Blog Archive | Page 9 of 17 | General Practice Private Doctors in UK

July 31, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Well Man Profile + HbA1c Profile

This test is particularly useful because it gives an implication of how often you’ve had abnormally high blood glucose levels over the previous 3 months.

People who have diabetes need this test regularly to see if their levels are staying within the range.

This test diagnoses diabetes and checks your control for those who are already, known to have diabetes.

A high level of glucose is known as Diabetes.
A low level of glucose is known as Hypoglycemia.

Blood test can be an important element in inspecting your health conditions. But always remember, diagnosing a medical condition or starting treatments should always be in consulting a doctor, where your symptoms and examinations can be performed.

Ask Gogodoc About’ is an educational series providing information on various symptoms, pains, and disorders. (*intended for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms, please reach out to book an online GP consultation with a Gogodoc GP.) Talk to a doctor online at a time that suits you from home with a phone or video appointment. You can easily book an appointment with GP.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 30, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What is Eczema?

This is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked and rough. Swelling may occur sometimes. It’s sometimes called “the itch that rashes” because the itching usually comes first. Normally, this is considered as a condition which makes your skin inflamed or irritated.

Causes of eczema:

Yet, the real cause for eczema is unknown. It is commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma. Some of the eczema causes are;

Dry skin
Irritants
Stress
Environmental factors
Climate and sweating
Infection
Allergies

Symptoms of eczema:

Some of it’s symptoms are;

Areas of swelling
Oozing or crusting
Very bad itching
Dark colored patches of skin
Rough, leathery/ scaly patches of skin
Inflamed skin
Dry, sensitive skin

Treatments of eczema:

Initially, there is no cure for eczema, but there are treatments, where symptoms can be managed. Some of the treatments are;

Using OTC/ Prescribed products
Bathing
Moisturizing when skin gets too dried
Prescription medications
Phototherapy
Complementary and alternative therapies

‘Ask Gogodoc About’ is an educational series providing information on various symptoms, pains, and disorders. (*intended for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms, please reach out to book an online GP consultation with a Gogodoc GP.) Talk to a doctor online at a time that suits you from home with a phone or video appointment. You can easily book an appointment with GP.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 28, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

General Well Person Profile – substituting Glucose with HbA1c

The HbA1c test is an important blood test that gives a good implication of how well your diabetes is being controlled.

The HbA1c levels should be measured regularly by anyone who has diabetes and also if they are of risk of developing it.

High HbA1c level increases the risk of complication such as retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels supplying the retina) and kidney disease.

Limitations of HbA1c test includes;

People with Anemia, as they may not have sufficient hemoglobin for the test to be accurate.
Pregnancy/Uncommon form of hemoglobin can also return in inaccuracy HbA1c
Having higher blood sugar levels

HbA1c occurs when hemoglobin, the oxygen- carrying protein in the blood cells, becomes bounded with glucose in the bloodstream. The bonding with glucose is called glycation.

Higher the persons blood glucose levels have been, the higher the number of red blood cells that will have become glycated, and therefore the higher HbA1c level they will have.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 27, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Dry lips: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Cracked, peeling or chapped lips are commonly termed as dry lips. Dry lips are a sign that your hydration levels are low. Having dry lips are commonly a sign of problems in the digestive tract. Lips are more prone to drying out than other parts of the body.

Causes of dry lips:

Those who have dry skin specially experience dry lips. Some of its causes are.

Weather
Dehydration
Lip licking
Infections
Allergies
Vitamin deficiency
Certain medications

Symptoms of dry lips:

Some of the symptoms of dry lips are;

Dryness
Cracks
Scales
Sores
Bleedings
Swellings
Flaking

Treatments for dry lips:

Lips do not contain oil glands like other parts of the skin. Therefore, it’s more liable to drying and becoming chapped. Some of the treatments are;

Use a good lip balm
Exfoliate the lips
Drink plenty of water
Use a humidifier
Avoid smoking

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 24, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Ear problems: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What are ear problems?

Ear problems are showed up in many ways, one of the most common ear problem is hearing loss, ENT treats for patients who are mainly suffering from hearing loss.

Other ear problems are; ear infections, Meniere’s disease, Tinnitus, Ear barotrauma

Ear infections are the most common illness in infants and young children.

Tinnitus is the roaring in your ears.

Meniere’s disease results of fluid problems in your ear. You may experience dizziness.

Ear barotrauma is an injury that happens to your ears because of changes in air/water pressure.

Causes of ear problems:

Smoking
Colds
Allergies
Excess mucus
Change sin air pressure
Infected / swollen adenoids
Sinus infections

Symptoms of ear problems:

Hearing loss
Fussiness in infants
Pain/ Discomfort inside the ear
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Pus like ear drainage

These symptoms might come and go. It may occur in one or both the ears. Infection in both the ears are more severe.

