Tendonitis DEFINITION Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon (the cords of tough tissue that connect muscles to bones). CAUSE Tendonitis is most commonly caused by injury or overuse during work or play. Less commonly it may be caused by an infection and it may be associated with diseases such as… Read Article
Swimmer’s ear DEFINITION Otitis externa, also known as swimmer’s ear or tropical ear, is an inflammation of the external ear canal. CAUSE The inflammation may be caused by infection, allergy, or other causes. Otitis externa can be caused by water getting inside the ear canal, and it is often more… Read Article
Pain in children DEFINITION Physical pain is an unpleasant feeling that comes with actual or potential physical injury, damage or disease. Children are sometimes too young, too sick or too afraid to say how much pain they have. To determine how much pain a child is feeling requires special communication… Read Article
Pain – chronic DEFINITION Chronic Pain is pain which lasts for more than one month after an injury has healed; pain that lasts or recurs for more than 3 months or pain associated with tissue injury that is expected to continue or get worse. DESCRIPTION TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN General… Read Article
Pain DEFINITION Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. DESCRIPTION The main Pain receptors are the sensory nerve endings found throughout the tissues and organs of the body. These nerve endings respond to various kinds of stimulation – including that which can… Read Article
Nausea and vomiting DEFINITION Nausea is an unpleasant sensation characterised by loss of appetite and impending vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth. DESCRIPTION There are few people who have not experienced severe nausea and vomiting at some stage. Vomiting is an… Read Article
Motion sickness DEFINITION Motion Sickness is a condition of nausea caused by erratic or rhythmic motions experienced when travelling (e.g. by car, plane, boat, train). DESCRIPTION Motion Sickness is thought to be caused by an irritation to the inner ear. Motion Sickness can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,… Read Article
Headache (migraine) DEFINITION A Migraine is a severe form of headache that lasts from 4 to 72 hours. DESCRIPTION Migraine attacks are usually unilateral (on one side only), involve moderate or severe pain and are pulsating. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and avoidance of light (photophobia). Between 10 and… Read Article
Head lice DEFINITION Head lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that live and feed on blood from the scalp. DESCRIPTION Head lice are tiny greyish brown insects, about the size of a sesame seed. Head lice cling to hairs, close to the scalp which they feed off. Head lice lay… Read Article