Locate medical conditions by their starting letter
Medical Conditions found related to the search term: P
Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid)
Polyhydramnios is a common complication of pregnancy, where there's an excessive amountof amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn baby (foetus).
Pruritus ani
Itchy bottom (pruritus ani) is characterisedby astrong urge to scratch the skin around youranus.
Penicillin
Antibiotics are used to treator preventsome types of bacterial infection. Theywork by killing bacteria or preventing them fromreproducing and spreading.
Post-mortem
A post-mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is the examination of a body after death. The aim of a post-mortem is to determine the cause of death.
Polycystic kidney disease, autosomal dominant (ADPKD)
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited condition that causes small, fluid-filled sacs called cysts to develop in the kidneys.
Polycystic kidney disease, autosomal recessive (ARPKD)
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare inherited childhood condition, where the development of the kidneys and liver is abnormal. Over time, either one of these organs may fail.
Popliteal cyst
A Baker's cyst, also called apopliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee.
Pressure ulcers
Pressure ulcers are an injury that breaks down the skin and underlying tissue. They are caused whenan area of skin is placed under pressure.
Prostate enlargement
Benign prostate enlargement (BPE), also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that affects older men.
Postmenopausal bleeding
Postmenopausal bleeding is vaginal bleeding that happens at least 12 months after your periods have stopped.
Piercing
If you decide to get your ears or another part of your body pierced, make sure you go to a licensed body piercing shop or piercer.
Plagiocephaly
Babies sometimes develop aflattened head when they're a few months old, usuallyas a result of them spending a lot of time lying on their back.
Predictive genetic test for cancer risk genes
Cancer is not usually inherited, but some types mainly breast, ovarian, colorectaland prostate cancer can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families.
Peroneal muscular atrophy
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of inherited conditions that damage the peripheral nerves.
Persistent trophoblastic disease
Persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma are very rare pregnancy-related tumours known as gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTTs).
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Pubic lice
Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis) are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of Arthritis that develops insome people withthe skin condition psoriasis . It typically causes affectedjoints to become inflamed (swollen), stiff and painful.
Polymyositis
Myositis is a rare condition that affects the muscles. The term myositis means "inflammation of the muscles".
Pompholyx
Pompholyx is a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to develop across the fingers, palms of the hands and sometimes the soles of the feet.
Periods, painful
Period pain is common and a normal part of your menstrual cycle. Most women experience it at some point in their lives.
Prosopagnosia
Prosopagnosia, also known as "face blindness", is the inability to recognise faces.
Piles (haemorrhoids)
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus).
Palpitations
Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable.
Plantar fasciitis
Heel pain is a common foot condition.It's usuallyfelt as an intense pain when using the affected heel.
Painkillers, ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription.
Pruritus
Itchy skin is usually just an annoying but temporary problem, and rarely indicates a serious underlying cause.
Pyelonephritis
A kidney infection(pyelonephritis) is a painful and unpleasant illnesscaused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both ofyour kidneys.
Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty
The mitral valve(also called the bicuspid valve) separates the upper left heart chamber from the lower left heart chamber, and helps control blood flow through the heart.
Plasma cell myeloma
Multiple myeloma, also known asm yeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer.
Postherpetic neuralgia
Post-herpetic neuralgia is a persistent nerve pain that occurs at the site of a previous attack of shingles.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathydevelops when nerves in the body's extremities such asthe hands, feetand arms are damaged. The symptoms depend onwhich nerves are affected.
Periods, irregular
Some women find their menstrual cycle isn't always regular. Their periods may be early or late, and may vary in how long they last or how heavy they are each time.
Pacemaker implantation
If you need to have a pacemaker fitted, a smallelectrical device called a pacemaker will be surgicallyimplanted in your chest.
Paget’s disease of the nipple
Paget's disease of the nipple, also known asPaget's disease of the breast, is a rare condition associated with breast cancer .
Paget's disease of bone
Paget's disease of bonedisrupts the normal cycle of bone renewal, causingbonesto become weakened and possibly deformed.
Pancreas transplant
A pancreas transplant is an operation to treat diabetes by replacing the need for insulin with a healthy insulin-producing pancreas from a donor who has recently died.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas a large gland that's part of the digestive system.
Pancreatitis, chronic
Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas (a small organ located behind the stomach and below the ribcage) becomes permanently damaged from inflammation.
Panic disorder
Panic disorder is where you have recurring and regular panic attacks, often for no apparent reason.
Pins and needles
Pins and needles (paraesthesia)is a pricking, burning, tingling or numbing sensation that'susually felt in the arms, legs, hands or feet.
