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Introduction Vomiting blood
Vomiting bloodVomiting blood (haematemesis)could be a sign of a serious problem . You should go to your GP surgery or nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department . The amount and colour of blood can vary. For example: you may have vomited large amounts of bright red blood there maybe streaks of blood in your vomit, mixed up with food there may
Introduction High blood pressure
High blood pressureHigh blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. More than one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many won't realise it. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood
Causes High blood pressure
High blood pressureIn most cases, it's not clear exactly what causes high blood pressure (hypertension). But there are several things that can increase your risk. Who's at risk of high blood pressure? Factors that can raise your risk of developing high blood pressure include: age the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older a family
Diagnosing bone cancer Bone cancer
Bone cancerIf you're experiencing bone pain, your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine the affected area, before deciding whether you need to have any further tests. They will look for any swelling or lumps, and ask if you have problems moving the affected area. They may ask about the type of pain you experience whether it's constant or comes and
Introduction DXA scan
DXA scanA DEXA scan is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA stands for "dual energy X-ray absorptiometry".This type of scan may also be called: a DXA scan a bone density scan a bone densitometry scan DEXA scans are often usedto diagnose or assess someone's risk of Osteoporosis , a conditionthat weakens bones
When should I get my blood pressure tested? Blood pressure test
Blood pressure testYou can ask for a blood pressure test if you're worried about your blood pressure at any point. You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including: at your local GP surgery at some pharmacies in some workplaces at home (see home blood pressure testing below) at an NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in
Home blood pressure monitoring Blood pressure test
Blood pressure testBlood pressure tests can also be carried out at home using your own digital blood pressure monitor. This can give a better reflection of your blood pressure, as being tested in somewhere like a GP surgery can make you feel anxious and can affect the result. It can also allow you to monitor your condition more easily in the long term. You can buy
Introduction Blood tests
Blood testsBlood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to: assess your general state of health check if you have an infection see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working screen for certain genetic conditions Most blood tests only take a
Licensed piercers Piercing
PiercingWhen choosing a piercer, make sure they've got a piercing licence. All professional piercers must obtain a licence from their local council in order to carry out piercings. The licence should be clearly and prominently displayed on their premises and means they meet the required safety and hygiene standards.
Complications of boils and carbuncles Carbuncles
CarbunclesAlthough most boils don't cause further problems, this isn't always the case. Scarring Scarring can sometimes occurafter a larger boil or carbuncle.These scars never disappear completely, but they do fade with time and become less noticeable. If you're particularly concerned about scars, there are a number of treatments, including: