Skin Rashes: Types and Causes

There are many different types of skin rashes and many different causes of skin rashes. Although most skin rashes are harmless, some do need treatment (which may be tablets, creams or ointments) from your doctor or pharmacist. Some rashes (especially dark red or purple rashes that don't fade with pressure) may even need urgent medical treatment as they can be associated with meningitis and blood infection (septicaemia).

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure happens when the force on the walls of blood vessels (caused by the blood within them) is more than normal. This means the heart has to work harder and the blood vessels are under more strain, making it a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. Another name which healthcare professionals call high blood pressure is 'hypertension'.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Complication, Available Tests and Treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), formerly known as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is common. It is difficult to know exactly how common, as figures vary depending on the definitions used and the countries studied. It is possible to have ovaries that are polycystic without having the typical symptoms that are in the syndrome.

Acne (or Pimples): Causes, Risk Factors, Self-Help Advise and Treatment

Acne (also called 'pimples', 'spots' or 'zits') is a common condition, particularly in teenagers. It can also occasionally affect middle-aged people and babies. It often causes a lot of worry and distress but can usually be cleared up, or at least improved a lot, with the right treatment. The treatment can take about a month to work and you may need to continue it for a while, even after the spots have cleared.

Abortion and How it Affects Your Health: Choices, Procedure and Risks

An abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy, perfomed up to the 24th week of pregnancy, so it doesn't result in the birth of a baby. It is sometimes known as a termination of pregnancy (TOP). The pregnancy is ended either by taking medications (medical abortion) or having a minor surgical procedure (surgical abortion). One in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime.

Hepatitis A: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis A refer to inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It tends to be a short-term (acute) illness; and is usually spread by eating or drinking something contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. It is more common in developing countries.

Hepatitis E: Cause, Transmission, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis E disease is a similar illness to hepatitis A. Like hepatitis A, hepatitis E is spread through contaminated food and drink, and thereafter causes an acute (short-term) and self-limiting illness, from which people usually recover fully with low death rates; however, it can be more severe in pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system e.g. organ transplant recipients, with substantially higher death rates. A preventive vaccine (HEV 239) is approved for use in China, but is not yet available anywhere else.

Hepatitis D: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

The most common cause of hepatitis is infection with a virus. There are five different viruses which can cause five different types of viral hepatitis viz Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis D virus (HDV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis D is spread in the same way as hepatitis B and hepatitis C; however, it can only affect people who also have been infected with hepatitis B. This article is about the HDV infection.

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy

Cow's milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies seen in children. It is most commonly seen during the first year of life. Many children who have been allergic to cow's milk protein become tolerant to it by the time they are 5 years old.

What You Need to Know About Allergic Reactions

An allergy is a reaction that your body's immune system has to a foreign substance called an allergen. Typically, allergens themselves are not harmful to your body. Allergies happen because your immune system, whose job it is to fight off your body's microscopic enemies (germs), over-reacts to something it's exposed to. This "something" is usually a specific food or other substance.

Hepatitis C: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that infects the cells of the liver. Most cases occur in people who share needles or injecting equipment to inject 'street drugs' contaminated with infected blood (intravenous drug users). Some people clear the infection naturally. Some develop persistent infection but remain free of symptoms, although others may have symptoms. Persistent infection can lead to 'scarring' of the liver (cirrhosis) which may result in liver cancer. Treatment can clear the infection in over half of cases.

Malaria - Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Prevention

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease caused by one of the Plasmodium parasites. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Symptoms have been known to occur up to a year after travelling to an area in which malaria is present. Left untreated, individuals may develop severe complications and die. In 2018 an estimated 228 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 405,000 people died, mostly children aged under 5.

Hepatitis B: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

The hepatitis B virus can cause a short-term (acute) infection, which may or may not cause symptoms. Following an acute infection, a minority of infected adults develop a persistent infection called chronic hepatitis B. Many people with chronic hepatitis B remain well, but can still pass on the virus to others. Some develop serious liver problems. The virus is mainly passed on by sexual contact, sharing needles to inject drugs, and from mother to baby.

Testosterone Deficiency in Men: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, Treatment and Prognosis

Testosterone deficiency is often part of the ageing process and therefore common in older men. It can also occur at any age as a result of conditions affecting the testicles, or the pituitary gland in the brain. Testosterone deficiency can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Any underlying cause for the testosterone deficiency will also need treatment. The outlook will depend on the underlying cause of testosterone deficiency.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Biological medicines are a newer type of medicine, used to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reduce the damaging effect of the disease on the joints. They are usually prescribed when you have tried the older more traditional types of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) but they have not worked well. If a biological medicine will work, you will usually feel better within 12 weeks of starting it. Biological medicines make you more prone to infections and sometimes damage the blood-producing cells. You should carry a biological therapy alert card with you at all times to ensure that doctors or nurses treating you know that you are taking a biological medicine and so are at increased risk of developing a serious infection.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview of Risk Factors, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and swelling of joints. Persistent inflammation over time can damage affected joints. The severity can vary from mild to severe. Treatments include disease-modifying medicines to suppress inflammation, which can prevent or delay the progression of the disease, and medication to ease pain. The earlier treatment is started, the less joint damage is likely to occur. Surgery is needed in some cases if a joint becomes badly damaged.

Multiple Sclerosis - Causes, Symptoms, Types, Tests and Treatments

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition which affects the brain and/or spinal cord (otherwise called central nervous system or CNS), marked by weakness, numbness, and loss of muscle coordination resulting in a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, speech, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance, and bladder control.

Osteoarthritis Treatment and Support

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition that can affect one or more joints. It involves loss of cartilage, often along with mild inflammation and changes to the bone closest to the joint (see image below), as well as weakness of muscles surrounding the joint. This results in pain, stiffness, and trouble easily moving the joint.

Osteoarthritis: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Natural Course

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Usually the symptoms progress slowly over years. Initially they may occur only after exercise but can become constant over time. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and, when the back is affected, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs.

Lung Cancer: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide in both men and women. It is established that cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for lung cancer, and this includes second-hand smoking wherein you breathe in other peoples' smoke. Bear in mind other factors play a minor role in causing lung cancer, like exposure to radon gas, family or personal history of cancer, previous treatment, and diet.