Health conditions and diseases starting with S. Understand symptoms, causes, and treatment options to make informed health choices.
Severe psychosis is a profound mental health condition characterized by a significant detachment from reality, often accompanied by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought processes. It impairs daily functioning, distorts perception, and typically indicates an underlying psychiatric or neurological disorder. Individuals experiencing a severe psychotic episode require immediate clinical intervention to prevent harm and stabilize their
Severe pruritus refers to an intense, persistent itching sensation that significantly disrupts a patient’s quality of life. Unlike occasional or mild itching, this condition is often chronic, resistant to over-the-counter remedies, and frequently linked to underlying systemic or dermatological disorders. In extreme cases, it can lead to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and physical damage due to
Severe pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, typically emerging after 20 weeks of gestation. Characterized by sustained high blood pressure (≥160/110 mmHg) and evidence of end-organ dysfunction, it presents a critical threat to maternal and fetal health. Unlike mild forms, severe pre-eclampsia demands immediate and aggressive intervention to prevent progression to eclampsia, HELLP
Severe persistent asthma is the most critical classification within the asthma spectrum, marked by chronic, unrelenting symptoms that are poorly controlled despite high-dose medications. These patients often experience daily symptoms, frequent nighttime awakenings, and significant limitations in daily activities. Lung function tests typically reveal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) below 60% of predicted
Patients who develop opioid tolerance often experience diminished analgesic effects despite increasing dosages, leading to refractory severe pain. This condition presents one of the most challenging scenarios in pain medicine, requiring a nuanced approach that balances effective analgesia with safety and risk mitigation. Mechanisms Behind Opioid Tolerance Opioid tolerance is a pharmacological phenomenon characterized by
Severe pain represents an intense, often debilitating sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It may arise suddenly as acute pain or persist chronically for months or years. Whether linked to trauma, disease, surgery, or nerve dysfunction, its impact extends beyond physical distress, impairing mental well-being, functional capacity, and overall quality
Severe ocular inflammation refers to intense inflammatory responses within the eye’s structures, including the uvea, sclera, retina, and optic nerve. Left untreated, this condition can lead to irreversible vision loss, ocular pain, and systemic complications. It commonly arises from autoimmune, infectious, or idiopathic etiologies, necessitating prompt and targeted intervention. Common Causes of Severe Ocular Inflammation
Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy (SMEI), also known as Dravet Syndrome, is a rare but catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy beginning in the first year of life. This condition is characterized by prolonged febrile and afebrile seizures, developmental regression, and resistance to standard antiepileptic therapies. SMEI has a profound impact on neurological development, quality of life, and
Severe malaria is a life-threatening condition caused primarily by Plasmodium falciparum infection. It arises when parasitemia is extensive or when vital organ dysfunction occurs. Unlike uncomplicated malaria, severe malaria progresses rapidly, leading to high morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. This form of malaria is a global health emergency, especially in sub-Saharan
Severe insomnia is a complex and persistent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or by waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. It becomes clinically significant when it impairs daily functioning and persists for at least three nights per week for three months or longer. Unlike transient or short-term