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Channel 4's Embarrassing Illnesses - common medical problems - 02/09/08

The must-see Embarrassing Illnesses is back on TV with an ever growing list of unusual and embarrassing medical conditions.

From reoccurring athlete's foot and bunions to incontinence and vaginal prolapse, patients on the show suffer from a variety of common medical complaints, but are too embarrassed to go to a doctor.

Embarrassing Illnesses is on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 8pm and is repeated at 9pm on Channel 4 +1.

Athlete’s Foot

The patient on the programme had suffered from athlete’s foot for over two years and had not treated the problem, which could have let the problem develop into something more serious.

Athlete’s foot is a superficial infection of the skin, which is associated with poor foot hygiene. It can be caused by wearing trainers and moist feet and from wearing sandals, and is transferred easily through walking barefoot and sharing towels.

The symptoms of athlete’s foot include itchy feet with a burning sensation, and a rash and cracking between toes, usually between the 3rd, 4th and 5th toes.

Prevent athlete’s foot by drying feet thoroughly, change socks regularly and keep the feet clean. Treatments for athlete’s foot include Gehwol Foot Powder and Gehwol Fuss Mint.

Bunions

A bunion is swelling at the joint of the big toe, which causes the big toe to curve inwards. The skin and tissue become painful and swollen.

The cause of bunions is unclear, but it is believed flat fleet and unstable joints and contributes to the problem. Bunions make walking difficult and a corn or hard skin can develop on the swollen joint.

Preventing bunions can be done by wearing close fitting shoes, padding the area to reduce pressure and avoid high heels. Treatment for bunions includes wearing gel bunion protectors and toe separators to protect the area.

Verrucae

A verruca is a mark on the foot, which can vary in size, and is usually on the bottom of the foot with very hard skin.

They are formed by a virus, which enters the body through a small cut and spreads pushing away healthy skin – it is highly contagious.

They form as small bumps raised or can be sunken into the skin with a black nucleus, and can be on their own or a cluster.

Preventing verrucae can be done by wearing shoes in communal areas and treatment includes a Pumice Stone to help to remove the verrucae.

Incontinence

Despite affecting one in four women and six million adults in the UK, many people are too embarrassed to talk about incontinence. It is twice as likely to occur in women and only 25% of sufferers will see their doctor about the problem.

There are three types of incontinence – stress, urge and mixed. Incontinence can be caused by a number of things, including pregnancy and child birth, obesity, ageing, menopause, cystitis, and chronic coughing and constipation, which all weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

Many people do not realise that 80% of incontinence can be cured completely and more severe cases can be reduced with effective treatment.

Treatment for incontinence includes pelvic floor exercises, and using Aquaflex Vaginal Cones and the Pelvic Floor Educator to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and as a result, treat incontinence.

Vaginal Prolapse

A vaginal prolapase is a condition that affects many women and half of those who have children will suffer from it. It is not a serious condition, but causes distress and discomfort.

It happens when the pelvic floor muscles are damaged or become weak and can no longer hold the pelvic floor organs in place. There are three types of prolapase – front wall, back wall or top of vagina. There are a number of causes of vaginal prolapse, including child birth, ageing, heavy lifting, genetic and obesity.

Treating a prolapse is usually through pelvic floor exercises, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgery. Using Aquaflex Vaginal Cones or the Pelvic Floor Educator can help to make pelvic floor exercises more effective.