Conditions

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. If you have ADHD, you may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still. There are things you can do to help manage your symptoms.

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. Children and young people with ADHD may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still. There are ways to help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling in the aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy (abdomen). Most aneurysms do not cause any problems, but they can be serious because there's a risk they could burst (rupture).

Acanthosis nigricans is the name for dry, dark patches of skin that usually appear in the armpits, neck or groin. It could be a sign of an underlying condition, so it needs to be checked by a GP.

Achalasia is a rare disorder of the food pipe (oesophagus), which can make it difficult to swallow food and drink.

Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have an acid or chemical burn. You'll need to be treated as soon as possible.

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that's hot or painful to touch.

An acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumour that develops on the nerve responsible for balance and hearing. It can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems.

Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body makes too much of a hormone that can make parts of your body grow bigger. It can be successfully treated.

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches of skin caused by long-term sun exposure. They are considered pre-cancerous and may develop into skin cancer if untreated.

Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is very common. It usually improves within a few weeks but can sometimes last longer or keep coming back. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI such as chlamydia.

A Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled lump at the back of the knee. It may get better on its own or by treating the condition causing it, but you should get any lumps checked by a GP.

Balanitis is when the head of the penis is swollen and sore. It's not usually serious but it's important to see a GP to find out what's causing it.

A Bartholin’s cyst is a lump near the opening of the vagina. They do not always need treatment, but always get any lumps checked by a GP.

Bedbugs are small insects that often live on furniture or bedding. Their bites can be itchy, but do not usually cause other health problems.

Behçet's disease, or Behçet's syndrome, is a rare and poorly understood condition that results in inflammation of the blood vessels and tissues.

Bell's palsy is temporary weakness or lack of movement that usually affects 1 side of the face. Treatment with steroids can help and most people get better within 6 months.

Find out about bile duct cancer, including what the symptoms are, what causes it, how it's diagnosed and treated, and where to get further support.

Bird flu is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can rarely infect humans. Human cases can be severe and require urgent medical attention.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms range from mild respiratory illness to severe disease affecting the lungs and other organs.

Cancer is a condition where cells in the body grow in an uncontrolled way. Speak to a GP if you notice any symptoms that are not normal for you.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make you seriously ill if you breathe it in. Carbon monoxide can be made by fires and appliances that burn gas, wood, oil or coal.

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its ability to pump blood effectively. It can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, or other complications.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.

Cataracts is where the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision and loss of sight. It usually affects older adults and can be treated with surgery.

Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in your nose and sinuses and phlegm in your throat. It usually clears up by itself but see a GP if it lasts longer than a few weeks.

A cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, usually found in the brain and spinal cord.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinuses. It can be life-threatening.

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have DVT.

Dandruff is a common skin condition. It's not harmful and you cannot catch it.

Deafblindness is a combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person's ability to communicate, access information and get around.

Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it's not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.

This guide has information for people with dementia and their families and friends.

Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes. It's not usually serious and often gets better on its own. Some people get a more severe type of dengue, but this is rare.

A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.

A detached retina is when the thin layer at the back of your eye (retina) becomes loose. It needs to be treated quickly to stop it permanently affecting your sight.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the "ball and socket" joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children.

Ear infections are very common, particularly in children. They often get better on their own within 3 days.

Puberty is when a child's body begins to develop and change as they become an adult.

Early menopause is when you stop having regular periods before the age of 45. Premature menopause is if this happens before the age of 40. It can happen naturally or be caused by treatment for other conditions.

Earwax normally just falls out on its own. When it's blocking your ears, a pharmacist can help.

Ebola virus disease is a serious, rare infection usually found in certain parts of Africa. It's caught by coming into contact with the body fluids of an infected person or wild animal.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

Ectropion is when your lower eyelid droops or sags away from your eye and turns outwards. It's not usually serious but can be uncomfortable.

