In this article:

• What is bad breath?
• Effect on your life
• Advice & Support
• Symptoms
• Treatments
• Causes

How Chemist Online can help

What is bad breath?
Bad breath is a condition where you have an unpleasant smell from your mouth which is noticeable not only to yourself but also to others whenever you speak, yawn, kiss or simply breathe out.

While it’s true that we are all prone to suffering from bad breath first thing in the morning due to saliva drying up as we sleep, bad breath as an actual medical condition is where your breath’s odour is so severe that it impacts upon your daily life and becomes an embarrassing complaint. That said, in some cases sufferers have bad breath but are oblivious to the fact. This is usually because they are so used to the smell of their own bodies.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of bad breath are a dry mouth and teeth; thick saliva and a constant need to clear your throat; mucous or a burning tongue; a constant sour taste which can also seem metallic in your mouth; and also a white coating on the tongue. All this can result in a fruity smell coming from your mouth; a fishy type of smell; and, in the severest of conditions, a faeces-like smell which can result in people backing away from you or turning their heads away.

Causes
Bad breath is usually caused by gum disease, cavities, smoking, sulphur-producing bacteria in the tongue and throat, poor oral hygiene, alcohol, foods high in protein, sugar or acid, and where the sufferer is also afflicted with an acid reflux condition (GORD).

Effect on your life
Bad breath can impact upon a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence, leading them to avoid many social occasions and also things like close contact both at work and at home. Many sufferers tell of developing a social inferiority complex due to the suspicion that their work colleagues and friends may be commenting upon their appalling breath behind their backs.

Treatments
Good oral hygiene is usually the key to tackling bad breath and reducing its symptoms. This can include things like regularly flossing and brushing the teeth, as well as using mouthwashes and toothpastes which are formulated to be particularly effective. If you find that over-the-counter remedies are not effective for you, then make an appointment with your doctor. He or she may prescribe a course of antibiotics which may help to reduce the development of the sulphur-producing bacteria in your mouth, tongue and throat.

How Chemist Online can help
We have a range of products available which can help you to relieve the symptoms of bad breath such as Aquafresh Mouthwash Extreme Clean which is a purifying mouthwash with a multi-active formula to help significantly freshen breath. We also recommend Listerine Coolmint Mouthwash which is specially formulated to kill the germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gum disease.

Advice & Support
Online forum for bad breath sufferers  Visit Site

This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.

In this article:

• What is acne?
• Diagnosis
• How Chemist Online can help

• Symptoms
• Effect on your life
• Advice & Support
• Causes
• Treatments

What is acne?
Acne (or acne vulgaris) is the medical term for spots. As well as on the face, acne can appear on the arms, neck, chest and back, and also behind the ears and in the groin area. It is one of the most common skin conditions and can affect people of all ages. The spots can be large, red and sore and usually appear during puberty (between the ages 12 and 14). Unfortunately, even after acne has cleared up, it can leave scarring and pockmarks to the skin.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of acne include red inflamed spots, blackheads, white heads, greasy skin, spots with pus in them and painful spots deep within the skin.

As well as being unsightly, acne can be sore and painful.

Causes
Acne is usually caused by an overproduction of sebum in the sebaceous glands in the skin. Sebum is an oily liquid that the sebaceous gland produces and which passes through hair follicles to the skin’s outer surface (the epidermis). When your pores block up with grease this can result in red spots and blackheads.

Acne is not caused through people not washing properly or through being dirty. That said, there are lots of facial washes you can buy to help improve your skin’s condition.

Diagnosis
You can make a simple self-diagnosis of mild acne and then try to treat the condition at home yourself through buying over-the-counter products. But if your acne is severe, then go to your GP who will carry out a diagnosis by making a short, simple inspection of your skin. You may be referred to a dermatologist.

Effect on your life
Acne can have a negative impact upon your self-esteem and self-confidence, with many sufferers reporting feelings of social inferiority and general insecurity about their appearance and also their ability to participate in everyday life. In fact, many dermatologists and social psychologists worldwide agree that, compared to acne, there is no other single condition which can cause such psychological trauma.

