Vomiting is common in children and can happen for a number of reasons. It’s usually due to an infection in the gut – gastroenteritis – and will clear in a day or two. Occasionally it can indicate something serious, but other signs also guide you to recognise this. Gastroenteritis can also cause diarrhoea – this may appear a few hours or a day after vomiting starts – and abdominal pain or cramps. Children are usually off their food, and they may have a mild fever. If it lasts longer than a couple of days or they are struggling to keep fluids down, it’s time to contact your doctor.

Hearing loss is a significant health issue that affects communication, social interactions, and overall quality of life. It can range from mild to profound and may affect one or both ears. The prevalence of hearing loss is notable, with millions of people worldwide experiencing varying degrees of auditory impairment. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, and its impact can be profound, influencing not only personal and professional relationships but also mental and emotional well-being.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test relates to a man's risk of prostate cancer but unlike other cancers like breast and bowel, there is no routine screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it’s not as straightforward as having a blood test and getting a black-and-white answer: it doesn’t tell you if you have prostate cancer or not. Instead, the NHS offers an informed choice programme where men over the age of 50 can ask their GP for a test (or tests every so often), but after discussion about how difficult the result is to interpret. A PSA result can be normal and you can still have prostate cancer, or it can be abnormal but you don’t have prostate cancer. A positive test, however, does usually mean you need further investigations, and these can be uncomfortable and carry risks. Let’s talk you through what makes a good screening test, and how this can be applied to PSA screening.

Everyone aged between 60 and 74 is invited automatically for bowel cancer screening. The local health authority will use your age and contact details in the GP records to send you a home test kit, which you send back to check for abnormalities. You’re then sent this kit every 2 years if you live in England. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Early detection gives a good chance for treatment to work, and to help prevent the cancer spreading not only through the bowel but also to other parts of the body, which carries a risk of death. The chance of bowel increases as we get older, and the government is rolling out plans to start screening from 50 years old.

Many people today face challenges with sleep due to their busy lives. For those seeking a solution, melatonin has emerged as a popular choice worldwide. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body's pineal gland and is known for regulating sleep patterns. However, understanding its availability and usage in the UK requires navigating specific regulations and considerations. Understanding Melatonin: Melatonin offers hope for those struggling with sleep disorders, providing relief for issues like insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. In the UK, its regulated status ensures it's used safely and responsibly under healthcare professionals' guidance. By understanding melatonin's role and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can explore effective solutions for achieving restful sleep. Melatonin, often called the "sleep hormone," is a critical player in the rhythm of our body's internal clock, which is known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm acts as our biological timekeeper, regulating various bodily functions, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and metabolism. It orchestrates when we feel sleepy and alert, helping to synchronise our sleep patterns with the day and night cycles. When evening approaches and darkness falls, a signal is sent to our brain's pineal gland, prompting it to ramp up melatonin production. This surge in melatonin levels serves as a biological cue that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. As melatonin levels rise, our bodies feel more relaxed, tired, and ready to transition to rest. External light cues don't just influence melatonin secretion; our internal body clock also influences it. This internal clock helps anticipate when melatonin production should increase daily, ensuring that our sleep-wake cycles remain synchronised with the 24-hour day-night cycle. In addition to its role in promoting sleep, melatonin also plays a part in other essential functions within the body. It acts as a potent antioxidant, helping to scavenge harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Moreover, melatonin has been implicated in regulating immune function, supporting cardiovascular health, and modulating mood and cognitive function. Disruptions to our natural melatonin production can occur due to various factors, such as exposure to artificial light at night, irregular sleep schedules, or certain medical conditions. These disruptions can interrupt our circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and other health issues.

Did you know, a consistent lack of sleep can make your decision-making similar to that if you were drunk? Whether you need to perform for exams, your job, be alert for lectures or nail those meetings, we’ve got you covered here at Healthwords with tips on how to perform at your best. Read on to find out why you need at least 7 hours to perform your best and how to stay awake and alert when you need to.

What is sleep? And why is it so important? Well, around a third of your life is spent sleeping and it is as necessary for survival as water and food. We'll explain here about the cycles of sleep and why we need them.

Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, playing a crucial role in physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. However, for millions of people worldwide, achieving restful sleep can be challenging due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. In this article, we will delve into the complexities of sleep apnoea, exploring its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

The majority of insect bites/stings can be managed at home and should heal within 3 - 5 days. They tend to cause a round, red, swollen lump that can be painful (typically with insect stings) or itchy (typically with insect bites). Some insects can bite a number of times, causing multiple lumps across an area of the body. There may be a small allergic reaction to the bite or sting, which will be seen as a wider red/swollen ring around the bites. The most common stings are from bees and wasps. In a small number of people, an insect sting can cause a serious and dangerous allergic reaction (known to medical professionals as anaphylaxis. The symptoms of this can be feeling dizzy, sick or faint and swelling, particularly in the mouth and face, resulting in difficulty breathing. If you suspect this is happening, call 999 immediately.

It's quite common to get an itchy ear. There can be a number of causes, so if this persists past a few days, it's worth getting checked out. If you suffer from psoriasis, eczema or dry skin, this can also affect your ear canal, where debris from dead skin cells builds up and irritates. If you've been on holiday, "Mediterranean ear" can develop as a result of sweating and bathing in hot climates. Hard Earwax can build up and irritate, with some reporting an itch as the primary symptom, and if a good solid blockage of the eardrum, you may also suffer a loss of hearing. Otitis externa describes inflammation in the lining of the ear canal and can be associated with infection - in this case, the ear would be painful (often described as earache) more than itchy, and you may also have a cough or cold and fever.

An ear infection can affect the middle ear, just beyond the eardrum, causing inflammation and pain, and this is called acute otitis media. Bacteria or viruses can cause the infection, but either way, it usually gets better by itself after about 3 days. The middle ear can fill with pus and the pressure can cause pain. Children can get ear infections due to a cold, flu, letting too much water in the ear after bathing or swimming, or constant allergies.

Experiencing an earache alongside a sore throat can be both uncomfortable and concerning. These symptoms often occur together, leading many to wonder if there is a direct connection between them. The relationship between the ear and throat will give you an understanding of the causes of earache and sore throat. This will help identify the underlying cause and find appropriate treatment. We will explore the common causes of these symptoms, their possible links, and how they might indicate various health conditions. The Link Between the Ear and the Throat Conditions often affect the ear and throat due to their interconnected structures and shared nerve pathways. The tube connecting the middle ear to the throat allows inflammation or infections in the throat to spread to the ear. Shared nerves can transmit pain from one area to the other, leading to referred discomfort. Additionally, the “lymphatic system”, which includes “lymph nodes” in the neck and throat, can cause swelling and tenderness that radiates to the ear. This connection explains why symptoms can simultaneously impact both areas.

Head injuries are fairly common, especially in children, but they can happen to anyone from trips and falls, traffic collisions and sporting injuries. It may be obvious from the injury that someone needs professional medical attention, but sometimes signs take a while to manifest. Let’s talk you through when to seek help immediately, and what to look out for in the hours and days afterwards. It's important to stress that most head injuries are minor and do not result in serious or lasting injury, but it's important to be aware when an injury could be significant.

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.

Ear infections are common and most likely the result of a virus. You might feel unwell with a fever and a low appetite. Ear infections often affect the middle ear, which we term otitis media. The pain comes as infection and debris from our own inflammatory response builds up behind the eardrum, pushing it. This gives a feeling of fullness, earache, and hearing may come and go. You may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, and it might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear that is affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Ear infections are very common in children and most likely comes with a viral cold. Your child might feel unwell with a fever, sickness, and feeling of their food. Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which we call otitis media. The pain comes as products of infection and inflammation build up behind the eardrum, pushing it. They may complain that hearing comes and goes, or they may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, which might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Meniere’s disease is a long-term condition of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance, and requires a trio of symptoms to make the diagnosis. About 1 in 1,000 people are affected by it, and most commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 although it can occur at any age. One ear only is usually affected initially but about 40% of cases go on to affect both ears. (It is named after the French doctor who first described it in the 1860s.) The first is vertigo, where you feel as though the environment is spinning around you, or that you are spinning when you are standing still. The second is tinnitus, a ringing in the ear, and you may also get a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. The third is hearing loss that comes and goes, usually affecting one ear at a time. Meniere's typically come on without warning and episodes can last between 20 minutes and 24 hours - although the average length of an attack is 2-4 hours - causing severe nausea or vomiting. Unfortunately, Meniere's is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. The episodes may happen in clusters in a week or over months or even years, with most sufferers having 6-10 clusters a year. Some people only have vertigo without any hearing loss but hearing loss without vertigo is uncommon in Meniere’s.

You know when the pollen season has arrived if you suffer from itchy, streaming eyes and they look red and puffy. For those with hay fever, it can be really uncomfortable, and you feel desperate for some relief. Our pharmacist has put together some remedies to help soothe your eyes and heal your eye symptoms.

There are a few common causes of an itchy bottom, and we may find no cause, in which case we call it pruritus ani. In children, threadworms are very common – but it's rare in adults. This is a parasite infection causing intense itching around the anus and possibly the vagina, especially at night. You might notice tiny white worms around your child’s anus or mixed in their poo. In adults, haemorrhoids may be to blame. You may be able to feel one lump or more on the anus, and it may be painful when you go for a poo. You may get a few streaks of blood in the toilet bowl or on toilet tissue. These are common and treatments are available. Infections from a fungus or yeast (thrush) can feel itchy and sore. The area will look pink, perhaps with tiny pink bumps and possibly flaky. Psoriasis can look similar, but will likely be more red rather than pink and with a clear border, and is a more likely cause if you have psoriasis on other parts of the body. Eczema may appear around the bottom, especially if you have a tendency to it or if you have an irritation from any cream or treatments you are using, such as perfumed moisturisers, steroid creams or ointments for anal fissure. Genital warts can appear as hard lumps around the anus and wider genital area and may be itchy to start with. These are sexually transmitted and contagious to intimate partners. Finally, a condition called lichen sclerosus causes the skin to tighten, and this can be itchy. You might see some white streaks on the affected area and it might look shiny and taut.

Diarrhoea is defined as stool, or poo, that is loose or watery and you usually need to go to the toilet more often. It's very common and most cases improve by themselves within a day or two. There are many causes of diarrhoea, ranging from infection, allergy, anxiety, medication side-effects or long term conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Lactulose is an over-the-counter oral solution used to treat constipation in the short term. It comes as a sugar-like syrup and is suitable for adults and children.

Earwax forms naturally inside your ears and acts as a defence barrier, protecting the ears from harmful substances and bacteria. It usually moves out of the ears gradually by the action of chewing and is harmless. However, sometimes it can build up and block the ears.

Blood tests have many different uses. They can help diagnose a condition, monitor a particular organ in the body such as the kidney or liver, and they can also be used to give measurements of bodily processes such as blood sugar or current levels of inflammation.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. It causes abdominal discomfort or pain along with bloating or changes to the bowel habits. In IBS, opening the bowels typically relieves abdominal pain. Certain symptoms like bloating, trapped wind and abdominal cramps can prove embarrassing, particularly if you have diarrhoea or need to rush to the loo several times a day. Many suffer in silence, reluctant to go to their doctor or pharmacist to discuss such personal issues. There is no specific test to confirm IBS. Doctors make a firm diagnosis with defined criteria of symptoms, persisting for at least 6 months, and in the absence of other digestive conditions that could account for symptoms. IBS is a common condition that isn’t life-threatening and that doesn’t put you at higher risk of serious conditions like bowel cancer. But it’s a long-term condition that can be debilitating and cause a significant impact on work, study, enjoyable social activities and daily tasks. It can take its toll on your mood and quality of life. Symptoms may be continuous or intermittent, and this chronic waxing-and-waning picture can last for years. It’s very common, with 1 to 2 people in every 10 suffering in the UK, and that’s likely to be an underestimate, as many don’t seek medical help. Symptoms usually start when people are in their 20s and 30s and it’s more often found in women.

Blood tests have many different uses. Some of these include being used to diagnose a condition, to monitor a particular organ in the body such as the kidney or liver, and they can also be used to give measurements of bodily processes such as sugar levels in the blood, or for levels of inflammation such as a CRP or ESR blood test.

Ramadan is a yearly event in the Islamic calendar, a holy month of prayer, reflection and sacrifice, and fasting is an important part of this. A strict fast means nothing to pass the lips during daylight hours – so no food, drink or smoking. Some include medications in this, but the Qur’an teaches that you should not act in a way that harms your health, which may leave you feeling in doubt about what to do. A set of guidelines has been put forward by specialists in the NHS, in collaboration with national groups representing Muslims, to protect your health during Ramadan. It’s important to remember that this is guidance. Your health and your personal beliefs are individual to you, so if you have any doubts about the right path forward, seek advice. You can speak to your healthcare team – your doctor or hospital specialist if you have one – and you can speak to your local Imam or any other Muslim leader that you trust.

