When HIV was first discovered, the medical community were optimistic that by now we would have a cure. However, this is now far from the case. The nature of the virus, and its ability to mutate rapidly, makes combating it very difficult. And today we hear that another strain has been found, this time... »

More than half the children in England taking the swine flu drug Tamiflu suffer side-effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares, researchers have found. Tamiflu ‘linked to side effects among children’, reports find – from the Telegraph.co.uk »

MMR is in the press once again. There has been a dangerous increase in the rates of Measles developing in children, which is attributed to the fact that many parents are refusing to give their children the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine due to the concern that it causes autism. However, there is... »

As we get older bacteria and yeast infections seems to take an increasing hold on our bodies. One of the most unpleasant cases for many adults is prunitus ani, which is literally itchy anus. An itchy anus can be caused by several factors, including bacterial infection, yeast/fungal infection or piles (haemorrhoids). Treatment in threefold: Stay as... »

The belly button is a prime spot for harbouring yeast infections and bacteria. the first signs of a problem are a slight itchiness, followed by soreness, and then possibly an odour from the bacteria. Cleaning alone will not help, and neither will antiseptic creams. To treat the infection, both an antibacterial and an anti-fungal/yeast should... »

Most patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery want to know when they will be able to return to their normal life. “Recovery time” is a common question posed to specialists and non-specialists alike. There are many factors that can contribute to recovery time, but typically patients can return to normal life activities within 1... »

Pain is a major concern for patients who are about to have total knee surgery. Post-operative knee replacement patients want to know what their life will be like after their surgery, how much discomfort they will have, and how many narcotics or other medications they will have to take. Educating yourself about pain before... »

Inflammation is your body’s natural response and is how a healthy immune system reacts to stresses to your body from injuries, irritation, chemicals, free radicals, stress and many other factors. New studies help confirm emerging evidence that low-grade inflammation is a factor in the development of heart disease and diabetes. Blood levels of C-reactive protein... »

What is stretch mark? Stretch mark, also known as stria or striae, is a type of scaring on the skin that occurs when the dermis (middle layer of the skin) is torn. It is related to rapid weight gain or loss, growth during puberty, pregnancy and muscle building. When the stretch mark first appears it... »

What is Botox? Botox is a Trade Mark for a medication based on the neurotoxic protein, called Botulinum toxin, produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum, it is the most toxic protein known to men. But, it can be medically used in minuscule doses to treat muscle spasms. Now a days it is also sold commercially... »

Types of Skin Lesions As we age it becomes more common to develop skin growths and pigment spots on the skin. They can vary from harmless warts, liver spots or age spots to skin cancer due to years of sun exposure. Among the most common are the red or brown scaly spots, known as actinic keratoses.... »

Seborrheic Dermatitis causes redness and greasy-looking “scales” on the skin. The areas of the skin with a high concentration of oil glands tend to be the most affected, like the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears and the middle of the chest. Occasionally other areas can also be affected, such as the... »

When varicose veins occur the flow of blood back into the veins lead to continuous high blood pressure in the leg, which can cause ulcers, mainly at the ankles, and it can be accompanied by swelling and red, itchy, scaly skin around the ulcer. When a cut occurs in the skin of the leg,... »

Shingles is an infection of a nerve caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Early symptoms include localised pain, headache or fatigue. Shingles can happen at any age, but is more common and painful in older adults. The virus attacks a nerve root and follows the line of that nerve, causing painful blisters... »

These are enlarged leg veins common is older people, which can have a blue and bulging appearance. Varicose veins happens when blood returning to the heart against gravity flows back into the vein through a faulty valve, causing the vein to become twisted and swollen, this condition is rarely dangerous. The aching related to Varicose... »

Many elderly people suffer from “black and blue” marks or bruises, mainly on the arms and legs. These are normally due to the skin becoming thinner with age and sun damage. Loss off fat and connective tissue weakens the support around blood vessels, making them more susceptible to injury. In some cases a bruise... »

Itching can be a common problem with aging skin. It is often related to dry skin, but sometimes it can have other causes. Allergic reaction to fabric preservatives, wool, plastics, detergents, bleaches or soaps can irritate mature skin as it becomes more sensitive. So it is important to identify what is irritating the skin... »

Our skin tends to become drier as we get older, which makes it itchy and flaky, especially in a cold, dry and windy weather. Mild cases of dry skin can be treated with a moisturizer used immediately after the shower, while the skin is still damp. Petrolatum is an excellent moisturizer and is present... »

As skin ages, the fibres that keep the skin firm, such as collagen and elastin, weaken with time. As a result the skin starts to look loose and lax, it also becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less plump and smooth. Gravity also affects the ageing process as it pulls the skin down, causing... »

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. As we get older our skin changes, it tends to get drier, more wrinkled and sometimes spots and growths can start to appear. Many of these skin problems can be prevented. New therapies are now available to treat many conditions that can cause... »

What causes scabies? Scabies is a contagious skin infestation that can affect humans, it is caused by mite, a minuscule parasitic insect belonging to the subclass Acarina (also known as Acari). Scabies mite lives on human and can only survive for up to 48 hours away from human skin. Scabies can affect normal skin as... »