Glossary
Health Terms beginning with "S"
Sacral nerve
Any of five pairs of spinal nerves emerging from the sacral region of the spinal cord.
Salagen
Brand name of pilocarpine tablets (see separate entry).
Saliva
The main protective factor for the exposed tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract—the mouth, pharynx and esophagus. Salivary proteins help to prevent tooth decay, repair wounds or ulcers in the soft mucosal tissues and kill bacteria, certain fungi and some viruses. They also allow the formation of a food bolus and permit its proper swallowing, and facilitate your ability to taste and to speak.
Salivary function tests
Test to measure the amount of saliva you produce.
Salivary glands
A prime target of immune-system attack in patients with Sjögren's. These glands are composed of two parts, the acinar region or secretory end piece and the ductal region. Acinar cells (see separate entry) are the site of fluid secretion and are responsible for making and secreting more than 85 percent of the proteins that mediate the functions of saliva. Ductal cells cannot secrete fluid.
Salpingo-oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Saturated fat
The type of fat found mainly in food that comes from animals. Whole milk dairy products, such as butter, cheese, milk, cream and ice cream, all contain high amounts of saturated fat. The fat in meat and poultry skin also is loaded with saturated fat. A few vegetable fats—coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm kernel oil and palm oil—are also high in saturated fat. These fats are sometimes found in cookies, crackers, coffee creamers, whipped toppings and snack foods. Because fats are invisible in many foods, it is important to read food labels. Remember: Saturated fat boosts your blood cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet. Eating less saturated fat is the best way to lower your cholesterol level.
Scaling and root planing
These are deep-cleaning procedures in which the health care professional removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and beneath the gum line. Planing the tooth root until it is smooth gets rid of rough spots where germs gather, and allows the gums to heal closer to the teeth.
Schirmer test
Test helps determine how dry your eyes are. It involves placing a small piece of filter paper under your lower eyelid to measure the rate of tear production.
Schizophrenia
A psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life and disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as in hallucinations and delusions) and conduct.
Sciatica
Inflammation of one of the sciatic nerves, which is the longest type of nerve in your body. Sciatica nerves run from your lower spine, through your buttocks and into each leg and foot. Sciatica is a syndrome that involves pain radiating from the back into the buttock and down the leg.
Sclera
The white, tough protective outer layer of the eye.
Scleroderma
A chronic disease that most often strikes women during middle age. It can cause hardening and thickening of the skin and, in its most severe form, attack the heart, lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Scleroderma literally means "hard skin."
Sclerotherapy
A procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins during which a tiny needle is used to inject the veins with one of several kinds of chemical irritants that irritate the lining of the vein. In response, the vein collapses, seals shut and is reabsorbed into the body.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
A mood disorder characterized by depression that is related to certain times of the year, usually starting in fall or early winter and ending in spring or early summer.
Sebaceous glands
Oil glands that produce sebum.
Sebum
The oil your skin produces.
Secondary progressive MS
This form of multiple sclerosis begins with a relapsing-remitting course with attacks and partial recoveries, but generally becomes more progressive.
Secondary Sjogren's syndrome
When Sjögren's arises in association with other autoimmune/rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, it is called secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Sjögren's is a chronic, incurable disorder in which immune-system cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. The syndrome is named after Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren. (See also primary Sjögren's syndrome.)
Second medical opinion
Getting the advice of s second health care professional to verify your diagnosis and ensure that all forms of treatment have been explored. A competent physician should not be insulted if you decide to get further advice. Sources for finding a medical expert to provide a second opinion include your health care professional—ask him or her to refer you to another health care professional; family or friends who have had success with a particular physician; and a local medical society or national association of specialists. Your health insurance coverage may require a second opinion and require you to choose from its list of providers.
Sedentary
Not at all physically active.
Seedling myomas
Fibroids that have a diameter of less than or equal to four millimeters.
Seizure focus
An area of the brain where seizures originate.
Seizure triggers
Phenomena that trigger seizures in some people. Seizure triggers do not cause epilepsy but can lead to first seizures or cause breakthrough seizures in people who otherwise experience good seizure control with their medication.
Selection bias
Statistical errors due to systematic differences in characteristics between those selected for a study and those who are not.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS)
Drugs designed to produce the good effects of estrogen (such as prevention of osteoporosis or high cholesterol) without increasing cancer risk. Like estrogen, they work by binding to the estrogen receptors on cells in target tissues, such as bone and breast. In some tissues, this binding results in a response similar to that of estrogen, but in other tissues, the binding simply clogs the receptor and prevents the estrogen-associated activity. Thus far, no perfect “designer estrogen" has been developed. Tamoxifen is one type.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Antidepressant drugs that work by increasing levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain; sometimes prescribed to treat the symptoms of narcolepsy.
