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Pregnancy can cause itchy skin

Staff WriterSeptember 8, 2011 November 11, 2020 I

When you are pregnant your body goes through many changes and you will feel discomfort in ways you did not think existed. Being itchy on your growing belly, your breasts and so on is just one of the symptoms of your pregnancy. This can increase for the duration of your pregnancy, giving you fantasies of sand paper, a brush, etc. The good news is that the itch will stop once your baby is born. There are a few reasons for this itch, your body is getting ready to carry your baby and your skin is stretching on an ongoing basis. Lets

COUGHS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

COUGHSWhat is it?Coughing is a protective mechanism to keep the respiratory passage clear for breathing.Symptoms: Dry cough, producing no phlegm, wet cough, producing phlegm. Wheezy cough associated flu and fever symptoms.CausesDry cough or cough bringing up white mucus: colds, flu, sinusitis, laryngitis, smoking and allergy.Wet cough and breathlessness: Bronchitis, PneumoniaWheezy cough: AsthmaSevere cough for several weeks or months: Chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, lung cancer.Treatment in the home: A non productive or dry cough can be treated with a cough suppressant. In a wet cough, a bronchodilator or expectorant is helpful

HAEMORRHOIDS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 H

HAEMORRHOIDSWhat is it?Haemorrhoids or piles are inflamed varicose veins in or around the anus.Symptoms: Rectal itching and pain, Rectal bleeding, Painful blue-purple lumps inside or outside the anus, Uncomfortable, painful bowel movements, Prolapsed haemarrhoids (those which protrude outside the anus) often produce mucus discharge and itching.Causes: Constipation. PregnancyTreatment in the home: Follow a high-fibre diet, Drink plenty of fluid, Exercise regularly, use haemorrhoidal creams or suppositories to reduce swelling and pain. If an attack is particularly severe, stay in bed and take painkillers in recommended doses. An ice pack can provide

PEPTIC ULCER

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 P

PEPTIC ULCERWhat is it?A peptic ulcer is a small break in the digestive system. It is called a gastric ulcer when it occurs in the stomach and a duodenal ulcer when it appears in the bit of the small intestine which joins on the stomach.Symptoms: Burning, gnawing pain in the upper part of the abdomen, Pain may occur an hour or two after meals, or it may wake in the early hours of the morning. The intake of food or antacids usually relieves the pain.Causes: Certain medicines such as aspirin and the

WORM INFESTATION

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 W

WORM INFESTATIONWhat is it?Intestinal worms are parasites that live on blood or undigested food in the intestines. They primarily affect childrenSymptoms: During early worm infestation, it is possible that there may be no outward signs. However, as the worm load becomes greater, look out for these symptoms: Pinworm: Itching around the anus, restlessness and irritability, sleeplessness, poor appetite and loss of weight. Large roundworm: Frequent coughing (the most frequent symptom), colic, abdominal pain, and worms in the stool or worms coming up the throat into the mouth, possible slight fever.

CROUP

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

CROUPWhat is it?Croup is a respiratory condition characterised by a barking seal-like cough and laboured breathing.Symptoms: Croup attacks usually occur at night. The child wakes with a sudden loud crowing noise which becomes louder when he inhales. The child is alarmed and bewildered, fever.Causes: Usually due to swelling of the lining of the air passages. Occurs soon after the onset of an upper respiratory tract infection.Treatment in the home: Croup can be treated at home if it is mild, be calm and reassure your child. The condition worsens if the child

HEADACHE

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 H

HEADACHEWhat is it?Headache includes pain on one or both sides of the head or forehead.Symptoms: May vary from a dull ache to a sharp stabbing pain. Usually left in the forehead, back of the head and/or neck. Sometimes the pain seems to encircle the head like a tight band.Causes: Fatigue, Irregular meals, Emotional stress, Noisy or stuffy work environment, Cold or flue, Hangover, Sinusitis, head injury. Treatment in the home: Take a mild painkiller such as aspirin or paracetamol in the recommended doses. Avoid or come to terms with stresses that

PNEUMONIA

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 P

PNEUMONIAWhat is it?Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs.Symptoms: Fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough that produces yellow-green phlegm and occasionally blood.Causes: A viral or bacterial infection, rarely yeast, fungal or protozoal organisms. Usually only occur in people who are suffering from other diseases and whose natural immunity have been impaired.Possible complications: Pleurisy, EmpyemaTreatment in the home: NoneWhen to consult a doctor: As soon as symptoms appearWhat the doctor may do: Examine you to confirm the diagnosis, arrange for X-rays, blood and sputum tests if pneumonia is suspected. Prescribe

WHOOPING COUGH

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 W

WHOOPING COUGHWhat is it?Whooping cough or pertussis is a highly infectious disease of the breathing passages. It is characterised by a severe cough which persists over several weeks. It mainly affects infants and young children. Symptoms: Whooping cough has an incubation period of seven to fourteen days before symptoms appear. The early symptoms mimic those of a cold-runny nose, dry cough, and slight fever. After a few days the symptoms worsen and the coughing becomes more severe. Coughing occurs in bouts up to a minute long. During the paroxysms of coughing air

CUTS, GRAZERS BLISTERS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

CUTS, GRAZERS AND BLISTERSWhat is it?Slight bleeding from minor cut or graze usually stops spontaneously within a few minutes as the blood cloths and does not require medical attention.Treatment in the home: Clean the dirty cuts. If left in the wound, dirt is likely to cause infection and scarring. Run water over the cut. Then clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide solution (20 volumes), available from your pharmacist. It is best applied undiluted, on a gauze swab directly on the wound. It will foam and create a burning sensation. This method