Universal Medicine

It's no secret to us all that there are a huge number of people living in our World, and it's also not that much of a stretch to accept that our resources are spread extremely thinly across us all. For this reason, the Royal College of GPs is begging the public of the UK to carefully consider whether a visit to the GP for their symptoms is absolutely essential. If a mere 5% of people did not visit GPs for harmless diagnoses, then 50,000 appointments would be saved for those who truly need medical attention from the GP. So, what is the title of this article banging on about? The rule of 3, or "3 before GP" rule, is a set of three things that you should consider before scheduling an appointment with your local GP. 1) Could I do this myself? If the symptoms aren't that severe, is it something you could take of yourself? Perhaps a glass of water and some rest is enough to allay the symptoms you are experiencing. 1) Is there something online that could help? The...

Seasons Greetings! This year has been filled with some wonderful posts written by my fellow writers here at Universal Medicine. From carbon nanotubes and CRISPR, to the effect of coffee on our health as well as the problems with prescriptions, there has been such a diverse range of topics covered! Make sure you go back and check through if there are any that you have missed. Thank you greatly to all of our readers who take the time look at our posts and respond. On behalf of all of us here at Universal Medicine, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Stay tuned for some excellent posts next year. By Vicale Czan Alfanti Universal Medicine 

It’s the most *cough* wonderful time of the year *cough*… We are very much in the whirlwind of the Christmas spirit. Hopefully all last minute gifts have been purchased and we are all gearing up for Christmas Day television and plenty of food. Even if Christmas is not celebrated in your household, it is hard to deny that this time of the year is most definitely best spent with family and friends. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to enjoy the festive period. Simple things such as food, shelter and companionship are of concern, only made worse by the sharp cold they are unable to escape. There are several things we can also strive to do in the coming weeks (and all year if we are able) to help as many people as possible enjoy the end of 2017 and look forward to a brand new year. 1.        Many households will be guilty of buying too much food. No worries! Any left-over tins, drinks non-perishable items can be donated to food banks for those who w...

We're all aware of the devastation to come as a result of our abhorrent overindulgence in the use non-renewable fuels. Rising sea level, floods as a result and severe climate change are all consequences we are going to have to deal with in the future, but our pollution problem is forcing us to deal with effects that are much more immediate, and in no way less sinister. UNICEF issued a statement on the 6th of December ( click link here ) stating that 17 million babies around the world are at risk of stunted brain development due to their breathing in of toxic pollutants. They also said that the majority resided in South-Asia. Southern Asia is notorious for its heavy smog clouds in large cities and many of the citizens subsequently wear smog masks or gas filters in an attempt to protect their well-being. There are babies in these smog-ridden regions that are breathing in an environment that is polluted 6 times the national limit, and the effects are detrimental to their future. U...

Addison’s disease impacts approximately 8400 people in the UK, and can affect individuals of any age although it is most common in women and people aged between 30 and 50. It is also referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency, or hypoadrenalism, as it pertains to the adrenal glands not working as they should do. Below, we will delve more into the disease itself, as well as the symptoms and methods of treatment. Adrenal glands are labelled as endocrine glands as they are a group of specialised cells with the primary function of secreting hormones. The adrenal glands are situated at the top of the kidneys, and the hormones which they produce related to Addison’s disease are cortisol and aldosterone, produce specifically from the adrenal cortex. Both hormones are vital as they allow for the regulation of not only blood pressure through the balancing of ions but also the body’s reaction to stress. When the adrenal cortex is damaged, not enough of the hormones are produced, th...