The novovirus is more commonly referred to as winter vomiting disease. It is a vile stomach bug that can affect people of all ages and like the name says, it can cause terrible vomiting in addition to diarrhea. The novovirus is incredibly contagious and there is currently no cure for the disease. Those who are infected are advised to drink plenty of fluids and let it run its course. Although winter vomiting disease is extremely unpleasant, it is generally not dangerous and can be prevented.

Novovirus Symptoms
The first novovirus symptom is a sick feeling that comes on suddenly followed by watery diarrhea and violent vomiting. The novovirus symptoms usually occur around two days after infection and can also be accompanied by:
• Stomach cramps
• A headache
• A high temperature
• Aching Limbs

After experiencing the novovirus symptoms for two days most people go on to make a full recovery. Whilst the symptoms of this vomiting bug are severe the good news is they are not long lasting. One side effect that the winter vomiting disease can lead to is dehydration so if you or someone you know is suffering, make sure to take in enough fluids. This is especially crucial in the elderly and young children.

Novovirus Treatment
There is no specific novovirus treatment as most people who suffer from the disease will recover naturally within two days of the first symptoms appearing. Unless you are elderly or a young child, you generally will not need to see your doctor unless you suffer any complications. Like said above, it is highly important to stay hydrated in order to prevent any problems from occurring. Try and eat foods that are easy to digest to lessen the violent sickness that accompanies the winter vomiting disease.

Novovirus Prevention
Catching the novovirus cannot always be prevented however there are a few things that you can do to lower the risk. These generally revolve around preventing germs from spreading so be sure to wash your hands after using the toilet and before preparing food, and wash anything that may have come into contact with the virus. If you are suffering from the novovirus try and avoid people as much as possible whilst experiencing the symptoms (and for 48 hours after) and do not prepare food for anyone else. If you have a child or a baby who is suffering from the novovirus, you are advised to keep them off school or out of nursery until they have been free of the symptoms for 48 hours. Try and stay away from hospitals and doctor’s surgeries during this time too as these are places where the disease can be easily spread.

Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk products. People who suffer from lactose intolerance do so because their bodies are unable to break down this lactose and absorb it into the blood. It is thought that around 5% of the western world’s population suffers from this condition and quite surprisingly it is thought to affect certain races more. For example people from an Asian ethnicity are thought to be 100% lactose intolerant and 80% of Hispanic and southern Indian people are thought to suffer too.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance symptoms usually occur immediately after drinking or eating a substance that contains lactose. The severity of the lactose intolerance symptoms will depend on you individually and how much lactose you have taken in. For example some people may be able to drink a glass of milk and be fine whereas others will struggle if they have a little bit of milk in their coffee. The main symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
• Bloated stomach
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Diarrhoea

If you have not been diagnosed as suffering from lactose intolerance yet have experienced these lactose intolerance signs after eating or drinking dairy products you might want to speak to your GP or nutritionist for further information.

Diagnosing Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in lactase. There are a variety of different forms of lactose intolerance – some are hereditary whilst others can occur later on in life for example if you have any trouble with your small intestine. The most common form of lactose intolerance is primary lactose intolerance – this usually occurs in children over the age of two when their diet becomes less reliant on dairy products. This can take years to diagnose however and is almost always hereditary.

If you think you are suffering from lactose intolerance you should visit your GP. He or she will ask you to keep a record of your diet and may then ask you to partake in a lactose intolerance test. This will involve removing all lactose products from your diet to see if you notice any changes. If removing lactose from your diet helps with the symptoms of lactose intolerance your GP will likely refer you for further lactose intolerance tests to determine how much lactase your body is producing. These can include:
• A lactose intolerance test which involves drinking lactose solution and then having your blood taken to determine whether your body is breaking the lactose down and if so, how fast.
• A milk tolerance test
• A hydrogen breath test
• A small bowel biopsy – only normally performed when trying to rule out other conditions.
• A stool sample

Lactose Intolerance Treatment
The lactose intolerance treatment you receive will depend on how severe your symptoms are and how sensitive you are to foods that contain lactose. Most forms of treatment involve following a lactose intolerance diet which involves removing milk and other dairy products from your diet and replacing them with calcium and lactose substitutes. Generally you will be referred to a nutritionist who will ask you to test your tolerance to certain amounts of lactose and help you build a lactose intolerance diet around this. Dairy free products that contain added calcium are also recommended.

