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Spina Bifida
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is spina bifida? Spina bifida is a birth defect that happens when a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t close completely during development. This can cause damage to the spinal…
Spinal Cord Injury
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is the spinal cord and what does it do? The spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerves and nerve cells that carry messages from your brain to the…
Spitting Up in Babies
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Why do babies spit up? Babies spit up when they’ve eaten too much or when they’ve swallowed too much air while feeding. Spitting up usually happens when babies burp. It can also…
Splenectomy
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What does the spleen do? Your spleen, an organ located in the upper left side of your abdomen, helps your body resist infection. Sometimes, the spleen stops working properly as a result…
Stomach Cancer
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is stomach cancer? Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach. SYMPTOMS What are the symptoms of stomach…
Stool Soiling and Constipation in Children (Encopresis)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What are the causes of stool soiling? Stool soiling, also called encopresis, happens when children who are already toilet trained accidentally leak feces into their underwear. Constipation is often the cause…
Strabismus (Cross-Eyes)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is strabismus and how do I know if my baby has it? Strabismus (say: “stra-biz-muss”) is a disorder in which the eyes do not line up properly. Instead, the eyes…
Strep Throat
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is strep throat? Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria. It is called “strep” because the bacteria that causes the infection is called streptococcus. Can other people catch my…
Stress – How to Cope Better With Life’s Challenges
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. What causes stress? Feelings of stress are caused by the body’s instinct to defend itself….
Stroke
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. OVERVIEW What is a stroke? Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart…
Sty
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is a sty? A sty is a painful, red bump that forms on the edge of your eyelid. It may look like an acne pimple. The medical term for a…
Substance Abuse
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. OVERVIEW Why do people use alcohol and other drugs? People use substances such as alcohol…
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the somewhat unexplained reason a baby under the age of 1 dies while sleeping. What are the symptoms of…
Sugar Substitutes – What You Need to Know
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What are sugar substitutes? Sugar substitutes are chemical or plant-based substances used to sweeten or enhance the flavor of foods and drinks. You may also have heard them called “artificial sweeteners” or…
Surgical Abortion (Procedural Abortion)
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is a procedural (surgical) abortion? A procedural abortion uses gentle suction (like a vacuum) to remove tissue from the uterus and end a pregnancy. This procedure is also called a uterine…