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22 July

Appendicitis – patient information We will now describe patient information about appendicitis. Let’s start with some basics. 1. What is appendicitis? It is inflammation of the appendix A small organ located in the lower right side of the abdomen. It is like a finger coming out of the side of the caecum; which is part […]

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22 July

10 STD (sexually transmitted disease) facts and figures In this article we will describe 10 facts and figures about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Vaccination can prevent STDs (see below) Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Here are 10 facts about STDs: 1. Common STDs Some of the most […]

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22 July

10 facts about haemorrhoids Piles are very common and do not always need treatment. They normally affect adults and present as blood on the toilet paper when you wipe your bottom after a poo. They are not normally painful. If they are a problem, you can start with going to your local pharmacist for advice. […]

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22 July

10 cataract facts In this article we will describe 10 cataract facts. Typical cataract Key Points Definition: A cataract is a opacification (clouding) of the lens in the eye, which can cause vision problems, and eventually blindness. Prevalence: Cataracts are a leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, especially common in older adults. According to the […]

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22 July

10 PVD (peripheral vascular disease) facts In this article we will describe 10 peripheral vascular disease (PVD) facts for health professionals. Key Points Definition: also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), is a common condition characterised by the narrowing of peripheral arteries, primarily affecting the legs. It is largely a disease of smokers. Associations: PVD is […]

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22 July

10 IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) facts In this article, we will describe 10 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) facts. 1. What is IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a phrase for two long-term conditions – Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) – that are characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ulcerative colitis […]

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22 July

10 sore throat facts In this article, we will describe 10 sore throat facts. 1.  Sore throat – is a common symptom of many illnesses, including viral ones (e.g. colds, flu and COVID-19) and bacterial ones (including ‘strep throat’). 2. Most sore throats – are caused by a virus – for which antibiotics have no effect. […]

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22 July

Pancreatitis – patient information In this article, we will describe 10 facts for patients about acute and chronic pancreatitis. 1. Definition Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). 2. Risk factors These include: excessive alcohol consumption (people who consume 4-5 drinks […]

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22 July

When should I see a doctor about warts and verrucas? Lets start with the basics. 1. What is a wart or verruca? They are small, rough lumps or growths on your skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Most people get one, at some point in their lives. They are most common in children […]

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22 July

10 CHF (chronic heart failure) facts We will now go through 10 facts for health professionals about CHF (chronic heart failure). These are mainly for health professionals. Key Points Definition: a progressive condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. The commonest cause is ischaemic heart disease (IHD) […]

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