Category: Health

Hay Fever Hay Fever is an extreme allergic reaction to pollen from flowers, grass and trees in the Spring and Summer. The body reacts to airborne allergens by releasing histamine, which causes inflammation of the membranes lining the nose, throat and sinuses. This increases the production of mucus and causes sinus congestion. Other symptoms include…

High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure is known clinically as Hypertension. Blood Pressure measures how much the heart contracts (systolic pressure) and how much the arteries contract (diastolic pressure). Normally average blood pressure is 120(systolic)/80(diastolic) for men and slightly lower for women. A reading of 140/90 is considered suspicious, and above that figure is considered…

Pregnancy It is normal to experience some minor discomfort during Pregnancy. The most common reason for not feeling well, especially in the early months, is morning sickness – this is caused by an increase in hormone levels during the early months of pregnancy. It normally disappears by the third month. There may be other minor…

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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…