Content Library

A guide through normal pregnancy

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, with different stages in each.

A guide to healthy eating in infants

From the moment your baby is born, they no longer receive nutrients through the umbilical cord.

Abdominal pain in children

There are many causes of abdominal pain in children, some are not serious and usually pass on their own. Others may need urgent medical attention.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that causes outbreaks of pimples and cysts, mainly on the face, back, arms and chest.

ADHD

ADHD is a developmental condition that can make it difficult for a person to concentrate and control their behaviour

Alopecia (hair loss)

Alopecia, or hair loss, is characterised by a noticeable shedding, thinning or breaking of the hair.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking, language and behaviour.

Anal fissure

An anal fissure is a small tear or open sore in the lining of the rectum.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a very severe form of allergic reaction; it can be the result of exposure to an allergen, such as peanuts or eggs.

Anger management

Anger management is a range of steps and processes that can help someone to manage and reduce their anger.

Angina

Angina refers to a feeling of pressure, tightness or pain in the chest which occurs when there is poor blood flow to the heart muscle. 

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis in which the joints of the spine become inflamed.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health and eating disorder in which a person has a distorted body image and a strong fear of gaining weight.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds in the body that neutralise excess free radicals, a type of unstable molecule that can cause cell damage.

Antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health disorder that can make it difficult for a person to understand or have empathy for other people.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix, a tube-shaped sac located at the beginning of the large bowel.

Arthritis

Arthritis refers to inflammation of joints and may be due to a joint condition, an infection or an autoimmune condition.

Arthritis in children (juvenile arthritis)

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, leading to pain and difficulty moving the joint.

Asthma

Asthma is a common respiratory condition where irritants trigger the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, making breathing difficult.

Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot (Tinea) is a fungal infection that causes itchy blisters which usually occur between the toes.

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregularity in the heart’s rhythm that causes several potential complications with serious consequences.

Autism

Autism refers to a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that falls within a spectrum of similar disorders.

Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)

Avascular necrosis describes the death of bone tissue that occurs when the blood supply to an area of bone is cut off.

Back pain

Back pain is a common symptom of different underlying conditions such as arthritis and muscular sprains.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria normally found in the vagina.

Baker’s cyst

Baker’s cyst is an abnormal swelling at the back of the knee due to a build-up of a fluid-filled sac.

Barrett’s oesophagus

Barrett’s oesophagus occurs when the cells lining the oesophagus change due to damage from acid reflux.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is cancer that starts in the skin’s basal cells, usually due to damage from UV light (sunlight).

Becoming a father

Becoming a father isn’t just about having children or just being there for them.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on blood found on mattresses, bedding and other soft furniture.

Bedwetting

Bedwetting is a common condition where toilet-trained children accidentally urinate during their sleep.

Bell’s palsy

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness, drooping or paralysis of muscles, usually only on one side of the face.

Benign protostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate gland, which is common in older men.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that is characterised by extreme mood swings, ranging from feeling high to very low and helpless.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the name for cancers that arise in the tissues of the bladder.

Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder that can make it difficult for people to control their behavior and emotions.

Botulinum toxin injection

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is a potent substance derived from bacteria.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer or colorectal cancer is the name for cancers that arise in the large intestine or rectum.

Bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction occurs when a complete or partial blockage of your bowel stops liquids, solids and gas passing through your small or large intestine. 

Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure involving the insertion of implants behind the breast tissue to change the shape or size of the breasts. 

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the name for cancers that develop in breast tissue.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and baby, from improved immunity for baby, to closer bonding for both.

Breastmilk engorgement

Breast engorgement is when too much breastmilk is produced, making your breasts feel heavy and uncomfortable.

Breath-holding

When upset or alarmed, some children involuntarily hold their breath, occasionally until they faint.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease in which the airways (bronchi) become damaged and scarred by repeated lung infections.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects infants under 12 months of age.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common condition that occurs when the lungs become inflamed. It causes coughing and difficult breathing.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder causing individuals to binge eat.

Bullying

Bullying is the use of power by a person or group of people to intentionally cause physical or psychological harm to others.

Bunions

A bunion forms when the big toe changes its normal alignment, so that it points inwards towards the second toe.