Self blood glucose monitoring
This test is for women diagnosed and being treated for diabetes. It allows you to do your own blood glucose monitoring at home without extra trips to your health care professional. The tests also help determine whether you need to begin insulin therapy during pregnancy. You may need to test your blood several times a day, usually first thing in the morning before eating and two hours after each meal. This test is done by using a special device to prick your finger for a drop of blood, which is then tested for your blood sugar level.
Self-esteem
The way a person thinks about her/himself.
Senile (amyloid) plaque
A hard, waxy substance consisting of protein and polysaccharides that results from the degeneration of tissue.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
A diagnostic surgical technique in which dye is injected into the skin at the site of a melanoma tumor to identify the one or several "sentinel" lymph nodes in the region that "cleanse" that area of the skin. These few lymph nodes are then removed and carefully examined for evidence of cancer.
Septoplasty
Surgery that straightens the nasal septum.
Septum
The wall separating the two sides of the nose. A perforated septum does not usually lead to breathing problems.
Seroconversion time
The time it takes for the body to produce detectable amounts of antibodies in blood serum as the result of infection or immunization.
Seroma
A pocket of fluid collection under the skin.
Serotonin
The neurotransmitter or brain chemical that is believed to have an important effect on the activation of migraine headaches and depression.
Sertraline
A type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is a category of antidepressant prescribed to treat cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
A potentially deadly respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus. It has recently been reported in Asia, North America and Europe. SARS may be spread by touching the skin of other people or objects that are contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your eye(s), nose or mouth. It also is possible that SARS can be spread through the air or in other ways that are currently not known. Unlike the common cold, SARS symptoms generally begin with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort and body aches. Some people experience mild respiratory symptoms. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.
Severe depression
Nearly all symptoms of depression are present and almost always disruptive to daily life.
Sex chromosome
These chromosomes determine male or female sex and come in two forms, X and Y. Normal females have two X chromosomes, males an X and a Y.
Sex hormone binding globulin
Carrier protein to which sex hormones like testosterone attach, rendering them inactive.
Sexual abuse
Forced or manipulated participation in sexual acts, which includes being made to watch sex acts or looking at or taking part in pornography.
Sexual arousal disorder
Persistent or recurrent inability to reach or sustain the lubrication and swelling response in the arousal phase of the sexual response.
Sexual aversion disorder
The avoidance of all or almost all genital sexual contact with a sexual partner to a point that it causes personal distress and relationship difficulties.
Sexual dysfunction
Disturbances in one or more of the sexual response cycle's phases, or pain associated with arousal or intercourse.
Sexually transmitted disease
Various diseases transmitted by sexual contact that include the classic venereal diseases (such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chancroid) and other diseases (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and AIDS) often contracted by sexual means.
Sexual response cycle
A pattern of responses a woman's body follows when she has sex.
Sexual violence
Forced or cajoled participation in sexual acts, which include being made to watch sex acts or looking at or taking part in pornography.
Shave biopsy
A skin cancer test that involves shaving off the top layers of skin—the epidermis and a part of the dermis.
Sickle-cell disease
A recessive genetic disorder that causes hemoglobin to aggregate in rod-shaped clusters in red blood cells, leading to a sickle shape that impedes the cells' progress into small blood vessels. The results are anemia, pain and organ damage. People of African descent are more likely to have a mutation causing the disease. There is also an increased incidence of sickle-cell disease in Mediterranean and southern Asian populations.
Side effect
Undesired actions or effects of a drug or treatment. Negative or adverse effects may include headache, nausea, hair loss, skin irritation or other physical problems. Experimental treatments must be evaluated for both immediate and long-term side effects.
Silent ischemia
Sometimes diseased arteries can't deliver enough blood to the heart; this can occur with no symptoms. An electrocardiogram (EKG; see separate entry), which is a measurement of electrical impulses produced by the heart, may indicate silent ischemia. However, unless a woman knows her risks for heart disease and decides, with the advice of her health care professional, that she needs a heart checkup, she may never know she has ischemia. Diabetics are especially at risk for this condition.
Simple mastectomy
The entire breast is removed.
Simple partial seizures
Seizures that affect only one part of the brain. People experiencing simple partial seizures remain conscious but may experience unusual feelings or sensations.
Single-blinded or single-masked study
A research study in which participants do not know whether they are in the experimental or control group. Those in the control group get a standard treatment or no treatment.
