Dysmenorrhoea Dysmenorrhoea means painful periods. It is characterised by a dull ache in the lower back, often with cramps, headaches and sometimes nausea for up to the first three days of the menstrual period. Primary Dysmenorrhoea starts soon after puberty and lasts until about the age of 25 – it is caused by a sensitivity…
Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Ulcerative colitis can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease differs from…
Bowel Cancer Bowel Cancer is thought to arise from the presence of polyps – common benign tumours that develop from colonic mucus. A third of us have such growths and 5% of those will become cancerous. The causes of Bowel Cancer are unclear although diet and stress are implicated. The symptoms are most commonly: rectal…
Diarrhoea Diarrhoea – runny, watery stools and sometimes explosive bowel motions. Diarrhoea can have many causes. It can be caused by food poisoning, gastroenteritis, dysentry or a food allergy. Prolonged or repeated bouts might be due to Crohn’s Disease or irritable bowel syndrome, or more rarely bowel cancer. Excess Vitamin C, Magnesium, stress and anxiety…
Diverticular Disease Diverticular Disease is a condition in which there is abnormal out-pocketing of the lining of the gut through its muscular wall. These out-pockets are known as diverticula. Occasionally there may be inflammation of these diverticula, so-called diverticulitis. Diverticular Disease usually affects the lower part of the colon and has been linked to a…
Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing skin condition. It is characterised by patches of red, raised and scaly skin. Once the skin begins scaling it can take on a silvery fish-like look. Psoriasis is found most frequently on the arms, elbows, behind the ears, knees, back, legs, trunk and scalp. The skin may be generally…
Premenstrual Syndrome This is a collective term for a variety of symptoms that occur each month before the start of a period. These can include tension, irritability, mood swings, depression, aggression, clumsiness, anxiety, crying spells, fatigue, sleeping difficulties, headaches, vertigo, faintness, abdominal bloating, sore breasts, acne, or craving for sweets. These symptoms are related to…
Motor Neurone Disease Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is caused by the degeneration of the nerves in the Central Nervous System. It is characterised by weakness and wasting of the muscles, leading to uncontrolled muscle spasms and stiffness. Ultimately breathing and swallowing are affected. Some alternative therapies can help to reduce disability – although nerve degeneration…
Gallstones Gallstones are pebble-like lumps, made of Calcium, Cholesterol and bile pigments, which can develop in the gall bladder, an organ near the liver. The gallbladder stores bile – a thick, bitter liquid made by the liver – and supplies it to the digestive system where it helps break down fats. Gallstones occur in up…
Peptic Ulcers Stomach ulcers or Peptic Ulcers are caused by the action of stomach acid on the lining of the mucous membranes of the stomach wall. Symptoms vary but can include: a localised gnawing, burning pain, heartburn, local tenderness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The pain usually begins just after eating or within twenty minutes of…
