Eczema is a form of dermatitis. “Itis” is the medical term for inflammation, and “derm” refers to the skin. Therefore, any skin inflammation is called dermatitis. However, eczema is most commonly associated with atopic dermatitis, an allergic condition closely linked to asthma and hay fever. Eczema often runs in families, and the risk is higher […]

Pretty much everybody gets headaches sometimes, and the vast majority of them are nothing to worry about. But there are sometimes what we call red flags, and these are what you should look out for and always seek medical help for. The one everyone knows as a red flag is a severe headache that’s accompanied […]

Eye symptoms are prevalent. The good news is that most of them don’t have anything to worry about and settle down on their own. But it is important to know what symptoms you should look out for because some symptoms are warning signs of a condition that could be eyesight-threatening if you don’t get them […]

Having blood in your stools is quite common, and is generally not something to worry about, but it usually needs to be checked out. The possible occurrence of blood in stool most likely comes from the gut, but the lower down your gut it comes from, the brighter it will be. One of the most […]

Most of us are pretty cool about earthworms. Some of us don’t even mind snakes, but the idea of a threadworm wriggling out of your bottom is enough to make most people reel in utter disgust. The good news is they don’t usually cause any symptoms, and indeed certainly don’t cause harm, but even so. […]

Too much alcohol is bad for you and by too much, we mean more than the recommended upper limits. That’s about 14 units a week for men and women, spread over several days and with at least a couple of alcohol-free days per week. One of the many bits of your body that will suffer […]

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is very common. It affects probably one in five adults at some point. It’s a long-term condition, causing cramping tummy pains, bloating, wind, changes in bowel habits, and much more. It’s what we call a functional bowel disorder. That does not mean that it is all in your mind. But […]

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals. They’re an invaluable member of the primary care system these days. For instance, many medicines that used to be available only on prescription are now available at the local pharmacy. They can advise you about new conditions, or if you have familiar symptoms that you know what treatment you […]

Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. One of the reasons it is so popular is the effects it has on the body. For example; that pick-me-up feeling you get from your coffee breaks is simply the caffeine-blocking adenosine in your brain, which is the hormone that causes you to feel […]