During the winter months, thousands of people head to winter snow destinations for a winter sports holiday. Whether you love skiing or snowboarding you are surely looking forward to your holiday away but make sure you keep a few things in mind to prevent snowboard injuries and skiing injuries that could occur. That is unless you want your holiday to end early!

Preventing Snowboarding Injuries
If you want to prevent snowboard injuries, there are a few things that you can do. These include:
• Warm up and cool down – this is the same for every sport as it stretches your muscles and warms them up. This lowers the chance of muscle related snowboard injuries occurring.
• Clothing – make sure you wear proper snowboarding protection gear that is layered properly. You need to layer your clothing effectively (a base layer, a mid layer and an outer layer) to conserve heat whilst on the slopes.
• Snowboard Helmet – A snowboard helmet is another vital piece of equipment and it can prevent snowboard injuries relating to concussion for example after impact.
• Wrist Guards – One of the most common snowboard injuries is a broken wrist. Wrist guards can prevent breaks during falls.
• Equipment – Make sure all of your equipment fits you properly. If you forget anything you should be able to hire it from your resort – again check the quality of it before heading to the slopes.

Preventing Skiing Injuries
There is more chance of a ski injury occurring than a snowboard injury due to the higher level of danger that comes with the sport. To prevent ski injuries from occurring, keep the following in mind:
• Warm Up and Cool Down – like with snowboarding you need to warm up and cool down. Take care to particularly focus on your knee joints as this is where most ski injuries occur.
• Clothing – Again like snowboarding, layering your winter sports clothing is essential. You need to wear three layers of clothing to reduce your risk of hypothermia and keep your body temperature constant on the slopes.
• Helmet – Alongside other skiing protection gear you ski helmet is probably the most important piece of equipment to take on the slopes with you. Your ski helmet can protect you from concussion should you have a fall or hit anything on impact.
• Take Skiing Lessons – if you know what you are doing on the slopes, you can prevent ski injuries. Skiing lessons don’t have to cost a lot of money but could save your life.
• Ski During Off Peak Season – This probably won’t be possible if you’ve already booked your flights, but if you ski during the quieter seasons you have less risk of ski injuries. If the peaks are quieter you won’t need to take evasive action quite as much.
• Keep Within Your Comfort Zone – To prevent ski injuries of the bravado type, listen to your conscience. If you’re not ready to tackle a high peak, don’t! You’ll only regret it when you end up with two broken arms and a broken leg.
• Bind Your Skis Properly – how tight your skis need to be will depend on your weight and your ability. Make sure you bind them properly to prevent ski injuries at any point during the day.
• Take up Snowboarding – the risk of injuries is lower.

If you suffer an injury during snowboarding or skiing you are highly recommended to seek medical help as soon as you can. The sooner an injury is seen to by a professional the less likely you are to make it worse. As always keep off the beer until the end of the day, and when possible take a break every third day to allow your muscles to recover. Enjoy!

Testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer that mainly affects young men aged between 20 and 35. The most common sign of testicular cancer is a lump in the testicles which is why checking yourself on a regular basis is such a good idea. Testicular cancer can spread very quickly although if caught early on it has a 95% success rate. Knowing what your testicles feel like normally is incredibly important as is knowing how to check them. Testicular cancer detection is not hard if you can spot the changes in your own body.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
The most common testicular cancer symptoms are swelling and/or a testicular cancer lump. Lumps are often found on the side or front of the testicle, they are pea sized and will feel hard to the touch. Other symptoms of testicular cancer may include:
• A heavy feeling in your scrotum
• A sharp pain or dull ache in your scrotum or testicles – this may come and go
• A full ache in your abdomen
• A general feeling of un-wellness
• Fatigue

Depending on the stage of the cancer further signs of testicular cancer may be experienced. These will however depend on how far the cancer has spread.

Checking Yourself for Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer detection can be done at home, so it is imperative to know what your testicles feel like normally so you can pick up on any abnormalities. Your checking routine should consist of:
• Try and examine yourself whilst having a warm shower or a bath – the longer you are in the water, the softer your scrotum will be which makes it easier to feel your testicles.
• Examine your scrotum slowly. Look for any lumps both inside and outside.
• Cradle your scrotum and check your testicles individually. It is normal for one testicle to be larger than the other although if you notice a difference to previous checks, you should schedule an appointment with your GP.
• Check each of your testicles for swelling or lumps. Both should be completely smooth except for where the sperm duct connects to the penis.

If during a routine check you find any lumps, swelling or abnormalities it is time to visit your doctor for a thorough check-up. Remember the sooner testicular cancer is caught, the higher the success rate.

