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2 | Overview High blood pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg at home) – or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you're over the age of 80 ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for over-80s is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg at home) Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else. Risks of high blood pressure If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as: heart disease heart attacks strokes heart failure peripheral arterial disease aortic aneurysms kidney disease vascular dementia If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions. Check your blood pressure The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life. You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including: at your GP surgery at some pharmacies as part of your NHS Health Check in some workplaces You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor. Find out more about getting a blood pressure test Things that can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure It's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk. You might be more at risk if you: are overweight eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables do not do enough exercise drink too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks) smoke do not get much sleep or have disturbed sleep are over 65 have a relative with high blood pressure are of black African or black Caribbean descent live in a deprived area Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it's already high. Treatment for high blood pressure Doctors can help you keep your blood pressure to a safe level using: lifestyle changes medicines What works best is different for each person. Talk to your doctor to help you decide about treatment. This patient decision aid (PDF, 132kb) can also help you to understand your treatment options. Lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressure These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure: reduce the amount of salt you eat and have a generally healthy diet cut back on alcohol lose weight if you're overweight exercise regularly cut down on caffeine stop smoking Some people with high blood pressure may also need to take 1 or more medicines to stop their blood pressure getting too high. Medicines for high blood pressure If you're diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking 1 or more medicines to keep it under control. These come as tablets and usually need to be taken once a day. Common blood pressure medicines include: ACE inhibitors – such as enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) – such as candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan calcium channel blockers – such as amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine or diltiazem and verapamil diuretics – such as indapamide and bendroflumethiazide beta blockers – such as atenolol and bisoprolol alpha blockers – such as doxazosin other diuretics – such as amiloride and spironolactone The medicine recommended for you will depend on things like how high your blood pressure is, your age and your ethnicity. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
3 | Bronchiolitis Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection that affects babies and children under 2. It's usually mild and can be treated at home, but it can be serious. Bronchiolitis is different from bronchitis, which causes a cough with lots of mucus and can affect people of all ages. Check if it's bronchiolitis The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to a cold, such as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, a cough and a slightly high temperature of 38C. A child with bronchiolitis may then get other symptoms, such as: breathing more quickly finding it difficult to feed or eat noisy breathing (wheezing) becoming irritable Symptoms are usually worst between days 3 and 5, and the cough usually gets better in 3 weeks. Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if: your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs there are pauses when your child breathes your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake As a parent, you may know if your child seems seriously unwell and should trust your own judgement. Find your nearest A&E Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if: your child has had a cold and it's getting worse your child is feeding or eating much less than normal your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty your child is very tired or irritable Treatments for bronchiolitis There's no specific treatment for bronchiolitis. It usually gets better on its own and you can look after your child at home. But it can be serious in some children, who may need to be treated in hospital. Do give children's paracetamol to babies and children over 2 months old or ibuprofen to babies and children over 3 months old – but do not give aspirin to a child under 16 try using salt water (saline) drops if your child's nose is blocked keep your child upright as much as possible when they're awake – this will help them breathe more easily encourage your child to drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice Don’t do not smoke around your child do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes Preventing bronchiolitis There are some things you can do to lower the chances of your child getting bronchiolitis or spreading the viruses that cause it, such as: wash your hands and your child's hands often wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you've used them keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they're under 2 months old or were premature It's also important not to smoke around your child. Children who breathe in cigarette smoke have a higher risk of getting bronchiolitis. Children at risk of severe bronchiolitis Some children may have a higher risk of getting seriously ill with bronchiolitis. This includes children who: were born very prematurely have a heart or lung condition have a weakened immune system These children may be able to have treatment in the winter (between October and March) to stop them getting severe bronchiolitis. Causes of bronchiolitis Bronchiolitis is caused by a viral infection, usually the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is very common and spreads easily in coughs and sneezes. Almost all children have had it by the time they're 2. In older children and adults, RSV may cause a cough or cold, but in young children it can cause bronchiolitis. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchiolitis/ |
