Parkinson’s is caused by a loss of dopamine containing nerve cells in the part of the brain that plays an essential role in the co-ordination of movement, and an abnormal build-up of protein in structures called Lewy bodies.
Parkinson’s is caused by a loss of dopamine containing nerve cells in the part of the brain that plays an essential role in the co-ordination of movement, and an abnormal build-up of protein in structures called Lewy bodies.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatments such as prescription medication and physical therapies can help to reduce symptoms.
Males over the age of 50 are most commonly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, however, cases have been diagnosed in people under this age. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s with cases in men being 45% more common than cases in women (source Parkinsons.org).
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:
Parkinsonism in an umbrella term for different conditions which cause the core features which are also seen in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease, specifically, is caused by the loss of specific nerve fibres containing dopamine and an abnormal build-up of protein in structures called Lewy bodies. The other causes of parkinsonism include but are not necessarily limited to:
There is no test that can detect Parkinson’s disease. Healthcare professionals will review an individual’s medial history and symptoms as well as a performing a full physical examination to determine whether their patient has developed Parkinson’s.
Treatment options vary from person to person and will depend on the type of Parkinsonism. Physical therapy, prescription medication, and surgery can all be considered when looking at treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.
A person living with agoraphobia may be triggered when confronted with the idea or requirement to leave their home or ‘safe space’ and enter a large open space or a place with lots of people. For example, if a visit to the doctor is necessary, a person with agoraphobia may feel anxious or panicked at the thought of having to leave the house.
For someone living with agoraphobia, the following symptoms may arise when they have to leave their home or place in which they feel safe.
The signs to look out for that a person is living with agoraphobia include isolation and avoidance of situations and events that involve leaving their own home or safe place. People with agoraphobia are more likely to become isolated from the outside world and their friends and family.
There are many coping techniques to make living with agoraphobia easier. Agoraphobia is a psychological condition for which there isn’t a cure, however, coping techniques and support from healthcare providers can allow a person with agoraphobia to lead a normal life.
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes panic at the thought of entering a large or crowded space. The idea of having to do so causes anxious feelings and panic in sufferers of agoraphobia. Many of the symptoms of agoraphobia are the same as those experienced due to anxiety.
Anorexia is a serious mental health condition. Anorexia nervosa has a higher mortality rate than any other mental health condition. 20% of deaths in those with anorexia nervosa occur as a result of suicide.
Severe malnutrition affects every area and organ of the body. Those living with anorexia may experience muscle wastage, weakening of the bones (osteoporosis), and irregularities with the rhythm and structure of the heart.
Typically, anorexia is treated by way of talking therapies and education to better understand the cause of a person’s condition and how they can recover. However, anti-depressant medications are sometimes prescribed in combination with therapy to treat any underlying anxiety, depression, or social phobia. An important component of treatment is a structured diet programme aimed at increasing nutrition and weight in a safe manner.
It is not known why a person develops anorexia or other eating disorders. However, it is clear that there is a complex relationship between predisposing traits, triggering factors, and recurring negative or positive feedback in relation to habits intended to provide weight loss. Observational research shows people may be predisposed to developing anorexia if:
Exposure to Western media is thought to be a risk factor, with the prevalence of anorexia being highest in North America and Western Europe. It has been shown that where immigrants move into Western-influenced cultures they also experience a higher incidence of anorexia.
High functioning anxiety refers to anxiety symptoms suffered by people who are still able to continue with everyday activities and work, if they so choose. Whilst people who suffer with high functioning anxiety are often confident and outgoing high achievers, they still experience symptoms such as insomnia, overthinking and fear of failure.
There are a variety of techniques you can try to help relieve anxious thoughts. These include calming breathing techniques, focusing the mind, physical exercise, and talking through your feelings with a friend, family member or medical professional.
Everyone is different so it is worth exploring a range of techniques to find what works for the affected individual.
There are many ways you can help someone cope with their anxiety. Suffering with anxiety can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation so knowing how to help someone will certainly be appreciated by the person with anxiety. You could help someone with anxiety by researching treatment options, listening to and reassuring them, be understanding if they cancel or rearrange plans and checking in on them regularly to ensure they’re okay. Not everyone will want to discuss the anxiety they are feeling and if this is the case, respect their decision whilst gently exploring the reason for their decision.
