Epilepsy is a disease that affects the brain, and has a very physical manifestation. But it is vital that doctors treat patients holistically, says specialist psychiatrist Dr Lavinia Lumu, as physical diseases often have debilitating psychological impacts. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that affects approximately 65 million people worldwide. It is characterised by recurrent seizures, that may involve the entire body or one part of the body, and in some instances, is accompanied by loss of consciousness. There are many different types of epilepsy, and although the disease manifests differently in different patients depending on both type and severity, there is one common thread it is classified as a chronic condition, which means that it requires on-going and consistent management, often extending over the patient’s entire lifespan.

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Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach,

Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

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What is a Stroke? A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke).  Other strokes are caused by bleeding into brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Because stroke occurs rapidly and requires immediate treatment, stroke is also called a brain attack. When the symptoms of a stroke last only a short time (less than an hour), this is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.

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Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days.

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speaks to Dr Colinda Linde, cognitive behaviour therapy clinical psychologist, about excessive daydreaming. spending more than half your day with your mind wandering to the point that it disrupts your life can be ‘maladaptive daydreaming’.

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Bed-wetting is also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis. Generally, bed-wetting before age 7 isn't a concern. At this age, your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control. If bed-wetting continues, treat the problem with patience and understanding. Bladder training, moisture alarms or medication may help reduce bed-wetting. Most kids are fully toilet trained by age 5, but there's really no target date for developing complete bladder control. Between the ages of 5 and 7, bed-wetting remains a problem for some children. After 7 years of age, a small number of children still wet the bed.

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September is the gold ribbon month - marked as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; this is a time where globally, countries honour and remember children and families affected by this rare disease, and help rally awareness on the early warning signs of childhood Cancer. Globally, for a rare disease, childhood cancer is on the rise. New estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) show that the global occurrence of childhood cancer is higher than previously assessed. Worldwide, approximately 215 000 cancers are diagnosed per year in those younger than 15 years and about 85 000 cancers in those aged 15-19 years

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Along with the rebirth of nature, September also marks Heart Awareness month. Your heart is the center of your cardiovascular system, and it is vitally responsible for just about everything that gives your body life -- ranging from the transportation of oxygen to the success of your immune system. Azania focuses on heart health in the Healthy Lifestyle feature

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When toddlers are learning to walk, many spend some time walking up on their tip toes, which is known as toe walking. Some toddlers are unable to walk with their whole foot, and this is something that should be checked out by a health professional. Toe walking can be classified into four groups. Some neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy cause the calf muscle to be tighter or change the way it works. This makes it hard or impossible for the child to get their heels onto the ground to walk with their whole foot.

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Dr Ettie Barsky, Training Director and sports physician at Preggie Bellies talked to Azania and 702 landers about the benefits of exercise during pregnancy. New research has shown that moderate exercise during pregnancy may be beneficial to mothers-to-be and may shrink the risk of adverse health effects, such gestational diabetes. The study shown while a controlled exercise training programme didn’t result in weight loss in overweight and obese women, it did result in reduced gestational diabetes and blood pressure.

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