Gum disease, medically known as gingivitis, is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide. It's essential to understand the fundamentals of gingivitis to maintain optimal oral health and prevent potential complications. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, primarily caused by poor oral hygiene habits. When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and along the gumline, it can lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is the hallmark of gingivitis and is often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. While gingivitis is common, it's crucial to recognise its significance. If left untreated, it can progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in irreversible damage to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Moreover, research has shown potential links between gum disease and other systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral health. Understanding the importance of gum health is key to preventing and managing gingivitis. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can help remove plaque and prevent its accumulation along the gumline. Additionally, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for monitoring oral health and addressing any signs of gum disease early on. In this article, we will delve deeper into the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gingivitis. By arming yourself with knowledge about gum disease, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health and overall well-being.

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two common places the herpes virus can be found, near the mouth (oral herpes), which is also commonly known as a cold sore, and around the genitals (genital herpes).) A herpes infection typically starts with a change in sensation - pain or tingling in a particular area - followed by small blisters that burst and leave small painful ulcers. If they are near the vagina, they can cause really nasty pain when going to the toilet. There are two forms of the herpes simplex virus, types 1 and 2. Type 1 is more commonly associated with oral herpes, and type 2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes. Although due to the fact the condition spreads via contact, and aided by oral sex, it is not uncommon to find either type in any location. There is no way to distinguish from symptoms, they present in the same way and require a test to see which type is causing trouble (although the type doesn't change anything clinically - treatment is given depending on where is infected). Oral herpes is commonly acquired in childhood and passed on via skin-to-skin contact, or via contact with fluid in the blisters from the area of infection. Genital herpes is also spread through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal sex, anal sex and oral sex.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes simplex virus - Type 1 is the usual cause of cold sores around the mouth and also causes about 50% of the cases of genital herpes, and Type 2 usually only causes genital herpes (but can sometimes cause cold sores.) Genital herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal sex, anal sex and occasionally oral sex, but around 80% of people with genital herpes are unaware they have it. It causes painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas, usually preceded by a tingling sensation and can be most sore the first time you have it. As with many viruses, it can't be eradicated from your system, but symptoms and outbreaks are treatable. See your doctor as soon as possible for confirmation and treatment.

Lupus is shorthand for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and incorporates a collection of symptoms, in an autoimmune disease process that varies in severity. An autoimmune disease means that the body sees certain parts of its own organs as foreign and starts to attack them. In lupus, this is connective tissue, the scaffolding of every part of the body, and made up of cells, fibres and a gel-like substance. It underpins bones, cartilage, blood and fat. Lupus commonly affects the skin, where rashes may develop, particularly in response to sunlight. This can cause a distinctive "butterfly rash", where the nose bridge and both cheeks appear very red, like the symmetrical wings of a butterfly. Other rashes can develop, and skin may be the only system to show signs of SLE. Less commonly, and more seriously, lupus may affect the joints, kidneys, blood vessels, heart, lungs, hair and even mental health. Affecting multiple organs is a more severe form, and flare-ups may come in episodes, lasting a few weeks or months then clear up, only to come again. This is harder to treat, but the symptoms of lupus can be kept at bay by medications. These work to dampen down the immune response. SLE sufferers often complain of tiredness, and this may be the reason they first present to their doctor. Joint pain and swelling, and mouth ulcers are common too.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, and despite the availability of an effective vaccine there are now significant outbreaks occurring in the UK. Here at healthwords.ai we know how concerned many of you are about this so in this article we look at various aspects of measles, including its symptoms, transmission, and the facts about vaccination.

Molluscum contagiosum are small protruding smooth shiny bumps, often flesh-coloured or pink/red, and distinguished by the dip in the centre of their tip. If squeezed (and we advise not), a semi-solid substance may ooze out. This is not recommended as this liquid contains the molluscum virus that causes the bumps, and as these are highly contagious, squeezing risks spreading to other parts of the body or gifting to friends and loved ones. Molluscum is common and usually seen in children. It causes no harm, but parents or sufferers may be bothered by the appearance, and occasionally, a molluscum may become itchy and irritated, or even infected with bacteria.