Treatments for ear problems:

A warm or cold compress, may help ear pain
Tea tree oil ear drops to be used
Taking OTC/ Prescribed ear drops to relieve pain
Taking OTC decongestants

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 22, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Biochemistry (16 Parameters) without Glucose & Hematology Profile

The biochemistry profile is used as a broad screening tool to check out organ function and to examine for conditions such as diabetes, kidney, and liver disease.

This test can also be used to check for conditions like; hypertension, for those who are taking medications on kidney or liver-related side effects.

This is a series of blood tests used to figure out the functional capacity of several critical organs and systems, such as Kidney and liver.

Usually, this test is followed by a complete blood count (CBC).

The panel of 24 biochemistry tests, full blood count and ESR give a health care provider the important information about the prevailing status of a person’s health.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 21, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Full Blood Count Profile

What is a Full blood count (Hematology) Profile?

This test which is also known as a Complete blood count is used to get information about the cells in a person’s blood.

It also measures the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Also, the FBC is also performed on those who are healthy as a part of the check-up and is used to check disorders and abnormalities of the blood.

FBC diagnoses conditions such as;

Anemia
Leukemia
Inflammations
Bleeding disorders/ cancer
Varieties of diseases
Conditions that affect blood cells

What is being measured?

Red blood cells
White blood cells
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Platelets

Red blood cells- This is involved in transferring hemoglobin throughout the body, to the tissues, where it delivers oxygen, and to the lungs, where it releases carbon dioxide and is oxygenated again.

High RBC is known as Polycythemia, as this is a type of blood cancer.

Low RBC is known as Anemia and can cause feelings like fatigue and weaknesses.

White blood cells- This is involved in inflammation and the immune response.

High WBC is known as Leukocytosis which is caused by infections, disorders in inflammatory and states of physiological stress.

Low WBC is known as Leukopenia, while people are more responsive to infection.

Platelets- They help your body form clots to stop bleeding.

A high platelet count is known as Thrombocytosis, it occurs in states of inflammation or trauma.

A low platelet count is known as Thrombocytopenia, people with this may experience external bleeding such as nose bleeding/ bleeding gums.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 20, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Epididymitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What is Epididymitis?

Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, which is caused by an infection. It is a coiled tube at the back of each of the testicles, that generally stores and carries sperms.

Causes:

In most of the cases epididymitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Some of the other causes are;

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) such as: Gonorrhea or Chlamydia
Testicles being inflamed, a condition known as Epididymo-orchitis
Trauma
Tuberculosis

Symptoms:

Some of the symptoms of epididymitis are;

Blood in the semen
Less commonly, fever
A swollen, red or warm scrotum
Testicle pain and tenderness
Discharge from the penis
Pain/discomfort in the lower abdomen

Treatments:

Some of the treatments for epididymitis are;

If this is left untreated, it can become an incurable condition. While allowing to a range of complications, such as Chronic epididymitis. The inflammation can become present tenacious, even if there’s no bacterial infection present.
Epididymitis can be treated with antibiotics. As it is usually taken for 1-2 weeks
Resting can also relieve the symptoms of epididymitis.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 7, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What is depression?

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities.
People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions. Book a Doctors Appointment for Depression.

Conditions that can get worse due to depression include:

It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But, if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment. Those who seek treatment often see improvements in symptoms in just a few weeks,

Depression causes:

There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial.

Common causes include:

Family history. You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.
Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
Brain structure. There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.
Medical conditions. Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.

About 21 percent of people who have a substance use problem also experience depression. In addition to these causes, other risk factors for depression include:

Low self-esteem or being self-critical
Personal history of mental illness
Certain medications
Stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce

Many factors can influence feelings of depression, as well as who develops the condition and who doesn’t.

The causes of depression are often tied to other elements of your health.

However, in many cases, healthcare providers are unable to determine what’s causing depression.

Depression symptoms:

Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling “blue.”
Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood, and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing, or come and go.
The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.

Men may experience symptoms related to their:

Mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness
Emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless
Behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities
Sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire, lack of sexual performance
Cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations
Sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, not sleeping through the night
Physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems

Women may experience symptoms related to their:

Mood, such as irritability
Emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious or hopeless
Behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, thoughts of suicide
Cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly
Sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, sleeping too much
Physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, increased cramps

Children may experience symptoms related to their:

Mood, such as irritability, anger, mood swings, crying
Emotional well-being, such as feelings of incompetence (e.g. “I can’t do anything right”) or despair, crying, intense sadness
Behavior, such as getting into trouble at school or refusing to go to school, avoiding friends or siblings, thoughts of death or suicide
Cognitive abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, decline in school performance, changes in grades
Sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Physical well-being, such as loss of energy, digestive problems, changes in appetite, weight loss or gain

The symptoms can extend beyond your mind.

