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'There's a lot of help out there' Menopause
MenopausePat found a few simple lifestyle changes made her menopause symptoms easier to manage. Pat was 44 when she realised she had started missing a few Periods . "It didnt bother me at first, as I lead quite a stressful life," she says. "But after a while, I also started getting really bad PMT when I did have a period. It was awful." Pat decided to
Recovering from a mastectomy Mastectomy
MastectomyMost people who have a mastectomy recover well after the procedure and don't develop complications. In most cases,it takes three to six weeks to fully recover. After the operation When you wake up after the operation,you will probablyfeel sore. This pain can be controlled with painkillers. It's very important to tell your doctor or nurse when
Introduction Maple syrup urine disease
Maple syrup urine diseaseMaple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare but serious inherited condition. It means the body can't process certain amino acids (the "building blocks" of protein), causing a harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine. Normally, our bodies break down protein foodssuch asmeat and fish into amino acids. Any amino acids that aren't
Diagnosing MSUD Maple syrup urine disease
Maple syrup urine diseaseAt around five days old, babies are offered newborn blood spot screening to check if they have MSUD. This involves pricking your baby's heel to collect drops of blood to test. If MSUD is diagnosed, treatment can be given straight away to reduce the risk of serious complications. With early diagnosis and the correct treatment, the outcome can be
Diagnosing mastoiditis Mastoiditis
MastoiditisYour GP will examine the inside of the ear with an otoscope (a device with a light and magnifying glass). If your GP thinks you have mastoiditis as a complication of a middle ear infection, they'll refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further examination and tests. This usually includes a blood test and an ear culture
Complications of mastoiditis Mastoiditis
MastoiditisAlthough most people with mastoiditis don't experience serious complications, treatment isn't always easy and the infectionmay come back. If the mastoid bone isseverely infected and isn't removed, it can cause hearing loss and life-threatening health complications such as: a blood clot meningitis a brain abscess
When to see your GP Shin splints
Shin splintsIt's a good idea to see your GP if your pain doesn't improve despite the treatments mentioned above. Your GP may: ask about your symptoms and examine your legs to try to work out what's causing your pain refer you for an X-ray or special scan of your legs an X-ray may be normal, so a more detailed scan may be needed to help with diagnosis or
Causes Migraine
MigraineThe exact cause of migraines is unknown, but they're thought to be the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain. It's not clear what causes this change in brain activity, but it's possible that your genes make you more likely to experience migraines as a result of a specific
Diagnosis Migraine
MigraineThere's no specific test to diagnose migraines. For an accurate diagnosis to be made, your GP must identify a pattern of recurring headaches along with the associated symptoms. Migraines can be unpredictable, sometimes occurring without the other symptoms. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis can sometimes take time. Seeing your GP On your first visit,
Treatment Migraine
MigraineThere's currently no cure for migraines, although a number of treatments are available to help ease the symptoms. It may take time to work out the best treatment for you. You may need to try different types or combinations of medicines before you find the most effective ones. If you find you can't manage your migraines using over-the-counter