Meningitis C

What is meningitis?The very mention of meningitis strikes fear into the heart of most parents in the UK. Such fears are understandable because meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can be a very serious illness. Although most people recover from the disease, some are left deaf or blind, and in others it may prove fatal. One of the biggest problems with meningitis is that it can develop very quickly. A child (or adult) can seem perfectly well and then, just a few hours later, be extremely ill with the disease. Another problem is that the symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other, less serious infections.What are the symptoms of meningitis?In babies and young children it can cause fever, vomiting,...

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Mouth Cancer

We all know a lot more about mouth cancer now that Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has been diagnosed with the disease. The earlier you catch it, the better. But what are the signs to look out for? We talk to the experts.'The fact that Michael Douglas, the iconic Hollywood star, has been diagnosed with mouth cancer has raised its profile significantly,' says Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation. 'It's very sad for Michael, who is fighting the later stage of the disease. But it means that far more people know about it and are thinking about how it might affect them,' he says.Catch it earlyThe earlier the disease is caught, the better. Survival rates rise to 90 per cent if the cancer is treated before it has...

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Cystitis

What is cystitis? Cystitis is an infection of the bladder, but the term is often used indiscriminately and covers a range of infections and irritations in the lower urinary system. It causes burning sensations during urination and a frequent need to urinate. How do you get cystitis? Infection from intestinal bacteria is by far the most frequent cause of cystitis, especially among women, who have a very short urethra (the tube through which the urine passes from the bladder to the outside). Normally, urine is sterile (there are no micro-organisms such as bacteria present). Between 20 to 40 per cent of women will get cystitis in their lifetime. However, it is possible to have bacteria in the bladder without having any symptoms (especially in...

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Masturbation

Masturbation refers to sexual arousal (and often orgasm as well) by manual stimulation of the genitals. Generally, the word indicates self-stimulation. But it's worth noting that in 2010 some sexologists use the expression to indicate pleasuring of another person by hand, in phrases such as ‘the husband can masturbate the wife to help her achieve a climax'. However, in this article we shall deal only with self-stimulation. This is the form of sexual behaviour that most of us learn first – quite instinctively. And, until recently, it was probably the type of sex least talked about. In fact, in the early part of the last century: masturbation was widely considered to be a sin – and something to be avoided at all costs. Gradually, society became...

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Posted in: healthies

Bladder cancer

What is bladder cancer?Bladder cancer is the result of cell changes in the mucous (inside) wall of the bladder. It is caused by changes in the cells' chromosomes or DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). This form of cancer develops most often in people between the ages of 60 and 79, with the average age being 67. The disease is three times more common in men than in women. It is one of the most common forms of cancer to strike men. How does bladder cancer develop?In most cases, bladder cancer is caused by external factors. Cigarette smoking (because of harmful chemicals within the cigarette) and exposure to some carcinogenic (cancer causing) agents such as aromatic compounds and chemicals used in industry and elsewhere can lead to bladder...

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Bacterial Vaginosis Syndroms

OverviewSimply speaking it is the change in the normal bacteria of the vagina. There are two types of bacteria in your vagina – the good bacteria which is called the Lactobacilli and another type called Anaerobes. Vaginosis is caused by the over balance or too much of Anaerobes.When there’s an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora, Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal infection. This is a disease that can only occur in women. This is caused when an unhealthy amount of bacteria infects the thin layer of tissue which covers the surface of your vagina or membrane.Bacterial Vaginosis can also be identified as a mild infection in the vagina which is caused by a germ. Yeast infection, or infection with Trichomonas should...

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Eczema Syndroms

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin and is a form of dermatitis and is characterized by dry, red, scaly skin that often itches uncontrollably, and is mainly found of the flexor joints of the body such as the elbows, wrists, and knees. In severe cases the skin can be blistered, flake off, bleed or ooze with pus. Scarring does not often take place as a result of eczema but most sufferers do notice skin discolorations due to healed lesions.There is no exact cause for eczema, although it is a genetic disease. However, it is thought that eczema occurs as a result of the body overreacting to an unknown trigger. Some people have their eczema flare up when it is too hot or too cold, others when they use a particular soap or detergent. Allergies and...

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