Sinuses
Hollow air spaces within the bones of the skull surrounding the nose.
Sinusitis
An infection of one or more nasal sinuses. With swelling of nasal mucous membranes, the openings from sinuses to the nose may be blocked, causing pressure, pain, headache, fever and tenderness.
Sitz bath
A tub in which one bathes while sitting—or a bath taken while sitting; often used therapeutically. The sitz bath treats pelvic conditions and may incorporate alternating hot or cold water.
Sjogren's syndrome
A chronic, incurable disorder in which immune-system cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. The syndrome is named after Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren. Sjögren's syndrome may occur alone (primary Sjögren's syndrome), or may be associated with other autoimmune/rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (secondary Sjögren's syndrome).
Skilled nursing facility
A nursing home that provides 24-hour nursing assistance and is licensed for skilled care.
Skin prick test
A diagnostic test for allergies that administers a small amount of an allergen scratched or pricked into the surface of the skin (usually in your arm) to gage how your immune system reacts to it.
Skin-sparing mastectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the breast, in which the surgeon takes only as much skin as necessary to remove the cancer and prevent its spread, leaving as much skin as possible to provide a pouch, or covering, for future reconstruction.
Sleep apnea
A group of potentially lethal disorders in which breathing recurrently stops during sleep for long enough to cause a measurable decrease of oxygen in the blood.
Sleep debt
The results of too little sleep; research shows your body keeps track of the amount of needed sleep you've missed.
Sleep diary
A night-to-night account of your sleep schedule and perception of your sleep; it might include information on bedtime, total sleep time, time to sleep onset, number of awakenings, use of medications or alcohol, time out of bed in the morning and a subjective rating of sleep quality and daytime symptoms.
Sleep paralysis
Temporary inability, lasting a few seconds to a few minutes, to talk or move while falling asleep or waking up; a symptom of narcolepsy although people without narcolepsy may experience this symptom as well.
Sleep restriction
An insomnia treatment that calls for limiting sleep and then gradually increasing it until a normal night's sleep is achieved.
Slit-lamp examination
In this test, an ophthalmologist puts a drop of dye into your eye and examines the eye with a special instrument called a slit lamp. The dye will stain dry or eroded areas of the eye.
Social phobia
An intense anxiety of being judged by others and/or of publicly behaving in a way that could lead to embarrassment or ridicule.
Social skills training
Can help children learn new behaviors. In social skills training, the therapist discusses and models appropriate behaviors like waiting for a turn, sharing toys, asking for help or responding to teasing, then gives children a chance to practice.
Socioeconomic groups
Groups formed along a combination of social and economic factors.
Soluble fiber
The form of dietary fiber that attracts water during digestion and slows the rate of nutrient absorption. Soluble fiber is found in beans, seeds, oat bran, and certain fruits and vegetables. The other form of dietary fiber is insoluble fiber.
Sonohysterography
Saline (salt water) is injected into your uterus, and ultrasound pictures are used to visualize the uterine cavity.
SPA (single photon absorptiometry)
A type of bone density test that measures bone density at the wrist.
Specific phobia
An illogical but real and intense fear of an object, such as dogs or insects, or a situation, such as flying or closed spaces; also known as single phobia or simple phobia.
Speculum
An instrument used to widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix is more easily visible to enable a health care professional to observe the cervix and collect a Pap smear sample.
Sperm
The male's reproductive cells.
Spermicide
Gels or creams typically used with latex condoms that kill sperm and help to prevent pregnancy. They are not very effective in preventing pregnancy when used alone, and they do not protect your body from sexually transmitted disease infection when used without a latex condom.
Sphenoid sinuses
The sinuses that are behind your eyes. Your sphenoid sinuses are the least frequently affected sinuses. However, if they are inflamed, you might experience earaches, neck pain and a headache in the top of your head.
Sphincter
A round muscle that opens and closes to let fluid or other matter pass into or out of an organ. Sphincter muscles keep the bladder closed until it is time to urinate.
Spina bifida
A neural tube defect found in some newborns that don't get enough folic acid from their mothers during pregnancy. Some cases of spina bifida-meningomyelocele may be genetically based as well as due to folic acid deficiency.
Spinal cord
An extension of the brain stem that goes down through your spine and carries information through the nervous system.
Spirometer
A machine that measures air flow as well as respiratory gases.
Spironolactone
Anti-androgen medication (also used as a diuretic) that may be prescribed to combat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms such as hirsutism and acne.
Sponge
A polyurethane contraceptive device filled with spermicide. It is inserted to cover the cervix to block sperm.
