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What to Know About Mumps

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Mumps is a contagious viral illness that is best known for causing swelling near the cheeks and jaw. Although many people recover fully, mumps can sometimes lead to complications, especially in teenagers and adults. It spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets, which means it can move quickly in homes, schools and other close-contact settings. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of mumps and its complications. On this page What is mumps? 1. Symptoms can start before the swelling 2. Mumps spreads through close contact 3. Treatment is mainly supportive 4. Complications can happen 5. Vaccination helps prevent mumps Closing thoughts What Is Mumps? Mumps is caused by a virus that commonly affects the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands near the cheeks and jaw. This swelling can make the face look puffy and may cause pain when chewing or s...
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12 Types Of Headaches – And What The Pain Really Means!

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Headaches are very common, and most are not dangerous. However, different headache patterns can point to different causes, and some symptoms need urgent medical attention. It helps to notice where the pain is, how quickly it started, how long it lasts, what it feels like and whether it comes with other symptoms. If headaches are frequent, severe, new or changing, it is always best to discuss them with a doctor. On this page Understanding headaches 1. Tension-type headache 2. Migraine 3. Cluster headache 4. Sinus headache 5. Hormonal headache 6. Caffeine withdrawal headache 7. Medication-overuse headache 8. Exertion headache 9. Eye-strain headache 10. Hypertension-related headache 11. Post-traumatic headache 12. Thunderclap headache Closing thoughts Understanding Headaches Primary and secondary headaches ...
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Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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What To Know About An Adult Autism Diagnosis

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Receiving, or even considering, an autism diagnosis in adulthood can bring up many emotions. Some people feel relief because their life finally makes sense, while others feel overwhelmed, uncertain or even sad about how long they went unsupported. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, which means it affects how a person communicates, processes information, experiences sensory input and manages everyday demands. An adult diagnosis does not mean autism suddenly appeared; it usually means it was missed, masked or misunderstood earlier in life. On this page Why autism may be diagnosed later 1. Autism looks different from person to person 2. Many adults seek help after burnout 3. Assessment looks at childhood and current life 4. Diagnosis can help people understand themselves 5. Mental health support still matters Closing thoughts Why Autism May Be Diagnosed Lat...
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Location: Gauteng, South Africa
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The Essential Health Checks for Men Over 40

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Turning 40 is a good time to become more intentional about your health, even if you feel healthy and have no symptoms. Many important conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, can develop quietly for years. Regular health checks are not about expecting bad news; they are about finding risks early, preventing complications and making confident decisions with your doctor. A yearly check-up can also give men space to talk about energy, sleep, stress, sexual health and family history in a practical, supportive way. On this page Why health checks matter after 40 1. Blood pressure and heart health 2. Cholesterol, diabetes and weight-related risk 3. Prostate and bowel cancer screening 4. Skin, testicular, eye, hearing and dental checks 5. Mental health, sleep and sexual health Closing thoughts Why Health Checks Matter After 4...
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Location: Midrand, South Africa
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Pneumonia: Symptoms, Treatment and When to Seek Help

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs and can make breathing feel harder than usual. It may start after a cold, flu, COVID-19 or another respiratory infection, but it can also appear more suddenly. Some people recover at home with the right treatment and rest, while others need urgent care, especially babies, older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. Knowing the symptoms and warning signs can help you act early and prevent complications. On this page What is pneumonia? Common symptoms to watch for Who is more at risk? How pneumonia is diagnosed Treatment and recovery How to reduce your risk When to seek help What is pneumonia? An infection inside the lungs Pneumonia happens when infection causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. These air sacs can fill with fluid or pus, which makes it harder for oxygen to move into the blood...
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Location: South Africa
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Heart Murmurs in Children: When They’re Harmless and When They’re Not

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Being told that you or your child has a heart murmur can sound frightening, but a murmur is not always a sign of heart disease. In many people, especially children, a murmur is harmless and simply reflects normal blood flow through a healthy heart. In other cases, it may be a clue that the heart valves, heart muscle or heart structure need further assessment. The most important thing is to understand what a murmur means, which symptoms matter and when a check-up is needed. On this page What is a heart murmur? When a murmur may be harmless When a murmur may need further investigation Heart murmurs in children Heart murmurs in adults How doctors check a heart murmur When to seek medical help What is a heart murmur? An extra sound heard through a stethoscope A heart murmur is an extra sound heard during a heartbeat. Instead of the usual “lub-dub” sound, a doctor ...
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Location: South Africa
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Fungal Skin Infections: How to Spot Them and Treat Them Properly

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Fungal skin infections are very common and, in most cases, treatable. They often appear in warm, moist areas of the body, such as between the toes, in the groin, under the breasts, in skin folds or on the scalp. Although they are usually not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable, itchy, persistent and contagious. The key is to recognise the signs early, use the correct treatment and avoid quick fixes that may make the infection worse. On this page What causes fungal skin infections? How to spot common fungal infections Why fungal infections are sometimes mistaken for other rashes How fungal skin infections are treated Common treatment mistakes to avoid How to prevent spreading or recurrence When to see a doctor What causes fungal skin infections? Fungi like warm, damp environments Many fungal skin infections are caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that li...
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Screen Time and Its Impact on Children's Behaviour

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Screens are part of everyday life, from homework and video calls to cartoons, games and social media. For many families, the question is no longer simply, “How much screen time is too much?” but rather, “What is my child watching, when are they watching it, and what is it replacing?” Used thoughtfully, digital media can support learning and connection, but when screen use becomes excessive, poorly timed or emotionally overwhelming, it can affect behaviour, sleep, concentration and family routines. On this page A more balanced way to think about screen time How screens can affect sleep and mood Why some children become more irritable or impulsive Why content matters as much as time What screen time may be crowding out Healthy screen habits that actually work When to ask for help A more balanced way to think about screen time It is not only about counting minutes ...
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Location: South Africa
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