September marks vascular disease awareness month. Why should you be aware of it? Because vascular disease is as common as cancer and heart disease, and responsible for 40% of deaths in the UK every year! Many of those deaths are preventable, however. Here’s what you need to know to reduce your risk. What is […]
Ever wondered what the secret is to staying young? Well, according to health studies on US nurses and veterans, a change of perspective might be just what you need. The research seemed to determine that those with a more optimistic outlook on life increased their overall life expectancy by 11-15%. These participants were likelier to […]
Hair Loss and Baldness Hair is made up of a protein called Keratin and is produced in hair follicles which are found all over our bodies, except the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet. The hair we can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells. An adult head has […]
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 Aspirin? Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid as its generic name is a common medicine that has many uses. The active ingredient in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is a derivative of salicin, which occurs naturally in the bark and leaves of trees such as the willow tree. Aspirin in various forms has been in use since […]
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 […]
A fungal infection can affect any part of the body but it is only when they overgrow does an infection occur and can include common infections such as Athlete’s foot, Jock itch, Thrush and ringworm. Fungi love warm, moist areas of the body especially folds in the skin (such as between your toes). A fungal […]
The Thyroid Gland? The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland which can be found in the front of your neck just in front of the windpipe, below the Adam’s apple. This is where hormones are produced and released into the bloodstream. The major hormones the thyroid gland makes are called T4 or thyroxine and […]
What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, it is also known as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is more common after the age of 45 and is also more common in women. Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips, spine and feet. However, you may also get osteoarthritis […]
What is the prostate gland? The prostate is a small gland found only in men. It lies below the bladder between the pubic bone and the rectum. It is shaped like a doughnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis). The prostate is about the size of […]
What is a stroke? A ‘stroke’ or cerebrovascular accident as it’s medically known is a term used to describe brain disorders. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off in some way. When the blood supply is cut off the brain cells are deprived of oxygen and other […]
What is a polyp? A polyp is an abnormal growth. Polyps can vary in size, shape and location, they may be single or multiple. Some polyps are flat and some look like a grape with a narrow stalk, or they may take the form of many fine projections, resembling the pile of a carpet. Polyps […]