HealthAnswers

Health A–Z

Conditions, A to Z

Clear information on health conditions, written in plain English and reviewed by registered UK doctors. Choose a letter or scroll to browse.

A

  • Acne A plain-English guide to acne — causes, treatments and when to see a GP or pharmacist.
  • Acute pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis — sudden severe upper abdominal pain, causes including gallstones and alcohol, and emergency hospital treatment.
  • ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) A plain-English guide to ADHD — symptoms in children and adults, assessment, and where to get help in the UK.
  • Age-related macular degeneration Age-related macular degeneration — wet and dry types, symptoms including distorted vision, NHS monitoring, and treatments including anti-VEGF injections.
  • Alopecia areata Alopecia areata — patchy hair loss causes, who it affects, NHS treatments including topical steroids and immunotherapy, and emotional support.
  • Angina Angina — chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart, stable vs unstable, GTN spray, and when to call 999.
  • Anxiety A plain-English guide to anxiety — what it feels like, what helps, and how to get support.
  • Appendicitis Appendicitis — appendix pain location, symptoms, when to go to A&E, and NHS surgical treatment.
  • Asthma A plain-English guide to asthma — symptoms, triggers, treatment and recognising an asthma attack.
  • Athlete's foot A plain-English guide to athlete's foot — symptoms, treatment and prevention.
  • Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation (AF) — irregular heartbeat, palpitations, stroke risk, anticoagulation, and NHS rate control treatments.
  • Autism Autism spectrum disorder — signs in children and adults, assessment pathway on the NHS, and support for communication and sensory needs.

B

  • Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder — manic and depressive episodes, types, NHS treatment with mood stabilisers, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Bladder cancer Bladder cancer — blood in urine, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment including TURBT, BCG, and cystectomy.
  • Bowel cancer Bowel cancer symptoms, the NHS screening programme, when to see a GP, and what happens after a diagnosis.
  • Brain tumour Brain tumours — primary and secondary cancers, red flag symptoms, diagnosis with MRI, and NHS treatment including surgery and radiotherapy.
  • Breast cancer Breast cancer — symptoms, breast screening (mammography), diagnosis, NHS treatment overview, and when to see a GP urgently.
  • Bronchiolitis A plain-English guide to bronchiolitis in babies — symptoms, home care, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Bronchitis A plain-English guide to acute bronchitis — symptoms, treatment and when to see a GP.

C

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome A plain-English guide to carpal tunnel syndrome — numb, tingling hands — and what helps.
  • Cataracts A plain-English guide to cataracts — what they are, the symptoms, and how cataract surgery restores clear vision, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon.
  • Cellulitis A plain-English guide to cellulitis — a bacterial skin infection, symptoms, treatment with antibiotics, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Cervical cancer Cervical cancer — HPV link, cervical screening (smear test), symptoms, prevention with HPV vaccine, and NHS treatment overview.
  • Chest infection A plain-English guide to chest infections — bronchitis and pneumonia symptoms, home care, and when to see a GP urgently.
  • Chickenpox A plain-English guide to chickenpox in children and adults — symptoms, treatment at home, and when to seek medical advice.
  • Chlamydia Chlamydia — the most common STI in the UK: symptoms, testing, NHS treatment with antibiotics, and why partners must be treated.
  • Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease (CKD) — stages, causes, symptoms, slowing progression, and when dialysis or transplant is needed.
  • Cluster headache Cluster headache — excruciating one-sided head pain in clusters, triggers, acute treatment with sumatriptan and oxygen, and preventive options.
  • Coeliac disease A plain-English guide to coeliac disease — symptoms, diagnosis, and living gluten-free on the NHS in the UK.
  • Cold sores Cold sores (herpes simplex on the lips) — triggers, treatment with aciclovir cream, when they are contagious, and difference from genital herpes.
  • Common cold A plain-English guide to the common cold — symptoms, how to ease them, and when to seek advice.
  • Conjunctivitis A plain-English guide to conjunctivitis (red or pink eye) — causes, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • Constipation A plain-English guide to constipation — causes, self-help, treatments and when to see a GP.
  • Contact dermatitis A plain-English guide to contact dermatitis — causes, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) A plain-English guide to COPD — symptoms, causes, how it is managed and when to seek help.
  • COVID-19 A plain-English guide to COVID-19 — symptoms, how long it lasts, how to recover at home, and when to seek help.
  • Crohn's disease Crohn's disease explained — symptoms, flare-ups, diagnosis, NHS treatments including medicines and surgery, and living with inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Croup A plain-English guide to croup in children — the barking cough, home treatment, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis — inherited lung and digestive disease, newborn screening, daily treatments, and NHS specialist centre care.

