Back pain is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by factors such as poor posture, injury, or worsening conditions like arthritis. However, not many people are aware that spinal problems can also impact digestion. This is because the central nervous system (CNS) plays a significant role in controlling the movement and function of the muscles and organs in the digestive system. When the CNS is disrupted, it can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and constipation. Also, spinal misalignments can cause nerve pinches that affect the communication between the CNS and the digestive system. This can lead to further digestive issues, such as acid reflux, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It is important to note that not all digestive issues are caused by spinal problems. However, if you have back pain and digestive problems, you should talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to spinal issues and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Although many people know the common symptoms of pain and altered mobility that spine problems can cause, what is often less well-known is the potential impact on the bladder. This effect can range from mild to a medical emergency and in this article we look at what can cause this, what signs to look for, what treatments are available and when to seek medical advice.

There is no clear evidence that having a glass or two of alcohol after your vaccine has a negative effect on how well your vaccine works, or makes you feel any worse.

The short answer is yes you can, and if you do it’s called a ‘vaccine breakthrough infection’. However, you have much less chance of catching COVID-19 if you’re fully vaccinated and have had your booster, and you’re also much less likely to get seriously unwell or require hospital treatment, which is a very important reason to have the vaccine. In addition, if you do get COVID-19 after having had the vaccine in the past, the chance of you passing it on to others is much lower, making you less contagious.

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.

A slipped disk - sometimes called a herniated disk or ruptured disk - is a common medical condition that affects our spine. The spine is composed of vertebrae (our backbones) and between each pair of vertebrae is a rubbery disk that acts like a cushion or shock absorber to help prevent the vertebrae from rubbing on each other and being damaged or inflamed. These disks have a tough outer layer and a soft inner gel-like substance. A herniated disk occurs when the inner core of the disk breaks through the outer layer and pushes into the spinal canal. This can irritate nearby nerves and cause a range of symptoms. In this article we look at whether a slipped or herniated disk can cause dizziness or headaches.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal infection in women of child-bearing age - those between 15 and 44 years old. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), although it is more likely to occur if you are sexually active, especially with a new partner. Having BV can also increase your chances of developing an STI. BV is usually harmless and can be triggered by sex or your period. It can also be triggered by over-washing or douching (washing inside of the vagina). This is because over-washing can clear away the good bacteria, allowing for harmful bacteria to grow.

Burns can happen in a second, and it’s important to act fast to prevent further injury and reduce the risk of scarring. Minor burns and scalds are fairly common, with hot water from pans, kettles or the bath as top of the list, as well as fireworks when celebrations come around. Burns typically affect the hands, forearms and face, or the lower legs or bottom when young children get in a very hot bath. Sunburn also counts as a burn. Take burns seriously, even if there isn’t much to see initially – it can take some time for the skin to react and deep pain to set in, but the skin has been traumatized and the process of injury continues unless it is cooled and treated. What different types of burn are there? Burns are classified according to the depth and extent of the skin damage, and their treatment depends on how severe they are. There are three main types: First-degree (superficial) burns - The skin is red, painful and very sensitive to touch. The damaged skin may be slightly moist from leakage of the fluid in the deeper layers of the skin; sunburn is a good example of such a burn. Second-degree (partial thickness) burns - Here, the damage is deeper and blisters usually appear on the skin, which is still painful and sensitive. Third-degree (full thickness) burns - The most severe type of burn, and here the tissues in all layers of the skin are dead, so there are typically no blisters on the skin. The burned surface can have several types of appearance, from white to black (charred) or bright red from blood in the bottom of the wound. Because the skin nerves are damaged these burns can be surprisingly painless and lack sensation when touched. Specialist treatment with skin grafts are often required for severely damaged areas, and these types of burn are often life-threatening if enough of the body is burnt.

Back symptoms such as pain and reduced movement are common and are often due to problems with the disks that sit between each of our backbones. These can sometimes bulge a little to cause symptoms and, at other times, cause problems if they herniate (often called a ‘slipped disk’). In this article, we look at whether it is possible to tell the difference between them, what tests are sometimes needed to make an accurate diagnosis, what symptoms they cause, and how they are usually treated.

The best way to increase your production of breast milk is to ensure that baby is nursing frequently and effectively. As milk is drawn down from the breasts, your brain stimulates them to produce more milk to meet the high demand, and your baby will meet this supply, demand more, and so the cycle continues. At some times, it might mean that you will need to nurse every one and a half to two hours in the day, and every three hours at night, in order to re-stimulate your milk supply. It’s just as important that you position baby for an effective latch, so that they are drawing down well from the breast.

Every woman in the US is entitled to breast cancer screening. This starts from the age of 50, and continues up to your 74th birthday. You’ll be invited every two years, and they'll use your age and contact details from your doctor's records. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the US, and every 1 in 8 women is diagnosed in their lifetime. The risk grows with age, hence the screening starting at 50. It can occur in men, as they have breast tissue too, but it’s much rarer, so they are not included in the screening program.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. Early detection gives a good chance for treatment to work, and to help prevent the cancer from spreading, not only through the bowel but also to other parts of the body, which carries a risk of death. The chance of bowel cancer increases as we get older, so guidelines recommend to start screening from 45-50 years old.