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5 Possible Causes of Neck Pain - and When to Get Help

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Neck pain can appear after a long day at a desk, an awkward night’s sleep or a stressful week, but the reason is not always obvious. Most cases improve with time and sensible movement, while certain symptoms suggest that a nerve, the spinal cord or another medical condition may be involved. Understanding the possibilities can help you respond calmly without ignoring important warning signs. On this page Understanding neck pain Five possible causes What can help? Will you need a scan? When to seek urgent help Understanding Neck Pain The neck contains seven cervical vertebrae supported by discs, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Pain may remain in the neck or spread into the shoulders, shoulder blades, head or arms. Not every scan finding explains someone’s pain. Age-related changes are common even in people w...
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The Condition Formerly Known as Fatty Liver Disease: What Is MASLD?

By Midrand Medical Centre
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A liver problem can be present for years without causing pain or other obvious symptoms. MASLD is closely connected to metabolic health, which means it often appears alongside conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. The good news is that finding it before advanced scarring develops creates an opportunity to protect both liver and heart health. On this page What does MASLD mean? MASLD and MASH Risk factors and possible symptoms How MASLD is investigated Treatment and everyday care When to seek prompt medical care What Does MASLD Mean? MASLD stands for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and is usually pronounced “maz-uld”. It is the current name for the condition previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. The updated name ...
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Location: Gauteng, South Africa
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12 Lupus Symptoms That Can Be Easy to Miss

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Lupus can be difficult to recognise because it does not look the same in every person. Symptoms may appear gradually, come and go in flares or resemble several other medical conditions. Understanding the possible patterns can help someone seek appropriate care without assuming that one rash, painful joint or abnormal blood test automatically means lupus. On this page What is lupus? How symptoms can behave Possible lupus symptoms How lupus is diagnosed Treatment and everyday care When symptoms need urgent attention What Is Lupus? Systemic lupus erythematosus, usually shortened to SLE or lupus, is a long-term autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation that may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart, lungs or nervous system. Lupus is not c...
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Location: Midrand, South Africa
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6 Surprising Signs of a Staph Infection

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Staph bacteria are commonly found on healthy skin and inside the nose without causing any trouble. An infection can develop when the bacteria enter broken skin, a wound or another part of the body where they do not belong. Most staph infections can be treated successfully, but recognising the signs early is important because some infections can spread quickly. On this page What is a staph infection? Six signs to recognise Who is more vulnerable? Diagnosis and treatment Protecting yourself and others When to seek urgent help What Is a Staph Infection? Staph infections are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus . They can range from small skin infections to more serious infections involving the blood, lungs, heart, bones or other organs. MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that...
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Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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ADHD and Autism in Children: Similarities, Differences and When to Seek Help

By Midrand Medical Centre
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A child who struggles to sit still, cope with change, follow conversations or manage big emotions may leave parents wondering what lies beneath the behaviour. ADHD and autism are different neurodevelopmental conditions, but some of their outward signs can look surprisingly similar. Understanding the pattern behind the behaviour is more helpful than trying to identify a child from a checklist. On this page Two neurodevelopmental profiles Where ADHD and autism look similar Clues that may distinguish them Can a child have both? What an assessment involves Support for children Two different neurodevelopmental profiles What is ADHD? ADHD primarily affects the regulation of attention, activity and impulses. A child may have an inattentive presentation, a hyperactive-impulsive presentation or a combination of both. Symptoms begin during childhood, occur in more than one setting and interfere with everyday functioning before they support an ADHD diagnosis. What is a...
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12 Ways Your Body May Be Telling You to Cut Back on Sugar

By Midrand Medical Centre
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Sugar is not poisonous, and enjoying something sweet does not mean you have failed at healthy eating. The concern is the amount of added or free sugar that can quietly build up through drinks, sauces, cereals, snacks and everyday convenience foods. Your body cannot calculate your sugar intake for you, but certain patterns may suggest that it is time to look more closely at what you are eating. On this page What counts as free or added sugar? Appetite, energy and concentration Digestive, sleep and visible changes Longer-term metabolic clues How to cut back realistically What counts as free or added sugar? Free sugars include sugar added during manufacturing, cooking or at the table, as well as the sugars in honey, syrups, fruit juice and fruit-juice concentrates. The naturally occurring sugars inside intact fruit, vegetables and plain milk come packaged differently and are not usually the main target of sugar-reduction guidance. What matters most is your overall e...
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Location: South Africa
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Sardinemaxxing for Better Skin: Smart Nutrition or Social Media Hype?

By Midrand Medical Centre
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A humble tin of sardines has become an unlikely social-media beauty star. Fans of “sardinemaxxing” claim that eating sardines regularly can calm acne, hydrate dry skin and create a noticeable glow. Sardines are certainly nutritious, but healthy skin is more complicated than one trending food. On this page What is sardinemaxxing? What sardines bring to the table What the research says Possible downsides A balanced approach What exactly is sardinemaxxing? Sardinemaxxing is the online trend of eating sardines frequently in the hope of improving health, appearance or both. Unlike many wellness trends, it is based around a genuinely nutrient-dense food. The exaggerated name, however, can make the practice sound more powerful and extreme than the evidence supports. What sardines bring to the table Omega-3 Fatty Acids Sardines provide the long-chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. These fats form part of cell membranes and help regulate inflammatory processes throughou...
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Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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