Also known as a panic attack, an anxiety attack is a sudden surge of intense fear which develops in a period of up to 10 minutes. Some of the most common symptoms include sweating, inability to breathe, dizziness, heart palpitations, shaking and chest pain. When experiencing a panic attack, people may feel like they’re going to die, or they’ve lost control of their body therefore the episode is usually extremely distressing and scary.
To calm anxiety at night, introducing a daily routine may help as structure helps to focus the mind and ease stress. Include things such as eating times, sleeping times and exercise into your routine and in time, anxious thoughts at night may ease.
Reducing tech time and increasing time spent on restful activities such as reading and practising mindfulness is also an effective way to calm anxiety at night as this too will help you manage your thoughts.
It can be helpful to keep a journal or diary to try and find a link between certain activities and worsening anxiety.
Anxiety can cause the chest to tighten leading to feelings of hyperventilation or an abnormal shortness of breath. Breathing exercises are an effective way to relieve chest tightness; try taking long deep breaths which involve inhaling through your nose for around 10 seconds and exhaling through your mouth for around 10 seconds.
Another method to reduce anxiety-related chest tightness includes focusing on happy, calming thoughts which take the focus away from the root cause of the panic attack. If someone is experiencing chest tightness for the first time or is having chest pains that are different from the type of pain associated with their anxiety, they should discuss this with a trained healthcare professional.
Arthritis usually develops as the cartilage around your joints begins to wear down. It can be a result of an injury or incorrect use over many years.
Arthritis usually starts with a pain called arthralgia. Arthralgia is the aching or burning sensation that you feel in your joints when you suffer with the condition. It can come on after using the affected area for a long time, for example, if you suffer with arthritis in your knees and you have been for a long walk, you may start to feel the pain that is arthralgia.
Arthritis can look red and swollen and can be more noticeable in some areas like your hands and feet. Joints may look large and swollen.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease, which typically affects the small joints of the hands and feet in a symmetrical fashion, although it may affect any joint. In addition to pain and swelling, it classically results in early morning stiffness. In addition to its effects on the joints it can also affect other bodily systems such as the eyes, lungs or heart.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and tenderness.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects people who also suffer with psoriasis. This is a long-term skin condition that causes painful dry, red, and flaky skin. According to the NHS, almost 1 in 3 people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, and usually develops years after psoriasis has been diagnosed.
Psoriatic arthritis has similar symptoms to other types of arthritis, such as stiff and swollen joints.
Due to the number of joints and bones in your hands, fingers tend to be a very common area of the body to be affected by arthritis and can be extremely painful. Arthritic fingers can be caused by:
You may have arthritis in the hands for all or none of the above reasons. You must see a professional who would take a full health assessment to be able to understand why you have developed arthritis.
The most common parts of the body that suffer from arthritis are:
Signs of autism can be present as young as 12 months when a child is not demonstrating expected developmental progress in specific domains. However, a reliable diagnosis is not normally possible until the child is between two and three years old.
It depends. Autism may be recognised as a disability when it affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. However, many people with autism live independently and may not require additional support.
There is no single treatment approach that is effective for everyone with autism. Support is tailored to the individual and depends on factors such as the nature and severity of symptoms, age, and personal circumstances. A healthcare professional will work with the individual to develop an appropriate support plan where needed.
Where intervention is appropriate, behavioural and talking therapies are typically the mainstay of support. There is no medication that treats autism itself, but some medicines may be prescribed to help manage specific symptoms or related conditions, such as anxiety or sleep difficulties.
The best medicine for lower back pain is the one that works for you. Over the counter treatment might be effective enough for you to continue your daily activities. Other people may need stronger prescription pain relief to manage their pain. Try to manage the way you use medication, such as just before you exercise to enable yourself to stay active.
Staying active is one of the most important ways to treat your lower back pain. Your lower back pain can get worse if you have too much rest.
Exercising regularly and doing lower back pain stretches means you won’t feel back pain as long or as often. It’s also important to stay positive and to try to relax. Your pain can get worse if you have tense muscles due to worrying.
You may wake up with lower back pain if your sleeping position involves twisting or putting pressure on the lower spine. The ideal sleeping position is on your side with a partial bend in the knees. You can put a pillow between your knees to make it more comfortable.
