Universal Medicine

  Acne is a problem which impacts a large majority of us, whether that be a small pimple once in a blue moon or something more severe such as regular cysts and nodules. Unfortunately there is no specific cure for the skin condition; no magical pill that provides you with blemish-free skin. For many, it can be frustrating and can have serious psychological effects, worsened by the detrimental social stigma of acne. The actual cause is linked to hormones, exemplified by how many people can see their acne worsen at specific times such as during their menstrual cycle. Small glands located on the surface of the skin are known as sebaceous glands. They are attached to hair follicles which are small holes which allow hair to grow out of, with the hair itself being lubricated by sebum (an oily substances produced by the sebaceous glands). If too much sebum is produced, is combines with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle leading to a spot appearing on the skin.  Todays’ ...

Ellie Lacey was diagnosed with unexplained liver failure in 2016, and her condition became so severe that she required a liver transplant in order to survive. As luck would have it, after looking through the worldwide database, the hospital found a match for her and was able to save her life. The reason I'm writing this article is because last year, 21 families did not give their consent for their organs to be donated when they were necessary to save someone's life. Had they consented, they could have saved a large number of lives. Wales is unique in that they have a system for organ donation called "Presumed Consent" which states that any child born in Wales, is automatically put onto the organ donor list and if you want to be taken off the list, you need to opt out (when you are an adult). This is the opposite of the system in motion in the rest of the UK, whereby if you want to opt into the organ donor list, you need to register to be added onto it. Herein lies ...

Currently in the UK more and more of the population are living for longer. The percentage of older people in our population is growing and is predicted to continue growing further into the future. Therefore, older people are increasingly contributing to our society. At present our society is not able to accommodate enough for the elderly, so many new measures are being put in place to do this. Although, there are difficulties being faced due to our ageing population which will take time to overcome. One of the biggest concerns with an aging population is the effect on healthcare. As we get older we become more susceptible to illnesses as some are associated with age. Statistics now show that the leading cause of death in the UK is due to age related illnesses such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Thus there is and will be more people needing medical attention. With this increased demand for medical help there needs to be a growth in healthcare services. At this time the growth doesn’...

When one discovers that they must undergo a medical operation, the surgery itself is often the factor of most concern; the risks and whether or not there are any less invasive alternatives. Once over and the surgeon reveals all has gone has expected, a feeling of relief can be felt and the process of healing can begin. However, this is often not the case for patients in hospitals around the world. Aftercare is just as salient as treatment itself in regards to surgery, and when the appropriate aid is not given, individuals who should be able to recover, sadly may not be afforded the opportunity.   Research conducted in Africa has shown that twice as many people die in the continent compared to other countries following an operation. 2.1% of patients will die after an operation in Africa, which is double the global average of 1% of instances which lead to fatalities. A lack of medical staff coupled with inadequate facilities has been attributed to the problem, as without them...

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...

Transubstantiation… Doctrine of the Catholic Church, scientifically verified? Figure 1 According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Transubstantiation is the change of substance of bread and wine offered (consecrated) as a sacrifice in Mass, into the real body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Church teaches the way the substance of the Eucharistic offering changes into the body and blood of Christ is a mystery and incomprehensible to human intellect. But it appears even Catholic have trouble believing this nature.  However over centuries there have been numerous reports of consecrated hosts turning to physical flesh and blood. figure 2 The Miracle of Lanciano In 8 th century Lanciano, a priest who was doubting  the claims of the church; that Jesus was truly present in the consecrated, when he said the words of consecration during mass(“this is my Body. This is my blood”) saw the bread and wine turn into real human flesh and blood.( Figure 1 unleavened brea...