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 infections (STI) are infections or conditions that you can get from any kind of sexual activity involving your mouth, anus, vagina or penis. Another common name for STIs is sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. There are several types of STIs. The most common symptoms are burning, itching or discharge in your genital area. Some STIs are asymptomatic, meaning …

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 when the tissue that connects your ankle bones and supports your ankle (ligaments) is torn or stretched beyond its limits, often after a fall, ankle roll or twist. What is the difference between a sprained ankle and a broken ankle (ankle fracture)? A sprained ankle is when the ligaments in your ankle are …

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of one or more spaces within your spinal canal. Your spinal canal is the tunnel that runs through each of the vertebrae in your spine. It contains your spinal cord. Less space within your spinal canal cramps your spinal cord and the nerves that branch off it (nerve roots). A tightened space can cause your spinal cord or nerves …

A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine. A spinal cord tumor, also called an intradural tumor, is a spinal tumor that that begins within the spinal cord or the covering of the spinal cord (dura). A tumor that affects the bones of the spine (vertebrae) is called a …

A spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of blood vessels on or near your spinal cord. This happens when an artery connects directly to a vein, bypassing your capillaries. Capillaries play an important role in moving blood through your body. Usually, your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your spine. Capillaries branch out of arteries to take blood to your spinal cord and tissues. Your spinal cord removes oxygen …