The best mattress for back pain depends on your weight, body shape and sleeping preferences. You need a mattress that is in good condition and doesn’t sag to ensure you have the correct spinal alignment. A medium-firm mattress is generally recommended to help with back pain.
Constipation can cause back pain. Poo can build up in your digestive tract. This increases the pressure in the area. This pressure presses on the muscles and nerves in your lower back.
Faecal impaction can also cause lower back pain. This is when a piece of dry stool can’t pass through your intestine or rectum which leads to pressure in these areas.
If your back pain occurs daily for a long period of time (over 6 weeks) this may be a sign that your back pain could be something more serious. If there is no improvement to back pain after a few weeks, it is important to visit the GP.
If you experience these more serious symptoms of back pain, it is important to seek medical advice:
For most people a specific cause of back pain is not able to be identified. However, it is often assumed to be a musculoskeletal problem due to dysfunction or injury to the spine or supporting muscles. The most common risk factors for developing this type of chronic pain include:
If you experience these more serious symptoms of back pain, it is important to seek urgent medical advice:
Other factors may also be associated with more severe causes of back pain:
Speak to your GP to be diagnosed and referred to specialised support for binge eating disorder, including guided self-help programmes and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Try to self-help by becoming more aware of when a binge is starting and what triggers a binge, this allows the sufferer to address the issues that may be causing them to over-indulge. Avoiding over-restricting on food is also key to helping prevent a cycle of binge eating.
Binge eating disorder can lead to unhealthy weight gain, or even weight loss in some cases where binge eating leads to purging or over-restriction. Common health problems associated with binge eating are digestive problems, heart disease and issues with high blood pressure.
Binge eating is one of the most common eating disorders. Between 1 in 200 and 1 in 40 individuals are believed to develop a binge eating disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Binge eating can affect anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity. People suffering from mental health problems, issues with weight, or obsessive personalities are more likely to experience a binge eating disorder. However, it is not clear whether these are causative of a binge eating disorder or a result of binge eating. It is more than likely that there is a bidirectional relationship, whereby the presence of a binge eating disorder can exacerbate these conditions and they can in turn exacerbate a binge eating disorder.
Most individuals with breast cancer do not experience breast pain. The most common symptoms for people who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer are a breast lump, nipple discharge, and skin thickening or discolouration. However, if you are experiencing any new breast symptoms, including pain, it is important that these are assessed by an appropriately trained health professional to identify the cause.
There are many different causes of breast pain. These include cyclical and non-cyclical mastalgia. In cyclical mastalgia breast pain or tenderness changes in response to fluctuating hormones during the menstrual cycle. The exact reason some women experience this, whereas others do not is not well known. Non-cyclical mastalgia, meanwhile, is not tied to the menstrual cycle and can be caused by a range of conditions, trauma, or medications.
Some breast cysts are painful, whereas others are not. The pain associated with breast cysts are normally related to periods of rapid growth or fluctuation in size during the menstrual cycle.
While pain alone is not typically a sign of breast cancer, however new breast pain or pain that does not respond to first-line therapies may be a sign of cancer. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and diagnosis if you have concerns.
Breast pain is a common symptom of menopause and can occur in one or both breasts. It can feel like tenderness, soreness, burning, or a stabbing, sharp, or throbbing pain. Breast pain during menopause is usually caused by hormonal changes, such as fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes can affect the breast tissue and cause pain. Breast pain should improve once menstruation stops. For many women who experience cyclical mastalgia, the menopause can help provide relief from breast pain.
Repeated self-induced vomiting can lead to weaker teeth and dry mouth. Bulimia suffers teeth can chip easily, feel more brittle than usual, and develop cavities.
Over time bulimia can lead to physical problems, due to a lack of nutrients and/or the impact of frequent vomiting. Dehydration, dental problems and heart complications are some of the main health risks for those suffering from bulimia.
There are different ways you can help support someone with bulimia, but the key is to ensure you are always there for them to turn to for help.
Bulimia is a serious mental health condition and causes affected individuals significant distress. In addition to the mental burden, bulimia can have a significant impact on physical health, as well as relationships with friends and family. This is why it is important to try and seek treatment as early as possible, in addition to the fact that treatments tend to be more successful if started earlier in the process.
