Category: S
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Surgical oncology
The treatment of cancer with surgery. Surgical procedures are commonly used to treat cancer by removing it. Surgery to remove cancerous tissue, whether for biopsy or therapy, is generally performed by surgical oncologists.
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Sports helmets
Protective covering worn during vigorous athletic activities to prevent head injuries. Helmets are the single most important piece of protective gear used in sports. Research has established that the wearing of helmets saves lives by reducing the risk of head injuries. Sports helmets should be worn while riding bicycles or motorcycles, when using in-line skates,…
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Swollen glands
A lay term that refers to enlarged lymph nodes, also called lymph glands. Swollen glands may be caused by an infection, an injury, a dental abscess, or reaction to a medication. When the swelling is gradual and painless, it may result from a tumor. Enlarged lymph nodes, also called lymph glands. Swollen glands that enlarge…
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Spinal epidural abscess
An accumulation of pus, due to a bacterial infection, that collects in the space between the spinal bones and the outermost of the three membranes that cover the spinal cord. The organisms that commonly cause spinal epidural abscess also cause acute infection of the middle ear and sinusitis. Because these bacterial infections are generally treated…
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Spinal cord decompression
A surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or on a nerve root emerging from the cord. Spinal cord decompression is performed to treat conditions such as disk prolapse (a ruptured disk), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), a tumor, or a vertebral fracture. Surgery is usually indicated when the problem becomes…
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Skin callus
An area of tough, thickened skin caused by pressure or friction. Calluses commonly develop on the palms, fingertips, and soles of the feet. Calluses are most often associated with specific types of work and sport. Calluses can cause tenderness or pain under the skin. Self-treatment of calluses includes using a file, pumice stone, or towel…
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Spider bites
Only a few spiders in North America are poisonous to humans; these include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Both prefer warm climates and dark, dry places where flies are plentiful; they often live in outdoor toilets, wood, rock, and brush piles or in dark garages and attics. Bites usually occur on…
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Sexual assault
Forced sexual activity or contact without consent; also called rape. Sexual assault is a gender-neutral term currently in use in many states instead of “rape,” which has traditionally been defined as forced vaginal penetration of women by men. Sexual assault is the most rapidly growing violent crime in the United States. Sexual assault includes rape…
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Spinal anesthesia
Making the lower part of the body insensitive to pain by injecting medications into the spinal column to block the nerves that lead to and from the legs, groin, buttocks, and lower region of the abdomen. Spinal anesthesia is also called a saddle block. Spinal anesthesia is used for repairing fractures in the legs and…
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Sideroblastic anemia
A group of blood diseases in which the red blood cells contain too much iron and hemoglobin production is defective. Sideroblastic anemia can be inherited. Other forms of the disease are acquired as a result of exposure to toxins (such as alcohol or lead), certain cancers (such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma), or inflammatory disease…