Symptoms A–Z

A

Anal pain

Find out what causes anal pain, what you can do to ease the pain and when to get medical help.

Anger

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Ankle pain

Find out what you can do to ease ankle pain, what could be causing the pain and when to get medical help.

Anxiety, fear and panic

NHS information and advice about what to do if you find it hard to cope with anxiety, fear or panic.

B

Back pain

Find out how to relieve back pain, what can cause it and when to get medical advice.

Bad breath

Find out what causes bad breath (halitosis), how to treat and prevent it, and when to get medical advice.

Bedwetting in children

Find out what you can do about bedwetting, what could be causing it and when to get medical help.

Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding)

Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) is often seen as small amounts of bright-red blood on toilet paper or pink water in the toilet. Find out when to...

Bloating

Find out about common causes of bloating, what you can do about it and when to get medical help.

Blood in semen

Find out about possible causes of blood in semen and when to get medical help.

Blood in urine

Find out about blood in urine (pee). It's not usually anything serious, but sometimes it can be, so you must get it checked out by a GP.

Blue or grey skin or lips (cyanosis)

Find out about blue or grey skin or lips (cyanosis), including what it looks like, what causes it and when to get it checked.

Blushing

Find out how to stop yourself blushing and read about the possible causes and treatments.

Body odour (BO)

NHS information and advice about how to treat body odour, including when to see a GP if the problem persists.

Bowel incontinence

Find out about bowel incontinence, including the symptoms, what causes it and the treatments available.

Breast lumps

Find out about breast lumps. They can have a lot of different causes and most are harmless. But always see a GP if you have a lump in your breast or any...

Breast pain

Find out about breast pain and what can cause it. It's usually linked to periods but can also be caused by injury, infection and taking certain medicines.

Bulging eyes (exophthalmos)

Find out what can cause the eye to bulge and what treatments may help.

C

Catarrh

Find out about catarrh, including what the symptoms are, what you can do to help ease it, when to get medical help, and treatments that may be recommended.

Chest pain

Find out what could be causing your chest pain and if you need to go to hospital or see a GP.

Constipation

Constipation is common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it at home with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Cough

Read about coughs, including what you can do to ease a cough, help from a pharmacist and when to see a GP.

Coughing up blood (blood in phlegm)

Read about coughing up blood, including what can cause it and when to get medical help.

D

Dehydration

Dehydration is when your body loses more fluid than you take in. Find out what the symptoms of dehydration are, how to prevent it and when to get medical help.

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Diarrhoea and vomiting are common in adults, children and babies. Find out how to treat and avoid spreading them, and when to get medical help.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common symptom that’s not usually a sign of anything serious. Find out what you can do about it and when to get medical help.

Double vision

Find out about double vision (diplopia), including how to tell if you have it, what can cause it and when to get medical help.

Dry eyes

Find out what causes dry eyes and what you can do to help ease it.

Dry mouth

Find out about dry mouth, including what causes it and things you can do to help ease it yourself.

Dysphagia (swallowing problems)

Find out more about dysphagia, where you have problems swallowing.

E

Earache

Find out about earache and ear pain, a common condition, particularly in young children. It's not usually a sign of anything serious, but it can be painful.

Ejaculation problems

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Elbow and arm pain

Find out what you can do to treat a painful arm or elbow yourself, and when to get medical help.

Erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Find out what erectile dysfunction is, what the common causes are and how it can be treated.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)

Read about excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), a condition that causes you to feel very sleepy during the day, even if you had a good night's sleep.

Excessive hair growth (hirsutism)

Find out about excessive hair growth (hirsutism), including when to see a GP and information about treatments and causes.

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Find out about possible causes and treatments for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).

Excessive thirst

Find out about excessive thirst, including what might be causing it, when to see a GP and the difference between dry mouth and excessive thirst.

Eye pain

Find out more about eye pain, including what can cause it and when to get medical help.

Eyelid problems

Find out what to do if you have a lump on your eyelid, or an eyelid that's swollen, sticky, itchy or painful.

F

Fainting

Find out more about fainting (syncope), when you pass out for a short time.

Farting (flatulence)

Flatulence is passing gas from the digestive system out of the back passage. It's more commonly known as "passing wind", or "farting".

Feeling lonely

NHS information and advice about what to do if you're lonely and feeling anxious or depressed.

Feeling sick (nausea)

Feeling sick (nausea) is common and usually goes away on its own. Find out about some things you can try that might help and what might be causing it.

Finger pain

Find out what to do about finger pain, when to get help and the common causes.

Floaters and flashes in the eyes

Find out about floaters, which are small shapes that some people see floating in their field of vision.

Foot pain

Choose which area of your foot hurts most to find out about treatments, when to get medical help and possible causes.

G

Grief after bereavement or loss

Find out about practical tips and advice that can help if you're struggling with bereavement, grief and loss.

H

Hair loss

Hair loss can have many causes. Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss. Find out when to see a GP and what treatments are available.

