What Is Baby Brain? Baby brain, also called pregnancy brain, is when someone who is pregnant feels more forgetful or has trouble focusing. You might lose track of where you put things, forget small tasks, or feel a bit mentally foggy. Baby brain is a normal part of pregnancy. Your body and brain change a lot during this time. Hormones change, sleep can be harder, and your mind is busy getting ready for the baby. This can make your thinking and memory feel different for a while. For most people, the symptoms are mild and resolve on their own. Common Signs of Baby Brain Everyone experiences baby brain a little differently. Some common signs are: Forgetting small tasks or appointments Misplacing items like keys or phones Trouble focusing on one task Feeling mentally tired or foggy Having a harder time planning or doing more than one thing at once It’s normal for some days to feel better than others.

Experiencing both an earache and a headache at the same time can be particularly uncomfortable and worrying. These symptoms can disrupt daily life, making it difficult to focus on work, sleep, or even enjoy time with family. For many, the combination of ear and head pain raises concerns about underlying health issues, especially when the cause isn’t immediately clear. Understanding the connection between these two symptoms is crucial for identifying the root cause and finding effective treatment. This article explores the link between earaches and headaches, delving into the anatomy of these conditions, the common causes of simultaneous symptoms, and the best approaches to treatment. By the end of this guide, you'll have a clearer understanding of why these symptoms often occur together and when it’s time to seek medical help.

Colic - a small word with a big impact! You may be wondering, as you try every technique under the sun to soothe your crying newborn, why you haven’t heard of this word much before now, why someone didn’t explain exactly what to do. But you’re here now and you are not alone: 1 in 5 babies suffer from colic. As a GP and a mother, I’ll talk you through what it is, what you can do about it and how long it will last.

Driving can be a common cause of joint pain, particularly for the ankles. If your car seat is not positioned correctly, it can cause strain on your ankle joints and result in pain. When sitting too close to the pedals, ankle joints are over-flexed, and if the seat isn't high enough, your tendons and heels will also experience higher pressure. Making sure you have your seat set to a comfortable position before you set off can help you to prevent any avoidable pain in your ankles and feet - particularly if you often take long journeys. Driving with the seat in an incorrect position can lead to a medical condition known as driver's foot. We will take a look at this condition in further detail throughout the article.

As the days get shorter and the temperature cools, it can be tempting to curl up on the sofa with some comfort food and a binge-worthy box set. But we are not naturally hibernating animals, so it’s important to understand why your energy levels may dip while your appetite increases, and address it with healthy choices. The doctors at Healthwords will always encourage a healthy balanced diet over and above taking supplements, and the more colourful and varied your meals, the more nourishing nutrients you are getting. But there are times that supplements may be helpful or even vital. There is less choice of fresh foods over winter, and less sunshine to naturally make vitamin D, plus fighting off colds and flu means our immunity needs to be in tip-top condition. Let's talk you through the challenges of winter and how to counter them to keep you healthy in mind and body.

Women are told to expect any number of symptoms with the, and that it could come rather vaguely between the ages of 45 and 55. So it can feel reassuring to think there’s a test that can say you are definitely in menopause, as this can help explain any particular symptom and point to treatment options. But is a simple blood test straightforward? It can be hard to interpret, and other factors can be more reliable to guide you on whether you are menopausal, such as your symptoms, your age, how regular your periods are, and even the age at which the women in your family experienced their menopause.

Dog bites are common and often to the hands, forearms or lower legs. Dog saliva carries lots of bacteria, and there’s a risk of infection if the bite has broken skin. So if a dog has bitten you or your child, give it a thorough look, and seek medical attention if there is a puncture wound, as it is likely to need antibiotics. Dog bites are the most common animal bites – from your own pet or that of a neighbour’s - but the same advice here applies to cat bites or other domestic animals.

A slipped disc (disc herniation) can describe a tear of the outer fibrous layer of the intervertebral disc, with or without protrusion of some of the inner gelatinous layer. In a slipped disc, a tear of the outer fibrous layer can cause significant pain that is usually specific to one area of the neck or back, depending upon which disc is involved. If there is also a bulging of the inner gelatinous layer that irritates or compresses one of the nerves around the spine, this can result in significant pain, numbness, weakness or tingling that extends into a limb. This is most often seen in the legs and is commonly referred to as sciatica. Slipped discs can occur following a specific injury or episode of heavy lifting. More commonly, however, slipped discs occur as a result of age-related wear and tear. As we age our intervertebral discs become stiffer and are more at risk of rupturing. This process occurs typically in stages. Here at Healthwords, we know how difficult a slipped disc can be for you so in this article we look at the four stages of disc herniation and how they can be treated.

