Gout DEFINITION Gout is an arthritic condition of the body connected with an excess of uric acid in the blood. It causes the joints to become red, swollen and painful. Uric acid crystals are deposited in joints, tendons, kidneys and other tissues where they cause inflammation and damage. The most… Read Article
Fever – Adults DEFINITION Fever is an abnormally high body temperature of over 37.8 C (100 F) orally or 38.2 C (100.8 F) rectally. For children, see the Fever – Children topic on the Healthpoint. DESCRIPTION Average body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius/98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Readings slightly outside this… Read Article
Dry mouth DEFINITION Dry Mouth occurs as a result of an inadequate flow of saliva from the salivary glands into the mouth. DESCRIPTION Saliva is a fluid that is secreted continuously into the mouth by the salivary glands. Just enough saliva is secreted to keep the mucous membrane (skin tissue… Read Article
Diarrhoea DEFINITION Diarrhoea is the frequent passing of loose, watery and unformed faeces. DESCRIPTION Food nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The waste is pushed into the large intestine (bowel) where water is removed. The resulting faeces is stored temporarily within the rectum then passed out of the body… Read Article
Constipation DEFINITION Constipation is a condition which involves difficulty in passing stools or the infrequent passage of hard, dry stools. DESCRIPTION Proper elimination is important as the bowel is a source of many toxins. The waste matter can accumulate in the bowel and become dry and moving of the bowels… Read Article
Cold sore DEFINITION Cold Sores (fever blisters) are small, fluid-filled blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Cold Sores are contagious and commonly occur on the lips and outer edges of the mouth but can also appear on other parts of the face such as… Read Article
Arthritis types DEFINITION Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, surrounding tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It can affect virtually every joint of the body from the feet, to the knees, back, shoulders, and fingers. The term Arthritis describes a variety of arthritic conditions, with the three most common forms being… Read Article
Worms DEFINITION The term ‘Worms’ is used to describe the infestation of the body by various types of Worms including pinworms (also known as threadworms), roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. DESCRIPTION TAPEWORMS Tapeworms live in the intestines and sometimes grow to quite amazing lengths. They attach themselves to the inner lining… Read Article
Urinary tract infection (UTI) DEFINITION Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the name given to an infection of any part of the urinary system. DESCRIPTION The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, and the… Read Article