Blood pressure looks wonderfully straightforward: cuff on, button pressed, two numbers appear. But the numbers are surprisingly sensitive to what happens in the few minutes before and during the measurement. The size of the cuff, the position of your feet, whether you have just rushed upstairs and even whether you are chatting can influence a reading. When blood-pressure decisions are based on relatively small differences, technique matters. On this page 1. The cuff is wrong for your arm 2. You skipped the quiet five minutes 3. Coffee, smoking or exercise was too recent 4. Your bladder is full 5. Your sitting position is working against you 6. Your arm is hanging below heart level 7. You are talking, scrolling or watching something How to get a more useful home record 1. The cuff is wrong for your arm ...

Imagine feeling as though the room has shifted, the supermarket aisle is moving beneath you, or a short car journey suddenly makes you nauseous — yet your head does not hurt. Migraine may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but head pain is not compulsory in every migraine disorder. One important example is vestibular migraine, where dizziness, vertigo, imbalance and motion sensitivity can take centre stage. There is also a recognised form of migraine aura that can occur without a subsequent headache. On this page Migraine is bigger than headache What vestibular migraine can feel like How doctors recognise it Why assessment matters What can help vestibular migraine? Migraine is bigger than headache Migraine is a neurological disorder, not simply a particularly bad headache. Head pain is common, but migraine...

Arthritis is usually discussed in terms of painful, stiff or swollen joints. Yet for many people, another symptom can be just as disruptive: a level of exhaustion that does not always disappear after a good night's sleep. Fatigue can occur with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, but it can also affect people living with osteoarthritis. It may make ordinary tasks feel unexpectedly demanding and can be difficult to explain when, from the outside, you appear perfectly well. On this page Arthritis fatigue is more than ordinary tiredness Why arthritis can drain your energy The problem with the boom-and-bust cycle What may actually help? When fatigue deserves a medical review Arthritis fatigue is more than ordinary tiredness Ordinary tiredness usually has an obvious explanation: a bus...

When people picture eczema, they often imagine a bright red, inflamed rash. But on brown and black skin, inflammation may tell a different visual story. It may look purple, grey, deep brown or simply darker than the surrounding skin. Sometimes the biggest clues are not colour at all, but itch, dryness, tiny bumps or a change in texture. That matters because eczema can be missed or underestimated when we rely too heavily on redness. Knowing what else to look for can help you recognise a flare earlier and get the right treatment for uncomfortable or recurring skin changes. On this page Why eczema may look different on darker skin Six changes worth noticing When the rash is gone but the colour remains What helps calm eczema When to have your skin assessed Why eczema may look different on darker skin Eczema, particula...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...