Guides

Acid Reflux & Heartburn

Acid reflux, heartburn, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are a group of conditions where excess stomach acid travels back up towards the throat and cause a burning feeling in the chest. There are a wide range of treatments for acid reflux, ranging from over-the-counter to prescription, depending on the frequency and severity of your symptoms.

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that normally begins to affect people during puberty and can continue to later in life. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that's tender or sore to touch on the face, back and chest. There are many ways to treat and manage acne depending on your symptoms.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness can affect people who travel above 2500m without time to acclimatise. The symptoms include headache and shortness of breath but can quickly become a medical emergency if you do not descend to a lower altitude. It can affect anyone regardless of age, physical fitness, or experience.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, commonly caused by having worrying thoughts about things that are about to happen or things that might happen in the future. Anxiety and worry are normal bodily responses. For example, you may feel worried about an interview or having a medical test. But for some people they find it hard to control their worries and these feelings of anxiety can become constant, affecting their daily lives and may even result in panic attacks.

Asthma

Asthma is a common lung condition that normally starts in childhood but affects people of all ages. Asthma causes shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing as a result of the airways narrowing and swelling. There is currently no cure for asthma, but there are effective treatments that help control symptoms so your life is not significantly impacted.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge that often has a distinct fishy odour, especially after sex. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it is caused by an imbalance in the bacteria of the vagina making you more susceptible to infections. BV is an easily treatable condition using antibiotics or pH-balancing creams & gels.

Contraception

Hormonal Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy and is available as either hormonal pills, patches, injections, implants or Intra-Uterine Devices (IUD). Hormonal contraception prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, changing the cervical mucus and making the uterus inhospitable. Hormonal contraception is available in many different forms either containing both the synthetic hormones oestrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone.

Cystitis (UTI)

Cystitis is a type of Urinary tract infection (UTI) that specifically affects your bladder. Symptoms of cystitis include pain when urinating, needing to urinate more urgently and frequently and cloudy or blood-stained urine. In mild cases of cystitis, it can be treated by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding sexual intercourse and taking painkillers to ease discomfort. In more severe cases cystitis responds well to a short course of antibiotics.

Eczema & Dermatitis

Eczema and Dermatitis are skin conditions that cause areas of the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Eczema and Dermatitis are often caused by contact with an allergen such as pollen, dust, detergents or food, but can also be triggered by factors such as cold weather. There are many effective treatment options for dry skin conditions including non-prescription emollients, bath additives and steroid creams or ointments.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erection Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to get and keep an erection that prevents successful sexual intercourse. For some men ED happens from time to time whereas for others it can be more consistent. ED can have many causes such as tiredness, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol. It can however be a sign of a physical health problem so it is always recommended you speak to a doctor. Treating ED may be as simple as changing a specific lifestyle factor, however, there are also effective prescription medicines that can help you to enjoy your sex life.

Facial Hair

Excessive Hair or Hirsutism is where women grow thick, dark hair on their face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs. The excess of dark hair is caused by an increase in the levels of male hormones called androgens. The most common cause for excess hair is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), however, it is also common for there to be no obvious cause. Some overweight women find that losing weight helps to reduce hair growth. There are also prescription tablets and creams that have proven to be effective.

Fungal Nail Infections

Fungal nail infections are common, they are generally not serious but can be stubborn and take a long time to treat. Fungal nail infections usually affect the toenails but can sometimes also affect the fingers. The infection can be present on just one nail or multiple. The fungus causes the nails to thicken, discolour, become distorted, and become brittle and crumbly if left untreated. Treating fungal nail infections can take time, but using a medicated nail lacquer is an effective method to stop the infection in its tracks.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus it is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Herpes is very contagious and once you have caught the virus you will likely have recurrent episodes for the rest of your life. During a flare-up, small fluid-filled blisters appear on and around the genitals and anus, which cause stinging, burning and pain. Taking regular pain relief at this time should help to relieve some discomfort. If you are more severely affected by genital herpes you may be prescribed tablets to help your body tackle your symptoms.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) and are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Genital warts are easily transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex and through sharing sex toys. The virus causes small, flesh-coloured bumps or has a cauliflower-like appearance. It’s common for genital warts to spread quickly. To prevent this from happening, it is important to treat them appropriately. At-home creams and solutions help your body fight the virus, allowing your skin to quickly heal.

