Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or anxiety. They often happen without warning and can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, and sweating. During a panic attack, you might feel detached from reality, fear losing control, or worry about having a heart attack or dying.
Bloating is a common discomfort many people experience, marked by a feeling of fullness or tightness in the abdomen. It can be caused by various factors like diet, swallowing air, digestive conditions, fluid retention, or constipation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a long-term condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, wind, diarrhoea, and constipation. These symptoms can vary in intensity and often come and go. IBS is a functional disorder, meaning the symptoms result from changes in how the gut works, rather than any clear physical problems.
Ever been hit by an intense wave of fear or anxiety out of the blue? That’s what a panic attack feels like. Surprisingly, they’re quite common, affecting about 2-3% of adults in the UK each year. They often start showing up in late teens or early adulthood.
Stomach ulcers, also called peptic ulcers, are like open sores in your stomach lining. They can cause pain, bloating, nausea, and other discomforts. While they can affect anyone, they’re more common in adults, especially those over 60.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, a small pouch located in the lower right abdomen, becomes inflamed. It’s quite common, especially among people aged 10 to 30, but it can affect anyone.
Prescription medications can impair your ability to drive safely by affecting your coordination, reaction times, and judgement. Even if you don’t feel impaired, the medication could still be affecting you.
A private prescription is a medication you pay for in full, prescribed during a private medical consultation. Unlike NHS prescriptions, which are subsidised by the government, private prescriptions are not.
Bedbugs are small insects that feed on blood, and often live on bedding, furniture, or even cracks in walls. They reproduce rapidly, with females laying hundreds of eggs, and their bites can cause itching and discomfort.
Kidney disease covers a range of conditions that mess with how your kidneys work. Things like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even certain medications can cause it. It progresses through stages, from mild to severe, and can lead to kidney failure if not caught early.
Migraines aren’t your typical headache. They’re complex neurological conditions that can seriously disrupt your life. Unlike regular headaches, migraines bring on intense throbbing pain, along with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
A stye is a small, painful bump that forms on your eyelid, often near the base of an eyelash or within an oil gland. It’s caused by a bacterial infection, usually from bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose.
A repeat prescription is a handy service that lets you refill your ongoing medications without visiting your doctor every time. You will usually be given a repeat prescription if you require your medication for a long period of time.
Knowing how much your prescription costs (if you need to pay for your medication) can help you plan your budget, especially if treating a long-term illness that requires an ongoing prescription.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is something you might hear about, especially if you have young children. It’s a viral infection that mostly affects kids under 5, but adults can get it too. It causes sores or blisters in the mouth, on the hands, and on the feet. These sores can be uncomfortable but usually go away on their own within a week or two.
Vitamins and minerals help your body to carry out basic functions, and prevent potential health issues. Among them, vitamin C is particularly important.
Unfortunately, our bodies aren’t able to produce enough vitamin C on their own, so we need to get it from our diets regularly to avoid having a deficiency.
The morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception or Plan B, is a type of birth control you can take after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It’s not meant for regular use but as a backup option if your usual contraception fails or you have unprotected intercourse.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. It’s named after Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first identified. While not extremely common, cases have been increasing in recent years, especially in certain regions of the United States and other parts of the world.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder affecting around 1 in 10 women of childbearing age in the UK. It’s caused by a mix of genetics and environmental factors, often involving insulin resistance.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological condition causing uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often prompting an irresistible urge to move them. While its exact cause isn’t fully known, it’s believed to involve brain abnormalities, genetics, and certain health conditions like anaemia or kidney problems.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition affecting the brain and spinal cord. It’s a lifelong condition that affects people differently, with the symptoms sometimes causing serious disabilities.
Sepsis is a serious condition where the body’s response to infection can harm its own tissues and organs. Without quick treatment, it can lead to severe complications, including death.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, occurs when your blood pressure falls below normal levels. Typically, a reading below 90/60 mmHg is considered low, but this can also vary based on your health and other factors.
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It mainly affects kids, but adults who haven’t had it can get it too. The main sign is a rash that turns into itchy blisters, which then crust over and heal in about one to two weeks.
Most people feel bloated at some point, it’s very common and happens when gas builds up in your digestive system.
Though it’s usually temporary and harmless, it can feel a little disconcerting, especially if you’re feeling bloated regularly.
Herpes is a very common viral infection. There are millions of people in the UK living with it right now, but due to the stigma surrounding it – it’s not being spoken about.
Learning about fibromyalgia and its symptoms isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about empowerment. It helps you navigate the challenges of the condition and ensures you receive the care you need.
Feeling tired all the time isn’t just about being sleepy after a late night or experiencing a mid-day slump. It’s about a constant state of exhaustion that affects your daily life. You’re not alone in wondering why you’re feeling tired from the moment you wake up to when your head hits the pillow in the evening.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the force of blood against artery walls is too high, stressing the heart and blood vessels. Despite often showing no symptoms, high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes.
The duration of insomnia can vary wildly, depending on factors like its causes and differences in the type of insomnia you have.
You’re not alone if you struggle with insomnia. It’s a widespread issue that disrupts your sleep, making it hard to fall or stay asleep.
