Taking care of your teeth and visiting your dental hygienist may be the last thing on your mind when you are pregnant, but in fact this is an area that you should pay attention to as healthy gums are very important during this period of your life.

There are many factors which can upset your natural balance during pregnancy. If you are unlucky enough to suffer from morning sickness at any stage of your pregnancy then this can have an effect on your teeth, so you should make sure that you brush your teeth often and well to keep your oral hygiene up.

The hormonal changes too in your body at this time can make you more prone to things such as gingivitis, which can cause painful swollen gums and even lead to complications. (more...)

STI clinics, or sexual health clinics as they are more commonly known, are an important part of any society and government's contribution towards looking after the well being of its population.

So what is an STI clinic and why are they so crucial for a healthy, population? STI's or STDs as they are also known, are sexually transmitted infections or diseases (you now get the i and the d). An STI clinic specializes in the prevention and treatment of these infections. They also offer a number of reproductive health services and normally these services are combined into one clinic. The main difference between the two clinics is their area of expertise and if you need help from another, they are likely to be able to refer you to one nearby.

Like reproductive health service clinics, they will offer you information about birth control, general sex education and birth control. You will also have access to antibiotics sti cures for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis as well as general vaccinations and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Many STI clinics also offer vaccinations to prevent infections from hepatitis B viruses and young women can sometimes receive vaccinations human papillomavirus (HPV). (more...)

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a flat band of connective tissue or ligament that links your heel arch to the toes. It is the most common cause of heel pain often seen in the middle aged people.

The plantar fasciitis supports the arch of your heel. Due to excessive stress on the plantar fascia, it causes inflammation of the tendon. It also occurs in young people who are athletes or soldiers. If proper treatment is not given to the ligament, it becomes swollen and inflamed. It causes hurt and pain when you walk or stand on your feet.

This often occurs due to excessive walking or running on hard surfaces. When you are overweight, it falls back on the tendon. Sometimes when you wear shoes that ill-fit you. When you have high arches or flat feet, wear and tear of the tendon is much possible. People suffering from plantar fasciitis can get to know their first symptoms when they are not able to take their first steps after they wake from bed or after a prolonged sitting. You may feel stiffness and pain when you try taking a few steps. Your foot would be giving in when you walk through stair or stand for a long time. (more...)