Loss of appetite can be as a result of the pain and stress that cancer-sufferers experience, as well as a side effect of cancer treatment.
Loss of appetite can occur at any stage of cancer, but is more common in people with more advanced cancer. Loss of appetite is more common in certain cancer types compared to others. For a cancer patient with a new reduction in appetite it is important to have this evaluated by a doctor to help guide ongoing care.
Appetite loss is common among people suffering from cancer, but this can vary depending on the type of cancer. Ovarian, lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancers are just some of the more common cancer types to cause loss of appetite.
Cancer lumps are usually painless although if the lump is applying pressure to nerves, people may experience nerve pain such as burning or tingling underneath the skin.
Pain is a common symptom of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer pain is usually felt in the abdominal or abdomen and often feels like bloating, persistent indigestion, or general discomfort.
Liver cancer may be painful with symptoms including nausea and vomiting as well as pain at the top of the abdomen or near the right shoulder. Liver cancer pain in the abdomen and shoulder is often caused by the enlarged liver applying pressure to the capsule surrounding the liver or other nearby organs.
Besides medication, there are other things that can be done to help cope with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting:
Vomiting and nausea can happen within minutes or hours after treatment and commonly occurs within the first 24 hours. However, many individuals are also affected by delayed onset, which refers to nausea and vomiting that starts between 1 – 5 days after administration of chemotherapy. The peak of intensity normally subsides after 3 or more days.
Vomiting and nausea can last for several days or weeks after treatment.
Chronic pain can be cured in some people, depending on the cause and the treatments available for their condition.
In cases where chronic pain cannot be cured, it can be managed. There are many ways to relieve chronic pain, so you can live life the way you want to.
There are a lot of healthcare professionals and scientists around the world that research chronic pain to find new and effective chronic pain treatments.
The best way to find out how to support someone with chronic pain is simply to ask them what they need help with. Each person with chronic pain is an individual, with needs as unique as they are.
Here are some ways that you can support someone with chronic pain:
Pain is classed as chronic when you have pain that lasts longer than three months.
This does not mean that you should wait to see a doctor if you are in pain. If your pain has not gone away after an injury or is getting worse then you should get medical attention.
You can manage your chronic pain naturally, which means without taking medications or having medical interventions. As with all chronic pain treatments and management techniques, what may work for you may not work for someone else.
Here are some suggestions on how you can manage chronic pain naturally:
You can also try keeping a chronic pain journal to keep track of:
To help you sleep when you have chronic pain, you can try:
If you find it difficult to sleep throughout the night and wake up every few hours, you may want to consider seeing a specialist doctor. A pain clinic can offer you advice and chronic pain treatment options.
There’s some evidence that chronic pain can be hereditary. This means it’s caused by genes that you get through your parents and there’s a higher chance that you’ll have chronic pain at some point in your life.
One condition which might cause hereditary chronic pain is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often experienced as widespread body pain with other symptoms, such as tiredness and concentration problems. Having a close relative with fibromyalgia makes it more likely that you’ll have it and get chronic pain as a result.
There is less evidence for other chronic pain conditions being hereditary at the moment, but more research is being done by scientists to find out more.
Some painkillers are available without a prescription, and these are called over the counter (OTC) painkillers you can get from a pharmacy.
Over the counter painkillers for chronic pain include:
A pharmacist will be able to advise you on which over the counter painkiller is right for your chronic pain. If you need to use OTC painkillers regularly or find that they’re no longer helpful, you should see your doctor for advice and to get different medicines.
You can see a doctor that specialises in treating chronic pain or try going to a pain clinic for chronic pain treatment.
Acupuncture is a chronic pain treatment that is recommended in the NICE chronic pain guidelines. With acupuncture, very fine thin needles are placed in specific places in the skin to relax muscles and stimulate nerves to relieve chronic pain.
Acupuncture can give you short or long-term pain relief depending on the type of chronic pain you are treating. You may need to get acupuncture more than once for it to be an effective chronic pain treatment. Normally, you’ll have one or two sessions of acupuncture per week for a few months.
It’s important to make sure you get acupuncture treatment for chronic pain from a qualified healthcare professional, so we recommend that you get acupuncture at a pain clinic or with a certified physiotherapist.
Cognitive therapy is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It’s also known as psychotherapy or a talking therapy. The NICE chronic pain guidelines recommend both CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as effective chronic pain treatments.
Pain clinics are likely to have a psychologist, therapist, or trained counsellor as part of their team to provide cognitive therapy for chronic pain.
With psychological therapies, you need to try them for a while to see if they’ll work for you. You might find some of the techniques you learn through ACT or CBT are helpful and an effective way to treat chronic pain long term.
Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment of chronic pain. Officially, the NICE chronic pain guidelines recommend physiotherapy and physical activity as chronic pain treatments.
Many pain clinics have physiotherapists as team members. They can help you manage your chronic pain in several ways, such as:
The NICE chronic pain guidelines advise that exercise programs and physical activity are a core part of managing chronic pain. Physiotherapists are experts in helping suggest which activities and exercises can help you with your specific chronic pain needs.
Cluster headache is characterised by excruciating attacks of pain in the head, usually on one side of the head around the eye or temple.
There is no evidence of cluster headache being life-threatening, however, they are excruciatingly painful and can cause disorientation and irrational behaviour due to the severity of the pain.
You will experience agonising pain, usually in one side of the head that lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. Unlike other headaches, the pain from a cluster headache is reported to be unbearable and cannot be relieved using over-the-counter medications.
There are a few treatment options to relieve cluster headaches at home, these are:
Drinking water during a cluster headache is not known to directly relieve symptoms.
Remission from cluster headache is normal and can last months or even years. Some people report having experienced one bout of cluster headaches without recurrence, other sufferers experience them daily in bouts that last for weeks or months at a time before they go back into remission. Recurrences and periods of remission vary from person to person.
A cluster headache attack typically lasts between 15 and 180 minutes.
For many individuals the symptoms may completely resolve or improve within the first year of the condition. There is currently no cure for complex regional pain syndrome but treatment can help manage and support patients suffering with CRPS symptoms. The evidence for treatments in CRPS is poor, however physiotherapy has been suggested as providing a likely improvement in pain and function.
CRPS is commonly triggered by trauma to a nerve or an injury that has impacted a limb and damaged the sensory nerves.
The first stage of complex regional pain syndrome can last from 1 to 3 months, this is when symptoms such as aching, pain, and skin sensitivity occur. The second stage can last from 3 to 6 months, which is when the symptoms progress and the pain often becomes more intense.
The disease itself is not fatal, however, complications from Crohn’s can lead to life-threatening ailments if left untreated. It is therefore very important to establish a treatment plan with a specialist upon diagnosis and to ensure that any individual has regular endoscopies and clinical follow-up.
Rather than being directly hereditary from a parent, Crohn’s disease has some genetic inheritance. This means that the disease could be in your genes as opposed to having been passed down through generations. If you have a close family member (parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc) with Crohn’s, you are more likely to develop the disease, but not everybody with Crohn’s disease in a first-degree relative will also get Crohn’s disease.
The main 5 symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
A specialist will test for Crohn’s disease in one or more of the following ways:
The symptoms of Crohn’s can be debilitating, exhausting and painful. It is a lifelong disease that, if not treated/managed, can result in several serious illnesses and/or complications. Whilst the disease itself is not considered life-threatening, complications from untreated Crohn’s can be, so it is a serious disease requiring appropriate attention.
The exact cause is unknown, research is ongoing to establish whether there is one main cause of Crohn’s. Suspected causes of Crohn’s disease include:
Booking an appointment with a GP is often the first step to gain support from eating disorder specialists if necessary. Providing a supportive, non-judgemental environment before and after diagnosis is important in helping a person to realise they have an eating disorder and to undertake treatment.
A GP may also be able to recommend self-help techniques at home for people who need help, but don’t need to see a specialist.
An eating disorder can completely impact the life of the person suffering as well as those around them. Those with eating disorders can struggle to concentrate on anything other than food, it can completely consume their mind and take over day-to-day life.
Eating disorders can trigger physical health problems. These are often due to low body weight itself or imbalances/deficiencies in key electrolytes or nutrients.
It is not known why a person develops an eating disorder. However, there is a complex relationship between predisposing traits, triggering factors, and recurring negative or positive feedback in relation to habits intended to provide weight loss. Observational research shows people may be predisposed to developing eating disorders if:
The life expectancy of any individuals depends on the type of EDS. The average life expectancy can be as low as 48 years old in those with vascular EDS, due to the risk of developing an aneurysm or other complication of major blood vessels. More than 25% of those diagnosed with vascular EDS have experienced a medical complication of the condition by the age of 20. More than 80% have experienced a complication by the age of 40. In other types of EDS the average life expectancy is higher, however, they are still at risk of complications for their condition, impacting quality of life, such as joint dislocation and chronic pain.
Different types of EDS can be more serious than others. Depending on the severity, EDS can cause problems with your blood vessels which can potentially lead to ruptures that can be fatal.
Being ‘double-jointed’ is a term that peoiple may use casually to mean their joints can move beyond a typical range. Many people with flexible joints have no problems at all. Hypermobility spectrum disorder is diagnosed when joint flexibility is accompanied by symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or frequent injuries that affect daily life.
Joint flexibility often decreases naturally with age. However, for people with HSD or hEDS, symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and joint problems may persist or change over time. Some people find that their symptoms improve with appropriate management, while others may experience different challenges at different life stages.
Yes, children can have HSD or hEDS. Joint hypermobility is common in childhood and often decreases with age. When a child experiences persistent pain, fatigue, or other symptoms alongside hypermobility, assessment by a healthcare professional familiar with these conditions may be helpful.
Endometriosis is a common condition, affecting around 1 in 10 people with a female reproductive system. For some, symptoms may be mild or manageable, and a person may not even realise they have the condition. However, for others, endometriosis can be a serious and long-term condition that causes significant pain, heavy bleeding, and complications affecting nearby organs. In some cases, this can lead to the need for medical or surgical intervention.
People describe endometriosis pain in different ways. For some, it feels like severe period cramps that can make movement difficult. Others experience sharp or stabbing sensations, a constant dull ache, or pain that radiates into the back or legs. Pain may occur during periods, but it can also happen at other times in the cycle, depending on where the tissue is growing.
Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow in places it shouldn’t, such as the pelvis or abdomen. This tissue can respond to hormonal changes, which may lead to inflammation, irritation of nearby nerves, and the development of scar tissue. These processes can contribute to symptoms such as pelvic pain, heavy periods, bowel or bladder discomfort, fatigue, and pain during sex.
Epilepsy can have different causes. For some people, the cause is unknown. In others, epilepsy may develop due to changes or damage in the brain – for example from a stroke, head injury, brain infection, tumour, or lack of oxygen at birth. Epilepsy can also run in families, as certain types have a genetic link.
Not all who have epilepsy will consider themselves disabled, however. The severity and frequency of the seizures, and the impact they have on a person’s life will likely determine how they view their condition.
Medical cannabis products prescribed for epilepsy have the same overall aim as other anti-seizure medicines: to help reduce seizure frequency. One medicine, Epidyolex®, is licensed for use in the UK but NHS prescriptions tend to be rare.
In private clinics, specialists may consider unlicensed medical cannabis for epilepsy when other treatments have not worked or have caused unwanted side effects. These decisions are made on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, which often affects individuals for the rest of their lives following onset. However, with adherence to tailored treatment plans most people should expect to see improvements over time. It is completely normal for the symptoms of fibromyalgia to fluctuate and improve or get worse over time, despite the initiation of the most appropriate treatment plan.
You cannot test for fibromyalgia; it does not show up in scans or blood tests. However, it may be necessary to conduct further tests to diagnose fibromyalgia by ruling out other common causes of similar symptoms.
The two most common symptoms are pain felt throughout the whole body that has lasted 3 months or longer and an increased sensitivity to pain, but fibromyalgia isn’t just a painful condition, and individuals may be affected by a broad range of symptoms.
The triggers for fibromyalgia vary between individuals. The most common causes of a fibromyalgia flare-up are physical and/or emotional stress, weather changes, hormonal fluctuations, diet, and poor sleep. It may be helpful for some people to keep a symptom diary to see if any individual triggers cause worsening of symptoms so they can be minimised if possible.
If you are unable to get to sleep or wake during the night, there are a few steps you can take to help deal with your insomnia by helping you fall back to sleep:
Insomnia can have a detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life, often resulting in the constant feeling of exhaustion as well as difficulty concentrating for a long period of time. Making others aware of your condition may help you to cope with your insomnia diagnosis by improving relationships as people become more understanding if you behave out of character. Speaking to friends, colleagues and employees can also help so you don’t feel quite so alone and others can support and facilitate your needs as best they can.
