Simple, accurate health tests for the home and the workplace.
What complications can develop from diabetes? Health complications can occur when diabetes is not kept under control. These can range from mild to very serious so it’s very important to routinely test glucose levels and attend regular check ups. Please use the list below to familiarise yourself with common complications, symptoms and ways to prevent […]
What is hypoglycaemia? If you take insulin or tablets to control diabetes you may occasionally suffer a ‘hypo’, this is more common with people who have type 1 diabetes. Hypo is short for hypoglycaemia and it occurs when blood sugar levels fall below normal. A normal glucose level should be between 4-6mmol/l before meals and less than […]
What is hyperglycaemia? Hyperglycaemia occurs when your glucose levels become too high, usually above 7mmol/l before a meal and 8.5mmol/l 2 hours after a meal. The occasional high reading is not a problem but if levels become very high regularly your diabetes is not being controlled and this can lead to serious complications. What causes hyperglycaemia? Hyperglycaemia […]
What is sinusitis? The sinuses are the air-filled cavities located behind your cheekbones and forehead. Sinusitis is the inflammation and swelling of the lining of the sinuses. There are 4 types of sinusitis: acute, subacute, chronic and recurrent. Acute sinusitis describes the sudden onset of cold like symptoms which include a stuffy nose and facial […]
What is contraception? Contraception or birth control is an artificial method or device used to prevent a woman from getting pregnant. A woman can become pregnant if a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs, contraception keeps the sperm and the eggs apart or stops egg production to prevent pregnancy from happening. In the […]
What is emergency contraception? If you have unprotected sex or you think your current contraception method has failed then you might require emergency contraception, commonly called the morning after pill. There are different types of emergency contraception available, as well as an emergency contraception pill there is an emergency IUD (Intrauterine device). Emergency contraception […]
What is the combined oral contraceptive pill? The combined pill is the most common and is usually the one people refer to when they say “I’m on the pill”. The combination pill gets its name because it contains a combination of the two female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. There are many different brands of […]
> What is the progestogen only pill? The progestogen only pill or POP is sometimes referred to as the mini pill. It is called progestogen only because as the name suggests it contains just progestogen. The progestogen only pill works by thickening cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to get through or survive and […]
What is a yeast infection of the skin? A yeast infection occurs when yeast-like fungi called candida grows on the skin causing a red, scaly, itchy rash to develop. There are more than 20 different types of candida and they most grow harmlessly on our skin but in warm, moist, creased areas such as armpits, […]
What is Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and is known to affect most warm-blooded animals, including humans. Cats are recognised as the primary host of the parasite which causes toxoplasmosis, however, you are most likely to become infected by eating infected meat which has not been properly cooked, unwashed […]
What is Type 1 Diabetes? Diabetes (or diabetes mellitus) has two main types: Type 1 and Type 2. In this section we will be talking about Type 1. For more information on Type 2 diabetes, please click here. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependent diabetes, develops when the insulin producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed and the body stops producing […]
What is Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a commonly used painkiller which comes from a group of drugs called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Another drug commonly found in this group is aspirin. Ibuprofen can be used to ease mild to moderate pain, for example if you have any dental pain, back pain, headaches or period pains. Ibuprofen […]