D

  • Deep vein thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — leg blood clot symptoms, pulmonary embolism warning signs, diagnosis, and NHS anticoagulant treatment.
  • Dementia Dementia — memory loss, early signs, types including Alzheimer's, diagnosis, and NHS support for patients and carers.
  • Depression A plain-English guide to depression — recognising it, what helps, and how to get support.
  • Diverticulitis Diverticulitis — inflamed pouches in the colon causing abdominal pain, fever, and treatment with antibiotics or surgery.
  • Dry eyes A plain-English guide to dry eyes — causes, self-care and treatments that help.

E

  • Ear infection A plain-English guide to ear infections — outer, middle and inner ear symptoms, treatment, and when to see a GP.
  • Earwax build-up A plain-English guide to earwax build-up — safe ways to deal with it and what to avoid.
  • Eating disorders Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder — symptoms, health risks, and NHS treatment including talking therapies and specialist services.
  • Eczema A plain-English guide to atopic eczema — symptoms, triggers, treatments and when to see a GP.
  • Endometriosis A plain-English guide to endometriosis — symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and getting help in the UK.
  • Enlarged prostate Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — urinary symptoms in men, when to see a GP, and NHS treatments including medicines and surgery.
  • Epilepsy Epilepsy and seizures — types, triggers, diagnosis, NHS anti-seizure medicines, and when to call 999.
  • Erectile dysfunction Fact-based guide to erectile dysfunction (ED) — causes, links to heart disease and diabetes, NHS treatments including sildenafil and tadalafil, and when to see a GP.
  • Eye health How to look after your eyes — regular eye tests, protecting your sight, and spotting problems early, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon.

F

  • Fatty liver disease Non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — causes, links to obesity and diabetes, diagnosis, and preventing progression to cirrhosis.
  • Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia — widespread pain, fatigue, and brain fog explained: diagnosis, NHS treatments, and distinguishing from other conditions.
  • Flu (influenza) A plain-English guide to flu — symptoms, how it differs from a cold, treatment and prevention.
  • Food allergy Food allergy — common triggers, symptoms from mild to anaphylaxis, NHS diagnosis, management including avoidance and adrenaline auto-injectors.
  • Food poisoning A plain-English guide to food poisoning — symptoms, how long it lasts, home treatment, and when to seek help.
  • Frozen shoulder A plain-English guide to frozen shoulder — symptoms, stages, treatment and recovery timeline.

G

  • Gallstones A plain-English guide to gallstones — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to get urgent help.
  • Gastroenteritis A plain-English guide to gastroenteritis (tummy bug) — symptoms, self-care, and when to seek help.
  • Genital herpes Genital herpes (HSV) — symptoms, outbreaks, transmission, NHS antiviral treatment, and living with recurrent herpes.
  • Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes — high blood sugar in pregnancy, glucose tolerance test, monitoring, and reducing risks to mother and baby.
  • Glandular fever Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) — symptoms, how long it lasts, swollen glands, fatigue, and when to avoid contact sports.
  • Glaucoma Glaucoma — optic nerve damage and vision loss, types including open-angle and acute angle-closure, eye tests, and NHS treatment with drops.
  • Gonorrhoea Gonorrhoea — symptoms, testing, antibiotic treatment on the NHS, and why drug-resistant strains need specialist care.
  • Gout A plain-English guide to gout — symptoms, triggers, treatment and when to see a GP.

