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Glaucoma The symptoms of Glaucoma, an eye disorder, are gradual loss of vision, aching pain in and above the eyes, and seeing “rings” around lights. Glaucoma is caused by a build-up of fluid in the front chamber of the eye and blockage of drainage channels. This causes pressure in the eye, which damages the retina…

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is also known as spastic or irritable colon. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, affecting one in ten people. It is characterised by abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, abdominal distension, excessive wind, lethargy. IBS appears to be brought on and exacerbated by anxiety, stress,…

Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder. It is an advanced form of compulsive eating. Bulimics binge on large quantities of food – usually carbohydrates – and then purge themselves by vomiting and taking laxatives to keep their weight down. Bulimia Nervosa affects three out of every 100 women. It is believed that it…

Cirrhosis Cirrhosis is damage of the liver in which its normal structure is destroyed by widespread scarring. Amongst the most common causes of Cirrhosis are: excessive alcohol intake and hepatitis B infection. Rarer causes include Wilson’s Disease, in which the mineral copper is poorly metabolised by the body; gallbladder disease; heart disease and certain drugs.…

Anxiety is part of the “fight or flight” response to stress, which is an adaptive response to danger in the environment – which one either flees from, or gathers one’s resources to face. The symptoms are irritability, inability to concentrate, sleep problems, overactive mind, breathlessness, aches and pains, nausea, dry mouth and changes in appetite.…

Hepatitis Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It may be acute or chronic. If it is acute it is caused by one of three viruses: A,B or C. The symptoms of Acute Hepatitis are: jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fatigue, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen and liver tenderness. Hepatitis A…

Perimenopause Perimenopause is the name given to the time prior to the menopause, when a woman’s body begins to “wind down” before her periods stop. During the Perimenopause, which can start up to 10 years before the menopause itself, ovulation decreases and oestrogen levels gradually drop. Although you still have periods, the subtle changes in…

Cataracts Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye, normally transparent, becomes progressively opaque. This leads to a gradual and painless loss of vision. Cataracts may form as a normal part of the ageing process, but they may also be caused by eye disease, injury, steroid use, metabolic or congenital problems, radiation or poisoning. Normally…

Haemorrhoids Approximately 50% of adults are affected by Haemorrhoids at some point in their lives. They often occur during pregnancy and a result of constipation, although they can be caused by obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and habitual use of laxatives. The symptoms are: swollen veins in and around the anus, itching, pain and sometimes bleeding…