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Common Ailments

COLD SORES

Staff Writer C

COLD SORESWhat they are: Cold sores are small, blistering sores that appear on the face, around the lips and nose.Symptoms: An itching and burning feeling before the sore appears. Painful red blisters. Within a few days of their appearance the blisters burst, weep and dry out. The wet blisters are very infectious. In children a crop of blisters may appear inside the mouth and around the gums. The child may be feverish and generally unwell.Causes: The Herpes simplex virus. Outbreak of blisters may be caused by being run down-Stress and other

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FEVER FITS

Staff Writer F

FEVER FITSWhat is it?Fever fits refer to the convulsions some children experience as the result of a high temperature. Fever fits occur most commonly between the ages of six months and five years.Symptoms: The child becomes unconscious and the arms and legs are stiff. After a few seconds the arms and legs, and sometimes the face, start to twitch and jerk. The movements may be violent. The fit usually last for about two minutes. Urine and farces may be passed during the fit. During the next few minutes the child slowly regains

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MENOPAUSE

Staff Writer M

MENOPAUSEWhat is it?Menopause is the time at which menstruation ceases. The last menses occurs at an average age of 50, but it can range from as early as 37 to as late as 55 years of age.Symptoms: Menses may stop abruptly or gradually become less frequent and less heavy over a period of months. Hot flushes in the upper chest which spread to the face and neck. Night sweats, Palpitations, Depression, Fatigue, Vaginal dryness, Insomnia A sensation of an ice cold feeling along the entire length of the spine Causes:

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TONSILLITIS AND PHARYNGITIS

Staff Writer T

TONSILLITIS AND PHARYNGITISWhat is it?The tonsils are two glands at the back of the throat. The pharynx is the part of the throat between the tonsils and the vocal chords. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis refer to inflammation of these parts respectively.Symptoms: Sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, glands in the neck may be swollen, fever, bad breath, headache and malaise, young children may complain of abdominal pain.Causes: Bacterial or viral infection, tonsillitis and pharyngitis are more prevalent during the winter months.Possible complications: Abscess formation, scarlet fever, rheumatic heart disease, kidney infection.Treatment in

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COLDS AND FLU

Staff Writer C

COLDS AND FLUWhat is it?A cold or flu is a viral infection of the nose and throat. Generally flu symptoms are more severe than those of the common cold.Symptoms: The major symptoms include, Sneezing, sore throat, watering eyes, Runny nose, Headache, Slight fever, Hoarseness, Coughing and muscular pains.Causes: A number of different viruses. Contact with people who have the virus.Treatment in the home: Stay at home to protect others from infection. Take an aspirin or paracetamol in recommended doses to relieve headache, muscular pains and fever. Do not give aspirin to

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GASTRO-ENTERITIS

Staff Writer G

GASTRO-ENTERITISWhat is it?Gastro-enteritis is an irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract.Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Abdominal cramps and pains, sometimes fever and general weakness.Causes: Viral infection, bacterial infection, particularly from contaminated food, allergic reaction to certain foods such as shellfish, straw-berries, eggs and pork. Antibiotics, Drastic changes in diet, for example food eaten when visiting a foreign country.Treatment in the homeAdults: Anti-emetic and antidiarrhoeal medicines are available from your pharmacy. Take in recommended dosages. Increase fluid intake once vomiting has stopped. Drink plenty of flat coke, ginger ale or diluted apple

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MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

Staff Writer M

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMSWHAT PROBLEMS ARE THERE? : The main problems associated with menstrual cycle that may require treatment are: Amenorrhoea ( absence of menses) Dysmenorrhoea (pains during menses) Menorrhagia (excessive blood loss) and Premenstrual syndrome (distressing symptoms prior to menses) AMENORRHOEA (absence of menses)Symptoms: Absence of menses. Episodes of amenorrhoea occur, with the odd menses now and thenCauses: Amenorrhoea is normal before puberty, after menopause or during pregnancy and lactation. Others include: Anorexia nervosa, severe stress, regular strenuous exercise, the contraceptive pill-if this is stopped after

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TRAVEL SICKNESS

katswink T

TRAVEL SICKNESSWhat is it?Travel or motion sickness is the nausea and/or vomiting experienced by many people when travelling by road, rail, sea or air. Children in particular, are prone to travel sickness.Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting, the person feels faint, cold and clammy, loss of appetite, pallor, there may be abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea.Causes: Motion causes a temporary disturbance of the balance mechanism of the inner ear.Possible complications: NoneTreatment in the home: fresh air helps. If you are travelling by car, stop regularly, lie down and rest.When to consult a doctor: If

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CONJUNCTIVITIS

Staff Writer C

CONJUNCTIVITISWhat is it?Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the transparent mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and the lining of the eyelids.Symptoms: The eyes are red and inflamed, they feel dry and scratchy, and discharge of yellow pus, the discharge causes the lids to become sticky and crusted particularly overnight. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious.Causes: Bacterial or viral infection, foreign body in the eye, hay fever or other allergy.Treatment in the home: Keep the eyes free of discharge by regularly wiping them with clean, moistened cotton gauze swabs. To prevent infection spreading, do

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GERMAN MEASLES

Staff Writer G

GERMAN MEASLESWhat is it?German measles is a mild contagious disease, characterized by low fever and a rash.Symptoms: There is an incubation period of between 14 and 21 days before the symptoms appear. Sometimes the glands behind the ears and in the neck are swollen. A flat pink rash starts on the first or second day. The rash starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body. After two or three days the rash disappears. Infectious from seven days before the rash appears until four days after.Causes: A

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