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TONSILLITIS AND PHARYNGITIS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

COLDS AND FLU

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

GASTRO-ENTERITIS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

TRAVEL SICKNESS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 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

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

GERMAN MEASLES

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 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

MIGRANE

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 M

MIGRANEWhat is it?Migraine is particularly severe headache, usually on one side of the head.Symptoms: Some or all of the following symptoms may occur: Nausea or vomiting and disturbance of vision, a sensation of flashing lights, shimmering zig-zag lines or strange odours. An area of lost vision, a feeling of numbness in the face, arms or legs, pins and needles anywhere in the body, loss of speech.Causes: Migraine headaches tend to run in families.Trigger factors include: Certain foods, especially coffee, chocolate, cheese, alcohol, citrus fruit, food preservatives and MSG (used in Chinese

VAGINAL CANDIDIASSIS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 V

VAGINAL CANDIDIASSISWhat is it?Vaginal candidiasis refers to fungal infection of the vagina.Symptoms: itching, vaginal discharge, usually white-may be scanty and watery or profuse and thick. The vulva may be red and swollen and there may be small fissures or cracks.Causes: The Candida albicans fungus, Trigger factors include: Pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, stress, hypothyroidism, anaemia and oral contraceptives.Possible complications: recurrenceTreatment in the home: Scrupulous personal hygiene, don’t wear nylon underclothes. Unlike cotton wool nylon does not ‘breath’ and therefore offers a warm, moist breeding area for infection.When to consult a doctor: As

CONSTIPATION

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

CONSTIPATION What is it?Constipation is the infrequent passage of hard faeces, usually with some difficulty or pain.Symptoms: Difficult and infrequent passing if feaces. Abdominal discomfort.Causes: A diet low in fibre is the most common cause. Low fluid intake, certain medicines, particularly medicines containing codeine or iron. Pregnancy, Piles, anal Fissures, laxative abuse and lack of physical movement and exercise.Treatment in the home: Increase the fibre in your diet by including foods such as high-fibre cereals, wholewheat bread, peas, beans, apricots and bananas. Drink more fluids. Laxatives are one of the most commonly used