Bursitis

Bursitis is swelling and irritation of your bursa, a small sac filled with synovial fluid that helps reduce friction.

Caesarean section

A caesarean section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby.

Cancer

Cancer occurs when damage to DNA in cells causes them to multiply in an uncontrolled way.

Carcinoid syndrome

Carcinoid syndrome describes a set of symptoms caused by a carcinoid tumour that secretes various naturally-occurring chemicals.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers and hands.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside the eye, often developing slowly, but can eventually lead to vision problems.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin, usually occurring from a break in the skin, such as a cut, sore, scratch or burn.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect how a person moves and controls their muscles.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the name for cancers that form in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus where it meets the vagina.

Cervical dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia is when abnormal changes occur in the cells of a woman’s cervix.

Cervical radiculopathy

In cervical radiculopathy, a nerve in your neck (the cervical spine) becomes pinched.

Chest pain

Chest pain has many causes, ranging from muscle strain to more serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a common, contagious childhood illness, caused by the varicella virus, which causes a distinctive, itchy rash.

Childhood immunisations

Childhood immunisations help protect infants and children against a variety of diseases.

Childhood obesity

Carrying excess body fat can have a range of serious consequences for children’s health, particularly in their future.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually-transmitted infection (STI).

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea.

Cholestasis of pregnancy

Cholestasis is a condition in which the flow of bile from a pregnant woman’s liver is slowed, causing a build-up of bile acids in the bloodstream.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex condition that affects the whole body with physical and mental changes.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic renal failure, also known as chronic kidney disease, is the gradual decline and failure of the kidneys.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, covers conditions affecting the lungs.

Chronic pain

Most pain associated with an illness, injury or surgery goes away within a few months of its onset.

Cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions in which the two sides of a baby’s top lip or roof of the mouth do not join up during foetal development.

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is diagnosed when the body’s immune system responds inappropriately to gluten, a protein found in wheat.

Cold exposure (hypothermia)

Exposure to cold temperatures, especially for prolonged periods of time, may lead to several health conditions.

Cold sores

Cold sores are small blisters that usually form inside and around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Common childhood illnesses

Children’s developing immune systems predispose them to getting more infections than adults.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also called ‘pink eye’, is an inflammation of the outer layer of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.

Constipation

Constipation is a common condition, in which bowel movements are not regular and stools become difficult to pass.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritant or something that induces an allergic reaction.

Contraception

There are many ways to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, such as condoms, oral contraceptives and diaphragms.

Conversion disorder

Conversion disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms that have no physical cause.

Cosmetic dentistry

There are many reasons why a person may want to improve the appearance of their smile, such as having missing, stained or damaged teeth.

Costochronditis

Costochondritis is pain associated with inflammation of joints in the rib cage where cartilage meets the bone of the ribs or the breastbone.

Cough

Coughing is your body’s way of getting rid of any foreign material or mucus in your lungs.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel condition that mainly affects the intestines.

Croup

Croup is a common childhood condition characterised by a barking cough and noisy breathing.

Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare condition in which the body has too much of the hormone cortisol.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein, usually in the legs.

Dehydration in children

Dehydration in children is common, as they need proportionally larger volumes of water to maintain a healthy fluid level. 

Dementia

Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by disorders of the brain that cause damage and death to brain neurons.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is an infectious viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Dental care for babies and young children

It is recommended that you clean your baby’s teeth daily, as soon as the first teeth appear in their mouth.

Dental implants

Dental implants are commonly used by dentists to treat missing teeth.

Dentures

Missing teeth often cause difficulties with chewing and speaking and can affect the appearance of your smile.

Depression

Depression is a condition that causes a person to feel sad or miserable most of the time. 

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a cosmetic technique for improving the look of the skin.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a range of conditions in which the development of the hip in an infant does not occur normally.

Developmental milestones

Developmental milestones are skills and behaviours seen in young children as they develop, such as crawling, walking and talking.

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is caused by a chemical imbalance that hinders the body’s ability to control its fluids.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition caused by a build-up of waste products called ketones in the blood.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a common digestive complaint that involves frequent, urgent, and watery bowel movements.