4 | Bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs that is usually caused by an infection. It often gets better without treatment in around 3 weeks. Some people have long-term inflammation of the airways in the lungs called chronic bronchitis. This is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Check if you have bronchitis Symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms include: a cough – you may cough up clear, white, yellow or green mucus chest pain when coughing shortness of breath a sore throat a runny nose a high temperature Things you can do to help with bronchitis There are some things you can do to ease the symptoms of bronchitis and reduce the risk of spreading infections to other people. Do get plenty of rest – try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities drink plenty of fluids take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain and bring down a high temperature try adding honey to a warm drink to help soothe your throat (do not give honey to babies under 1) cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – put used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible wash your hands regularly with water and soap Don’t do not smoke Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus you have chest pain that comes and goes, or when breathing or coughing you're over 65 you're pregnant you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have a condition that affects the immune system, or you're having chemotherapy you feel very unwell Immediate action required: Call 999 if: you are struggling to breathe – you are choking, gasping and unable to speak you have pale, blue or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes you suddenly feel confused – for example, you do not know where you are you're unable to wake your baby or they feel floppy Treatments for bronchitis Bronchitis usually clears up without treatment in around 3 weeks. See a GP if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks. You may need antibiotics if your bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchitis/ |
5 | Steroids Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of conditions. They're different from anabolic steroids, which are often used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass. Types of steroids Steroids come in many different forms. The main types are: tablets, syrups and liquids – such as prednisolone inhalers – such as beclometasone and fluticasone nasal sprays – such as beclometasone and fluticasone injections (given into joints, muscles or blood vessels) – such as methylprednisolone creams, lotions and gels – such as hydrocortisone skin cream Most steroids are only available on prescription, but a few (such as some creams or nasal sprays) can be bought from pharmacies and shops. Side effects of steroids Steroids do not tend to cause significant side effects if they're taken for a short time or at a low dose. But sometimes they can cause unpleasant side effects, such as an increased appetite, mood changes and difficulty sleeping. This is most common with steroid tablets. The side effects will usually pass once you finish the treatment, but do not stop taking your medicine without speaking to your doctor. Stopping a prescribed course of medicine can cause further unpleasant side effects (withdrawal symptoms). Read more about: side effects of steroid tablets side effects of steroid inhalers side effects of steroid nasal sprays side effects of steroid injections side effects of steroid creams You can report any suspected side effect to the Yellow Card Scheme. Uses for steroids Steroids can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including: asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hay fever hives and eczema painful joints or muscles – such as arthritis, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder pain caused by an irritated or trapped nerve – such as sciatica inflammatory bowel disease – such as Crohn's disease lupus multiple sclerosis (MS) How steroids work Steroids are a man-made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands which are 2 small glands found above the kidneys. When taken in doses higher than the amount your body normally produces, steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation). This can help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and eczema. Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system, which is the body's natural defence against illness and infection. This can help treat autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, which are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Corticosteroid-(drugs)/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
6 | Overview Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare and fatal condition that affects the brain. It causes brain damage that worsens rapidly over time. Symptoms of CJD Symptoms of CJD include: loss of intellect and memory changes in personality loss of balance and co-ordination slurred speech vision problems and blindness abnormal jerking movements progressive loss of brain function and mobility Most people with CJD will die within a year of the symptoms starting, usually from infection. This is because the immobility caused by CJD can make people with the condition vulnerable to infection. Read more about the symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and diagnosing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. What causes CJD? CJD appears to be caused by an abnormal infectious protein called a prion. These prions accumulate at high levels in the brain and cause irreversible damage to nerve cells. While the abnormal prions are technically infectious, they're very different from viruses and bacteria. For example, prions aren't destroyed by the extremes of heat and radiation used to kill bacteria and viruses, and antibiotics or antiviral medicines have no effect on them. Read more about the causes of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Types of CJD There are 4 main types of CJD. Sporadic CJD Sporadic CJD is the most common type. The precise cause of sporadic