H

  • Haemorrhoids (piles) A plain-English guide to haemorrhoids — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • Hair loss Comprehensive guide to hair loss in men and women — causes, male and female pattern baldness, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, NHS treatments and when to see a GP.
  • Hand, foot and mouth disease A plain-English guide to hand, foot and mouth disease — symptoms in children, home treatment, and when to see a GP.
  • Hay fever A plain-English guide to hay fever symptoms, triggers, treatments and when to see a pharmacist or GP.
  • Head lice How to recognise head lice and nits, treatment options, and how to stop them spreading in children and adults.
  • Heart attack How to recognise a heart attack — symptoms in men and women, what to do in an emergency, and reducing your risk.
  • Heart failure Heart failure — breathlessness, ankle swelling, causes, diagnosis with echocardiogram, and NHS treatment including ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
  • Heartburn and acid reflux A plain-English guide to heartburn and acid reflux — causes, treatments and when to see a GP.
  • Heat exhaustion and heatstroke How to recognise heat exhaustion and heatstroke, first aid, and when to call 999 in hot weather.
  • Heavy periods A plain-English guide to heavy menstrual bleeding — what counts as heavy, causes, and when to see a GP.
  • Hepatitis Viral hepatitis A, B, and C — transmission, symptoms, vaccination, NHS testing, and modern curative treatments for hepatitis C.
  • Hiatus hernia A plain-English guide to hiatus hernia — what it is, its link to heartburn, and how it is managed.
  • High blood pressure A plain-English guide to high blood pressure (hypertension) — what it means, the risks, and how it is managed.
  • High cholesterol A plain-English guide to high cholesterol — what it means, the risks, and how it is managed.
  • HIV HIV — transmission, testing, modern treatment (undetectable = untransmittable), PrEP, and NHS sexual health services.
  • Hives (urticaria) A plain-English guide to hives — what causes them, how to ease them, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) — how it spreads, link to cervical and other cancers, NHS vaccination programme, and testing through cervical screening.

I

  • Impetigo A plain-English guide to impetigo — a contagious skin infection — its treatment and how to stop it spreading.
  • Indigestion A plain-English guide to indigestion (dyspepsia) — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • Inguinal hernia Inguinal hernia — groin lump, symptoms, when surgery is needed on the NHS, and red flags for strangulated hernia emergency.
  • Insomnia A plain-English guide to insomnia — why sleep goes wrong, what helps, and when to see a GP.
  • Iron deficiency anaemia A plain-English guide to iron deficiency anaemia — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) A plain-English guide to IBS — symptoms, common triggers, management and when to see a GP.

K

  • Kidney cancer Kidney cancer — symptoms including blood in urine, diagnosis with scans and biopsy, staging, and NHS treatment including surgery and targeted therapy.
  • Kidney infection Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) — symptoms, difference from cystitis, NHS antibiotics, and when to seek emergency care.
  • Kidney stones A plain-English guide to kidney stones — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to get urgent help.

L

  • Labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis — sudden vertigo, nausea, and balance problems: causes, recovery, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance — difficulty digesting milk sugar, symptoms after dairy, diagnosis, and managing diet without missing calcium.
  • Lazy eye (amblyopia) A plain-English guide to lazy eye (amblyopia) in children — how it is found at eye tests and how it is treated, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon.
  • Leukaemia Leukaemia — blood cancer types, symptoms like fatigue and bruising, diagnosis, and NHS treatments including chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.
  • Liver cancer Liver cancer — primary and secondary types, symptoms including jaundice and weight loss, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including surgery and locoregional therapy.
  • Liver cirrhosis Liver cirrhosis — scarring from alcohol, fatty liver and hepatitis, symptoms, complications, and NHS treatment to slow progression.
  • Long COVID A plain-English guide to long COVID — ongoing symptoms after COVID-19, what help is available, and when to see a GP.
  • Low testosterone Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) — symptoms, causes, blood test diagnosis, NHS treatment options, and when low T is normal with ageing.
  • Lung cancer Lung cancer — symptoms, who should seek chest X-ray, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment including surgery and immunotherapy.
  • Lupus Lupus (SLE) — butterfly rash, joint pain, fatigue, diagnosis with blood tests, and NHS treatment with hydroxychloroquine and specialist care.
  • Lyme disease Lyme disease — tick bites, erythema migrans rash, diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and prevention when walking in wooded areas.
  • Lymphoma Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — swollen glands, B symptoms, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