Diet and pregnancy

During pregnancy, you need to make sure both you and your baby get all the nutrients you need.

Diet for hair, skin and nails

With a healthy, balanced diet, you can improve the health of your hair, skin and nails.

Dietary fats

Dietary fat is an important nutrient and an essential part of your diet.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that may cause a fever, breathing difficulties and swollen lymph nodes.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is where abnormal pouches form in the wall of the large intestines and become infected.

Down syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes physical, developmental and intellectual impairment.

Dyslipidemia (high blood fats)

Dyslipidemia is an imbalance of the amount of fats or lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, detected in the blood.

Earache

Earache is most common in children up until the first year of school.

Earwax

Earwax is an oily substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It is important for protecting the ear canal.

Ebola

Ebola is an infectious viral disease which spreads through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo begins to develop at a site other than within the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube.

Eczema

Eczema is a common skin condition characterised by red, dry and scaly skin.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that affects many women causing severe gripping pain in the lower abdomen and back, especially during a woman’s period.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that causes repeated seizures due to abnormal signalling between nerve cells in the brain.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is when a man has difficulty having an erection.

Fad diets

Fad diets are weight-loss diets that promise fast results and often do not provide any scientific basis.

Failure to thrive

Failure to thrive occurs when an infant or young child consistently fails to grow and gain weight at the rate expected for their age and gender.

Febrile convulsions

Febrile convulsions in children are fits or seizures that are associated with a fever.

Female pattern hair loss

Female pattern hair loss affects nearly all women to some degree occurring at the onset of menopause.

Fertility

Fertility is the ability to have a baby. This requires sperm from a man to fertilise an egg from a woman.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common condition that causes widespread stiffness, aches and pain in muscles throughout the body.

FODMAPs

FODMAPs stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.

Foetal alcohol syndrome

Foetal alcohol syndrome may occur when an unborn child is exposed to alcohol consumed by its mother during pregnancy.

Foetal position during pregnancy

As a baby gets closer to birth, they will settle into a final position.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis describes the inflammation of the hair follicles in the skin.

Food allergy

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to certain proteins in food.

Food and interference with medications

The types of food and drink you consume and the times at which you consume them can interfere with your medication use.

Food refusal

Food refusal often occurs in children, usually at the end of their first year. 

Food safety while travelling

While new tastes and dishes can be a rewarding experience, eating in foreign locales can carry some risks as well.

Frozen shoulder

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule that holds fluid within the joint space.

Gallstones

Gallstones are usually small stones formed in your gallbladder, which is an organ that stores bile to help digest food.

Gastritis

Gastritis describes a group of conditions characterised by inflammation of the stomach lining.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a common condition sometimes called ‘gastro’ or ‘stomach flu’.

Generalised anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder causes feelings of anxiousness, sometimes making it hard to carry out everyday activities.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a common sexually-transmitted infection that is caused by a virus.

Genital warts

Genital warts are a common sexually-transmitted infection that cause small, painless lumps to grow near the genitals.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs exclusively to pregnant women, marked by high blood sugar levels.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which damage to the optic nerve leads to loss of vision, particularly peripheral vision.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually-transmitted infection, if left untreated, can lead to complications.

Gout

Gout is an acutely painful condition that usually affects the big toe.

Growing pains

Growing pains are a form of recurring limb pain experienced by children.

Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is a hereditary condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from your diet.

Haemophilus influenzae type B

Despite their name, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria do not cause influenza. 

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or rectum, which can hang down outside the anus.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild viral illness which resolves itself in a few days.

Hay fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction usually triggered by pollen from grasses, trees and weeds during spring and summer.

Head injuries in children

Head injuries in children are commonly caused by accidents, falls, trauma or sport.

Head lice

Head lice are small insects that tend to live on and feed from the human scalp, causing intense itching and scratching of the affected area.

Headache

A headache can be defined as pain that is felt in the head or upper neck.

Headbanging

Headbanging is the process of banging one’s head against something in a rhythmic motion.

Healthy eating

Healthy eating is about consuming a balanced diet with a variety of nutritious foods and even the occasional indulgent food.

Healthy weight

Carrying too much or too little weight can increase your risk of a range of health problems.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is the partial or complete loss of hearing in either one or both ears.