Treatments
If you find facial washes are not sufficient, your GP may prescribe an antibiotic cream which you can use each day. If this is not successful you may be prescribed antibiotic tablets for a couple of months. The good news is that, six months after completing the course of antibiotics, most people can be clear of acne for the rest of their lives.

How Chemist Online can help
We have available a range of products which can help you to achieve clearer skin, such as OXY Anti-Spot Balm which is a moisturising balm for use after washing to help prevent spots and blackheads. We can also recommend Clean & Clear® Exfoliating Daily Wash which contains gentle micro-beads for effective cleansing of the skin.

Advice & Support
Acne Help
E-mail: help@acnehelp.org.uk
Website: www.acnehelp.org.uk

This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.

Panic attacks affect 1 person in 100 in the UK, and can be very frightening.

In this article:

What are panic attacks?

Panic attacks are random episodes of intense fear and anxiety. The sufferer experiences a sudden rush of emotional and physical symptoms which come without any obvious reason, and without warning.

Although everyone experiences anxiety and panic during their lifetimes, particularly when faced with dangerous or stressful situations, panic attacks are different: they can occur without any apparent trigger, and also cause anxiety in-between attacks, due to their unpredictable nature. The attacks can recur and become regular, often for no apparent reason, and, for some people, can occur several times per week.

Symptoms

Symptoms of panic attacks include:

<         Overwhelming feelings of anxiety

<         Heart palpitations

<         Sweating

<         Nausea

<         Dizziness

<         Shortness of breath

<         A feeling of dread, and even

<         A fear of dying

Panic attacks can occur anywhere and at any time, lasting from between 2 seconds to about 15 minutes. For some people, the symptoms can be terrifying because it can feel as if you are actually having a heart attack. All this adds to your sense of panic, compounding your anxiety.

Causes

Although the exact causes of panic attacks are unclear, they may occur as a result of:

<         Stressful life experiences (which may be at the root of emotional distress)

<         Dietary problems

<         Breathing problems

<         Exaggerated adrenaline response to ‘fight or flight situations’

<         Personality traits

<         Unstable blood sugar levels

<         Caffeine levels, cigarettes, alcohol and some prescription medication

<         Abnormalities in some neurotransmitters in the brain, and

<         Phobias

Diagnosis

If you feel you may be suffering from panic attacks then make an appointment with your GP. Although panic attacks can be extremely upsetting, try to explain your symptoms as best you can – your GP will be familiar with the disorder and will be experienced in asking you relevant questions in order to make an accurate diagnosis (questions such as: how often your symptoms occur, in what situations, and how you feel when experiencing an attack). He or she will also ask you about your medical history and your mental health history.

After diagnosis, your GP will then give you the most appropriate treatment for your individual situation.

Effect on your life

During a panic attack, your body’s normal response to stress, excitement or fear is greatly exaggerated. Also, you may feel permanently on edge, irritable and even impatient because you simply don’t know when the next attack may strike. This can lead you to feeling isolated, debilitated and depressed, and can also increase your risk of developing other psychological conditions such as agoraphobia (a fear of open spaces) or social phobia (a fear of social situations). That is why it is crucial that you seek diagnosis and treatment.

Children can experience particularly debilitating panic attacks too. The fear of an attack can stop them from engaging in everyday life/activities with others, and also from going to school.

Treatments

Although there is no actual cure for panic attacks, there is treatment available which is intended to at least help ease the severity of symptoms. These include:

<     Psychological therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or ‘CBT’)

<     Self-help techniques (such as creative visualisation and relaxation techniques), and

<     Medication (such as anti-depressants)

If these treatments prove unsuccessful, your GP may refer you to a mental health specialist.

Advice & Support

No Panic

Helpline: 0808 808 0545 (free phone)

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

Anxiety Care

Helpline: (020) 8478 3400 (Mondays & Wednesdays 9.45am – 3.45pm)

Website: www.anxietycare.org.uk

This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.