In nearly all countries of the world, back pain is the single largest cause of absence due to sickness from work. It is a chronic problem in a lot of people and a large proportion suffer from recurring problems. More often than not, the pain is due to minor damage that may have occurred to the muscles of ligaments of the back due to a variety of reasons such as lifting, twisting, being overweight or even standing in the wrong sort of position.

On other occasions it can be caused by more serious medical conditions such as a slipped disc, a disease like arthritis, muscle tears or scoliosis (curvature of the spine). When first suffering from back pain it is always advisable to visit a physician just to clarify the pain is not due to a treatable medical condition, and this is especially true in younger people.

Common Back Pain

Symptoms of back pain include a sharp pain in a specific area, a generalized ache in the region of the buttocks or lower back, stiffness and difficulty bending over. When the pain is due to a prolapsed disc there could be pressure on a nerve which will send pain radiating down the back of a leg to the foot. This is known as sciatica.

Back pain can occur to anyone of any age, but is more common in individuals who are overweight and those who sit in a slouching position for long periods of time. Treatment for back pain depends on the cause, but things like pain killers, losing weight and changing posture are the norm for “non-medical” back pain.

The menopause is that period in a woman’s life when her periods stop permanently. It’s a natural process that marks the end of a females reproductive years and the average age at which this happens is 51, although it varies from woman to woman. The menopause actually takes place when there aren’t any more eggs in the ovaries. It is these eggs that stimulate the production of estrogen, but when the levels of this hormone drop in the blood, the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

Menopause

The menopause normally takes place gradually and for a few years prior to it a woman’s periods may become more irregular; occurring every couple of weeks or every few months. Bleeding may be a bit heavier during this time as well.

Some women do not suffer any symptoms on the onset of the menopause, but approximately eight out of ten women do. These symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, palpitations, insomnia, dry skin, thinning hair, brittle nails, aches and pains, loss of libido, headaches, weight gain, and vaginal and urinary changes.

The lower levels of hormones brought on by the menopause can also increase the risks associated with other health issues in the long term, including osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, weight gain and weakness of the pelvis and pelvic floor.

Physical exercise and changes in diet can help in the treatments of the menopause, as does hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is designed to replace some of the hormones after the menopause occurs.

Diarrhea can simply be defined as loose, watery stools. People are classed as having diarrhea if they pass such stools more than three times a day. If somebody has acute diarrhea, the problem usually persists for a couple of days only and then clears up of its own accord. On the other hand, if an individual suffers from prolonged diarrhea, meaning more than a couple of days, it could be symptomatic of a more serious problem, as well as posing a risk of dehydration. Dehydration is especially dangerous in young children and the elderly and as such should be treated immediately to help avoid any future potential health issues.

Diarrhea

Individuals of any age can get diarrhea and you may be surprised to find out that the average in developed countries will have a bout of acute diarrhea approximately four times per year. Acute diarrhea is normally associated with a parasitic, a viral or a bacterial infection whereas a chronic diarrhea is typically related to some sort of functional disorder like irritable bowel disorder.

Some other causes of the condition include food intolerances, a reaction to certain medicines, and intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s and celiac disease. Diarrhea can be accompanied by abdominal pains, cramps, nausea, bloating and an urgent overwhelming need to use the toilet.

More often than not, the only treatment required for diarrhea is the replacement of lost fluids. There are some medicines available that can stop the condition, but these aren’t recommended for individuals who have diarrhea caused by a parasitic or bacterial infection. This is because if you stop the diarrhea before the bacteria or parasite is removed from the intestines they will be trapped there prolonging the problem.