Rickets is a condition of abnormal bone development in children. In rickets the process of calcification and hardening of bones is disordered. Rickets results in abnormal bone formation that can be associated with pain, growth disturbance and deformity such as bowed legs (where the knees turn outwards). There are many potential causes of rickets: a poor diet lacking in vitamin D and calcium is the most common cause, as these are both essential for normal bone formation. Rarer causes include an inability for the body to absorb or process vitamin D or other minerals. If these problems are present in an adult the condition is called osteomalacia. Sources of vitamin D include sunlight and certain foods such as oily fish. Certain foods also have vitamin D added to help prevent rickets, including cereals. Foods that are high in calcium include dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, and will not respond to antibiotics. They need good self-care, pain relief, fluids and time to get better. Some sore throats are caused by bacteria, and these will tend to need a course of antibiotics to get better. ‘Strep throat’ is a colloquial term used to describe a bacterial throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is one of the causes of bacterial sore throat, and it usually produces more severe symptoms than a viral sore throat. You may have severe pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, an absence of other viral symptoms such as cough, and symptoms that last longer than a viral infection would be expected to last. If your doctor suspects a bacterial throat infection, they may take a swab to check the bacteria. Or if they are confident, may start a course of antibiotics immediately.

Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. It is common, and around 15-20% of people develop it each year. Influenza commonly causes a fever, sore throat, cough, sore muscles, significant fatigue and feeling generally poorly. Symptoms tend to come on quite fast, as opposed to the gradual onset that happens with the common cold. For most people, flu leads to some days spent in bed feeling pretty rotten and for the elderly, young children, or people with other serious medical problems it can be serious, and significant numbers of people die from flu each year. The flu virus typically hits in winter, which is why the flu vaccine is offered in the run-up to flu season every autumn. The virus can change from year to year, making it hard for our immune systems to recognise it and so the flu jab is changed every year to keep up with this ever-changing virus. This is why we need it every year.

A yeast called candida can be responsible for infections in the mouth, on the skin and around the genital area. Doctors call the infection candidiasis, but it’s known to most as thrush. Yeast infections are more common in people who are pregnant, those taking antibiotics, or those who are prone to infections due to other medical conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes or immunosuppression. It is common in the mouths of children and babies, and can be common in people who wear dentures. Most women will suffer from a vaginal thrush infection at some point in their life. Yeast infections are easily treated with antifungal medications. Depending on where your infection is and how widespread, these come in the form of oral drops, pessaries, creams or tablets.

Warts and verrucas are caused by a harmless viral infection in the skin called the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV causes keratin, a hard protein in the top layer of the skin, to grow too much, giving the typical roughened texture of a wart. There are more than 60 different types of viruses known to cause warts, this includes genital warts. They are increasingly common through childhood and adolescence but then their frequency drops drastically again on reaching adulthood. Warts often look different depending on where they are on the body and how thick the skin is, and a wart on the sole of the foot is called a verruca. What do they look like? Warts on the hands are found most frequently around the nails and on the fingers and are often shaped like a cauliflower, whereas verrucas are seen most commonly on the ball of the foot as areas of flat, thicker skin with a harder edge around a softer centre.

Flu is common, and just over 1 in every 10 people suffer from it each year, typically in autumn and winter. Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. There are three main types of influenza virus, called A, B and C, although it is usually the type A virus that causes the worst epidemics. Type C influenza is mild to the extent that it is often indistinguishable from a common cold. Type A influenza is usually more debilitating than type B. Symptoms begin after an incubation period of one to four days and include a high temperature up to 39C (103F), headache, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, weakness and marked exhaustion or fatigue. Symptoms often continue for about a week unless there are complications, in which case new symptoms may commence in the second week. Symptoms tend to come on quite fast, as opposed to the gradual onset the common cold brings – different viruses are responsible for colds. For most people, the flu will lead to some days spent in bed feeling rotten. For the elderly, young children, or people with other serious medical problems it can be serious, and a number of people die from the flu each year. The flu virus typically hits in winter, where the flu vaccine is offered in the autumn run-up to flu season every autumn. The virus can change in nature from year to year, but flu jabs keep up with this ever-changing virus, and that’s why we need a booster every year. The symptoms of the flu are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 so it is important if you have a continuous cough, fever or a loss of taste or smell, to follow the current government guidelines in your area.