M

  • Measles Measles — symptoms, highly contagious spread, MMR vaccine, complications, and when to seek urgent medical help.
  • Melanoma skin cancer Melanoma — dangerous skin cancer from moles, ABCDE warning signs, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including surgery and immunotherapy.
  • Meningitis How to recognise meningitis and septicaemia — symptoms in babies, children and adults, and when to call 999.
  • Menopause A plain-English guide to the menopause — symptoms, what to expect, and the support available.
  • Migraine A plain-English guide to migraine symptoms, triggers, treatment and when to get medical advice.
  • Miscarriage Miscarriage — early pregnancy loss, symptoms, NHS care, emotional support, and when to seek emergency help.
  • Mouth ulcers A plain-English guide to mouth ulcers — causes, how to ease them, and when to get one checked.
  • Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) — symptoms, relapsing and progressive types, diagnosis with MRI, and NHS disease-modifying treatments.
  • Mumps Mumps — swollen parotid glands, symptoms, MMR prevention, complications including orchitis, and when to see a GP.
  • Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) ME/CFS — persistent exhaustion not relieved by rest, post-exertional malaise, NHS diagnosis, pacing, and specialist management.

N

  • Non-melanoma skin cancer Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — warning signs, diagnosis, NHS treatment, and sun protection to reduce risk.
  • Norovirus A plain-English guide to norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) — symptoms, how to recover, and when to seek help.

O

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) OCD explained — obsessions, compulsions, how it differs from perfectionism, and NHS treatments including CBT and SSRIs.
  • Osteoarthritis A plain-English guide to osteoarthritis — symptoms, causes, treatment and self-care.
  • Osteoporosis Osteoporosis — fragile bones, fracture risk, DEXA scanning, prevention with calcium, vitamin D, and NHS treatments.
  • Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer — symptoms often mistaken for IBS, diagnosis, CA125 blood test, and NHS treatment overview.
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) A plain-English guide to an overactive thyroid — symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment in the UK.

P

  • Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer — symptoms including jaundice and weight loss, diagnosis, and NHS treatment options including surgery and chemotherapy.
  • Panic attacks What panic attacks feel like, why they happen, how to manage them, and when to see a GP.
  • Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease — tremor, slowness, stiffness, diagnosis, and NHS treatment with levodopa and specialist support.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — symptoms, link to chlamydia and gonorrhoea, NHS antibiotic treatment, and fertility risks if untreated.
  • Period pain A plain-English guide to period pain — what is normal, how to ease cramps, and when painful periods need medical assessment.
  • Peripheral arterial disease Peripheral arterial disease — narrowed leg arteries, claudication leg pain on walking, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including exercise and statins.
  • Plantar fasciitis A plain-English guide to plantar fasciitis — heel pain — and the steps that genuinely help.
  • Pneumonia A plain-English guide to pneumonia — symptoms, treatment, recovery, and when to seek urgent medical help.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) A plain-English guide to PCOS — symptoms, diagnosis, fertility, and treatment options in the UK.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) PTSD — flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance after trauma; NHS treatments including trauma-focused CBT and EMDR.
  • Postnatal depression Postnatal depression — symptoms beyond baby blues, difference from postpartum psychosis, NHS talking therapies and safe antidepressants when breastfeeding.
  • Premature ejaculation Premature ejaculation (PE) — causes, lifelong vs acquired, NHS treatments including behavioural techniques, creams, and medicines, and when to see a GP.
  • Prostate cancer Prostate cancer — symptoms, PSA testing, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment options explained in plain English.
  • Psoriasis A plain-English guide to psoriasis — symptoms, triggers, treatments and when to see a GP.
  • Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism — blood clot in the lung, symptoms including breathlessness and chest pain, emergency treatment, and NHS prevention of recurrence.

R

  • Restless legs syndrome Restless legs syndrome (RLS) — urge to move legs, worse at night, causes, iron deficiency link, and NHS treatments.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — joint pain and swelling, morning stiffness, diagnosis, NHS DMARD treatment, and when to see a GP urgently.
  • Ringworm A plain-English guide to ringworm — a common fungal infection — its treatment and prevention.
  • Rosacea A plain-English guide to rosacea — symptoms, triggers, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) A plain-English guide to RSV — symptoms in babies and adults, home care, and when to seek medical advice.