Insomnia occurs in one-third of the UK population and can have a significant negative impact on someone’s day-to-day life. This article explores what insomnia is and what to do if you have it.

We have all been told sleep is important, but did you realise to what extent? Here are some shocking facts about sleep that may make you want to dive right into bed and get those recommended 7-9 hours!

Incontinence is the involuntary or uncontrollable leakage of urine or poo. It is called urinary, bowel, or double incontinence if both weeing and pooing are affected. It can occur because of weakening of the muscles that control weeing or pooing or from illness such as stroke, which can affect the nerves that control these functions. Urinary incontinence may be brought by coughing or laughing (stress incontinence) or when you feel the urge to urinate (urge incontinence). Incontinence is diagnosed when it has happened regularly, not just once. Muscle exercises may help train the muscles to reduce incontinence. Medication may also help control symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Stomach pain can be uncomfortable and maybe even frightening. Luckily stomach pain has some common causes, is usually self-limiting and in many cases can be self-treated at home with some helpful medication. Firstly, it is important to rule out causes for concern. If you are suffering from severe debilitating pain, or experiencing any other serious symptoms such as large volumes of blood in your vomit, fever, or unable to stay hydrated – you should seek advice from your doctor.

Dehydration is a condition characterised by an inadequate amount of fluid in the body, resulting from either insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss. This imbalance disrupts the body's normal functions and can lead to a range of symptoms and health complications. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing a decrease in the volume of water and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) circulating in the body. This can happen due to various factors, including excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, prolonged exposure to heat, or insufficient fluid intake. Dehydration can manifest with symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, and, in severe cases, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Prompt recognition and treatment of dehydration are essential to restore fluid balance, prevent complications, and promote overall well-being. Ensuring adequate hydration to ensure our bodies remain healthy can be a tough ask, especially in hot conditions, and during strenuous activities or exercise. Hot temperatures and increased water and salt losses can lead to dehydration. Mild dehydration may be felt as thirst, headache, mild dizziness, reduced need to urinate and dry skin. In its more severe form, dehydration can result in reduced alertness, fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of consciousness and long-term damage to your kidneys.

Haemorrhoids are common and many refer to them as piles. They are enlarged blood vessels just inside or outside the anus, and they look like small red or purple lumps. You might find blood after you go for a poo (this will be bright red blood, and seen on wiping or on the stool), or you can get pain and itching around the anus. For the majority of people, they cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes haemorrhoids can become thrombosed, which means they have no blood flow due to a blood clot. These are very painful and tender to touch. Haemorrhoids are not contagious, and cannot be passed on.

Remembering to take medications can be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple medications and different dosing schedules. In this comprehensive article, we provide expert tips from our Healthwords pharmacists to help you improve medication adherence.

Xerostomia means dry mouth and is due to too little saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is produced from glands in your mouth and helps not only keep your mouth and throat from becoming too dry but also helps with keeping the mouth clean by helping move small bits of food out from the crevices in your mouth and providing some protection against microbes (viruses, bacteria and fungal infections). Dry mouth is a symptom in itself and can have multiple causes ranging from being dehydrated to a side effect of medication or treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, can cause it, or even if you breathe through your mouth most of the time rather than through your nose. A dry mouth can go hand-in-hand with a sore throat, bad breath, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, mouth infections such as thrush, and problems with gums or teeth (this is due to bacteria or plaque building up more when there is less anti-microbial saliva).

Xailin night is an eye ointment for the treatment of dry eye conditions, corneal erosion and to lubricate the eyes before or after eye surgery. It contains paraffin and wool alcohols (lanolin) which all serve to lubricate and protect water loss from the eyes. This, in turn, relieves symptoms of dry eyes and forms a protective barrier on the surface of the eye.

Much like how a walking stick helps someone to walk independently, medication aids help individuals take their medications independently and easily. Medication aids can help you to remember when to take medicines and help with dexterity issues that affect your ability to use your inhaler, for example.