CJD is unclear, but it's been suggested that a normal brain protein changes abnormally ("misfolds") and turns into a prion. Most cases of sporadic CJD occur in adults aged between 45 and 75. On average, symptoms develop between the ages of 60 and 65. Despite being the most common type of CJD, sporadic CJD is still very rare, affecting only 1 or 2 people in every million each year in the UK. In 2020, there were 131 recorded deaths from sporadic CJD in the UK. Variant CJD Variant CJD (vCJD) is likely to be caused by consuming meat from a cow that had bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow" disease), a similar prion disease to CJD. Since the link between variant CJD and BSE was discovered in 1996, strict controls have proved very effective in preventing meat from infected cattle entering the food chain. See preventing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease for more information. But the average time it takes for the symptoms of variant CJD to occur after initial infection (the incubation period) is still unclear. The incubation period could be very long (more than 10 years) in some people, so those exposed to infected meat before the food controls were introduced can still develop variant CJD. The prion that causes variant CJD can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, although this has only happened 5 times in the UK. In 2020, there were no recorded deaths from variant CJD in the UK. Familial or inherited CJD Familial CJD is a very rare genetic condition where one of the genes a person inherits from their parent (the prion protein gene) carries a mutation that causes prions to form in their brain during adulthood, triggering the symptoms of CJD. It affects about 1 in every 9 million people in the UK. The symptoms of familial CJD usually first develop in people when they're in their early 50s. In 2020, there were 6 deaths from familial CJD and similar inherited prion diseases in the UK. Iatrogenic CJD Iatrogenic CJD is where the infection is accidentally spread from someone with CJD through medical or surgical treatment. For example, a common cause of iatrogenic CJD in the past was growth hormone treatment using human pituitary growth hormones extracted from deceased individuals, some of whom were infected with CJD. Synthetic versions of human growth hormone have been used since 1985, so this is no longer a risk. Iatrogenic CJD can also occur if instruments used during brain surgery on a person with CJD aren't properly cleaned between each surgical procedure and are reused on another person. But increased awareness of these risks means iatrogenic CJD is now very rare. In 2020, there was 1 death from iatrogenic CJD in the UK caused by receiving human growth hormone before 1985. How CJD is treated There's currently no cure for CJD, so treatment aims to relieve symptoms and make the affected person feel as comfortable as possible. This can include using medicine such as antidepressants to help with anxiety and depression, and painkillers to relieve pain. Some people will need nursing care and assistance with feeding. Read more about treating Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Variant CJD compensation scheme In October 2001, the government announced a compensation scheme for UK victims of variant CJD. The vCJD Trust assesses claims and pays compensation to victims and their families. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
7 | Overview Atopic eczema Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Atopic eczema is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday. But it may also develop for the first time in adults. It's usually a long-term (chronic) condition, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely, in some children as they get older. Symptoms of atopic eczema Atopic eczema causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore. Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body. Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin. This can also be more difficult to see on darker skin. Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children. People with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe (flare-ups). When to seek medical advice See a GP if you have symptoms of atopic eczema. They'll usually be able to diagnose atopic eczema by looking at your skin and asking questions, such as: whether the rash is itchy and where it appears when the symptoms first began whether it comes and goes over time whether there's a history of atopic eczema in your family whether you have any other conditions, such as allergies or asthma whether something in your diet or lifestyle may be contributing to your symptoms Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months and 3 or more of the following: visibly irritated red skin in the creases of your skin – such as the insides of your elbows or behind your knees (or on the cheeks, outsides of elbows, or fronts of the knees in children aged 18 months or under) at the time of examination by a health professional a history of skin irritation occurring in the same areas mentioned above generally dry skin in the last 12 months a history of asthma or hay fever – children under 4 must have an immediate relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has 1 of these conditions the condition started before the age of 2 (this does not apply to children under the age of 4) Causes of atopic eczema The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown, but it's clear it is not down to one single thing. Atopic eczema often occurs in people who get allergies. "Atopic" means sensitivity to allergens. It can run in families, and often develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. The symptoms of atopic eczema often have certain triggers, such as soaps, detergents, stress and the weather. Sometimes food allergies can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema. You may be asked to keep a food diary to try to determine whether a specific food makes your symptoms worse. Allergy tests are not usually needed, although they're sometimes helpful in identifying whether a food allergy may be triggering symptoms. Treating atopic eczema Treatment for atopic eczema can help to relieve the symptoms and many cases improve over time. But there's currently no cure and severe eczema often has a significant impact on daily life, which may be difficult to cope