Everybody is different, but on average, adults should sleep for 7 to 9 hours per day, children should sleep for 9 to 13 hours per day and toddlers and babies should sleep for 12 to 17 hours per day. If you regularly feel tired throughout the day, you’re likely sleep deprived and need to increase the number of hours you sleep in a day.
Tension-type headaches are typically felt as a band of pain across the forehead rather than on one side of the head. Migraine pain is typically more severe than a tension-type headache, however this is not always the case. Additional symptoms such as feeling and/or being sick, increased sensitivity to light and sound and a drop in concentration levels are also indicative of a migraine as opposed to a standard headache.
Migraine aura are warning signals experienced prior to a migraine attack. They may occur with or without the subsequent pain of a migraine headache. These may include:
The length of a migraine will vary from person to person. Without taking any medication a migraine may last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Painkillers are recommended at the very first signs of a migraine to reduce the symptoms and severity of an attack.
There are multiple possible triggers of migraine, it is different for every sufferer. These include everything from physical excursion to hormone changes, excessive light/noise to an extreme drop in temperature. The best way to pinpoint the cause of an individual’s migraine attacks is by way of keeping a diary of each occurrence of a migraine. By doing so, a pattern will emerge, and migraine triggers can be avoided by the individual.
The type of medication will depend upon the underlying cause of the nerve pain. It may be that people have to try a number of medications to find the most appropriate regime for them. Alternatively, some patients may not require medications at all. Many people, even if they don’t require medications, find benefit from physiotherapy and talking therapies.
Neuropathic pain is pain caused because of nerve damage or the nervous system not functioning correctly resulting in pain signals being sent to the pain centres in the brain. Sometimes the cause of the neuropathic pain is not clear. This is known as idiopathic neuropathic pain.
Over-the-counter painkillers seldom offer relief for neuropathic pain. However, some patients may not require medications at all depending on the severity of the pain. The best medication to start with will depend upon the underlying cause of the nerve pain. It may be that people have to try a number of medications to find the most appropriate regime for them. Many people, even if they don’t require medications, find benefit from physiotherapy and talking therapies.
Foot numbness in itself does not present a risk to life, but the underlying cause should be established as soon as possible. Foot numbness is not normal and could be a symptom of something serious. For people with foot numbness, it is important that they have regular foot care and wear well-fitting shoes to reduce the likelihood of developing ulcers as numbness predisposes to problems such as ulcers.
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage affecting the nerves outside of the central nervous system. Common symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy include neuropathic pain, numbness and weakness.
Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a type of OCD. It involves constant doubts, anxieties, and intrusive thoughts about your romantic relationship. People with ROCD may excessively analyse their feelings or their partner’s behaviour. This can lead to persistent doubt and distress. Professional help can support managing these symptoms.
OCD is considered a mental health condition. It may be classed as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This applies if the condition has a significant impact on daily life. The impact must have lasted longer than 12 months.
Several factors can worsen OCD symptoms. These include stress, anxiety, or trauma. Lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns may also play a role. Major life changes or transitions can trigger flare-ups. Untreated mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety disorders, can also affect severity. If you are struggling, seeking professional help is important.
Evidence suggests that OCD has a genetic component. It can run in families. However, genetics alone do not determine whether someone develops OCD. Environmental factors and individual experiences also play a significant role.
Whilst OCD is commonly associated with increased anxiety it is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder. It is characterised by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviours (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. Treatment often involves therapy and medication to manage anxiety and reduce symptoms.
There are several forms of palliative care that can be provided to patients with various medical conditions. Some common treatments include pain management, symptom control, emotional support, and spiritual care.
The duration of palliative care varies depending on the specific conditions and needs of the patient. Palliative care can be provided for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the prognosis and progression of the illness. The focus of palliative care is to improve the patient’s quality of life and manage symptoms, regardless of the length of time required.
PTSD may be considered as a disability if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12 months and has an impact on normal daily activities, such as those you may need to do at home, work, or at school.
