Diseases Starting with S
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Salivary Gland Stones
A salivary gland stone — also called salivary duct stone — is a calcified structure that may form inside a salivary gland or duct. It can block the flow of saliva into the mouth.
The majority of stones affect the submandibular glands located at the floor of the mouth. Less commonly, the stones affect the parotid glands, located on the inside of the cheeks, or the sublingual glands, which are under the tongue. Many people with the condition have multiple stones.
Salivary Gland Stone Causes and Symptoms
Salivary stones form when chemicals in the saliva accumulate in the duct or gland. They mostly contain calcium. The exact cause is not known. But factors contributing to less saliva production and/or thickened saliva may be risk factors for salivary stones. These factors include: dehydration, poor eating, and use of certain medications (such as antihistamines), blood pressure drugs, psychiatric drugs, and bladder control drugs. Trauma to the salivary glands may also raise the risk for salivary stones.
The stones cause no symptoms as they form, but if they reach a size that blocks the duct, saliva backs up into the gland, causing pain and swelling. You may feel the pain off and on, and it may get progressively worse. Inflammation and infection within the affected gland may follow.
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. It goes down through the buttock, then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot.
Causes Sciatica
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc ) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis ), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve ) caused by injury. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttock and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.
Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as press-ups ) may relieve symptoms.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma (skleer-oh-DUR-muh) is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues — the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
In some people, scleroderma affects only the skin. But in many people, scleroderma also harms structures beyond the skin — such as blood vessels, internal organs and the digestive tract. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which structures are affected.
Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. While there is no cure for scleroderma, a variety of treatments can ease symptoms and improve quality of life.
Symptoms
Scleroderma’s signs and symptoms vary, depending on which parts of your body are involved:
Skin. Nearly everyone who has scleroderma experiences a hardening and tightening of patches of skin. These patches may be shaped like ovals or straight lines, or cover wide areas of the trunk and limbs. The number, location and size of the patches vary by type of scleroderma. Skin can appear shiny because it’s so tight, and movement of the affected area may be restricted.
Fingers or toes. One of the earliest signs of scleroderma is an exaggerated response to cold temperatures or emotional distress, which can cause numbness, pain or color changes in the fingers or toes. Called Raynaud’s disease, this condition also occurs in people who don’t have scleroderma.
Digestive system. In addition to acid reflux, which can damage the section of esophagus nearest the stomach, some people with scleroderma may also have problems absorbing nutrients if their intestinal muscles aren’t moving food properly through the intestines.
Heart, lungs or kidneys. Scleroderma can affect the function of the heart, lungs or kidneys to varying degrees. These problems, if left untreated, can become life-threatening.
Causes
Scleroderma results from an overproduction and accumulation of collagen in body tissues. Collagen is a fibrous type of protein that makes up your body’s connective tissues, including your skin.
Doctors aren’t certain what prompts this abnormal collagen production, but the body’s immune system appears to play a role. In some genetically susceptible people, symptoms may be triggered by exposure to certain types of pesticides, epoxy resins or solvents
Seborrheic Dermatitis
That red, itchy rash on your scalp that has flaky scales could be seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrhea. It’s a common skindisease that looks similar to psoriasis, eczema, or an allergic reaction. And it can appear on your body as well as your scalp.
Causes
We don’t know what exactly causes seborrheic dermatitis. It seems to be a combination of things, including:
Stress
Your genes
A yeast that normally lives on skin
Certain medical conditions and medicines
Cold, dry weather
It doesn’t come from an allergy or being unclean.
Newborns and adults aged 30-60 are more likely to get seborrheic dermatitis. It’s more common in men than women and in people with oily skin. These medical conditions can also raise your risk:
Acne
AIDS
Alcoholism
Depression
Eating disorders
Epilepsy
Heart attack or stroke recovery
Parkinson’s disease
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Symptoms
Dandruff and cradle cap are common names for seborrheic dermatitis. Babies 3 months and younger often get cradle cap: crusty yellow or brown scales on their scalp. It usually goes away before they’re a year old, although it can come back when they reach puberty.
You might get seborrheic dermatitis on your face, especially around your nose, on your eyelids, or behind your ears. It can show up on your body, too:
In the middle part of the chest
Around the navel
On buttocks
In skin folds under arms and on legs
In the groin
Below breasts
On babies, seborrheic dermatitis might be mistaken for diaper rash.
Skin can itch, burn, or look red. The scales that flake off could be white or yellowish and look moist or oily.
Because it can look like other skin conditions, you should see your family doctor to get a diagnosis and the right treatment. The dermatologist will ask about your medical history and look at your skin. You may need other tests if the doctor thinks it’s related to another medical condition.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem occurring during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle traditionally includes excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Desire and arousal are both part of the excitement phase of the sexual response.
While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43 percent of women and 31 percent of men report some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss. Because treatment options are available, it is important to share your concerns with your partner and health care provider.
TYPES OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Desire disorders —lack of sexual desire or interest in sex
Arousal disorders —inability to become physically aroused or excited during sexual activity
Orgasm disorders —delay or absence of orgasm (climax)
Pain disorders — pain during intercourse
AFFECTED BY SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Sexual dysfunction can affect any age, although it is more common in those over 40 because it is often related to a decline in health associated with aging.
SYMPTOMS OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
In men:
Inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for intercourse (erectile dysfunction)
Absent or delayed ejaculation despite adequate sexual stimulation (retarded ejaculation)
Inability to control the timing of ejaculation (early or premature ejaculation)
In women:
Inability to achieve orgasm
Inadequate vaginal lubrication before and during intercourse
Inability to relax the vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse
CAUSES SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Physical causes — Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with sexual function. These conditions include diabetes, heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases such as kidney or liver failure, and alcoholism and drug abuse. In addition, the side effects of some medications, including some antidepressant drugs, can affect sexual function.
Psychological causes — These include work-related stress and anxiety, concern about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, concerns about body image, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.
Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include:
The common cold
Allergic rhinitis, which is swelling of the lining of the nose
Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps
A deviated septum, which is a shift in the nasal cavity
Types
You may hear your doctor use these terms:
Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2-4 weeks.
Subacute sinus inflammation usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
Chronic inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.
Who Gets It
Lots of people. About 35 million Americans have sinusitis at least once each year. It’s more likely if you have:
Swelling inside the nose like from a common cold
Blocked drainage ducts
Structural differences that narrow those ducts
Nasal polyps
Immune system deficiencies or medications that suppress the immune system
For children, things that can cause sinusitis include:
Allergies
Illnesses from other kids at day care or school
Pacifiers
Bottle drinking while lying on the back
Smoke in the environment
The main things that make sinusitis more likely for adults are infections and smoking.
Acute Sinusitis Symptoms
The main signs include:
Facial pain or pressure
“Stuffed-up” nose
Runny nose
Loss of smell
Cough or congestion
You may also have:
Fever
Bad breath
Fatigue
Dental pain
It may be acute sinusitis if you have two or more symptoms, or thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge.
Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms
You may have these symptoms for 12 weeks or more:
A feeling of congestion or fullness in your face
A nasal obstruction or nasal blockage
Pus in the nasal cavity
Fever
Runny nose or discolored postnasal drainage
You may also have headaches, bad breath, and tooth pain. You may feel tired a lot.
Lots of things can cause symptoms like these. You’ll need to see your doctor to find out if you have sinusitis.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
Being male
Being overweight
Being over age 40
Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
Having a family history of sleep apnea
Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinusproblems
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Waking up with a very sore or dry throat
Loud snoring
Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
Sleepiness while driving
Morning headaches
Restless sleep
Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
Recurrent awakenings or insomnia