If you have repeated indigestion or acid reflux, you may be at risk of developing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is a general term, used to describe acid reflux, either with or without inflammation of the gullet (oesophagus). In it, the corrosive acid our stomach produces to break down food moves up to the oesophagus (the food pipe), where the lining is much more sensitive and so can get damaged over time. If you have GORD you typically experience heartburn, where you may feel a gnawing or burning pain in your central chest that moves up to the throat after eating. While you may have suffered indigestion before, symptoms with GORD may be much more easily triggered, more severe, and last longer after eating or drinking. It can also be the case that the usual treatments you have used before and which worked well may no longer be effective. Regular acid reflux is more common in smokers, pregnant women, heavy drinkers, the overweight or obese and people aged between 35 and 65 years old.

Why is sleep important? Well, around 1/3 of your time is spent sleeping and it is as necessary for survival as water and food are. Optimising sleep can help you exercise better, improve your self-control and be all-around healthier. Here are our top tips for getting a great night's kip.

Sleep is really important can have a direct impact on your health. Getting a good "night’s" sleep during the day can be challenging for anyone working night shifts. Here at Healthwords we've done a fair few night shifts ourselves, with one team member racking up more than a years worth of night shifts over the last 6 years of work in the hospital. So here are our top tips on how to give yourself the best chance of getting some good rest during the day.

Halitosis, known to most as bad breath, is when an unpleasant or foul odour comes from your mouth. It’s very common and can affect anyone, from children to adults. In many cases, it does not last long and there is no serious underlying cause. However, with chronic (long-term) halitosis, it can cause a negative impact on the mental health and social well-being of people who suffer from it. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to help with bad breath, so let’s talk you through them.

There are many different types of eye drops available both over the counter and available via a prescription. Eye drops are used to treat a myriad of eye conditions including hay fever, dry eyes, infections, glaucoma, and more. Whilst they cover a variety of treatments, they all are instilled using the same technique. Below we have a step-by-step guide to help you instill your eye drops effectively!

Insomnia means low-quality sleep. It is very common with around one-third of people in the UK suffering from it. Insomnia can occur in many different forms, from difficulties falling to sleep, staying asleep, waking up too early without being able to get back to sleep, or not feeling refreshed from sleep. It leads to significant symptoms in the daytime such as tiredness, difficulties concentrating, and sometimes problems controlling your emotions. Because everyone is unique, the amount of sleep someone requires to function their best varies from person to person and also tends to decrease with age, so there is no set criteria to diagnose insomnia. The diagnosis is made from what a patient describes, the symptoms they experience, and their doctor’s expertise and opinion. The majority of adults need between 6 and 9 hours of sleep per night in order to function well in the daytime, and the average range of time taken to fall asleep is between 10 to 30 minutes. It is normal to wake up from time to time at night so don’t worry if you do and try not to look at a clock as worrying and clock-watching can make getting back to sleep harder. Insomnia is more common in women and older people. The main causes are poor sleep routine or habits (known as sleep hygiene), a loud or light sleeping environment, stress, substance abuse, caffeine or alcohol use, and certain mental health or physical health conditions that can affect sleep.

Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment is used to treat minor bacterial eye infections (such as bacterial conjunctivitis). It contains the active ingredient chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works against a wide variety of bacteria. Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment can be used in adults and children over the age of 2 years and purchased from your pharmacy after discussing the symptoms with your pharmacist. In some situations, your pharmacist may suggest an alternative eye treatment that could be more appropriate than chloramphenicol. Viral and fungal eye infections can cause very similar symptoms but need different treatments. Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment can be used on its own or together with chloramphenicol eye drops, however, this is normally through the direction of the doctor. It is used in combination with chloramphenicol eye drops because the ointment lasts longer in the eyes, making them more suitable for the before-bed application.

Insect bites are common, especially during warmer months when outdoor activities increase. While most insect bites are harmless and cause only minor irritation, some can lead to infections if not properly cared for. An insect bite becomes infected when bacteria enter the wound, leading to symptoms beyond the usual itching and redness. Recognising an infected insect bite early is crucial to prevent more severe complications. If left untreated, an infection can spread to surrounding tissues or even enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to more severe health issues. Proper care and timely treatment can significantly affect recovery and overall well-being. This article will delve into the causes of infected insect bites, identify the symptoms that signal an infection, and discuss effective treatment options. By understanding these essential aspects, you can take the necessary steps to prevent complications and ensure that an insect bite remains a minor inconvenience rather than a significant health concern.

Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is extremely important. Doctors refer to this as AAA (pronounced "triple-A") screening. It looks for any weakness in the aorta, the biggest blood vessel in your body. This runs from your heart to the centre of your chest and your abdomen, delivering oxygenated blood to your tissues and organs. Any weakness (aneurysm) can lead to rupture, which causes a life-threatening bleed into your tummy within seconds. Screening is aimed at detecting disease in those most at risk. Men are at higher risk of developing an AAA, and this increases with age, so men aged 65 and over are invited for a test. You’ll receive your invite automatically by post from the local health authority – they'll use your age and the contact details held in your doctor's records. Owing to the risk profile, this screening is not offered routinely to women, men under 65, or if you’ve already received treatment for an AAA.

Snoring is often described as a loud sound that occurs when you sleep. As you breathe in and out, air flows past the relaxed tissues in your throat. These relaxed tissues can partially block the airway and cause vibrations. Snoring is very common and not often related to anything more serious. The biggest complaint from snoring is often from the person’s partner. Snoring is more common in men than women and occurs commonly in people who are overweight. Being overweight or having larger tonsils can cause narrowing of the airways which also can lead to snoring. If you have any nasal problems like congestion or a family history of the medical condition obstructive sleep apnoea or you drink alcohol, you are also at higher risk of snoring.

Difflam is a branded version of the anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication benzydamine. It primarily comes in three formulations: mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges. It is important that it is taken with food as it can cause stomach irritation.

If you find yourself pregnant and do not wish to keep the baby or have it adopted for any reason, you can seek an abortion to bring the pregnancy to an end, otherwise known as a termination of pregnancy. By law in England, Scotland and Wales, this is usually up to 24 weeks, although later in certain exceptional circumstances. The law is more complicated in Northern Ireland. If you find yourself with a positive pregnancy test and are unsure of your decision, you do not need to rush into things. You can turn to your partner, trusted friends or family. You might wish to discuss with someone outside your circle, so your doctor can be a good source of guidance and can refer you for maternity or abortion services. Alternatively, you can refer yourself to abortion services, and they will have counsellors to talk through your options and the turbulent emotions it can bring up. An abortion carries less risk the earlier it is carried out. Earlier discussions also allow for more time to think about the right option for you. If you want to chat to someone you can book an appointment NOW with one of our doctors, or you can chat with the healthwords.ai chat for free today.

The majority of minor cuts can be managed at home and should heal within three to five days. A superficial cut, or surface laceration, is one that breaks the top-most layer of skin but doesn’t go deep enough to reach the fat or muscle layer underneath. 

Care clove oil is used for the temporary relief of a toothache. Historically, cloves were inserted in the affected cavity. The person would then chew on it to release the oil. Care clove oil is the extracted, concentrated product from the spice. Not only does clove oil have anaesthetic properties, but it also has slight antibacterial properties.

Glaucoma is a condition where there is damage to the optic nerve. This nerve sits at the back of your eye and transports the images your eyes see to your brain for processing. Glaucoma can threaten your vision, either by direct damage to the optic nerve, or by an increase in pressure in the fluid filling the eye, and thereby squeezing the optic nerve. It can ultimately lead to a loss of vision, so it's important it's detected and treated early. There are two usual types of glaucoma, based on whether pressure increases slowly or quickly. Chronic open-angle glaucoma - the most common type - is where pressure inside the eye builds slowly, so the loss of vision occurs gradually. You might not even notice changes early on, but you're most likely to lose vision in the outer edges of your vision (the periphery) first. It's often picked up on a routine check-up with your optician, where they check eye pressure by blowing a puff of air on your eyeball. This type of glaucoma usually affects both eyes and is painless.  Among white Europeans, about 1 in 50 people over 40 years of age and 1 in 10 people over 75 years of age have chronic open-angle glaucoma. Acute angle glaucoma is much less common. Pressure builds rapidly inside the eye and threatens vision if not treated urgently. You might feel severe pain in or around your eye or in the head, the eye may feel tight or full, lights may appear to have halos around them and you might complain of blurred vision. You may even feel unwell and be vomiting. This is an emergency and you should seek medical attention urgently. Other possible types of glaucoma include secondary glaucoma – caused by an eye injury or inflammation of the middle layer of the eye – and congenital glaucoma which is rare but present at birth.