The most common symptoms of PTSD are intrusive symptoms, whereby an individual re-experiences aspects of the traumatic event in a distressing way. These could occur as flashbacks or night terrors. People may also feel ‘on edge’, leading to irritability, difficulty concentrating and poor sleep. In addition, people with PTSD commonly experience low mood.
Whilst most people who access appropriate treatment experience an improvement in symptoms, more than a third of individuals will have symptoms that never go into remission. The average duration of symptoms for people who receive treatment is three years, whilst those who are untreated, on average, are affected for 5 or more years.
As with many mental health conditions, if PTSD is left untreated, it is more likely that the individual is going to be affected by their symptoms for a longer period of time. The average duration of symptoms for people who receive treatment is three years, whilst those who are untreated, on average, are affected for 5 or more years.
The duration of sciatica can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause and individual factors. In most cases, acute sciatica may last for a few weeks to a couple of months. However, some individuals may experience chronic sciatica that lasts for several months or years.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the specific cause of sciatica and develop a personalised treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and promote healing.
There are certain positions for sleeping which are less likely to cause you pain if you have sciatica. It’s better to sleep in positions which maintain the natural alignment of your spine. Lying on your side may reduce the pain by taking the pressure off the irritated nerve. If possible, avoid sleeping on your stomach and twisting your spine or hips.
Put a small cushion between your knees if you’re sleeping on your side. If you’re lying on your back, put several pillows underneath your knees. These will help take the pressure off your lower back.
There are several factors which can cause sciatica to flare up, including:
Wearing tight fitting clothes and high heels can also irritate the sciatic nerve leading to pain.
Tourette’s syndrome likely has a genetic component as studies have shown that there is a higher risk of developing the condition if a family member also has it. However, the exact inheritance patterns of Tourette’s syndrome are still not fully understood. It is thought to be a complex genetic interplay involving multiple genes, as well as environmental factors.
Yes, people can develop Tourette’s syndrome in adulthood. The exact cause of Tourette’s is unknown, but research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role in its development. Symptoms usually start in childhood and may change in severity over time, but symptoms can develop during adulthood too. It is important to note that not everyone who develops tics has Tourette’s; some may have transient tic disorder or another tic disorder. A medical evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary to diagnose Tourette’s or any other tic disorder.
Yes, it is possible to have tics without having Tourette’s syndrome. Tics are sudden, repetitive muscle movements or vocalisations, and they can occur in various conditions, such as transient tic disorder, chronic motor tic disorder, or chronic vocal tic disorder. These tic disorders involve the presence of either motor or vocal tics, but they do not meet all the diagnostic criteria for Tourette’s syndrome. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of tics.
Tourette’s syndrome varies greatly in its progression and severity from person to person. While there is no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, it is possible for symptoms to improve or even disappear over time. Many individuals experience a decrease in tic severity during adolescence and adulthood, and some may achieve long periods of tic remission. However, it is important to note that Tourette’s syndrome is a chronic condition, and tics can fluctuate in frequency and intensity throughout a person’s life. Ongoing management and support can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with Tourette’s syndrome.
Yes, Tourette’s syndrome may be considered a disability depending on its impact on an individual. The tics can range from mild to severe and can significantly impact an individual’s daily functioning, including their ability to communicate, interact with others, and participate in various activities. Many individuals with Tourette’s syndrome still lead fulfilling lives with appropriate support and accommodations.
The bleeding in acute ulcerative colitis is due to inflammation. Bleeding due to acute ulcerative colitis requires specialist management and depending on the severity will likely require treatment within an emergency department or as a hospital inpatient. The type of treatment will depend on the severity of the condition at that time.
It is possible to also experience rectal bleeding when ulcerative colitis is in remission. It is still important to seek appropriate healthcare to make sure it is adequately investigated to ensure the right treatment is administered.
Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon. There can be many conditions that cause this, such as infections or lack of blood flow to the bowel. Ulcerative colitis is a specific cause of colitis. The gold-standard method to distinguish ulcerative colitis from other types of colitis is by using an endoscope to take biopsies from the large bowel.
There is little evidence to suggest any specific foods cause ulcerative colitis. However, the diet of an individual with ulcerative colitis may need to be modified as they are at increased risk of malnutrition. In addition, additional advice may be required when planning pregnancy or if they are affected by a complication, such as a colonic stricture. It is important that any changes are made with the oversight of a trained professional to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition from their diet.