Hallucinations and hearing voices

Find out about hallucinations and hearing voices, including signs, causes and treatments.

Hand pain

Choose which area of your hand hurts most to find out about treatments, when to get medical help and possible causes.

Headaches

Find out about headaches, including what you can do to help ease them, when to get medical advice and what the most common causes are.

Hearing loss

Find out about the common signs and causes of hearing loss, when to get medical help and how hearing loss is treated.

Heart palpitations

Find out what heart palpitations are, what they feel like, common causes and when to get medical help.

Heartburn and acid reflux

Find out more about heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening,...

Heavy periods

Find out about heavy periods (called menorrhagia) and how to treat them if they are affecting your daily life.

Heel pain

Find out about what causes heel pain and what you can do to ease the pain yourself.

Hiccups

Find out about things you can do yourself to stop or prevent hiccups.

High temperature (fever) in adults

Find out about high temperature (fever) in adults including what causes it, how to tell if you have a high temperature and how to treat it.

High temperature (fever) in children

Find out how to check if your child has a high temperature (fever), what you can do to bring their temperature down, and when to get medical help.

Hip pain in adults

Find out about common causes of hip pain in adults, how you can help ease hip pain and when you should get medical help.

Hip pain in children (irritable hip)

Find out about hip pain in children, including what causes it, when to get medical help and how it can be treated.

Hives

Find out about hives (also called urticaria), which is a raised, itchy rash that's usually caused by a reaction to things like food, pollen, insect bites or...

I

Indigestion

Find out about indigestion, a common problem that causes pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or behind your breastbone (heartburn).

Insomnia

Find out about insomnia, including why it might happen and how to treat it.

Irregular periods

Find out how to check if your periods are irregular, what can cause irregular periods, when to see a GP and how irregular periods can be treated.

Itching in pregnancy

Find out about itching in pregnancy, including how you can treat it yourself and when itching needs to be checked by a GP.

Itchy bottom

Read about itchy bottom, which is a strong urge to scratch the skin around your anus. Find out how to ease itching and when to get medical help.

Itchy skin

Itchy skin is not usually a sign of anything serious. Find out how to treat it yourself, what medical treatments are available and what can cause it.

J

Joint pain

Find out about common causes of joint pain, how you can help ease joint pain and when you should get medical help.

K

Knee pain

Sudden knee pain is often caused by overusing the knee or injuring it. Find out what you can do to treat it yourself and when to get medical help.

L

Leg cramps

Find out about leg cramps, a common condition where the muscles in the leg suddenly become tight and painful.

Limping in children

Find out more about limping in children, which is usually caused by something minor like a sprain or strain.

Lost or changed sense of smell

A change in your sense of smell can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it's not usually serious and may get better in a few weeks or months.

Low mood, sadness and depression

Practical tips and advice about what to do if you're struggling with a low mood, sadness or depression.

Low sex drive (loss of libido)

A low sex drive (loss of libido) can affect both anyone. Find out what can cause it, when to get help and how it can be treated.

Lumps

NHS information about lumps and swellings. Find out about different types of lumps and what causes them, and when to get medical advice.

M

Memory loss (amnesia)

NHS information about memory loss (amnesia), including advice about what to do if you have problems with your memory and what the cause might be.

Metallic taste

Find out about metallic taste in the mouth. It can have lots of possible causes and how you get rid of it depends on the cause.

Missed or late periods

Find out about the causes of missed or late periods and when to seek medical help.

N

Nail problems

Find out about different nail problems, including brittle or crumbly nails, thickened, overgrown nails, or changes in nail colour.

Neck pain

Find out about neck pain or a stiff neck, which is a common problem and generally nothing to worry about.

Night sweats

Find out about night sweats, including what they are and what might be causing them, and when to get medical help.

Nipple discharge

Find out about nipple discharge, including what can cause it and when to see a GP. It's usually nothing serious, but it's important to get it checked.

O

Ovulation pain

NHS information about ovulation pain, including symptoms, treatments and when to get help.

P

Pain in the back of the hand

Find out what to do about pain in the back of your hand, when to get help and the common causes.

Pain in the ball of the foot

Find out about pain in the ball of your foot, which is known as metatarsalgia, common causes and how you might treat it.

Pain in the bottom of the foot

Find out about common causes of pain in the bottom of your foot (ball, arch or sole) and how you might treat it.

Pain in the palm of the hand

Find out what to do about pain in the palm of your hand, when to get help and the common causes.

Pain in the top of the foot

Find out about common causes of pain in the top of your foot and how you might treat it.

Paralysis

Find out about paralysis, including symptoms, causes and treatments.

Pelvic pain

Find out about common causes of pelvic pain in adults, how you can ease pelvic pain and when you should get medical help.

Penis lumps and spots

Find out about lumps and spots on the penis, including what can cause them and when to get medical advice.

