Medical dictionary

What is schizophrenia?   Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which the individual has difficulty differentiating between reality and unreal situations and distinguishing their own thoughts and ideas from reality. It is a long-term condition which changes how the person thinks and acts. It is a serious condition which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), affects over 21 m

What is school failure?School failure is a process in which the student gradually falls back behind their peers and experiences a disconnect from compulsory education, which ultimately results in them dropping out before graduation. This process can occur at any time, but it does occur more frequently during ‘transitional’ periods, e.g moving from primary school to high school. School failure

What is school refusal? School refusal is a complex psychological issue where a child or adolescent persistently avoids attending school due to emotional distress. It is not the same as truancy, as school-refusing children often communicate their difficulties to their parents and may even attempt to attend school before their anxiety or fear becomes overwhelming. This condition is often asso

What is sciatica?Sciatica is a very painful condition that can last for several days. It occurs due to the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can occur as a result of inflammation or injury. Sciatica is not a disease itself, but is a symptom of another health problem. It usually causes a radiating pain that extends from the back to the leg, even reaching the feet. The muscles around

What are scleral contact lenses? Scleral contact lenses are a type of contact lens with a large diameter. They are designed to fit over the white of the eye (the sclera) - not just the cornea. There is no physical contact with the cornea itself, as the lens “vaults” over the cornea while resting on the sclera. This tends to produce a more comfortable fit for patients and fewer c

What is scleritis? Scleritis means that the white layer of tissue in your eye (the sclera) has become inflamed. The sclera protects the rest of the eye and extends from the front to the back of the eye. There are two main types of scleritis: Anterior scleritis – where the sclera is inflamed at the front of the eye. Posterior scleritis – where the sclera is inflamed at the

What is scleroderma? Scleroderma is a rare, chronic disease that affects the immune system, blood vessels, and connective tissues. In the UK, there are approximately 19,000 people diagnosed with scleroderma and worldwide, there are thought to be 2.5 million people. It usually appears between the ages of 25 to 55, but it can happen to anyone at any age, including children. Scleroderma is an a

What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine that most commonly occurs in children aged 10 to 15, before puberty, however, sometimes babies can be born with the condition. Scoliosis can be mild, and may not require treatment, however, some cases can get worse with age and growth, causing spinal deformities that in some cases can be disabling. Children who develop scoliosis

What are the causes of scrotal swellings?A scrotal swelling is an enlargement of the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). Scrotal swellings can be caused by a number of things. If the swelling is painless, it may be due to the following:Hydrocele – a build-up of fluid in the tissue around the testicle. This is fairly common, occurring in around 10 per cent of newborn baby boys. Th