Edwards’ syndrome, also called trisomy 18, is a rare genetic condition that cannot currently be cured. It’s often diagnosed in pregnancy or soon after a baby is born.

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue.

Ejaculation problems are common sexual problems in men.

Anyone can have a fall, but it's more likely if you're older or have mobility problems. Making changes to prevent falls can help you avoid injuries and keep your confidence and independence.

A febrile seizure (febrile convulsion or fit) can sometimes happen when a child has a high temperature. It's not usually serious, but it's important to get medical help if your child has a seizure.

If you drink alcohol during pregnancy you risk causing harm to your baby. Sometimes this can result in mental and physical problems in the baby, called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb (uterus).

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

Flat feet, or "fallen arches", are where your feet press flat on the ground. They're common and usually nothing to worry about.

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're advised to.

A food allergy is where your body reacts to certain foods. It's often mild, but can be very serious for some people.

A food intolerance is when you have difficulty digesting certain foods or ingredients in food. It's not usually serious,but eating the food you're intolerant to can make you feel unwell.

Food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week. You can normally treat yourself or your child at home.

Find out about gallbladder cancer, including the symptoms, causes, tests, treatments, and where to get support.

Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder. Most people who have them do not get symptoms. If gallstones are causing pain in your tummy, you may need surgery to remove your gallbladder.

A ganglion cyst is a fluid filled lump under the skin that usually appears on the wrist or hand. Ganglion cysts are common and often get better on their own. There are treatments if it's painful or affects joint movement.

Gangrene is a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands.

Gastritis is when the lining of your stomach becomes irritated (inflamed). It can cause pain, indigestion and feeling sick. Treatments include antacids, alginates and antibiotics.

Gastroparesis is where food passes through the stomach slower than it should. It's a long-term condition that can be managed with diet changes, medicines and other treatments.

Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help. Symptoms clear up on their own but can come back.

Genital warts are small, rough lumps that can appear around the vagina, penis or anus. They're a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that weakens your immune system and increases your risk of serious illness. There’s currently no cure, but with treatment most people with HIV can live a long and healthy life.

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition where iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years.

Haemophilia is a rare condition that affects the way your blood clots, meaning you bleed more easily than other people. It cannot usually be cured, but treatment can help control your symptoms.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a type of bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections. Babies and children are most at risk of getting seriously ill and can get vaccinated against it.

Many hair dyes contain ingredients that can irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.

Hamstrings are the muscles at the back of your thighs. You can injure them when playing sports or exercising. You can usually treat mild injuries yourself.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. It usually gets better on its own in 7 to 10 days.

Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms, or medicines you can take to help.

Most head injuries are not serious, but it's important to get medical help if you or your child have any symptoms after a head injury. You might have concussion (temporary brain injury) that can last a few weeks.

Head lice and nits are very common in young children and their families. They are not caused by dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact.

Ichthyosis is a group of rare skin conditions thatcausedry,scaly skin.It's usually something you're born with, but it can happen later in life. It cannot usually becured, but there are treatments to help the symptoms.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.

Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. Anyone can get it, but it's more common in young children. With treatment, impetigo often gets better in a few days.

Most people have indigestion (dyspepsia) at some point. Usually, it's not a sign of anything more serious and you can treat it yourself.

An infected piercing can be serious if it's not treated quickly. Get immediate medical help if you think your piercing is infected.

Infertility is when a couple cannot get pregnant (conceive) despite having regular unprotected sex.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe conditions that cause severe tummy pain and diarrhoea. IBD is long-term, but there are treatments that can help with the symptoms.

Ingrown hairs cause bumps, which are often itchy, where a hair has grown back into the skin. There are things you can do to treat and prevent them and in most cases you will not need to a see a GP for treatment.

An ingrown toenail is a common problem where the nail grows into the toe. It can be painful, but there are things you can do to ease the pain.

Insect bites or stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days. But sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction.

Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious infection you can get from mosquito bites in some parts of the world. If you're travelling to an area where there's a risk of catching it, you can get a vaccine to help prevent it.

Jaundice is when your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can be a sign of something serious, such as liver disease, so you need to get urgent medical help.

Most stings from sea creatures in the UK are not serious and can be treated with first aid. Sometimes you may need to go to hospital.

Jet lag is when your normal sleep pattern is disturbed after a long flight. It usually improves within a few days as your body adjusts to the new time zone.

Joint hypermobility syndrome is when you have very flexible joints (you may think of yourself as being double-jointed). It usually affects children and young people and often gets better as you get older.

Kawasaki disease is a condition that mainly affects children under the age of 5. It's also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

A keloid scar is a raised scar left on the skin after a wound has healed. You cannot get rid of it, but treatment can help improve how it looks.

Keratosis pilaris is a very common harmless condition where small bumps appear on your skin. It can last for a long time, but there are treatments that may help.

Find out about kidney cancer, including the symptoms, causes, tests, treatments, and where to get support.

A kidney infection is a painful type of urinary tract infection that can affect one or both kidneys. It can be serious if it's not treated.

Kidney stones can develop in 1 or both kidneys and most often affect people aged 30 to 60.

Klinefelter syndrome (sometimes called Klinefelter's, KS or XXY) is where boys and men are born with an extra X chromosome.

Knock knees is when there's a gap between your ankles when you stand with your knees together. It's common in children aged 3 to 6 and usually gets better on its own as they grow without causing any problems. Sometimes older children or adults can have it.

You can usually save a knocked-out tooth by either putting it back in place, or in milk, as soon as possible before seeing a dentist. You should never put a baby tooth back in.

Kyphosis is curvature of the spine that causes the top of the back to appear more rounded than normal.

Labial fusion, or labial adhesion, is when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together.

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are types of inner ear infection that affect your balance. They usually get better on their own within a few weeks.

Lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms, such as tummy pain, after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. The symptoms can be prevented by eating smaller portions of foods that contain lactose or avoiding them completely.

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare condition that affects the signals sent from the nerves to the muscles.

Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer which affects the voice box (larynx), which is in the throat.

Laryngitis is when your voice box or vocal cords in the throat become irritated or swollen. It usually goes away by itself within 1 to 2 weeks.

A lazy eye (amblyopia) is when the vision in 1 eye does not develop properly. Rarely, both eyes can be affected.

A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life.

Leg cramps are common, usually harmless, and only last a short time. They can happen at any time, but most people have them at night or when resting.

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. It's uncommon but it can be very serious.

MRSA is a type of bacteria that usually lives harmlessly on the skin. But if it gets inside the body, it can cause a serious infection that needs immediate treatment with antibiotics.

A macular hole is a small gap that opens at the centre of the retina, in an area called the macula.

Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes found in some parts of the world. You can die from it if it's not diagnosed and treated quickly.

A malignant brain tumour is a type of cancer that starts in the brain or spreads into the brain from another area of the body.

Mallet finger is an injury to the end of the finger, causing the tip to bend. It's a common sports injury and is treated using a splint.

Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients.

Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the body's connective tissues, a group of tissues that maintain the structure of the body and support internal organs and other tissues.

Mastitis is when your breast becomes swollen, hot and painful.

Mastocytosis is a rare condition caused by an excess number of mast cells gathering in the body's tissues.

Mastoiditis is a serious infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear. It's more common in children and should be diagnosed and treated quickly.

Narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain condition that can prevent a person from choosing when to wake or sleep.

Nasal and sinus cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the space behind your nose (nasal cavity) or in your sinuses.

Nasal polyps are painless soft growths inside your nose. They're not usually serious, but they can keep growing and block your nose if not treated.

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth (the pharynx).

Necrotising fasciitis, also known as the "flesh-eating disease", is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected. It needs to be treated in hospital straight away.

Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a young baby. The younger the baby, the more vulnerable they are to the harmful effects of infection.

Nephrotic syndrome is a condition that causes the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine. This can lead to a range of problems, including swelling of body tissues and a greater chance of catching infections.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition where tumours grow on the nerves and skin. There’s currently no cure, but treatment can help manage your symptoms.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), also known as NF2-related schwannomatosis, is a rare genetic condition where non-cancerous tumours grow on nerves in your brain, inner ear and spinal cord. There’s currently no cure, but treatment can help manage your symptoms.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare autoimmune condition that affects the nerves in your eyes and spinal cord. There's no cure, but treatments can help manage the symptoms.

Obesity is a medical condition characterised by excessive body fat that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems. It is usually assessed using body mass index (BMI).

Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby's oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach).

Find out about oesophageal cancer, including what the symptoms are, what causes it and how it's diagnosed and treated.

Oral thrush is usually harmless. It's common in babies and also older people with dentures. It can be treated with antifungal medicine.

Orf is a skin infection you can get from infected sheep or goats. It most often affects the fingers, hands, forearms or face. It usually clears up without treatment in about 6 weeks.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It's the most common type ofarthritisin the UK.

Osteomyelitis is a painful bone infection. It usually goes away if treated early with antibiotics. It can cause serious long-term problems if it's not treated.

Osteophytes (bone spurs) are bony lumps that grow on the bones in the spine or around joints. They form when a joint or bone has been damaged by arthritis, but do not always cause problems.

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture).

Otosclerosis is a problem with the bones inside the ear which causes gradual hearing loss. Hearing aids or surgery will usually improve your hearing and total hearing loss is rare.

Paget's disease of bone disrupts the normal cycle of bone renewal, causing bones to become weakened and possibly deformed.

Paget's disease of the nipple, also known as Paget's disease of the breast, is a rare condition associated with breast cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the pancreas.

Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.

Patau's syndrome is a serious, rare genetic disorder caused by having an additional copy of chromosome 13 in some or all of the body's cells. It's also called trisomy 13.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the femalereproductive system, which includes the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Pelvic organ prolapse is when your womb, bladder or bowel bulge into the vagina. Treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage it.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare long-term condition caused by a problem with the immune system. It causes blisters in the mouth and on the skin. It can be very serious, but treatment can help control it.

Penile cancer affects the penis. It's very rare and mostly affects men aged over 50 years old.

A perforated (burst) eardrum isa hole or tear in your eardrum. It usually gets better on its ownwithin 2 months, but you may need treatment such as antibiotics.

Q fever is a bacterial infection you can catch from infected farm animals such as sheep, cattle and goats. It's usually harmless, but it can cause serious problems in some people.

Rabies is a rare but serious infection that's usually caught from a bite or scratch of an infected animal. It's almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but vaccination and early treatment can prevent it.

Raynaud’s phenomenon causes fingers or toes to change colour and feel cold or numb in response to cold or stress.

Reactive arthritis is where your joints become sore and swollen after you've had an infection. It usually goes away within 6 months, but it can last longer.

Reflux is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding. It's very common and usually gets better on its own.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term sometimes used for pain caused by repeated movement of part of the body. It often gets better on its own, but there are things you can do to help speed up your recovery.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs. Most RTIs get better without treatment, but sometimes you may need to see a GP.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition where you have a strong urge to move your legs, usually when resting at night. Treatment depends on what’s causing it.

Restricted growth, also called dwarfism or short stature, is when you are shorter than most people. It has many different causes. Treatment depends on what's causing it.

Retinal migraines are a type of migraine that affect the eyes. They can cause temporary vision loss in 1 eye and other eye symptoms.

Salivary gland stones are small stones that form in salivary glands in your mouth and can block the flow of saliva (spit). They're not usually serious and you may be able to remove them yourself.

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes small patches of swollen tissue, called granulomas, to develop in the organs of the body. It often affects the lungs and lymph nodes, and can also affect your skin.

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It's spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading.

Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects young children. It's easily treated with antibiotics.