These seven physical symptoms of depression prove that depression isn’t just all in your head.

Treatment for depression:

Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible options.
You may successfully manage symptoms with one form of treatment, or you may find that a combination of treatments works best.
It’s common to combine medical treatments and lifestyle therapies, including the following:

Medications

Your healthcare provider may prescribe:

Antidepressants
Antianxiety
Antipsychotic medications

Each type of medication that’s used to treat depression has benefits and potential risks.

Psychotherapy

Speaking with a therapistcan help you learn skills to cope with negative feelings. You may also benefit from family or group therapy sessions.

Light therapy

Exposure to doses of white lightcan help regulate your mood and improve symptoms of depression. Light therapy is commonly used in seasonal affective disorder, which is now called major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.

Alternative therapies

Ask your healthcare provider about acupunctureor meditation. Some herbal supplements are also used to treat depression, like John’s wort, SAMe, and fish oil.
Talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or combining a supplement with prescription medication because some supplements can react with certain medications. Some supplements may also worsen depression or reduce the effectiveness of medication.

Exercise

Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 3 to 5 days a week. Exercisecan increase your body’s production of endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

Drinking or misusing drugs may make you feel better for a little bit. But in the long run, these substances can make depression and anxiety symptoms worse.

Take care of yourself

You can also improve symptoms of depression by taking care of yourself. This includes getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding negative people, and participating in enjoyable activities.
Sometimes depression doesn’t respond to medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend other treatment options if your symptoms don’t improve.
These include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)to treat depression and improve your mood.

Natural treatment for depression:

Traditional depression treatment uses a combination of prescription medication and counseling. But there are also alternative or complementary treatments you can try.

Preventing depression:

Depression isn’t generally considered to be preventable. It’s hard to recognize what causes it, which means preventing it is more difficult.
But once you’ve experienced a depressive episode, you may be better prepared to prevent a future episode by learning which lifestyle changes and treatments are helpful.

Techniques that may help include:

Regular exercise
Getting plenty of sleep
maintaining treatments
Reducing stress
Building strong relationships with others

Other techniques and ideas may also help you prevent depression.

Depression Vs Anxiety:

Depression and anxiety can occur in a person at the same time. In fact, research has shown that over 70 percent. Trusted Source of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.

Though they’re thought to be caused by different things, depression and anxiety can produce several similar symptoms, which can include:

Irritability
Difficulty with memory or concentration
Sleep problems

The two conditions also share some common treatments.

Both anxiety and depression can be treated with:

Therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy
Medication
Alternative therapies, including hypnotherapy

If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of either of these conditions, or both of them, make an appointment to talk with your healthcare provider. You can work with them to identify coexisting symptoms of anxiety and depression and how they can be treated.

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

July 6, 2020 by Gogodoc Editor 0 Comments

Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme, last for longer than six months, and are interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder. Book an anxiety appointment with a doctor.

Causes of anxiety:

Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of anxiety. But, it’s likely a combination of factors play a role. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as brain chemistry.
In addition, researchers believe that the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear may be impacted.

Symptoms of anxiety:

Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control, like there’s a disconnect between your mind and body.
Other ways people experience anxiety include nightmares, panic attacks, and painful thoughts or memories that you can’t control. You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event.

Symptoms of general anxiety include;

Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing
Restlessness
Trouble concentrating
Difficulty falling asleep

Treatments for anxiety:

Once you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, you can to explore treatment options with your doctor. For some people, medical treatment isn’t necessary. Lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms.
In moderate or severe cases, however, treatment can help you overcome the symptoms and lead a more manageable day-to-day life.
Treatment for anxiety falls into two categories: psychotherapy and medication. Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help you learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.
Medications typically used to treat anxiety include antidepressants and sedatives. They work to balance brain chemistry, prevent episodes of anxiety, and ward off the most severe symptoms of the disorder

Book a video consultation today! and get expert advice.

In-Clinic GP Consultation, Online Consultations & GP Home Visit

What is Eczema?

Causes of eczema:

Symptoms of eczema:

Treatments of eczema:

Limitations of HbA1c test includes;

Causes of dry lips:

Symptoms of dry lips:

Treatments for dry lips:

What are ear problems?

Causes of ear problems:

Symptoms of ear problems:

Treatments for ear problems:

What is a Full blood count (Hematology) Profile?

FBC diagnoses conditions such as;

What is being measured?

What is Epididymitis?

Causes:

Symptoms:

Treatments:

What is depression?

Depression causes:

Depression symptoms:

Treatment for depression:

Medications

Psychotherapy

Light therapy

Alternative therapies

Exercise

Avoid alcohol and drugs

Take care of yourself

Natural treatment for depression:

Preventing depression:

Depression Vs Anxiety:

What is Anxiety?

Causes of anxiety:

Symptoms of anxiety:

Symptoms of general anxiety include;

Treatments for anxiety: