Whooping Cough

Whooping Cough This is a highly infectious bacterial disease characterised by a strange ‘whoop’ sound upon coughing. What to look for a runny nose, cough, mild fever and loss of appetite. conjunctivitis spasms of coughing – with the characteristic ‘whoop’ at the end. vomiting after coughing episodes. Whooping cough or pertussis, is a highly contagious […]

Wheezing

Wheezing What to look for a whistling sound and laboured breathing.    Wheezing usually occurs in hayfever sufferers, respiratory infections, bronchitis or emphysemaand asthma. Less commonly people who suffer cystic fibrosis will wheeze. You should see a regular doctor if you suffer from wheezing. Causes If you are breathing through bronchial passages that are narrow […]

Sneezing

Sneezing This is your body’s way of eliminating any irritants or toxins from the nasal passages. See also Colds and Flu entry as sneezing can itself be a symptom. People sneeze when they have a cold, to help clear the nose. They also sneeze if they are allergic to eliminate allergens from the nasal passages. […]

Sinusitis

Sinusitis Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. What to look for pain and pressure in the face and behind the eyes. blocked nose. post nasal drip. mucus is smelly and yellow or discoloured. toothache. The sinuses are the air-filled pockets in the bones of the face. The four pairs of sinuses are […]

Respiratory Problems

Respiratory Problems What to look for difficulties in breathing. cough. chills and fever. fatigue. Respiratory problems may also be accompanied by: rapid breathing. shortness of breath. pain in the chest. slight headache. overall despondency. common cold symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing. There are different types of respiratory problems. There are respiratory infections, such […]

Headache

Headache What to look for If your headache is: a dull, steady pain that feels like a band tightening around your head, you have a tension headache. throbbing, begins on one side, and causes nausea, you have a migraine. a throbbing pain around one red, watery eye, with nasal congestion on that side of your […]

Hay Fever

Hay Fever Hay Fever results from an allergy to inhaled dusts – usually grass pollen. See our Allergy Page What to look for Attacks, often seasonal, of: sneezing itchy, painful nose, throat. nasal and sinus discharge. stuffy, runny nose. coughing watery, itchy eyes. head and nasal congestion. Hay fever is an immune disorder characterised by […]

Eczema

Eczema A skin complaint characterised by redness, itch, dryness with pimples or blisters. What to look for… patches of itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on wrists, face, and inner creases of the knees and elbows. skin sores, patches of redness, scaling, sometimes small bumps or blisters that may ooze fluid. Eczema is a form of […]

Dermatitis

Dermatitis Dermatitis is a red and itching inflammation of the skin What to look for Contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction) A red rash that is restricted to the area of skin exposed to an irritant. Nummular dermatitis Red, itchy, circular lots of weeping, scaly, or encrusted skin, common in older people who have dry skin […]

Coughing

Coughing Coughing is a reflex action of the throat to rid itself of any built up mucus or phlegm. What to look for Coughing is not a disease, however it may indicate respiratory problems. By looking at what is coughed up (mucus, phlegm or blood – the colour and consistency), the frequency of coughing and […]