with physically and mentally. There's also an increased risk of skin infections. Many different treatments can be used to control symptoms and manage eczema, including: self-care techniques, such as reducing scratching and avoiding triggers emollients (moisturising treatments) – used on a daily basis for dry skin topical corticosteroids – used to reduce swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups Other types of eczema Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. Other types of eczema include: discoid eczema – a type of eczema that occurs in circular or oval patches on the skin contact dermatitis – a type of eczema that occurs when the body comes into contact with a particular substance varicose eczema – a type of eczema that most often affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg veins seborrhoeic eczema – a type of eczema where red, scaly patches develop on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) – a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to erupt across the palms of the hands | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Eczema-(atopic)/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
8 | Overview HIV and AIDS HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus. While AIDS cannot be transmitted from 1 person to another, the HIV virus can. There's currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a near-normal lifespan. Symptoms of HIV infection Most people experience a short flu-like illness 2 to 6 weeks after HIV infection, which lasts for a week or 2. After these symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any symptoms for many years, although the virus continues to damage your immune system. This means many people with HIV do not know they're infected. Anyone who thinks they could have HIV should get tested. Some people are advised to have regular tests as they're at particularly high risk. Read more about who's most at risk of HIV Causes of HIV infection HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person. This includes semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk. It's a fragile virus and does not survive outside the body for long. HIV cannot be transmitted through sweat, urine or saliva. The most common way of getting HIV in the UK is through having anal or vaginal sex without a condom. Other ways of getting HIV include: sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding The chance of getting HIV through oral sex is very low and will be dependent on many things, such as whether you receive or give oral sex and the oral hygiene of the person giving the oral sex. Diagnosing HIV Seek medical advice as soon as possible if you think you might have been exposed to HIV. You can get tested in a number of places, including at a GP surgery, sexual health clinics and clinics run by charities. Find HIV testing services near you The only way to find out if you have HIV is to have an HIV test. This involves testing a sample of your blood or saliva for signs of the infection. It's important to be aware that: emergency anti-HIV medicine called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may stop you becoming infected if started within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus – it's recommended that you start it as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours an early diagnosis means you can start treatment sooner, which can improve your chances of controlling the virus, reduce the risk of becoming more unwell and reduce the chance of passing the virus on to others Both positive and negative HIV tests may need to be repeated 1 to 3 months after potential exposure to HIV infection (this is known as the window period), but you should not wait this long to seek help: clinics may offer a finger prick blood test, which can give you a result in minutes, but it may take up to a few days to get the results of a more detailed HIV test home testing or home sampling kits are available to buy online or from pharmacies – depending on the type of test you use, your result will be available in a few minutes or a few days If your first test suggests you have HIV, a further blood test will need to be carried out to confirm the result. If this is positive, you'll be referred to a specialist HIV clinic for some more tests and a discussion about your treatment options. Treatment for HIV Antiretroviral medicines are used to treat HIV. They work by stopping the virus replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself and preventing further damage. These come in the form of tablets, which need to be taken every day. HIV is able to develop resistance to a single HIV medicine very easily, but taking a combination of different medicines makes this much less likely. Most people with HIV take a combination of medicines. It's vital these are taken every day as recommended by your doctor. The goal of HIV treatment is to have an undetectable viral load. This means the level of HIV virus in your body is low enough to not be detected by a test. Living with HIV If you're living with HIV, taking effective HIV treatment and being undetectable significantly reduces your risk of passing HIV on to others. You'll also be encouraged to: take regular exercise eat a healthy diet stop smoking have yearly flu jabs to minimise the risk of getting serious illnesses Without treatment, the immune system will become severely damaged, and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and severe infections can occur. If you're planning on getting pregnant, it's important to talk to a GP. Although rare, it's possible to transmit HIV to your baby. Preventing HIV Anyone who has sex without a condom or shares needles is at risk of HIV infection. There are many effective ways to prevent or reduce the risk of HIV infection, including: using a condom for sex post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment for HIV to reduce the viral load to undetectable if you use drugs, never sharing needles or other injecting equipment, including syringes, spoons and swabs Speak to your local sexual health clinic or a GP for further advice about the best way to reduce your risk. For people with HIV, if you have been taking effective HIV treatment and your viral load has been undetectable for 6 months or more, it means you cannot pass the virus on through sex. This is called undetectable=untransmittable (U=U). Further information on U=U NAM aidsmap: undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) consensus statement | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/HIV/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
