Health Information

Welcome to the health information section of the Zoom Health website.

Here we offer an index of all of our most popular articles on common diseases and conditions. If you would like information on a illness or condition that is not shown on this page, please contact us and we will be glad to add the information you are looking for.

In the UK we are all living longer, which is great news. Because of this, it’s vitally important that we look after ourselves so that we can all make the most of the extra years we have on this planet. We certainly don’t want illness to get in the way of a high quality of life, especially in our older years.

We all lead very busy lives and this can make it difficult for us to put our health at priority number one as we rush around in our day-to-day activities. However, taking care of yourself need not be that time consuming.

Start by looking at your diet and exercise. A few sensible choices can make all the difference and can may you feel and look a lot better very quickly. Age is not a barrier to this. You are never too young or too old to be more aware of your health.

Starting out on a Healthy Lifestyle

Some simple ways in which you can quickly improve your lifestyle include:

  • eating a healthy balanced diet
  • avoiding smoking
  • covering up in the sun
  • drinking alcohol in moderation
  • being aware of your body and noticing changes
  • attending appointments for national screening programs
  • visiting your GP when you are worried or concerned about anything

At Zoom Health we believe that it is important for all of us to lead a healthy lifestyle, not just for ourselves but for all of our family too. Due to the dramatic rise in poor health over the last 20 years, it is not just the person suffering from illness that needs to know about the condition, but also those caring for them too.

One-in-four adults in the UK are now carers. Greater knowledge of an illness can help to lower the pressure on everyday living for both family and friends of someone who is suffering from the illness.

A-Z List of Health Articles

Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots. It can vary from mild to severe and can cause problems on the skin of your face, back, shoulders and chest. Our article – What is Acne? – tells you more about the condition.

Alkaline Diet – The alkaline diet is a type of eating that suggests that the amount of foods consumed in your diet should be based upon their ability to alter blood acidity or alkalinity. Our article explores how you can Test Your Body pH Levels in 7 Simple Steps.

Allergic Rhinitis – This general term is given to an allergic reaction that causes inflammation of the nose. Hay Fever is medically known as ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis‘.

Allergies – An allergy is the response of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, foods, and house dust mite. Find out more in our article – The Complete Guide to Allergies.

Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that generally begins slowly and gradually gets worse over time.  Our article on the disease looks at the causes and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and offers advice on caring for those that suffer from the condition.

Anaemia – a a condition in which there is a shortage of haemoglobin or red cells in the blood. As a result. anaemia can cause a pale complexion, tiredness and lethargy, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Read more in our article – What is Anaemia?

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious mental illness where people keep their body weight low by dieting, vomiting, using laxatives or excessively exercising. Read our article – What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. There are many types of antibiotics that work in different ways. These include penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides and cephalosporins.  Read our article – What are Antibiotics?

Bladder Cancer  – Even though it is hardly ever talked about, bladder cancer is not a rare cancer. It is the 7th most common type of cancer. For men, it is the 4th most common.  Our article looks at the symptoms and causes of bladder cancer.

Blood – The heart pumps blood around the body. It provides oxygen to the organs, muscles and tissues of the body. Blood also removes carbon dioxide. Our articles of blood answer common questions such as What Are Blood Groups? and How Can I Find My Blood Type?

Bowel Cancer –  Cancer of the bowel is a very common form of cancer. Our articles look at what bowel cancer is and the symptoms and causes of bowel cancer.

Breast Cancer – Every day more than 1,300 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. Our article – What is Breast Cancer? – looks at what can be done to prevent this terrible disease.

Bulimia is a serious mental illness where people feel that they have lost control over their eating and evaluate themselves according to their body shape and weight. Find out more in our article – What is Bulimia?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand and arm condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms. It is a form of arthritis. Read our article, What is Carpal tunnel syndrome?

Cardiovascular Disease – Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term for a range of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. Read our article on Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease.

Cholesterol is carried around the body in the blood.It is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is important for the normal functioning of the body. Having a high level of lipids in your blood can have an adverse effect on your health. Our article looks at the risks of having high cholesterol.

Colon Cancer – is another name for bowel cancer. Refer to our articles on bowel cancer above.

