14 conditions
Obesity
The term ’obese’ describes a person who's very overweight, with a lot of body fat. Being overweight or obese can lead to problems that can seriously affect your health. You can reduce your risk of being overweight by eating a healthier diet and being more physically active.Related conditions
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition. A person with the condition has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with a person’s life, but treatment can help keep it under control.Related conditions
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition. It happens when the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep. This interrupts your normal breathing. This may lead to your sleep being regularly interrupted. See your GP if you think you might have OSA.Related conditions
Oedema
Oedema is a build-up of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen. The swelling can occur in one particular part of the body or may be more general, depending on the cause. You should see your GP If an oedema doesn’t clear by itself.Related conditions
Oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula
Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect where the upper oesophagus (the tube that food passes from the mouth to the stomach) doesn't connect with the lower part. This often happens along with another birth defect, a tracheo-oesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the oesophagus and the windpipe (trachea).Oesophageal cancer
Oesophageal cancer affects the oesophagus (gullet) - the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. See your GP if you have the symptoms below. They can be caused by other conditions, but it's a good idea to get them checked out.Related conditions
Oral thrush in adults
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth. It is usually successfully treated with antifungal medication. You should speak to your GP if you develop symptoms of oral thrush.Related conditions
Oral thrush in babies
Oral thrush in babies and young children is a fungal infection in the mouth. It’s usually harmless and easily treatable. See section on ‘when to get medical advice’ below.Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It's one of the most common types of arthritis in Northern Ireland. It can affect anyone but is more common in older people. You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis.Related conditions
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a painful bone infection. It usually goes away if treated early with antibiotics. If not, it can cause permanent damage. See your GP if you or your child have the symptoms listed below.Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes reduced bone density, making bones fragile and more likely to break. It's a fairly common condition in older people, though it can occasionally affect younger people. Women are at greater risk of osteoporosis due to the decrease of oestrogen (a hormone) at the menopause.Otitis externa
Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal. This is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Although there are other causes, most cases of the condition are caused by a bacterial infection. Otitis externa is quite common.Related conditions
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer, or cancer of the ovaries, is a common type of cancer in women. It mainly affects women who have been through the menopause (usually over the age of 50), but it can sometimes affect younger women. See your GP if you have any of the symptoms below.Related conditions
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
An overactive thyroid is where the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormones. The thyroid is found at the front of the neck. An overactive thyroid can affect anyone. It is more common in women than men. The number of people affected by the condition increases with age.Related conditions