Heart attack

A heart attack is a medical emergency caused by a sudden stoppage of blood flow to your heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease.

Heart failure

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is when the heart fails to effectively pump blood around the body.

Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid or contents travel from the stomach back up the oesophagus.

Heel pain

Heel pain is a very common complaint that can develop suddenly or gradually.

HELLP syndrome

HELLP syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can develop in the second half of pregnancy, or soon after delivery.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Hernia

Hip fracture

HIV and AIDS

Hives

Hyperparathyroidism

Hypertension

Hyperthyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Ice addiction

Impetigo

Infantile colic

Injury of knee ligaments

Insomnia (sleep problems)

Interstitial lung disease

Iron deficiency anaemia

Irritable bowel syndrome

Jaundice in newborn babies

Jock itch

Joint replacement

Kidney cancer

Kidney stones

Knee pain

Labour

Lactic acidosis

Lactose intolerance

Laryngitis

Leukaemia

Listeriosis

Loss and grief

Low libido

Low lying placenta (Placenta praevia)

Lung cancer

Lupus

Macular degeneration

Malaria

Male circumcision

Male pattern baldness

Mastitis

Measles

Medical tourism

Melanoma

Meniere’s disease

Meningitis

Menopause

MERS

Middle ear infections

Migraine

Miscarriage

Molar pregnancy

Moles

Mononucleosis

Morning sickness

Mosquito-borne illnesses

Motion sickness

Mouth cancer

Multiple sclerosis

Mumps

Nappy rash

Newborn baby blood test

Newborn baby care and safety

Newborn hearing screening

Nipple problems during breastfeeding

Nosebleeds

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Obesity

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obstructive sleep apnoea

Occupational lung disease

Oesophageal cancer

Oppositional defiant disorder

Oral hygiene

Orthodontic treatment

Osgood-Schlatter disease

Osteoarthritis

Osteomalacia

Osteoporosis

Outer ear infections

Ovarian cancer

Palpitations

Pancreatic cancer

Panic disorder

Paranoid personality disorder

Parasomnias

Parkinson’s disease

Pectus excavatum

Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Periods

Perthes disease

Phenylketonuria

Phobias

Placental abruption

Plantar fasciitis

Pleural effusion

Pleurisy

Pneumonia

Pneumothorax

Polio

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-pregnancy check-up

Precocious puberty (early puberty)

Pregnancy and mental health

Premature babies

Premature birth

Premature ejaculation

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Prickly heat

Progeria

Prostate cancer

Psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis

Pubic lice

Rabies

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Rectal bleeding (blood in stools)

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rhinoplasty

Root canal treatment

Rosacea

Rotator cuff injuries

Rubella

Safe handling of medications

SARS

Scabies

Scarlet fever

Schizophrenia

Sciatica

Scleroderma

Scoliosis

Scurvy

Seasonal affective disorder

Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Septic arthritis

Shingles

Short stature

Shoulder pain

SIADH

Sinusitis

Skin cancer

Slapped cheek disease

Sleep and newborn babies

Smoking cessation

Solar keratosis

Somatic symptom disorder

Spina bifida

Spinal stenosis

Spondylolisthesis

Squamous cell carcinoma

Stomach cancer

Strep throat

Stroke

Stye

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sunburn

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Syphilis

Talipes (club foot)

Techniques for settling your baby

Teeth grinding

Teeth whitening

Teething

Tennis elbow

Testicular cancer

Testicular lump

Tetanus

Thalassaemia

The common cold

The flu (influenza)

Throat cancer

Thrush

Thyroid cancer

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tinea

Tinea versicolor

Tinnitus

Tonsillitis

Torticollis

Toxoplasmosis

Travel medical assessment

Traveller’s diarrhoea

Tuberculosis

Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Typhoid fever

Ulcerative colitis

Urinary incontinence

Urinary tract infections (UTI)

Urinary tract infections (UTI) in children

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy

Vaginal discharge

Vaginal itching

Vertigo

Vision loss

Vitiligo

Vulvovaginitis in girls

Warts

Weight loss

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Wilson’s disease

Wisdom teeth

Yellow fever