Sputum
Secretions produced by the lungs.
Squamous carcinoma
The growth of malignant or cancerous cells arising from squamous cells, which comprise most of the upper layers of skin; most often caused by exposure to sunlight.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cancer arising from the skin or the surfaces of other structures, such as the mouth, cervix, esophagus or bronchial tubes. It's most often caused by exposure to sunlight.
Squamous cells
The cells that line the vagina.
Squamous intraepithelial lesion
A noncancerous condition that occurs when normal cells on the cervix are replaced by a layer of abnormal cells.
Staging
A way of diagnosing how far cancer has spread.
Standard treatment
The best treatment known for a condition, based on the results of past research.
Stargardt's Disease
A type of macular degeneration that occurs in children. Also called juvenile macular degeneration.
Statins
A class of medications that have proven highly effective for lowering high blood cholesterol levels. Statins typically reduce LDL cholesterol 20 to 60 percent.
Statistical significance
The degree to which an observed result, such as a difference between two measurements, can be relied upon and not attributed to random error in sampling and measurement.
Status epilepticus
A potentially life-threatening condition in which seizures are prolonged or recur before the person can regain consciousness.
Status migrainosus
This is a rare and severe type of migraine that can last 72 hours or longer. The pain and nausea are so intense sufferers are often hospitalized. The use of certain drugs can trigger status migrainosus. Neurologists report that many of their status migrainosus patients were depressed and anxious before they experienced headache attacks.
Stenosis
Narrowing of an artery due to the buildup of plaque on the inside wall of the artery.
Steroid inhalers
Devices that deliver asthma medicine directly to the lungs. These medications reduce the amount of side effects on other parts of the body.
Stimulant
Any substance, such as nicotine, that speeds up a body system.
St. John's wort
An herb derived from a yellow-flowered weed that is said to ease the symptoms of mild to moderate depression in some people. This product should never be used by patients taking other antidepressants as adverse reactions might occur.
Stoma
When a colostomy surgical procedure is required, your surgeon will connect the remaining intestine to a new opening-the stoma-in the abdomen; a bag is attached to the stoma periodically to collect bodily wastes; the stoma remains covered at other times, and its presence does not restrict daily activities in any significant way.
Stool
Solid wastes that pass through the rectum as bowel movements. Stools are undigested foods, bacteria, mucus and dead cells. Also called feces.
Strain
A group of organisms within a species or variety.
Strain gauge
Respiration sensors that are placed around your body—generally the chest and/or the diaphragm—to measure breathing during respiration biofeedback
Strattera (atomoxetine)
Brand name atomoxetine. Only non-stimulant medication FDA-approved for treatment of ADHD in children and adults. Works on blocking receptors in the brain that take in and dispose of norepinephrine. Because Strattera does not appear to have a potential for abuse, it will not be classified as a controlled substance.
Stratum corneum
The outermost layer of the epidermis that can be seen and felt.
Strength training
Using weights or resistance to improve your muscular strength and endurance.
Stress
Any emotional, physical, social, economic or other factor that requires a response or change.
Stress incontinence
The most common type of incontinence in which urinary leakage occurs when physical stress or pressure is put on the bladder, such as in coughing, sneezing or exercising.
Stress management or stress reduction techniques
Methods for controlling stress that require a response or change within a person by identifying the causes of stress, eliminating negative stresses and developing coping mechanisms.
Stress test
Also called a treadmill test or exercise ECG. Test used to record the heartbeat during exercise. This is done because some heart problems only show up when the heart is working hard. In the test, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is done before, during and after exercising on a treadmill; breathing rate and blood pressure may be measured as well. Exercise tests are useful but are not completely reliable. False positives (showing a problem where none exists) are more common in women, and false negatives (showing no problem when something is wrong) may also occur.
Stretch marks
Marks on the skin that appear during pregnancy as a woman's skin stretches to accommodate her baby's growth. They are initially light pink or purple lines that eventually fade to white and are most often found on the breasts, thighs, abdomen or hips. These may also occur with rapid growth in puberty or rapid weight gain or loss.
Stroke
Occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted, usually by a clot, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. Strokes caused by blood-supply interruption—ischemic strokes—comprise 80 percent of cases.
Stroke Belt
An area of the southeastern United States with the highest stroke mortality rate in the country. The increased risk could be due to geographic or environmental factors or to regional differences in lifestyle, including higher rates of cigarette smoking and a regional preference for salty, high-fat foods.
Stroke Buckle
Three southeastern states, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, that have an extremely high stroke mortality rate—twice that of the United States overall.
