As a family member or close friend, you may help take care of your loved one who has schizophrenia. You can help your loved one stay in treatment, take his or her medicines, and prevent symptoms from coming back ( relapse). Along the way, be sure to take care of yourself too. It can be hard to watch a family member—who...
Some symptoms of schizophrenia can be hard to treat, such as finding little or no pleasure in life and feeling no emotions. If someone you care for has schizophrenia, you may find these symptoms hard to deal with. The symptoms are often long-lasting and may make your loved one appear to be concerned only about himself...
Here are ways to help your family member take the medicines: Talk about medicines in a way that is meaningful to the person. For example, point out the reasons to take medication. Say, "Your medicines help quiet the voices you hear," or "Your medicines help you study and keep your grades up." Link taking the medicines...
A hallucination is a perception of something that is not really there. It can involve sight, hearing, taste, smell, and/or touch. For example, you may hear voices that nobody else hears or see something that nobody else sees. You probably will know if a person with schizophrenia is having a hallucination. It may scare...
You may be able to tell when someone with schizophrenia is paranoid. The person may accuse others of trying to harm them or may look around fearfully. The person may talk about protecting themself from attack. There are some ways you can help a person who is paranoid. Don't argue. Ask questions about the person's fears...
A few disorders have some of the same symptoms as schizophrenia (schizophrenia spectrum disorders), including: Schizotypal personality disorder. A person with schizotypal personality disorder has a difficult time developing close relationships with other people and may hold beliefs not shared by other people in his or...
Social skills training helps you get along better with other people in daily life, at work, and in social situations. These classes also help you develop skills for your personal relationships and can help you learn how to take care of yourself. In all classes, you'll become aware of and try to change symptoms of...
There are some common signs that can suggest that someone with schizophrenia may become violent. The person may: Talk about violence. This is especially true when the talk is directed toward specific people, groups of people, or places. Talk, write, or draw about death and violence. Have unexplained mood changes or...
People who have schizophrenia sometimes have to spend time in the hospital. This can be because of severe symptoms or for other reasons. You may have to go to the hospital if: You're having a psychotic episode. This means that you can't tell the difference between what is real and what isn't real. You talk about suicide...
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, formed by nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord in the lower back. The nerve first goes down through the buttock. Then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot.
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or pressure against the nerve roots of the sciatic nerve. People with sciatica usually have a shooting pain down the back of the leg. But they also may have leg weakness, tingling, or numbness. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the...
Covers causes of sciatica such as a bulging or ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, and bone spurs. Looks at symptoms such as pain in your back or buttocks. Includes treatment with a cold pack, medicines, and exercises to relieve pain.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It is formed by nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord in the lower back. The nerve goes down through the buttock, and then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot. A herniated disc may irritate or press on one or more of the nerve roots...
Scleral buckling surgery is a common way to treat retinal detachment. It is a method of closing breaks and flattening the retina. A scleral buckle is a piece of silicone sponge, rubber, or semi-hard plastic that your eye doctor ( ophthalmologist) places on the outside of the eye (the sclera, or the white of the eye)...
Scleroderma is a rare disease in which a person's immune system begins to change normal, healthy tissues. (This is called an autoimmune disease.) As a result, connective tissue of the skin, lungs, heart, and digestive tract is replaced with scar tissue. This change causes the tissues to become stiff and the muscles to...
Scleroderma is an uncommon disease in which parts of the skin and blood vessels break down and are replaced by fibrous tissue. Organ damage may also occur. This can lead to joint damage and lung, kidney, or heart failure and other life-threatening conditions. When scleroderma affects organs, it is called systemic...
Describes sclerotherapy to treat varicose and spider veins. Looks at how well sclerotherapy works and what to expect after treatment. Discusses risks.
Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical treatment to get rid of varicose veins. A chemical called a sclerosant is injected into the varicose vein, causing it to close. Sclerotherapy may be used to make spider veins and small varicose veins go away or become less visible. It is usually done only for cosmetic reasons because these...
A scoliometer is an instrument that is used to estimate the amount of curve in a person's spine. It may be used as a tool for testing or as follow-up for scoliosis, a deformity in which the spine curves abnormally. A scoliometer is similar to a level and is placed across the back at the peak (apex) of the curve. The...
Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in your spine. In scoliosis, your spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." The spine may also be twisted (rotated). If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make it hard to breathe. Most cases of scoliosis are mild and don't...
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being straight. The spine also may be twisted.
Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in the spine. It happens when the spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make breathing difficult. Most cases of scoliosis are mild. How is scoliosis in adults treated? Mild cases...
What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being straight. The spine also may be twisted. What causes it? In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. Scoliosis usually starts in the preteen years. In some cases, scoliosis...
Guides through decision to have your child have surgery for scoliosis. Discusses curves of the spine and when surgery is normally the best choice for treatment. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
The cosmetic aspects of scoliosis and the braces used to treat it may greatly affect a child or teen. Teenagers may find wearing a brace devastating to their self-image. Most braces should be worn for 20 hours a day or more, usually for several years. It is very difficult to get teens to wear the brace for as many hours...
Scopolamine transdermal (skin patch) is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or from anesthesia given during surgery. Scopolamine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
For nausea or vomiting. Brand Name(s): Transderm Scop. Generic Name: Scopolamine.
Scorpions, found mostly across the southern and western United States, are up to 3 in. (7.6 cm) in length. They have eight legs and a pair of pincers like a crab has. The stinger, which injects venom, is located at the end of a narrow tail that curves around and over the back of the scorpion's body.
What is a scorpion? Scorpions, found mostly across the southern and western United States, are up to 3 in. (7.6 cm) in length. They have eight legs and a pair of pincers like a crab has. The stinger, which injects venom, is located at the end of a narrow tail that curves around and over the back of the scorpion's body...
A superficial scrape affects just the top layer of skin. A deep scrape goes below the top layer of skin. The wound may gape open. There may be a cut in the scrape. The flesh may look very raw and ground up, or there may be a chunk of tissue missing.
