Night terrors (sleep terrors) happen when your brain is partially asleep and partially awake. It causes a state of panic or fear. You or your child may sit up or jump out of bed, cry, scream, start sweating and feel your heart beat fast. Night terrors usually last between one and 30 minutes, and you’ll fall back to sleep when …

Sleep disorders are conditions that affect your ability to get the rest your body needs and maintain wakefulness. There are over 80 sleep disorders that impact: How well you sleep (quality) When you fall asleep and if you can stay asleep (timing) How much sleep and wakefulness you get (quantity or duration) Everyone can experience problems with sleep from time to …

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you’re sleeping. The word “apnea” comes from the Greek word for “breathless.” Sleep apnea happens because you stop breathing in your sleep. This happens either because of blockage of your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or because your brain doesn’t correctly control your breathing (central apnea). The resulting lack …

Melanoma, which means “black tumor,” is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It grows quickly and has the ability to spread to any organ. Melanoma comes from skin cells called melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, the dark pigment that gives skin its color. Most melanomas are black or brown in color, but some are pink, red, purple or skin-colored. About …

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious skin conditions that cause your skin to develop rashes, blisters, and then peel. Your mucus membranes, including your eyes, genitalia and mouth, are also affected. If you get this condition, you’ll likely be admitted to a hospital. Some people consider SJS and TEN to be different diseases, while others consider …

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that makes your glands produce less moisture than they should. It causes chronic (long-term) dryness throughout your body (especially your eyes and mouth). Sjögren’s syndrome is pronounced “SHOW-gren’s syndrome.” If you have Sjögren’s syndrome, your immune system damages glands in your body that produce and control moisture, including in your: Tear system. Mouth (your salivary glands). Nose. Throat. Digestive system. Vagina. Visit …

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs when your child’s body can’t absorb enough nutrients and fluids because part of their small intestine is missing or isn’t working as it should. SBS can be present from birth (congenital) or your child may develop it after surgery to remove a large section of their small intestine. Another name for short bowel syndrome is …

Shigellosis, or Shigella infection caused by Shigella bacteria, is a disease that affects your digestive system. It produces stomach pain, diarrhea and fever in people who are infected. Shigella is very contagious. There are various types in the Shigella bacteria group. You can get shigellosis by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. If you swim in contaminated water, you may get shigellosis by accidentally swallowing water that you’re swimming in. Shigella infection, a …

Shaken baby syndrome is a type of brain injury that occurs when a baby or toddler is shaken violently. This can cause swelling, bruising and bleeding in and around their brain. Shaken baby syndrome may damage a child’s eyes, neck and spine as well. Another name for the condition is abusive head trauma. Infants’ heads are very large and heavy in proportion to …

Scrotal masses are lumps or swelling in the scrotum, the bag of skin that holds the testicles. Scrotal masses might be: A buildup of fluids. The growth of irregular tissue. Swollen, inflamed or hardened parts inside the scrotum. It’s key to get a scrotal mass checked by a health care professional, even if you don’t have pain or other symptoms. …