Struvite stone
A type of kidney stone caused by infection.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A type of hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm or a malformation of blood vessels on or near the thin, delicate membrane surrounding the brain.
Subclinical HPV
The kind of human papillomavirus that can live in the skin without resulting in a wart. It is usually not cost effective to treat.
Subcutaneous
Under the skin.
Subglandular
Placement of a breast implant behind the breast tissue.
Subluxation
A term used by chiropractors to refer to a blockage or spinal misalignment involving vertebrae impinging on spinal nerves, creating interference with the transmission of neural impulses which can result in pain or discomfort.
Submucosal fibroids
These fibroids grow from the uterine wall into the uterine cavity, sometimes distorting it, which can cause pain, abnormal bleeding and infertility.
Submuscular
Placement of a breast implant behind the chest muscle.
Subretinal or choroidal neovascularization
The growth of new, abnormal blood vessels in or under the retina in the eye which leads to wet macular degeneration.
Subserosal fibroids
These fibroids grow from the uterine wall to the outside of the uterus and can push on the bladder, bowel or intestine causing bloating, abdominal pressure, cramping and pain.
Substance P
A brain chemical believed to have a role in mood disorders.
Subtotal, partial or supracervical hysterectomy
The body of the uterus alone is removed above the cervix. Most laparoscopic hysterectomies are subtotal. This procedure has become more common in recent years.
Subunit vaccine
A vaccine that contains only part of a virus or other microorganism.
Succussion
The process of agitating or shaking a freshly diluted homeopathic solution to potentize the remedy.
Suction lipectomy
Another term for liposuction.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Death of an apparently healthy infant, usually before one year of age, that is of unknown cause and occurs especially during sleep.
Sundown syndrome, sundowner's syndrome or sundowning
Unsettled or agitated behavior in dementia patients; it begins in the late afternoon or early evening.
Super-wet technique
A technique in liposuction surgery in which the amount of fluid infused before suctioning the fat is equal to the amount of fat to be removed.
Supportive psychotherapy
A form of psychotherapy that provides patients nonjudgmental advice, attention and sympathy; also called attention intervention.
Surrogacy
An option for women who cannot carry a pregnancy. Using in vitro fertilization, a couple's egg and sperm are placed into another woman's uterus. Known as the gestational surrogate, she will carry and deliver any resulting fetus to term but has no genetic relationship with the fetus. Genetic surrogacy is another option, in which the surrogate donates her eggs. Many legal issues are involved with this option.
Surveillance
Recommended prevention/observation procedures for high-risk individuals and those who receive positive results from a screening test. Also, the ongoing systematic collection and analysis of influenza data and the dissemination of information to regional and national public health organizations for the purpose of an effective disease prevention and control program.
SXA (single energy x-ray absorptiometry)
A type of bone density test that measures bone density at the wrist or heel.
Synapse
Gap at the end of a nerve fiber across which nerve impulses pass to the next neuron.
Synovectomy
Surgical removal of inflamed synovial tissue. As a stand-alone procedure, synovectomy has become less common in recent years, because not all of the tissue can be removed, and the removed tissue eventually grows back. However, it is often part of reconstructive surgery.
Synovial fluid
Fluid released into movable joints by surrounding membranes. This fluid lubricates the joint and reduces friction.
Synovitis
A condition in which white blood cells travel to the synovium and cause inflammation. The ensuing warmth, redness, swelling and pain are typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand.
Synovium
The membranes that surround the joints.
Synthetics
Something resulting from chemical synthesis rather than occurring naturally.
Systematic desensitization
A behavioral therapy aimed at breaking the link between the anxiety-provoking stimulus and the anxiety response in which a patient gradually confronts the object of fear.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
An inflammatory connective tissue disease of unknown cause that occurs chiefly in women. It is characterized especially by fever, skin rash and arthritis, and often by acute anemia, small hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, inflammation of the pericardium (sack around the heart), and in serious cases by involvement of the kidneys and central nervous system.
Systemic sclerosis
The more severe of the two major types of scleroderma. Systemic sclerosis may affect connective tissue in various parts of your body (such as skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs). It can also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints. This form of scleroderma comes in two major forms—limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis and diffused cutaneous systemic sclerosis—and can lead to disfigurement, serious disability and organ failure.
Systolic blood pressure
A blood pressure reading records a systolic pressure—the highest pressure measured when the heart contracts with each beat, and a diastolic pressure — the lowest pressure measured in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats. A normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg. Between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg is considered prehypertension; and a blood pressure reading 140/90 mmHg is considered high blood pressure.
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