Category: Health

Find out about positron emission tomography (PET) scans and how these three-dimensional images of the inside of the body can be used. Overview Positron emission tomography (PET) scans produce detailed 3-dimensional images of the inside of the body. The images can clearly show the part of the body being investigated, including any abnormal areas, and can highlight how well […]

Read about orf, a viral skin disease that can be spread to humans by handling infected sheep and goats. Overview Orf is a viral skin disease that can be spread to humans by handling infected sheep and goats. The disease – caused by a parapoxvirus – is also known as: contagious ecthyma contagious pustular dermatitis scabby mouth SYMPTOMS OF […]

Read more about oral thrush, which is usually harmless. It’s common in babies and older people with dentures. It can be easily treated with medicines prescribed by a GP. Overview Oral thrush is usually harmless. It’s common in babies and older people with dentures. It can be easily treated with medicines bought from a pharmacy. […]

Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby’s oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). Overview Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby’s oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). The upper part of the oesophagus doesn’t connect […]

Read about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a widely used medicine for relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and bringing down a high temperature (fever). Overview Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature. They’re often used to relieve symptoms of headaches, painful periods, sprains and strains, colds and flu, arthritis, and other causes […]

Find out about the different types of screening offered by the NHS in England. Overview Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions. This page gives an overview of […]

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. Overview WHAT IS AN NHS HEALTH CHECK? The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As […]

Find out what MRSA is, how you get it, what the symptoms are, and how it’s treated. Overview MRSA is a type of bacteria that’s resistant to several widely used antibiotics. This means infections with MRSA can be harder to treat than other bacterial infections. The full name of MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. You might have heard it […]

Ménière’s disease is a rare disorder that affects the inner ear. It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear. Overview Ménière’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes sudden attacks of: feeling like the room is spinning around you (vertigo) a ringing noise inside the ear (tinnitus) […]

MCADD is a rare genetic condition where a person has problems breaking down fat for energy. Read about the symptoms, causes and outlook. Overview MCADD is a rare genetic condition where a person has problems breaking down fat to use as an energy source. This means that someone with MCADD can become very ill if their […]