Top health-related Google searches
1. What is Cancer?
Put simply it is abnormal cells that are dividing in an uncontrolled way. These cells can be in any part of the body and can sometimes spread to other organs and tissues. Experts estimate more than four in 10 cancer cases could be prevented largely through lifestyle changes.
2. What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is something that doctors can measure to help them get an idea of how healthy your heart and blood vessels are. Systolic pressure is the higher number and reflects the force in your arteries and diastolic pressure is the lower number, when your heart is relaxing and refiling with blood ready for the next pump.
3. What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition that means the amount of sugar in a person’s blood is too high. There are two main types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2.
4. What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is also known as blood poisoning and is a potentially life-threatening condition. It can happen quickly and occurs when the body reacts strongly to an infection and starts attacking its own organs and tissues.
5. Why do I feel sick?
This was the most basic question and covers a wide variety of possible causes. These include drinking too much alcohol, drug side effects, food poisoning, motion sickness and pregnancy.
6. What is Lupus?
This is related to US celebrity singer and actress Selena Gomez who has lupus, which forced her to undergo chemotherapy and a kidney transplant in September. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition where a person’s antibodies start attacking itself.
7. What is the dementia tax?
One of the most hotly debated issues of the general election. The divisive policy for adult social care was short-lived with Theresa May axing it this year.
8. Why am I always tired?
Again, there are many possible causes for feeling tired all the time. It might be as simple as not getting enough sleep, or getting sleep of a poor quality. It could be you’re low in iron or have a dietary intolerance. You may also have depression and high levels of stress.
9. Is tonsillitis contagious?
Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, it refers to inflammation of the tonsils and typically occurs due to infection from a number of viruses or a type of bacterium called streptococcus. Strictly speaking you cannot catch tonsillitis from anyone else.
10. How long does the flu last?
This varies to some extent with the strain each year and obviously goes on longer if complications develop. The typical course of flu is seven to ten days.