Period pain

Find out about period pain, including symptoms, causes, when to see a GP, diagnosing underlying conditions and treatment.

Pins and needles

Read about pins and needles (paraesthesia), a pricking, burning, tingling or numbing sensation that's usually felt in the arms, legs, hands or feet.

Postmenopausal bleeding

Find out about postmenopausal bleeding, what could be causing it, when to get medical help and what treatments are available.

Priapism (painful erections)

Read about priapism, a persistent, often painful erection. If it lasts for more than 3 to 4 hours, go to A&E to prevent permanent damage.

R

Rashes in babies and children

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Red eye

Find out when to get medical advice if you have a red eye and read about the most common causes.

Reflux in babies

Find out about reflux, where a baby brings up milk during or soon after a feed.

S

Shortness of breath

NHS information about shortness of breath, or breathlessness, including when to get medical help and what the cause might be.

Shoulder pain

Find out how you can relieve shoulder pain, what can cause it and when to get medical advice.

Smelly feet

Smelly feet (bromodosis) are common and usually caused by a build-up of sweat and bacteria. Find out what you can do to treat and prevent them yourself.

Smelly urine

Find out about smelly urine, which on its own is not usually a cause for concern. Find out what can cause smelly pee and how to keep it clear and smelling mild.

Snoring

Find out what you can do if you snore, why it happens, when to get medical help and what treatments can help.

Soiling (child pooing their pants)

Read about soiling, which is when a child regularly poos their pants. Find out why it happens and what to do about it.

Sore or dry lips

Find out how to look after your lips when they're exposed to the sun, wind and cold.

Sore or white tongue

Find out how to treat a sore or white tongue and read about the possible causes such as geographic tongue, oral thrush and mouth ulcers.

Sore throat

Find out what can cause a sore throat, how you can soothe it and when to get medical advice.

Stomach ache

Read about a stomach ache and abdominal pains, including stomach cramps or an ache in the tummy (abdomen).

Stress

This topic is listed in the NHS A to Z, but reusable structured article text is not currently available.

Stretch marks

Find out about stretch marks, including where, when and how you get them, what causes them, and how they can be treated and prevented.

Sudden confusion (delirium)

NHS information about sudden confusion (delirium), including how to tell if someone is confused and when to get medical help.

Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema)

Find out about swelling in the ankles, feet and legs (oedema), including what it looks like, common causes and what to do about it.

Swollen arms and hands (oedema)

Find out about the causes of swollen arms and hands, what to do about it and when to get help.

Swollen glands

Read about swollen lymph glands, which are usually a sign of infection. Find out what the symptoms are, how to ease them and when to get medical help.

T

Tailbone (coccyx) pain

Find out about tailbone (coccyx) pain, including how to ease the pain yourself and when to get medical help. Read about symptoms, causes and treatments.

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Read about teeth grinding (bruxism). Find out what causes it, what the associated symptoms are, when to get medical help and how it can be treated.

Testicle lumps and swellings

Find out about lumps and swellings in the testicles, including what can cause them and when to get medical advice.

Testicle pain

Find out about causes of pain in testicles (balls) and when and where to get medical help.

Thumb pain

Find out more about what to do about thumb pain, when to get help and the common causes.

Tinnitus

Find out about tinnitus (hearing ringing or buzzing), including what you can do to help you cope with it and when to get medical help.

Tiredness and fatigue

Find out about some of the common causes of tiredness and fatigue, treatments and things you can do to help, plus when to get medical advice.

Toothache

NHS information about the causes of toothache, when to see a dentist, and how toothache can be relieved and prevented.

Tremor or shaking hands

Read about having a tremor, which is when you're not able to control shaking or trembling in part of your body, or shaking hands.

Twitching eyes and muscles

NHS information about common causes of twitches in your eyes or muscles and advice about what to do.

U

Unintentional weight loss

Find out what can cause unintentional weight loss and when to get medical help.

Urinary incontinence

Read about urinary incontinence, which is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem that's thought to affect millions of people worldwide.

V

Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex

Find out about bleeding between periods or after sex, including what causes it and when to get medical help.

Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy

Find out about vaginal bleeding in pregnancy, including causes and where to get help.

Vaginal discharge

Find out about vaginal discharge, including what's normal, signs of a problem, what can cause unusual discharge and when to get medical advice.

Vaginal dryness

Read about vaginal dryness, including why it happens and what can be done about it.

Vision loss

Find out about vision loss, including what the symptoms are, what causes it, how it's treated, and what support is available.

Vomiting blood

Find out what can cause vomiting blood and when it might be a medical emergency.

W

Watering eyes

Find out about watering eyes, including causes, when to get help and treatments.

What to do if someone has a seizure (fit)

Find out what you can do to help if you see someone having a seizure or fit.

Worms in humans

Find out about worm infections in humans, including what different types of worms look like, when to get medical help, and how to treat and prevent infections.

Wrist pain

Find out what to do about wrist pain, when to get help and the common causes.