Hair Loss

Hair loss is common, it is not usually a sign of a serious condition and can affect both men and women. Male and female pattern baldness is often genetic, however other causes of hair loss such as alopecia can be caused by an illness or stress. Hair loss is a natural part of ageing, however eating a balanced diet, avoiding heating and dyeing the hair and using mild shampoos can slow the hair loss process down. There are also treatments available that effectively slow the hair loss process further.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that causes suffers to experience sneezing, coughing, congestion and watery itchy eyes. Symptoms can vary from mild to more severe and most commonly occur between March and September when the pollen count is at its highest. Treatments for hay fever include eye drops, nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets that help to ease symptoms and relieve irritation in the eyes, nose, mouth and throat.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system that causes intermittent stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. The cause of IBS is often unknown, however, it is thought the condition may be linked to stress, genetics or food passing through the digestive system too quickly or slowly. There is currently no cure for IBS, but making dietary changes and taking medicines can often help relieve uncomfortable symptoms.

Malaria Prevention

Antimalarial medication should be considered when travelling to any countries where there is a risk of malaria. Malaria is a parasitic disease spread through mosquito bites that causes a fever, vomiting and headaches. If left untreated it is potentially fatal. Taking a reliable antimalarial tablet can reduce your chances of contracting the disease by up to 90% ensuring you can relax and enjoy your trip.

Menopause (HRT)

The menopause is a natural part of the ageing process for women. It normally occurs between 45 and 55 years. The menopause is caused by a reduction in oestrogen levels that eventually stops women from ovulating causing their periods to stop. It is the reduction in oestrogen that triggers unpleasant symptoms of the menopause including vaginal dryness, hot flushes and low libido. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is used to treat symptoms of the menopause. There are now lots of options available including tablets, patches and gels, to help women find a medication that suits them.

Migraine

A migraine is usually a moderate to severe headache that can cause a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Unlike headaches, migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. It is not always clear what causes migraines, however, some triggers include, stress, menstruation, tiredness as well as certain foods and drinks. Because migraines affect so many people there are lots of treatment options available to suit individual needs including pain killers and anti-sickness remedies.

Nasal Congestion

Pain

Pain is a sensation that is felt usually as a response to an injury or illness. Pain can be felt in one or multiple areas of the body and can have a significant impact on peoples daily lives. The sensation can be felt for a short amount of time and controlled with a non-prescription pain killer, however for long-term chronic pain, stronger prescription-only medication may be required.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a long term condition that is often mistaken for acne but it is actually a skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face or small, red, pus-filled bumps. It is not always clear what causes rosacea but some potential triggers include, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods and exercise. Applying creams or gels to the affected areas of skin as well as taking a course of antibiotics can help to quickly reduce symptoms.

Stop Smoking

If you would like to stop smoking, making lifestyle changes alongside using medication has proven to be very effective. Quitting smoking can be very challenging but by quitting you can make massive improvements to your health. Not only reducing your risk of developing long term conditions such as cancer and heart disease but also quickly improving the appearance of your skin and teeth and the smell of your breath.

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to continue to function correctly and remain healthy. Most people can get all their key vitamins and minerals by eating a varied and balanced diet, however, some may need to take extra supplements to ensure they are getting the adequate amount. There are certain groups of people who are more likely to be at risk of vitamin or mineral deficiency. For these people, it may be advised by a healthcare professional that they take a daily supplement to ensure they get enough.

Weight Loss

Being overweight can have serious implications for your health, making you at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Losing weight can dramatically reduce these risks, but for some people making lifestyle changes and dieting can be very challenging. It is therefore always important to get support when trying to lose weight, it may also be recommended that you try certain medications to help you absorb less fat from your diet to improve your chances of successfully losing weight.