Glossary of terms: H

the most common type of headache is the tension headache which is caused by contractions of the muscles of the back of the neck and the scalp. The headache is relieved when the muscle contractions cease. This can be helped along by taking an analgesics such as paracetamol. Headaches can also follow from a head injury caused either because of the tenderness at the point of injury or because of the contraction of muscles around it. These types of headaches are known as vascular or delusional headaches.Headaches are also associated with high blood pressure (hypertension).

is a term used for a person who is qualified to provide health care to others.It includes general practitioners (GPs), physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, psychologists, dermatologists, rheumatologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapist, podiatrist, chiropodist, optometrists, paramedics, dentist, and a wide variety of other individuals regulated and/or licensed to provide some type of health care.

cells that travel through the blood looking for antigens, when one is encountered they trigger other immune cells to attack.

is where a pharmaceutical preparation contains at least one active ingredient extracted from plant sources.

pertaining to a characteristic, condition, or disease transmitted from parent to offspring; inborn; inherited.

a highly infectious virus which causes crusted sores most commonly around the lips and mouth (cold sores) and the genitals. It begins with itching of the skin followed by redness and swelling which turn to fragile blisters which rupture to excude a sticky fluid which rapidly crusts over.

a skin eruption or red and white raised patches on the skin similar to that caused by nettles.The patches cause great irritation and are normally seen on the trunk and on the face.

is associated with a certain set of autoimmune diseases including psoriatic arthritis.

• A blood test is often carried to establish a diagnosis particularly in ankylosing spondylitis.
• In ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 90% of patients will have a positive test for HLA B27.
• In psoriatic arthritis (PsA) 20% of patients will have a positive test for HLA B27.
• 50% of HLA B27 positive tests will have spinal disease (spondylopathy)
• 7% percent of the general population have the HLA-B27 gene.

is a system of medicine founded by Samuel Hahnemann at the end of the 18th Century. It is based on the theory that diseases are curable by those drugs which produce effects on the body similar to symptoms caused by the disease. (similia similibus antur).

a complex chemical substance produced in one part or organ of the body that initiates or regulates the activity of an organ or a group of cells in another part.

is an inflammatory condition of the bursa in front of the knee cap, often mistaken for joint disease.

is supervised exercise in a warm pool. The physiotherapist uses the properties of water to help ease stiff joints and strengthen weak muscles. Hydrotherapy may include continuous tub baths, wet sheet packs or shower sprays.

thickening of the nail.

means abnormal excessive growth of bone.

a term meaning blood pressure that is above the normal range

is the use of a state of relaxation varying from very light to deep and is used for treating such conditions as addictions, anxiety, depression, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, phobias and stress.

low blood sugar.