Headaches are a common health issue that can be classified into different types based on their underlying causes. Understanding the types of headaches can help in determining appropriate treatment approaches. Primary headaches are those without an underlying cause, while secondary headaches are caused by other health problems or medications. Headaches can also be categorized as chronic or episodic depending on their frequency.

Diastix test strips detect sugar (glucose) levels in your urine. They are for people with diabetes or pre-diabetic. Diabetes is associated with uncontrolled high blood glucose levels. This occurs when either you're not producing enough of a hormone called insulin (type 1 diabetes) or your insulin is not working properly (type 2 diabetes). In healthy individuals, glucose is usually not found in the urine. As people with diabetes have high blood glucose levels, their kidneys can't filter all the glucose out of their urine. As a result, Diastix can help indicate your blood glucose levels. It is an alternative if you do not like testing your blood. Self-monitoring of glucose is mainly for people with type 1 diabetes. However, sometimes it can be beneficial for type 2 diabetes. Diastix is available over the counter and by prescription.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and potentially fatal reaction which occurs after you’ve come into contact with something that you’re severely allergic to (an allergen). Symptoms can occur seconds to minutes after coming into contact with this allergen, and progress rapidly to breathing difficulties, circulation problems, or collapse so it’s essential to recognise the early signs and get help quickly. With prompt and effective treatment, the prognosis of anaphylaxis is good, and food allergy-related deaths have much reduced with increased awareness in the last 20 years. However, 20 to 30 people a year die in the UK from anaphylaxis, and this is thought to be an underestimate. What urgent symptoms need addressing: Airway / Breathing - Sudden swelling of the throat, tongue or lips - Difficulty breathing, wheezing, noisy breathing - Struggling to breathe or too breathless to talk, eat or drink - Stridor (harsh, high-pitched noise when breathing in) - Persistent cough with breathing difficulty Circulation / Consciousness - Feeling very dizzy, faint, confused, drowsy or unresponsive - Collapse or loss of consciousness - Skin that looks blue, grey or very pale, cold or clammy - Severe dizziness or light-headedness - A child who becomes floppy or very unresponsive Other - Feeling of tightness in the chest or throat - Rapid or very slow heart rate, weak pulse (seen with collapse) Give an adrenaline auto-injector if available, call 999 immediately, and lie the person flat (raise legs if dizzy; sit up slightly if breathing is very difficult). Concerning symptoms (Amber) - seek urgent advice from GP / NHS 111 today These symptoms can occur with allergic reactions and may develop into something more serious even if they’re not immediately life-threatening: General / Skin - Itchy skin or a rash (hives) that comes and goes - Tingling or itchy mouth - Swelling limited to the lips/face without breathing problems Other Possible Signs - Feeling generally unwell, unusual fussiness (in children) - Dry skin, lips or tongue, or tingling sensations - Frequent allergic reactions without a clear trigger - Signs of dehydration (e.g., not urinating) Contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice today. If symptoms worsen, treat as a red flag. Mild symptoms (Green) - monitor at home These are milder features that do not normally indicate anaphylaxis on their own: - Mild localised rash without breathing or circulation changes - Minor itching - No swelling of the mouth/throat or breathing issues - No dizziness or loss of consciousness

What Is Brain Fog? Brain fog means your mind feels cloudy or slow. You might notice: Forget names, dates, or small details. Have trouble focusing on tasks. Feel mentally sluggish or find your thoughts are mixed up. Brain fog isn’t a disease on its own. It’s a sign that your body or mind might be stressed, tired, or going through changes like menopause. Both kids and adults can feel foggy at times, but if it sticks around, it can make school, work, or daily life harder. Signs of Brain Fog Brain fog can feel different for each person, but common signs are: Trouble concentrating or staying focused. Forgetting names, dates, or things you just learned. Feeling mentally tired even after you’ve rested. Having trouble organising your thoughts or saying what you mean clearly. If these signs last for weeks or start to affect your daily life, try keeping track of them and talk to a doctor.