Common Cold – A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It’s very common and usually clears up on its own within a week or two. Often a cold is misdiagnosed by the person that is suffering as flu. However there is a big difference between a cold and the flu.

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. What is Cystitis?

Earplugs – Read our Earplug FAQ to find out all you need to know about Earplugs!

Glandular Fever– is a viral infection which is also known as infectious mononucleosis. What is Glandular Fever?

Hay Fever affects between 15 and 20% of the people in the UK. Is the most common of allergic conditions. What is Hay Fever?

Healthy Diet – Many adults in the UK are overweight or obese. This means that many of us are consuming more than we need, and we should eat less. Balance is the key to getting a healthy diet right, which means consuming a varied range of foods in the correct proportions. It also means eating the correct amount of food and drink to attain and keep to a healthy body weight. Read our extensive article on the subject of healthy diet.

Heart Disease – see Cardiovascular Disease

Herbal Remedies – Herbal Supplements are used by many as they are seen as a safe and natural way of treating illnesses and conditions without having to take drugs. On our website you a growing number of articles on the benefits in using natural herb supplements. Some of our most popular articles on herbal supplements concern Agnus Castus, Evening Primrose Oil and Maca.

Our article How to Relax & Sleep Well the Natural Way looks at how herbal remedies can help with stress and sleep disorders

High Blood Pressure – When blood pressure is high it puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. Foods like beetroot have been proven to help lower high blood pressure.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for the relief of menopause symptoms and works by topping up declining oestrogen levels with a synthetic version of the hormone.

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu. Read our article Influenza and the Common Cold

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – also known as spastic colon, is a common, long-term condition of the digestive system. It can cause bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and/or constipation. Our article on Irritable Bowel Syndrome looks at the symptoms and causes of the disease.

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. There are various types of leukaemia, which all act differently and need different treatment. What is Leukaemia?

Liver – The liver is the largest organ in the human body.  We take a look at the symptoms and causes of Liver Cancer as well as examining the disease of Cirrhosis of the Liver

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that’s caused by a virus. It causes a all-over skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose. Though rare in the UK since the introduction of the MMR vaccine , 20 million cases are reported worldwide every year. Our article looks at the symptoms and causes of Measles.

Menopause affects all women eventually. For many, this time of life can prove to be a battle against menopausal hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and disturbed sleep. Read our article: What is Menopause?

Meningitis – Anybody can get meningitis, but those most at risk are babies and young children under five years old. Our article looks at the causes and symptoms of meningitis.

Migraine – A migraine is an intense throbbing headache. It can last anywhere between 4 – 72 hours and will leave the sufferer feeling tired and washed out. Read A Complete Guide to Migraine.

Pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both lungs, which is usually caused by an infection. If you have pneumonia, you will feel unwell and experience symptoms that are similar to flu or a chest infection. Read our Essential Facts About Pneumonia.

Pregnancy Tests – Finding out if you are pregnant often means taking a pregnancy test. Our articles look at the earliest time a pregnancy test can be taken and the history of modern pregnancy testing.

Prostate Cancer – For men that are over 50 years of age, prostate problems can be quite common. Our article looks at the symptoms and causes of Prostate Cancer.

Smoking and Tobacco – In the UK over 100,000 people die every year from smoking. Even more deaths are caused by smoking-related illnesses. When young people are tempted by their peers into smoking, it can be a great worry for parents. Our popular article looks at testing for smoking and tobacco use.

Stroke – A cerebrovascular accident, or stroke as it is more commonly known, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted in one way or another. What is a Stroke?

Thyroid Disorders can vary from a small, harmless enlarged gland (goiter) that requires no treatment to cancer, which can be life-threatening. The most often seen thyroid problems are due to abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Read our article Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and an under active thyroid.

Urinary Tract Infections – A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. Treatment involves your doctor prescribing you an antibiotic based on your symptoms and your medical history. Men and Women can both suffer with Urinary Tract Infections.

Vitamins and Minerals are the vital nutrients your body requires in small amounts to function properly. Most of us get all the nutrients we require by eating a varied and balanced diet. Other people may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Our most popular articles in this category concern the health benefits of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12.