Health, according to the World Health Organization, is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”.[1] A variety of definitions have been used for different purposes over time. Health can be promoted by encouraging healthful activities, such as regular physical exercise and adequate sleep,[2] and by reducing or avoiding unhealthful activities or situations, such as smoking or excessive stress. Some factors affecting health are due to individual choices, such as whether to engage in a high-risk behavior, while others are due to structural causes, such as whether the society is arranged in a way that makes it easier or harder for people to get necessary healthcare services. Still, other factors are beyond both individual and group choices, such as genetic disorders.
If you fall ill while travelling, it’s important to follow certain steps to make sure you recover as quickly as possible so that you can continue your journey or return home. Here are some basic steps: 1. Contact a medical professional: If you feel very unwell or if your symptoms are severe, the best thing …
Cholesterol and what does it mean? Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) with many important functions. It is essential for the normal functioning of the body and is a component of cell membranes, involved in hormone production and vitamin D metabolism. There are 2 main sources of cholesterol in the blood: dietary cholesterol cholesterol …
Rashes on the skin can be caused by a variety of factors, including allergies, infections, irritants, and underlying medical conditions. Some common causes of skin rashes include: Allergic reactions: Allergies to foods, medications, or environmental factors like pollen, pet dander, or insect bites can cause skin rashes. Infections: Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can all …
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, otherwise known as cyanocobalamin. It is stored in the liver and is needed for the formation of DNA and the production of energy in our cells [1]. Where is it available and is it only vegetarians who lack it Vitamin B12 deficiency causes …
Dyslipidaemia, hyperlipidaemia, ‘bad’ cholesterol, ‘high’ cholesterol and heart attacks – what do they have in common? You often hear saying – “I have high cholesterol”, “they found a lot of cholesterol in me”. But when it comes to cholesterol, it’s the numbers that count – not just the high or low… Dyslipidaemia. Types of cholesterol: …
Hunger – diet and grelin. What is a grelin? Ghrelin is a hormone discovered in 1999 that is mainly produced and secreted by the stomach, with small amounts also secreted by the small intestine and pancreas. Grelin has many functions. It is known as the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates appetite, increases food intake and …
Why ferritin testing is so important. Often, your family doctor may suggest a ferritin test if they suspect anaemia. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. It is an iron depot that is stored in the body’s cells and makes itself available for use when there is a shortage of iron. The ferritin test therefore …
Microbiome – microbiota and how microorganisms control… The father of microbiology, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who studied a wide range of bacteria, fungi and protozoa, would now be delighted to see advances in microbiological science. A succession of discoveries and research over these decades has proved and reversed the previous notion that micro-organisms exist as single …
Microbiome, microbiota and how microorganisms control… Read More »
9 tips to relieve a sore throat. The most common causes of sore throats are viruses and bacteria. The viruses can be different – Covid-19, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, varicella, adenoviruses. Bacteria – usually streptococcus. Throat pain is often accompanied by painful swallowing, enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck, fever and runny nose. 9 …
Sore throat? 9 tips to relieve a sore throat. Causes of sore throat Read More »
Gastrooesophageal reflux – a common problem, where the contents of the stomach flow into the oesophagus. The oesophagus is not adapted to receive such an acidic “gift”, so we often experience a range of unpleasant symptoms. From the beginning The stomach produces about 2.5 litres of gastric juice a day, and two ducts – the …
