Health A to Z

Most health pages tell you what a condition is. Very few tell you what it is like to sit beside somebody who has one. This library does both. Search by name, or by the name you know it under.

Important: This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your health or someone else's, speak to a GP, pharmacist, or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.

500 conditions, showing 231–240 (page 24 of 50).

H

Hydronephrosis

Also called Swollen kidney, Obstructed kidney

Urine backing up and swelling the kidney. An obstructed, infected kidney is an emergency needing drainage, not just antibiotics.

Hyperacusis

Also called Noise sensitivity, Sound sensitivity, Misophonia

Ordinary sounds that are physically painful or intolerable. Ear defenders help in the moment and make it worse if worn all the time.

Hyperglycaemia

Also called High blood sugar

Blood glucose too high. Usually manageable at home, and the reason to check ketones rather than just repeating the glucose test.

Hypermobility

Also called Joint hypermobility syndrome, Hypermobility spectrum disorder, Double-jointed

Joints that move beyond the normal range. A party trick for some, a source of chronic pain and fatigue for others.

Hyperparathyroidism

Also called Overactive parathyroid, High calcium

A high calcium level on a routine blood test, usually ignored. Bones, stones, abdominal moans and psychic groans is the old summary, and it holds up.

Hyperthyroidism

Also called Overactive thyroid, Graves' disease, Thyrotoxicosis

A thyroid running too fast. Often mistaken for anxiety, and it can trigger dangerous heart rhythms.

Hypoglycaemia

Also called Hypo, Low blood sugar

Blood glucose falling too low. It can be corrected in minutes, and it kills people when it is not recognised.

Hypoparathyroidism

Also called Underactive parathyroid, Low calcium

Too little parathyroid hormone, so calcium falls. Usually a complication of thyroid surgery, and severe low calcium is an emergency.

Hypothermia

A core temperature below 35C. In an older person it develops indoors, over days, without anybody noticing them shivering.

Hypothyroidism

Also called Underactive thyroid

A thyroid making too little hormone. Common, cheap to treat, and constantly mistaken for something else.