Testicular Cancer Treatment
The testicular cancer treatment you receive will depend on the form of testicular cancer that you are suffering from and how advanced it is. The first treatment option that is always tried is removal of the testicular cancer lump however radiotherapy or chemotherapy may also be required. If the testicular cancer is in an advanced stage further treatment may be required to remove lymph nodes. Your testicular cancer treatment options will be fully discussed with you beforehand.

Testicular cancer is an uncommon form of cancer but one that can spread quickly if left untreated. Testicular cancer awareness is a great way to spread word of the disease and by checking yourself routinely, you can catch the signs of testicular cancer early.

What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a painful gynaecological condition in which small pieces of the womb’s lining are found outside of the womb. They could be found in a variety of places including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, bowel, bladder or rectum. Endometriosis is an often unheard of disease – it is thought that over 80% of the population have never heard of it – however, it is an awful disease for those who suffer from it and can lead to infertility.

Symptoms of Endometriosis
The endometriosis symptoms vary from woman to woman with a small minority also having no symptoms at all. The most common endometriosis signs include:
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back or pelvis
• Painful or heavy periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Fertility problems

Clearly endometriosis pain can be felt in numerous ways, which is why some women find this to be such a debilitating disease. In addition to the above, there are also a number of less common symptoms of endometriosis. These include:
• Coughing blood
• Bowel blockages
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Discomfort when urinating

These endometriosis symptoms are relative to the area of the endometriosis tissue. The pain that is felt will depend on the endometriosis stages. Stage one is the mildest form of the illness whilst stage four is the most severe.

Endometriosis Diagnosis
If you experience any of the symptoms of endometriosis described above you are advised to speak to your family doctor. If he or she believes that you may be suffering from endometriosis pain he will refer you to a gynaecologist who will be able to diagnose you. To receive an endometriosis diagnosis your gynaecologist will perform a laparoscopy which will involve passing a small camera through your body and taking a tissue sample. Where the laparoscope will be inserted will depend on where you are feeling pain.

Endometriosis Treatment
Endometriosis can be very difficult to treat and so the main endometriosis treatment options focus on helping women to cope with the symptoms. The main endometriosis treatment options include pain relief, surgery and hormone treatment and the type that is best will depend on the individual. In the worst cases a hysterectomy may be the only option.

Endometriosis and Pregnancy
Whilst endometriosis is often linked to infertility, suffering from the disease does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to have children. The chances of having a child depend on the endometriosis stages with people suffering from stage one endometriosis said to have the same amount of chance as people who don’t suffer from the disease, and people suffering from stage four having a lower chance. Doctors do however believe that those who fall into the last bracket can still have children, it just may take longer (up to two years) to conceive.

Now that the festive season is over, it’s not surprising that many of us are falling into a form of post-holiday depression. After all the excitement that accompanied Christmas and New Year, all we are left with is dark and gloomy days and cold and miserable weather – the perfect ingredients for January depression. As reality sets back in and the magic of Christmas is gone for another year, there are a few things we can do to increase our moods and make the most of the year to come. Let’s take a look at the top three things that cause post-holiday depression and how you can turn them around to your advantage.

1. It’s Dark and Cold Outside
More than just January blues, the weather is known for having a profound effect on people to such an extent that the disorder has now been given its own name. SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder affects a large number of the population with many people feeling both tired and depressed. In order to boost your mood, think about things in a positive light – the days are now getting longer again and as the month goes on, the amount of sunlight seen daily will increase. Try taking a walk during the sunlight hours – this is a great way to regain your positive mood!

2. Weight Gain Over Christmas
Weight gain is often an inevitable part of Christmas and with all the festivities over and done with, it’s easy for this to lead to January depression. In order to counteract the January blues it’s time to set up a healthy eating and fitness plan. Most healthy diets lead to a 2lb weight loss every week and by sticking to a good diet and exercise regime for the next four weeks, you will be back to your pre-Christmas weight before you know it.

3. Money Worries
Many of us spent more than we planned to over Christmas and as we head into the New Year we’re left wondering how we’re going to pay for the rent and bills. With most countries still in a recession, it’s a good idea to make January the month to sort out your finances and get on top of things. Not only will this help to quash your January blues, but by changing your money habits for good, you will be able to see a bright future. You could even aim to save a set amount each month and spend it on a holiday… this gives you something to look forward to and will keep your mind off your post-holiday depression.

