusions) that one or more people are plotting against them or their loved ones. It is difficult or impossible ...
-
Schizotypal personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person has difficulty with interpersonal relationships and disturbances in thought patterns, appearance, and behavior.
Causes
The cause is unknown. Genes are thought to be involved, because there is an increased incidence of thi...