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of the ability to move one or more muscles.It may be associated with loss of feeling and other bodily functions.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged overmany years.
Peak flow test
Peak flow is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It's often used to help diagnose and monitor asthma.
PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female upper genital tract, including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain isfelt below your bellybutton. It may come on suddenly and severely, or could be mild and last for months.
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare and serious condition that causes painful blisters to develop on theskin and lining of the mouth, nose, throat and genitals.
Penile cancer
Penile cancer is a rare type ofcancer that occurs on the skin of the penis or withinthe penis.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is swelling of the pericardium, which is the fluid-filled sac surrounding your heart.
Periods
A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when a woman bleeds from her vagina for a few days.
Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition, in which a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to leg muscles. It's also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen (tummy).
Personality disorder
Personality disorders are conditions in which an individual differs significantly from an average person, in terms of how they think, perceive, feel or relate to others.
Positron emission tomography
Positron emission tomography ( PET) scans areusedto produce detailed three-dimensional imagesof the inside of the body.
Phaeochromocytoma
A phaeochromocytoma is araretumour of the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys.
Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, but potentially serious,inherited disorder.
Phobias
A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal .
Phosphate test
A phosphate test is used to measure the level of phosphate inthe blood.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.
Pilonidal sinus
A pilonidal sinus is a small hole or "tunnel" in the skin.It usually develops in the cleft of the buttocks where the buttocks separate.
PIP implants
PIP breast implants were withdrawn from the UK in 2010 after it was found they had been fraudulently manufactured with unapproved silicone gel, and were far more prone to splitting (rupturing) than other breast implants.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a relatively common skin condition that causes a temporary skin rash of raised, red scaly patches on the body.
Plasma components
Plasma is the fluid part of blood and makes up the bulk of the volume. It contains substances that can be used totreat a number of different conditions.
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is the branch of surgery specialising in repairing and reconstructing missing or damaged tissue and skin, usuallybecause of surgery, illness, injury or an abnormality present from birth.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is inflammation of the sheet-like layers that cover the lungs (the pleura).
Pneumococcal infections
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniaebacteria, and range from mildto severe.
Poisoning
Poisoning is when a person is exposed to a substance that can damage their health or endanger their life.
Polio
Polio is a serious viral infection that used to be common in the UK and worldwide. It's rare nowadays because it can be prevented with vaccination.
Polycythaemia
Polycythaemia, orerythrocytosis, means having a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood.
Polymorphic light eruption
Polymorphic light eruption is a fairly common skin rashtriggered by exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light.
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammationin the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips.
Postnatal depression
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.
Puerperal psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness that can affect a woman after she has a baby.
Post-polio syndrome
Post-polio syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can affect people who have had polio in the past.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an Generalised anxiety disorder disordercaused by very stressful,frightening or distressing events.
Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)
Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is an abnormal increase in heart ratethat occurs after sitting up or standing. It typically causes dizziness, fainting and other symptoms.
Potassium test
Potassium is a mineral that helps control the balance of fluids in the body, and also helps the heart muscle work properly.
Prader-Willi syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition thatcauses a wide range of problems.
Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is delivered.
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name given to the physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms that can occur in the two weeks before a woman's monthly period. It's also known as premenstrual tension (PMT).
Priapism
Priapism is a persistent and oftenpainful erection that lasts for several hours.
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis, orprimary biliary cholangitis(PBC), is a long-term liver disease in which thebile ducts in the liver become damaged.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts promoted as having various health benefits. They're usually added to yoghurts or taken as food supplements, and are often described as 'good' or 'friendly' bacteria.
PSP
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare and progressive condition that can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.
Prostate problems
Prostate problems are common in men, particularly in those over 50 years of age.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is theinflammation (swelling) of the prostate gland. It can be very painful and distressing, but will usually get better eventually.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical field concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions.
Psychotic episodes
Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them. This might involve hallucinations or delusions.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy used to treat emotional problems and mental health conditions.
Pudendal neuralgia
Pudendal neuralgia is a type of long-term (chronic) pelvic pain that originates from damage or irritation of the pudendal nerve.
Pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary fibrosis (idiopathic)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is raised blood pressure withinthe pulmonary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the lungs.
Pyoderma gangrenosum
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin condition thatcauses painful ulcers. It's usually treatable, but may take some time to heal and may leave some scarring.
Perforation of the stomach
A perforation of the stomach means a hole in the stomach has been created, from which the contents of the stomach spill in the space between other organs in the abdomen.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is a commonly used medicine that can help treat pain and reduce a high temperature (fever).
Premature labour
Premature labour is labour that happens before the 37th week of pregnancy. About 8 out of 100 babies will be born prematurely.