From all of us here at Healthadel.com, have a Happy New Year!

What is a Hangover?
A hangover is a mixture of unpleasant symptoms that occur after drinking too much alcohol. A hangover usually occurs the morning after a night out but it can also occur on the same night itself. Unfortunately there is no set rule as to how many drinks will constitute a hangover or how severe the symptoms will be as everyone reacts individually. What can be said however is that the more an individual drinks, the worse their symptoms will be.

Hangover Symptoms
As alcohol is a toxic substance the symptoms of a hangover are caused by the body being unable to rid the toxins efficiently. This is because alcohol dehydrates the body, and the liver requires water to remove the toxins. In order for the liver to do its job it will take water from other organs such as the brain which is what causes the hangover symptoms.

The symptoms of a hangover can include one or more of the following:
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Anxiety, depression or irritability
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Vertigo
• Sweating

Hangover symptoms usually begin to occur when the body alcohol level returns to 0 which is usually several hours after drinking the last alcohol drink. The symptoms of a hangover can last anywhere from a few hours to over a day and symptoms will vary from hangover to another.

Hangover Cures
One of the best hangover remedies is to just not drink alcoholic drinks at all; however drinking modestly is also a way to prevent the hangover symptoms described above. Drinking to the point of intoxication is sure to lead to a bad hangover the next day. There are a number of hangover cures that are often talked about but how many of these actually work is a different matter – in fact some of these are actually proven to make a hangover worse. The following are definitely not the best hangover cures and are best avoided unless you want to feel worse:
• Hair of the dog – whilst drinking another alcoholic drink will prevent the onset of a hangover, this is still a bad idea as you are only delaying the inevitable. Plus your liver will not be best impressed.
• Black coffee – this may seem to work but the hangover relief will be short. Coffee is a diuretic and is sure to dehydrate you further.
• Burnt toast – whilst carbon is included in some of the over the counter hangover remedies, the carbon found on burnt toast is not activated and hence does not work in the same way.
• Greasy or fried foods – This is a great hangover remedy if you actually eat it before you start drinking. Eating greasy or fried foods in the midst of a hangover is a bad idea though and will only lead to stomach upsets.

So keep away from the bad hangover cures mentioned above and instead try some of the following. These are some of the best hangover cures and are known to help relieve the symptoms of a hangover:
• Hangover soup – Bouillon soup is highly recommended and is a great alternative to solid hangover food. Bouillon soup replaces both potassium and salt which can help even the most severe hangovers.
• Fruit juice – Fruit juice contains a variety of vitamins and minerals which can help your body to get rid of toxins at a faster rate and increase your energy levels.
• Eggs – Another great hangover food, eggs can actively help your body to rid itself of alcohol toxins.
• Water and Sports Drinks – both of these can help to rehydrate you which should provide hangover relief for some of the symptoms described above, most notably the headache. Sports drinks in particular are especially good as they contain potassium which can help your body to restore electrolytes.
• Medicine – over the counter medications can help to relieve the symptoms of a hangover however none will squash the symptoms completely. Keep away from aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol and stick to paracetamol unless you want to risk further problems down the line.

Time is the best hangover cure but drinking as much water as possible before you drink alcohol, whilst you are drinking alcohol and the next morning will help to relieve the symptoms experienced.

What is Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence literally means the unintentional passing of urine. It is a very common condition and is thought to affect more than 50 million people in the world. There are two main types of urinary incontinence:
• Urge incontinence which is when urine leaks just after an urgent sensation to urinate occurs.
• Stress incontinence which is due to poor pelvic floor muscles and can cause urine to leak when you laugh or cough for example.

Urinary incontinence is much more common in women than in men. Incontinence in women is thought to be experienced by around 13% of the population whilst incontinence in men is thought to be experienced by around 5%. The good news is that there are a number of treatment options available for people suffering from the condition.

Urinary Incontinence Causes
There are a variety of urinary incontinence causes and as there are a number of different forms of urinary incontinence the causes also vary widely. As a general guideline, the most common urinary incontinence causes are below. Further information can be obtained from your doctor:
• Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles
• Damaged urethral sphincter (the muscles that keep the urethra closed)
• Conditions affecting the urinary tract
• Conditions such as diabetes that affect the whole body
• Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
• Bladder problems

There are some further causes of incontinence too. The likelihood of a woman experiencing incontinence is increased if she experienced nerve damaged during childbirth, if she had a larger than average child that was born the natural way, if she is pregnant or if she is lacking in oestrogen. Incontinence in men is increased if erectile dysfunction is experienced or if the prostate gland has been removed. Other factors that can lead to urinary incontinence include obesity, age, depression and medication.

Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Urinary incontinence can be a very uncomfortable condition but you will be happy to know that there are a variety of treatment options available to you. The first things that a doctor will recommend are non-medication incontinence treatments including lifestyle changes such as losing weight and reducing your caffeine intake, bladder training and pelvic floor exercises.

If none of these work over a prolonged period of time your GP may prescribe medication to help. The main medications for incontinence treatment are duloxetine, oxybutynin, desmopressin and hormonal medication. Which one you are prescribed will depend on the type of urinary incontinence that you have.

If again none of the above work, the last step is urinary incontinence surgery. The procedures vary depending on the type of urinary incontinence that is experienced although the majority of surgeries are successful and can help a patient to get back to their normal day-to-day life.

Warts and verrucas are small, rough lumps that often appear on the hands and the feet. They are non-cancerous and vary in looks depending on where they are located. Warts can be found in locations all over the body, however when they are present on the feet they are more often called verrucas. Warts and verrucas are very contagious and most people will experience them during some point in their life.

Preventing Warts and Verrucas
Warts and verrucas are caused by the HPV virus albeit in different strains. What this means however is that they are very contagious and they can easily be passed from person to person through close skin contact. They can also be passed through indirect contact which is often the case with feet verrucas for example on shoes, towels, or even the edge of swimming pools. Warts can also be spread from one area of the body to another so where possible prevention is the best idea.

The best way to prevent warts and verrucas is by ensuring you do not share clothing, shoes, towels or any other possibly contaminated objects with someone who has a wart or a verruca. Feet warts are the easiest thing to spread so if you have one it is vital that you cover it up even when swimming so as not to spread the virus further. You can avoid spreading warts and verrucas to other places on your body by treating them properly and avoiding picking or scratching them.

Treatment for Warts and Verrucas
Warts and verrucas do tend to clear up on their own however research has shown that the older you are, the more persistent they can be. If you do find that warts treatment and verrucas treatment are needed, the treatments available include:
• Over the counter treatments – there are a wide range of these available, some are more effective than others. You should look for brands that contain salic acid in particular.
• Cyotherapy – literally freezing the wart off.
• Chemical treatments – often available on prescription these are stronger than the shop bought verruca treatments but do come with bigger side effects.
• Surgery – this is the last option and is usually avoided as most warts do end up returning.
The aim of all of the above wart and verrucas treatments is to remove the wart and prevent it from returning. However no treatment is 100% effective and if you do find you have had your wart for a prolonged length of time it might be a good idea to return to your doctor for further advice.

What is Color Blindness?
Color blindness is also known as color vision deficiency and refers to a condition in which people struggle to see colors in the same way that most people do. Often people with color blindness struggle to differentiate between two colors, for example red and green, although in very rare cases some people do not see color at all and instead see the world in shades of grey. The ailment is much more common in men than women and unfortunately there is no cure.

Color Blindness Causes
The color blindness causes are either hereditary or due to an underlying health condition. Most people who suffer from color blindness have done so since birth and it is believed that it is an ailment that can be inherited. In these cases, color blindness is either mild or severe but it will not get any worse during your lifetime so long as no other conditions make it so. Health conditions are also linked to color blindness causes and these include:
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Macular Degeneration
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Leukemia
• Alcoholism

Color Blindness Diagnosis
Most people become aware of their color blindness during social situations. For example you may find that your child has difficulty in naming colors or they may struggle to read signs printed in certain colors. Sometimes the deficiency can go undetected for many years however especially if the condition is mild and the child has known nothing else.

If you suspect that you or your child has color blindness the best way to make a diagnosis is by visiting a nurse and going through a color blindness test. The color blindness test could involve trying to read numbers on cards made up of multi-colored dots or trying to spot colors in different lights. If you struggle with the color blindness test it is likely that you are suffering from color blindness and an optician will then examine your eyes for any defects.

Color Blindness Treatment
There is currently no color blindness treatment available and there is no cure for the condition. Color blindness however does not cause any long term health problems and most people who suffer from the condition do not find themselves at much of a disadvantage in life. Most people find a way to work around the condition for example by memorizing the position of traffic lights rather than relying on the colors. The only time color blindness treatment is successful is if the condition was caused by a health condition such as glaucoma which is later cured. In this instance however it is the underlying health condition that is treated rather than color blindness itself.