Universal Medicine

Now, there are a few terms which individuals have to be familiar with to understand the basics of gum disease. Firstly, the scientific term for gum disease is "Periodontitis" whereas "Gingivitis" is the term given to gum inflammation. Periodontitis is preventable so this week Universal Medicine will be revealing the causes of gum disease as well as symptoms, treatments and possible prevention. The first stage of periodontitis is gingivitis- this is when the gums become red, swollen and start to feel tender. This stage is significant in the long term as the damage could potentially be reversed. The direct cause of Gingivitis is through the formation of plaque which is due to the lack of brushing and flossing. Furthermore, plaque is actually a thin layer of bacteria which constantly forms on the surface of the teeth which can eventually harden and cause an infection. Also, the plaque produces an acid which can damage the surface of the tooth. The gums attachin...

Regardless of any limitations, a dentist is vital to one's wellbeing. However, after finishing full time education at 19 years old the perk of free dental treatment does not apply. This week, Universal Medicine will be exploring the cost of dental treatments as well as discovering how the BDA feel about these NHS prices. Recently, the British Dental Association has referred to the cost of NHS dental treatment as a "Tax on health". Statistics discovered by the BDA indicate that, approximately, 600,000 patients have to go to general practitioners so their oral issues can be solved. The BDA feel that the rise in the amount of patients having to go to general practitioners is due to the prices NHS are charging for dental treatments. Of course, an obvious consequence of high treatment prices will mean a lot of individuals will avoid going to important dental appointments as they may not be willing to pay the high price. This could result in the appearance of more seriou...

Winter is once again on its way around and despite the excitement of Christmas for those who celebrate, or the mesmerising beauty of snow when it comes around, this time of the year can be quite daunting for a few-namely, asthma sufferers. The cold air can exacerbate symptoms by causing the airways to constrict and become even narrower.The indoors does not always hold respite either as more time indoors increases exposure to common triggers such as dust, and pet hair. So to start from the beginning- What exactly is asthma? Well, asthma is a common respiratory condition caused by inflammation of the airways making it more difficult to breathe. The symptoms include Wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. It can happen randomly but is generally in response to a trigger, some of which include exercise (this is called exercise-induced asthma) allergens- dust irritants- deodorant, smoke If not controlled asthma can interfere with a healthy lifestyle. Sufferers may be unwilling or un...