Coeliac disease is a common digestive condition which is caused by an intolerance to gluten.   This lifelong autoimmune disease means that when people with this condition eat gluten, damage to the lining of the small intestine is caused, which stops the body properly absorbing nutrients.   The symptoms of coeliac disease can be subtle & you may feel unwell for some time before a diagnosis is made.     Common Symptoms
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss   Who does it affect?
- Approx. 1% of people across Europe
- Is more common in women than men
- People with a family history of the condition Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  






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Glandular fever is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus & characterised by a sore throat & extreme fatigue.   The infection is most common amongst 10-25 year olds & is not usually a serious threat to a person’s health, but it can last for several weeks, & can be unpleasant.   Common Symptoms
- Fever
- Sore throat with swollen tonsils
- Extreme tiredness   Who does it affect?
- 90% of people carry the virus that causes glandular fever
- People aged 10-25 years-old are the most susceptible to glandular fever   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  




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Gout is a rheumatic complaint with symptoms which include painful swelling & inflammation in generally a single joint at a time. The disease usually affects the big toe, but it can develop in any joint in the body & is more common in men than women.   Usually, uric acid is excreted by the kidneys but amongst patients with a predisposition for gout, the uric acid accumulates in the blood until the concentration is so high that it settles in the joints & sometimes in the skin. This deposition of sodium urate (uric acid) in the joints becomes inflamed & can cause severe pain.       Common Symptoms
- Severe joint pain
- Swelling & warmth around the joints
- Red & shiny skin around the joints
- Mild fever
- Firm, white lumps beneath the skin   Who does it affect?
- Being overweight can lead to excess uric acid production
- Eating purine-rich foods as part of your regular diet can be a risk factor for developing gout   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  






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Hepatitis B & C are infections of the liver that can cause inflammation & swelling & even significant, lasting damage. Many people do not even realise they have been infected with the virus, because symptoms may not develop immediately, or even at all.   You can become infected with hepatitis B & C if you have been exposed to the blood or body fluids of an infected person.             Common Symptoms
- Tiredness & general malaise
- Slight fever
- Nausea coupled with a poor appetite
- Aching muscles & joints   Who does it affect?
- People who are over exposed to alcohol, fungal toxins or certain medicines -  Anybody can contract viral hepatitis from a carrier or be infected by bacteria or amoebic infections   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  




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Hypothyroidism is the medical name for an underactive thyroid. The thyroid produces a hormone called thyroxine, which controls how much energy your body uses. When the thyroid does not produce enough thyroxine, many of the bodys functions slow down.   Symptoms are often confused by patients & doctors. The only accurate way to find out if you have a thyroid problem is to get a blood test to measure your hormone levels.             Common Symptoms
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Sensitivity to cold
- Dry skin & hair
- Muscle aches   Who does it affect? More common amongst the elderly, Approx. 2% of the population over the age of 60, particularly women   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  





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The menopause, sometimes called the change of life, is marked by the ending of menstruation. In Western women the average age of this occurring is 51 years of age, but it can start at any age from 30 through to 60 years.   During the time leading up to the menopause (perimenopause), hormonal & biological changes begin & as a result, many women experience both physical & emotional symptoms.         Common Symptoms
- Hot flushes & night sweats
- Sleep disturbance
- Irritability & depression     Who does it affect?
- Most (95%) of all women begin the transition to menopause (perimenopause) between ages 39 to 51   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  



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An ulcer is damage to the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the intestine (duodenum). A bacteria called H. pylori is the main cause of ulcers (Peptic) in this area, around 90%.                 Common Symptoms
- Intense indigestion & heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea     Who does it affect?
- People who smoke & drink excessively are at a higher risk of developing an ulcer
- Men are more likely than women to develop ulcers   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  




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Syphilis is an extremely serious sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child &, in rare cases, caught through injecting drugs.   If diagnosed early, syphilis can be easily treated with antibiotics, however, if it is not treated, it can progress to cause serious conditions such as stroke, paralysis, blindness or even death.         Common Symptoms - A painless lump on the genitals
- Fever
- A rash
- Sore throat & swollen glands     Who does it affect?
- Anyone is at risk to catch syphilis through unprotected sex
- Babies born to infected women are also at risk   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  




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Vitamin B12 & folate, the natural form of folic acid, work together to help the body produce red blood cells. Vitamin B12 also helps to keep the nervous system (brain, nerves & spinal cord) healthy, while folate is important for pregnant women because it reduces the risk of birth defects in unborn babies   Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can cause the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells which do not function properly causing tiredness & other symptoms.         Common Symptoms
- Tiredness & palpitations
- Shortness of breath & dizziness
- Reduced sense of taste & irritated tongue   Who does it affect?
- Pregnant women
- Those people who eat a poor diet lacking in Folic Acid
- Children who grow rapidly   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  





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  Recent surveys have shown that significant Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon in the general population.   Vitamin D helps control the amount of calcium & phosphate in your body, which are needed to keep your bones & teeth healthy.    A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to rickets in children, a condition that can cause bone deformities, such as bowed legs, & in adults, can cause osteomalacia (weak bones), which can make bones painful & tender.     Common Symptoms
- General aches & pains
- Weakness, difficulty standing up or climbing stairs
- Bone pains, typically felt in the ribs, hips, pelvis, thighs & feet   Who does it affect?
- Growing children
- Pregnant women
- Breast-feeding women
- People who are housebound   Video Tutorial PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET  






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