Common Ailments Archives - Page 4 of 7

Home > Common Ailments (Page 4)

GOUT

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 G

GOUT What is it?Gout is an acute form of arthritis and is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the body. Uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints causing intense pain and swelling.Symptoms: The joint most commonly affected is the base of the big toe. It can also occur in the knees, elbows, ankles and wrists. The acute attack of gout most often starts at night. The affected joint is red, swollen and extremely painful, mild fever; the first attack usually involves only one joint. A second attack may occur

MUMPS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 M

MUMPSWhat is it?Mumps is an infectious viral illness, characterized by swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps mostly affects children and young adults.Symptoms: Mumps has an incubation period of between 12 and 21 days before symptoms appear. There may be fever, headache and sore throat. The salivary gland, under the ear, on one or both sides swells: swelling may appear at the same time or one side may follow the other. The gland may be painful. The pain is worse when chewing and it hurts to swallow. The swelling lasts up to ten

WARTS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 W

WARTSWhat are they?Common warts are small, herd, whitish or flesh coloured lumps, with a rough surface. They may be unsightly, but are not in any way dangerous.Symptoms: Common warts are usually painless and often develop on the hands, feet or knees. A wart on the sole of foot is known as a verruca. On walking it may press onto the foot and be painful. Warts vary in size, from that of a pinhead to a large pea.Causes: Viral infection, wart viruses are spread by touch, or by contact with the shed skin of

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