S

  • Scabies A plain-English guide to scabies — symptoms, treatment, and treating the whole household.
  • Scarlet fever A plain-English guide to scarlet fever — symptoms, treatment with antibiotics, and when to seek urgent advice.
  • Schizophrenia Schizophrenia — psychosis symptoms, early warning signs, NHS treatment with antipsychotics and talking therapies, and crisis support.
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) Seasonal affective disorder — winter depression symptoms, light therapy, NHS talking therapies, and self-help for low mood during darker months.
  • Sepsis Sepsis — life-threatening body response to infection — symptoms, when to call 999, and NHS emergency treatment.
  • Shingles A plain-English guide to shingles — symptoms, treatment, and when to get medical advice quickly.
  • Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease — painful crises, anaemia, infection risk, newborn screening, and NHS specialist care for children and adults.
  • Sinusitis A plain-English guide to sinusitis (sinus infection) — symptoms, treatment and when to see a GP.
  • Slapped cheek syndrome A plain-English guide to slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) — the rash, how it spreads, and when children need medical advice.
  • Sleep apnoea Obstructive sleep apnoea explained — snoring, breathing pauses, daytime tiredness, diagnosis with sleep studies, CPAP treatment, and links to weight and heart health.
  • Sore throat A plain-English guide to sore throats — common causes, self-care, and when to see a GP or pharmacist.
  • Squint (strabismus) A plain-English guide to a squint (strabismus) in children and adults — why the eyes turn, and the treatments that help, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon.
  • Stroke How to recognise a stroke — FAST warning signs, what to do in an emergency, and recovery after a stroke.
  • Stye A plain-English guide to styes — painful lumps on the eyelid — and how to treat them at home.
  • Syphilis Syphilis — stages, symptoms, blood testing, NHS antibiotic treatment, and why cases are rising in the UK.

T

  • Tension headache A plain-English guide to tension headaches — what they feel like, common causes, and how to ease them.
  • Testicular cancer Testicular cancer — lump in testicle, self-check, diagnosis, and highly treatable NHS treatment including surgery and chemotherapy.
  • Threadworms A plain-English guide to threadworms — a very common childhood infection — and how to treat the whole household.
  • Thrush A plain-English guide to thrush — oral and vaginal symptoms, causes, treatment, and when to see a GP or pharmacist.
  • Thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer — neck lump, diagnosis, types including papillary and medullary, and NHS treatment with surgery and radioactive iodine.
  • Tinnitus A plain-English guide to tinnitus — what causes ringing in the ears, what helps, and when to see a GP.
  • Tonsillitis A plain-English guide to tonsillitis — symptoms, causes, treatment and when to seek help.
  • Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) — warning stroke symptoms, FAST recognition, urgent assessment, and NHS prevention including antiplatelets and lifestyle changes.
  • Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) — symptoms, latent vs active infection, testing, NHS treatment, and when to seek urgent help.
  • Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes — autoimmune cause, symptoms, insulin treatment, blood glucose monitoring, and managing hypos and DKA.
  • Type 2 diabetes A plain-English guide to type 2 diabetes — symptoms, risk factors, and how it is managed.

U

  • Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis — symptoms of bloody diarrhoea, flare-ups, colonoscopy diagnosis, NHS treatments, and when to seek urgent help for severe colitis.
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) A plain-English guide to an underactive thyroid — symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI) A plain-English guide to urinary tract infections — symptoms, treatment and when to get medical help.

V

  • Verrucas What verrucas are, how to treat warts on the feet at home, and when to see a GP or podiatrist.
  • Vertigo A plain-English guide to vertigo — what causes the spinning sensation, what helps, and when to see a GP.
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency A plain-English guide to vitamin B12 deficiency — symptoms, causes and treatment.
  • Vitamin D deficiency A plain-English guide to vitamin D deficiency — symptoms, who is at risk, testing and treatment in the UK.
  • Vitiligo Vitiligo — causes of white skin patches, who it affects, NHS treatments including topical steroids and phototherapy, and living with the condition.

W

  • Watering eyes and blocked tear ducts Why eyes water, blocked tear ducts in babies and adults, and the treatments that help, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon.
  • Weight loss and obesity Evidence-based guide to losing weight safely in the UK — BMI, NHS programmes, diet, exercise, medicines and when to see a GP.
  • Whooping cough Whooping cough (pertussis) — symptoms in babies and adults, vaccination in pregnancy, antibiotics, and when it becomes an emergency.