Category: Health

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…

Menopause Menopause means “change of life” and it is the transitional change that occurs when a woman’s menstrual function ceases. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 50, as a result of failure of oestrogen and progesterone production by the ovaries. The symptoms are hot flushes, sweats, itching, vaginal dryness, skin problems, aches…

Heart Disease This is a collective term for a number of ailments affecting the heart – Arteriosclerosis, Atherosclerosis, Angina, Coronary Heart Disease. Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries, Atherosclerosis is degenerative change in the arterial walls, and Angina is recurrent pain in the heart region lasting 1-11/2 minutes which can be brought on by stress,…

Sports Injuries Injuries can occur when playing sports and these affect joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. These injuries may be accompanied by bleeding, bruising, swelling and pain. Treatment for Sports Injuries should be immediate. If there are no broken bones it is best to take the weight off the area and apply ice for ten…