Ear Wax
Ear wax is made from different substances and coats the skin that lines the ear canal. It prevents the skin from drying and cracking. Ear wax cleans, lubricates, and protects the lining of the ear by trapping dirt and repelling water. The main symptoms are:
For further information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=394§ionId=1
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Face
Acne
Acne is a very common skin disorder which most young people will experience in the early stages of puberty. It is caused by inflammation of the small oil glands that surround fine hairs on the face and chest. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstrual periods can also contribute to acne. The first symptoms of acne are small, tender, red spots what later turn into pimples containing degraded fatty acids. The inflammation disappears over a few days or weeks, depending on the severity, however sever acne can cause scars which will never disappear so effective treatment is essential. For further detailed information, visit http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/Mosby_factsheets/acne.html
Cold Sore Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which also causes genital herpes. The strain which causes cold sores around the mouth is called Type 1. Herpes simplex viruses are highly contagious. Around 1 in 5 people in the UK have frequently recurring cold sores; others will have one but will never have another. Some people will never get them, either because they do not have the virus or because it remains dormant. An outbreak of cold sores usually starts with tingling around the mouth, chin, nose, or other areas of the face. Small fluid-filled blisters will then appear which grow in size and cause irritation and pain. They may weep, and eventually grow a crust or scab. For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=194§ionId=10
Mouth Bad Breath
Bad breath, sometimes known as halitosis, is a very common problem. In most cases it is caused by a build up of bacteria in the mouth, as a result of food debris, plaque or gum disease. It is difficult to know just how common the problem of bad breath is, as often you don’t realise when you have bad breath and you have to rely on someone else to tell you. Bad breath often occurs after eating strong flavoured foods, smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol. For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=185
Mouth UlcerA mouth ulcer is a painful sore in the mouth on either the cheeks or gums. They usually appear in either a red or yellow colour. There are different types of mouth ulcers. A single mouth ulcer is usually caused by damage to the mouth, like biting the cheek or damage caused with a toothbrush. They usually go away once the source of the problem is treated. For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=30
Swollen Glands Glands are part of the lymphatic system, which plays a big part in the immune system’s responses. The main symptoms are:
For further information, visit http://www.emedicinehealth.com/swollen_lymph_glands/article_em.htm
Bleeding Gums Bleeding gums is usually a sign of gum disease. This can be caused by bad oral hygiene, high sugary diet and smoking. It is also quite common whilst being pregnant. For further information, visit http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bleeding-gums/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx
Oral Thrush Oral thrush is an infection in the mucous membranes of your mouth. The main symptoms are:
For further information, visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/oralthrush.htm
Toothache
Toothache is a pain in the jaw and face usually caused by a nerve in the root being irritated. The main symptoms are:
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Teething
Teething usually starts to happen to babies between six and nine months and can carry on till they are three years old. The main symptoms are:
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Nose
Snoring
Snoring is caused by breathing out of your mouth and nose whilst asleep. It occurs when there is disruption to the air moving through your air passages. Snoring can be a soft sound or loud noise and can disrupt your sleep. For further information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=342§ionId=1
Nose Bleed Nose bleeds (epistaxis) are fairly common, especially in children, and can be easily treated. They usually happen as a result of a minor injury caused by nose picking or blowing your nose. They can also result from infection of the mucous membrane. Although nosebleeds are hardly ever serious, if they become more frequent (more than one a week) it could be an indication of an underlying problem, so medical advice should be sought. For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=264
Catarrh Catarrh is one of the most common infections of the nose usually caused by a cold or an allergy. It is caused by the lining of the nose becoming inflamed or irritated which causes the nose to swell and the airways to become blocked.The main symptoms are:
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Cold A cold is a contagious viral disease which infects the soft lining (mucus membrane) of the nose. There are more than 100 different viruses which can result in a cold. Usually the common cold is a mild condition, with recovery taking place within a week. A person is contagious from the day before the illness breaks out until one to three days after they start to feel better. The infection is spread by airborne droplets when the sufferer coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by hand. Symptoms of a cold can include:
For further detailed information, visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/colds.htm
Hay Fever Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a very common condition that affects over 20% people in the UK. It is caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollens, which affects the upper respiratory passages (nose, sinus, throat and eyes). Hay fever can sometimes be similar to a cold in its symptoms which can include a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing attacks. As with all allergies, the symptoms happen as a result of your immune system overreacting to a normally harmless substance, in this case pollen. Hay fever symptoms can vary in severity and often symptoms can be worse in some years than others, depending on the weather conditions and pollen count. In general, the symptoms of hay fever are:
For further detailed information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=453§ionId=10
EyesCataracts Cataracts gradually degrade visual quality. They are changes of the natural lens inside the eye. The main symptoms are:
For further information, visit http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cataracts/article_em.htm
Eye Injuries Eye injuries can range from sore eyes, to catastrophic to permanent loss of vision. The causes include chemical exposures and burns, bleeding in the eye and foreign bodies in the eye. For more information, visit http://www.emedicinehealth.com/eye_injuries/article_em.htm
Double Vision Double vision is seeing two of one single object. The causes include thyroid problems, disease of the arteries, blood clots and brain tumours. For further information, visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=135§ionId=1