Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is sometimes known as, is an inflammation that affects the outer lining of the eyes. The condition is caused by bacteria or virus’ but can also affect people due to allergies or exposure to certain chemicals. Anyone can catch conjunctivitis but those closest to a sufferer are more at risk of contracting it than others.

When someone has conjunctivitis, all the fluid in the infected individuals eyes are very contagious, therefore the condition can easily be spread from one person to another via contaminated fingers, towels or clothes and through items such as sunglasses and makeup.

Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness in the white areas of the eyes, a scratchy sensation in the eyes, swollen eyelids that often feel itchy and “heavy” feeling eyes full of tears. The symptoms usually occur from 24 to 72 hours after infection and can last for several days.

Treatment of the condition depends on the cause, but a severe or chronic cased should be referred to a physician immediately. Prevention of conjunctivitis is always the best cure, so washing hands frequently as well as keeping them away from the eyes, not sharing towels, flannels or handkerchiefs with anybody and using fresh paper toweling to wipe the eyes if necessary and then discarding straight away, are all things to do to help prevent the spread of the condition.

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.

The tonsils are small glands which are found at the back of the throat behind the tongue, and the infection of these glands is known as tonsillitis. Frequent recurring infections of the tonsils may result in an operation to remove them known as a tonsillectomy.  The infection is usually caused by bacteria or a viral infection and usually affects children from 5-15 years.  Tonsillitis can be passed from person to person through hand contact, airborne droplets or saliva.

The more common symptoms of tonsillitis include pain when swallowing, fever, coughing, tiredness, pain in the ear or neck, swollen tonsils, or swollen glands in the neck (lymph nodes).  Other less common symptoms of tonsillitis are constipation, bad breath, difficulty opening the mouth, vomiting or a ‘furry tongue’.  It can also cause abdominal pain in young children due to swollen lymph glands in the stomach.

Tonsillitis can be treated at home by getting plenty of rest and making sure to eat and drink plenty of fluids.  Painkillers and antibiotics can help to clear up the infection but it will clear up on its own over a few days.  There are also lozenges or sprays which can help to relieve pain in the throat.

The most effective way to avoid tonsillitis is to keep away from people who have the infection.  Do not use the same cups or cutlery etc as someone who has the infection and maintain good hygiene by washing hands frequently.

Tonsillitis