A scar is a mark on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. You cannot get rid of a scar, butmost will fade over time.This can take up to 2 years or more, butthere are some things you can do to help it heal or improve how it looks.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by blood flukes, transmitted through contact with contaminated freshwater. It can affect the urinary tract, intestines, or other organs if left untreated.

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months but can last longer.

Scleroderma is the name for a range of conditions that affect your immune system (autoimmune conditions) and can cause hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with muscles, bones, internal organs and blood vessels.

Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves sideways, often developing during childhood or adolescence. Severity can vary, and treatment depends on the degree of curvature and symptoms.

Scurvy (severe vitamin C deficiency) is rare as most people get enough vitamin C in their diet. It's usually easy to treat.

Tailbone pain is pain in the bone at the base of the spine (coccyx), near the top of your bottom. There are things you can do to ease the pain, but get medical help if it does not get better after a few weeks.

Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) is where the arteries, particularly those at the side of the head (the temples), become inflamed. It's serious and needs urgent treatment.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw. It's not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.

Tendonitis is when a tendon swells (becomes inflamed) after an injury. It can cause joint pain and stiffness, and affect how a tendon moves. You can treat a mild tendon injury yourself and it should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks.

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It usually goes away with rest but can sometimes last over a year. There are treatments that can help if needed.

Tension headaches are very common and many people get them. You can treat them yourself with painkillers but see a GP if you have several headaches a week or they're severe.

Testicular cancer is cancer that's found in the testicles.

Tetanus is a serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound. It's rare in the UK because the tetanus vaccine has been part of the routine vaccination schedule for many years.

Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is where nerves or blood vessels near the top of the ribs get squashed. It can be treated with physiotherapy and medicine.

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is a common condition where the thyroid gland in your neck does not make enough hormones. This can cause symptoms like tiredness and weight gain. It can be managed with treatment.

Undescended testicles are where the testicles are not in the usual place in the scrotum. It’s common in young boys, and the testicles often move to where they should be on their own, but sometimes surgery is needed.

Urethritis is when the tube that carries pee from the bladder out of the body (urethra) becomes swollen and sore. It'soften caused by asexuallytransmittedinfection (STI). It's important to get it treated to avoid it spreading to other people.

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect your urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (kidney infection). UTIs may be treated with antibiotics, but they're not always needed.

Uveitis, also known as iritis, is a rare condition that causes inflammation inside part of your eye.

Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the vagina. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pelvic pain, especially at later stages.

Vaginismus is when the vagina suddenly tightens up when you try to insert something into it. It can be painful and upsetting, but it can be treated.

Vaginitis is soreness and swelling in and around the vagina. It's common and usually treatable.

Varicose eczema, also known as venous, gravitational or stasis eczema, is a long-term skin condition that affects the lower legs. It's common in people with varicose veins.

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins under the skin, usually on the legs. They're common and are not usually serious, but there are treatments that can help if they're causing problems.

Vascular dementia is a common type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. It's estimated to affect around 180,000 people in the UK.

Vasculitis is the name of a group of conditions that cause inflammation of the blood vessels.

A leg ulcer is a long-lasting (chronic) sore that takes more than 2 weeks to heal. It usually develops on the inside of the leg, between the knee and the ankle.

Vertigo often gets better without treatment. See a GP if it keeps coming back or is affecting your daily life.

Vision loss affects how well you see. The causes of vision loss can often be treated, but sometimes it may be permanent. Get your sight checked if you have symptoms.

Warts and verrucas are small lumps on the skin that most people have at some point in their life. They usually go away on their own but may take months or even years.

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head. It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be serious. It's important for babies, children and anyone who's pregnant to get vaccinated against it.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time.

Womb cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the uterus, most commonly the endometrium. Symptoms often include abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause.

Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It's found in certain areas of Africa and South and Central America. You should have a yellow fever vaccination if you're travelling to an area where there's a risk of getting it.