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Sedative
(SEH-duh-tiv)
A drug or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.
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Sedimentation rate
(SEH-dih-men-TAY-shun rayt)
The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ESR.
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SEG
A type of white blood cell essential to defend your body against infection.
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Seizure
An abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way.
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Seizures
An abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way.
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Sentinel lymph node biopsy
SEN-tih-nul limf node BY-op-see
Removal and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor). To identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a probe to find the sentinel lymph node(s) containing the radioactive substance or looks for the lymph node(s) stained with dye. The surgeon then removes the sentinel node(s) to check for the presence of cancer cells.
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Sepsis
(SEP-sis)
The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.
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Septicemia/sepsis
(SEP-tih-SEE-mee-uh)/(SEP-sis)
A very serious bacterial or fungal blood infection which has usually spread from another site of infection such as skin, bowel, or urinary tract. It is usually associated with high fever, shaking chills, and heavy sweating. It is more likely to occur in patients with very low white blood cells.
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Shingles
A common condition that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox is reactivated in the body. After having chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in the body, usually in the nerves along the spinal cord or at the base of the skull. The virus can become active again many years later and cause shingles. Shingles is marked by a painful rash that usually appears as small clusters of blisters. The blisters often form a band across the skin on one side of the body, especially on the chest, back, waist, or face. The pain in the affected area can last for many weeks or months after the rash disappears.
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Shock
A serious condition caused by inadequate amounts of blood circulating in your blood stream. Signs of shock include a drop in blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, pale moist clammy skin, being very thirsty and a state of anxiety.