9 | Overview Heart attack A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life threatening. Symptoms of a heart attack Symptoms of a heart attack can include: chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy feeling lightheaded or dizzy sweating shortness of breath feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack) coughing or wheezing The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion. While the most common symptom in both men and women is chest pain, women are more likely to have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain. Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances. Treating heart attacks While waiting for an ambulance, it may help to chew and then swallow a tablet of aspirin (ideally 300mg), as long as the person having a heart attack is not allergic to aspirin. Aspirin helps to thin the blood and improves blood flow to the heart. In hospital, treatment for a heart attack depends on how serious it is. The 2 main treatments are: using medicines to dissolve blood clots surgery to help restore blood to the heart Causes of a heart attack Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the major blood vessels that supply the heart get clogged with deposits of cholesterol, known as plaques. Before a heart attack, 1 of the plaques bursts (ruptures), causing a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture. The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack. Recovering from a heart attack The time it takes to recover from a heart attack will depend on the amount of damage to your heart muscle. Most people can return to work after having a heart attack. Some people are well enough to return to work after 2 weeks. Other people may take several months to recover. How quickly you can go back to work depends on your health, the state of your heart and the type of work you do. The recovery process aims to: reduce your risk of another heart attack through a combination of lifestyle changes (such as eating a healthy diet), and medicines (such as statins), which help to lower blood cholesterol levels gradually restore your physical fitness so you can resume normal activities (cardiac rehabilitation) Find out more about recovering from a heart attack Complications of a heart attack Complications of a heart attack can be serious and possibly life threatening. These include: arrhythmias – these are abnormal heartbeats. 1 type is where the heart begins beating faster and faster, then stops beating (cardiac arrest) cardiogenic shock – where the heart's muscles are severely damaged and can no longer contract properly to supply enough blood to maintain many body functions heart rupture – where the heart's muscles, walls or valves split apart (rupture) These complications can happen quickly after a heart attack and are a leading cause of death. Many people die suddenly from a complication of a heart attack before reaching hospital or within the 1st month after a heart attack. The outlook often depends on: age – serious complications are more likely as you get older the severity of the heart attack – how much of the heart's muscle has been damaged during the attack how long it took before a person received treatment – treatment for a heart attack should begin as soon as possible Find out more about complications of a heart attack Preventing a heart attack There are 5 main steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a heart attack (or having another heart attack): smokers should quit smoking lose weight if you're overweight or obese do regular exercise – adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, unless advised otherwise by the doctor in charge of your care eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet, including wholegrains and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day moderate your alcohol consumption Video: heart attack This video explores the symptoms, surgical treatments and importance of reducing risk factors for a heart attack. | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Heart-attack/Pages/Introduction.aspx |
10 | Laryngitis Laryngitis is when your voice box or vocal cords in the throat become irritated or swollen. It usually goes away by itself within 1 to 2 weeks. Check if you have laryngitis Laryngitis usually comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first 3 days. The main symptoms are: a hoarse (croaky) voice sometimes losing your voice an irritating cough that does not go away always needing to clear your throat a sore throat Children can also: have a temperature of 38C or above be off their food or drink have difficulty breathing (but this is rare) Laryngitis is often linked to other illnesses, such as colds and flu, so you may also have other symptoms. If you're not sure it's laryngitis, check other sore throat symptoms. How you can treat laryngitis yourself Laryngitis usually goes away on its own after 1 to 2 weeks and you do not need to see a GP. Do try to speak as little as possible drink plenty of fluids keep the air moist by putting out bowls of water – central heating and air conditioning make the air dry gargle with warm salty water (children should not try this) Don’t do not talk loudly or whisper – both strain your voice do not smoke do not spend time in smoky or dusty places do not drink too much caffeine or alcohol – they cause dehydration How to gargle with salty water Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Warm water helps salt dissolve. Gargle with the solution then spit it out. Do not swallow it. Repeat as often as you like. This is not suitable for younger children. A pharmacist can help with laryngitis Speak to a pharmacist about your sore throat. They can give advice and suggest treatments, including: paracetamol or ibuprofen cough syrup to help with your cough solutions to gargle or lozenges for the pain Find a pharmacy Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks it's very painful or it's difficult to swallow you keep getting laryngitis or voice problems What happens at your appointment The GP will try to work out what has caused your laryngitis. They may: look inside your throat using a small mirror wipe a cotton bud around the back of your throat for testing arrange a blood test refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist (if you keep getting laryngitis) If your laryngitis is caused by an infection, the GP might prescribe antibiotics. Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if: you or your child are having difficulty breathing Find your nearest A&E What causes laryngitis Laryngitis usually happens when you have an infection from a virus, such as cold or flu. A flu vaccination will help prevent you getting flu. Other things that cause laryngitis include: allergies to things like dust and fumes acid from your stomach coming up your throat (acid reflux) coughing over a long time clearing your throat all the time | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Laryngitis/ |
