Stretch marks (striae) are discolored, slightly sunken (depressed), scar-like lines in your skin. They appear when your skin rapidly stretches or shrinks. Stretch marks generally appear on your: Abdominal area (stomach). Thighs. Hips. Breasts (boobs). Upper arms. Lower back. Buttocks (butt). Who do stretch marks affect? Anyone can get stretch marks. But you’re more likely to develop stretch marks if: You’re pregnant, …

Stress incontinence causes urine to leak when something puts pressure on your bladder (the organ in the urinary system that holds pee). You may release small amounts of urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Physical exertion like jumping, running or lifting a heavy object can also cause you to pee. How common is stress incontinence? Stress incontinence is the …

Strep throat is an infection in your throat and tonsils (the lymph nodes in the back of your mouth). With strep throat, your tonsils become very inflamed. This inflammation typically affects the surrounding area of your throat as well, which causes a sore throat (pharyngitis). Strep throat gets its name from the type of bacteria that causes it — group A Streptococcus. There are …

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and can affect anyone who is sexually active. Some sexually transmitted diseases cause noticeable symptoms, while others may remain silent for long periods, increasing the risk of complications and further transmission. Early testing, diagnosis, …

Staphylococcal infections, commonly called staph infections, are caused by a genus of bacteria called Staphylococcus. There are more than 30 strains (types) of Staphylococcus bacteria. The most common human pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. A pathogen is an organism that causes disease. Healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics to treat staphylococcal infections. In severe cases, a staph infection can cause serious health complications and death. What parts of your …

Stuttering is a speech condition that disrupts the normal flow of speech. Fluency means having an easy and smooth flow and rhythm when speaking. With stuttering, the interruptions in flow happen often and cause problems for the speaker. Other names for stuttering are stammering and childhood-onset fluency disorder. People who stutter know what they want to say, but they have …

A sprain is an injury that happens when one of your ligaments is stretched or torn. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones throughout your body. They’re like ropes that hold your muscles and bones together and prevent them from moving too far. Ligaments also make sure your joints only move in the direction(s) they’re supposed to. Sprains happen when ligaments around …

A sprained ankle is a common injury that occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones and help stabilize the joint. An ankle sprain often happens when the foot twists, rolls, or turns awkwardly, commonly during sports, walking on uneven surfaces, or accidental falls. The severity can range …

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine become narrowed, putting pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This narrowing most commonly occurs in the lower back or neck and often develops gradually over time. Spinal stenosis is frequently related to age-related changes in the spine, but it can also affect younger individuals depending on …

A spinal cord tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that develops within or around the spinal cord or spinal canal. These tumors can be noncancerous or cancerous and may originate in the spinal cord itself or spread from other parts of the body. Depending on their size, location, and growth rate, spinal cord tumors can interfere with nerve signals, …