11 | Overview Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. In many cases, it's possible to treat symptoms. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS. It's most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s although it can develop at any age. It's about 2 to 3 times more common in women than men. MS is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis The symptoms of MS vary widely from person to person and can affect any part of the body. The main symptoms include: fatigue difficulty walking vision problems, such as blurred vision problems controlling the bladder numbness or tingling in different parts of the body muscle stiffness and spasms problems with balance and co-ordination problems with thinking, learning and planning Depending on the type of MS you have, your symptoms may come and go in phases or get steadily worse over time (progress). Getting medical advice See a GP if you're worried you might have signs of MS. The symptoms often have many other causes, so they're not necessarily a sign of MS. Let the GP know about the specific pattern of symptoms you're experiencing. If they think you could have MS, you'll be referred to a specialist in conditions of the nervous system (a neurologist), who may suggest tests such as an MRI scan to check for features of MS. Find out more about diagnosing MS Types of multiple sclerosis MS starts in 1 of 2 general ways: with individual relapses (attacks or exacerbations) or with gradual progression. Relapsing remitting MS Between 8 and 9 of every 10 people with MS are diagnosed with the relapsing remitting type. Someone with relapsing remitting MS will have episodes of new or worsening symptoms, known as relapses. These typically worsen over a few days, last for days to weeks to months, then slowly improve over a similar time period. Relapses often occur without warning, but are sometimes associated with a period of illness or stress. The symptoms of a relapse may disappear altogether, with or without treatment, although some symptoms often persist, with repeated attacks happening over several years. Periods between attacks are known as periods of remission. These can last for years at a time. After many years (usually decades), many, but not all, people with relapsing remitting MS go on to develop secondary progressive MS. In this type of MS, symptoms gradually worsen over time without obvious attacks. Some people continue to have infrequent relapses during this stage. About two-thirds of people with relapsing remitting MS will develop secondary progressive MS. Primary progressive MS Between 1 and 2 in every 10 people with the condition start their MS with a gradual worsening of symptoms. In primary progressive MS, symptoms gradually worsen and accumulate over several years, and there are no periods of remission, though people often have periods where their condition appears to stabilise. What causes multiple sclerosis? MS is an autoimmune condition. This is when something goes wrong with the immune system and it mistakenly attacks a healthy part of the body – in this case, the brain or spinal cord of the nervous system. In MS, the immune system attacks the layer that surrounds and protects the nerves called the myelin sheath. This damages and scars the sheath, and potentially the underlying nerves, meaning that messages travelling along the nerves become slowed or disrupted. Exactly what causes the immune system to act in this way is unclear, but most experts think a combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved. Treatments for multiple sclerosis There's currently no cure for MS, but a number of treatments can help control the condition and ease symptoms. The treatment you need will depend on the specific symptoms and difficulties you have. It may include: treating relapses with short courses of steroid medicine to speed up recovery specific treatments for individual MS symptoms treatment to reduce the number of relapses using medicines called disease-modifying therapies Disease-modifying therapies may also help to slow or reduce the overall worsening of disability in people with a type of MS called relapsing remitting MS, and in some people with types called primary and secondary progressive MS, who have relapses. Unfortunately, there's currently no treatment that can slow the progress of primary progressive MS, or secondary progressive MS, where there are no relapses. Many therapies aiming to treat progressive MS are currently being researched. Living with multiple sclerosis If you have been diagnosed with MS, it's important to take care of your general health. Read more advice about living with MS Outlook MS can be a challenging condition to live with, but new treatments over the past 20 years have considerably improved the quality of life of people with the condition. MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average, and this gap appears to be getting smaller all the time. Charities and support groups for multiple sclerosis There are 2 main MS charities in the UK: MS Society MS Trust These organisations offer useful advice, publications, news items about ongoing research, blogs and chatrooms. They can be very useful if you, or someone you know, has just been diagnosed with MS. There's also the shift.ms website, an online community for younger people affected by MS. Information: Social care and support guide The social care and support guide explains your options and where you can get support if you: need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled, including family members | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis |