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Narcolepsy: Irresistible tendancy to fall asleep, any time during the day, especially the afternoon.Caused by a disorder in the part of the Brain controlling Sleep

Naturopathy: System of Treatment that assume that the body is capable of healing itself through Natural processes.Emphasis is on the importance of diet and excercise for well-being

Nausea: Feeling sick.Common causes e.g. motion sickness,early pregnancy, or eating and drinking.It is usually temporarily relieved by Vomitting

Negative Ion Therapy: In most Atmospheric conditions, unpolluted air contains Ions - particles of air molecules with either a Positive or Negative Electrical Charge. But in some circumstances, the proportion of Negative ions may drop dramatically apparently producing headaches,anxiety,depression and similar conditions.Negative Ion Therapy uses machines called Ionisers or Ion Generators to increase the proportion of Negative Ions in the air

Nephritis: An Acute or Chronic inflammation of the filters (Glomeruli) in the Kidney.Caused by Auto-immune reaction or some forms of Nephritis it is caused by Streptococcal Infection of the throat or skin. If untreated, it can develop into a more serious disorder known an Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrosis: Nephrotic Syndrome.Chronic disease of the Kidneys.Failure to process the Urine, leading to a Chronic loss of Protein

Nephrostomy: Drainage of Urine from the Kidney by means of a Catheter.Which is passed into the kidney via an opening in the skin surface

Nervous Breakdown: Term for a sudden attack of Mental Illness

Nettlerash: Hives / Uticaria.Allergic skin reaction that produce intensely irritating blisters and weals, resembling a sting from a nettle.Nettle Rash also known Urticaria ,is an intensely itchy rash that may affect the whole body or just a small area of skin.It is an allergic reaction to various substances,including foods,drugs and stings

Symptoms: The rash consists of raised,red areas and sometimes white lumps.The inflamed areas usually vary in size and may merge to involve very large areas of skin.Urticaria comes and goes.Typically it lasts for only a few minutes or hours and there may be only one or two attacks.But sometimes it recurs for several months (chronic Urticaria).Sometimes urticaria occurs at the same time as the more serious condition affecting the face called Angioedema.Urticaria is sometimes and early simptom of Anaphylaxis,a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction to something

Causes: The tendency to develop Urticaria may run in families - atopic families.It can occur as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular food,such as shellfish,fruits and nuts - peanuts having received publicity.The conditions may also be due to a drug allergy.It may be due to an allergy to plants.It may develop after an insect bite or sting.However when Urticaria occurs for the first time in an adult,it is often difficult to identify the cause

Treatment: A one-off bout of Urticaria generally disappears with treatment within a few hours.The chronic form of the condition may take several weeks or months to clear up.Over-the-counter products such as calamine lotion and oral antihistamines may help relieve itching.If your symptoms persist or recur and the cause of the problem is not obvious,you should consult your doctor.A skin prick test will identify the substances to which you are allergic (allergens).When the substance causing your Urticaria has been identified,you should take all possible steps to avoid coming into contact with it in future in order to prevent a recurrence of the condition.Never again eat a food to which you have been proven to be allergic.Avoid dishes and cutlery that may have touched the food

*also see Angioedema & Anaphylaxis*

Neuralgia: Pain which result form a Nerve being irritated or compressed.This pain is often felt along the full course of the Nerve and not only at the point of irritation or pressure

Neural Tube Defects: Neural tube defects are abnormalities of the brain and the spinal cord and their protective coverings.It runs in families suggesting that genetic factors are involved.The neural tube,which develops along the back of the embryo by about the 3rd week of pregnancy,later becomes the brain and the spinal cord and their coverings.If this tube fails to close completely - defects in any of these parts can result.The most common neural tube defect is Spina Bifida, in which the spinal cord and vertebrae are affected.The bones and other tissues surrounding the spina column do not form properly, leaving nerve fibres and membranes exposed.It may occur in every grade of severity.The symptoms reflects the severity of the condition.These range from no symptoms at all, except for the skin markings - to complete Paralysis of the lower limbs and incontinence

Spina Bifida Occulta - is a mild defect of the bones which has no practical significance. Some forms may however, result in physical or mental handicap, even when treated immediately.In a child born with this condition,the bones of the spine, which normally protect the spinal colums,fail to join up properly, leaving a gap, so that in extreme cases the nerves of the spinal column are exposed.The condition most commonly affects the lower region of the spine and can be relatively Minor - with just a dimple or a brown hairy mole growing from the bottom of the spine and a minor abnormaility of the vertebrae

Or a Very serious - when the spinal cord is underdeveloped and the gap in the spine is covered by a large red membrane instead of skin

With a moderate to severe form of Spina Bifida - the development and function of the child's lower body will never be quite normal and he may be phyically stunted and walk with a limp.Nine out of ten Spina Bifida babies also have Hydrocephalus (*also see under Hydrocephalus*) a condition in which excessive fluid accumulates in the Brain.Spina Bifida is one of the most common Congenital Disorders

Symptoms: In minor cases,there are no obvious symptoms,and spina bifida may only be diagnosed when a minor condition such as backache occurs in adult life.Symptoms may become apparent in childhood and mainly affect the lower body,including a dimple or brown,hairy mole at the base of the spine.Paralysis or weakness of the legs.Absence of sensation in the legs.Abnormalities in bladder or bowel function.Many children with severe spina bifida also have a build-up of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)

Treatment: If you are concerned about your child's ability to move his legs or bladder or bowel functioning,consult your doctor as soon as possible.A baby who has a neural tube defect will probably have CT scanning or MRI of the spine to assess the severity of the defect.If the defect is minor,no treatment is necessary.However if a baby has a serious defect,he is likely to require surgery,children who are born with severe defects will be permanently disabled and need life-long care.In no action is taken in such severe cases,the babies usually die peacefully within weeks of birth.If your child is severely affected,you will need practical and emotional support from a team of specialtists including doctors,physiohterapists and special education teachers.Your family may also find it helpful to join a support group

Prognosis: Since the discovery in 1992 that Folic Acid taken before conception and during early pregnancy provided protection against neural tube defects - Spina Bifida is becoming less common.You can reduce the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect by taking Folic Acid supplements (usually about 400 micorgrams per day) during the first 3 months of pregnancy and if possible while you are trying to conceive.Your doctor may suggest a slightly higher dose if you already have an affected child

Neurasthenia: Ill defined term to describe a State of Low Spirits and an Inability to Cope, which often follows a mild physical illness.Used to describe a mild Depression or state of Anxiety

Neuro: Pertaining to the body's nervous system

Neuritis: Disease of the Nervous System.Produces Muscle weakness and a loss of sensation in the Skin

Neurofibroma: A benign (non-cancerous) tumour of a Nerve.May be symptomless, but if it presses on the nerve,it can cause pain.Occur commonly just beneath the skin

Neurofibromatosis: Recklinghausen's Disease.Lumps under the Skin, produced by the excessive growth of Nerve Fibres.Inherited disease that can affect many nerves all over the body

Neurosis: This could be any undue Exaggeration of a normal feeling or behaviour e.g Anxiety before taking a test or to look twice if the stove is turned off. If such 'norma' anxiety or obsessional behaviour is extreme enough , it can be called Neurosis.Neurotic fears are not imaginary andare very real to the sufferer

Night Blindness: Rare condition.Occurs when the Eye fails to produce Rhodopsin (visual purple), which in dim light breaks down into chemicals that transfer messages to the brain.Causes is a severe Malnutrition involving Vit A deficiency or a rare inherited disease - Retinitis Pigmentosa

Nocturia: Passing Urine at night.Sign of some disorder provided a large quantity of liquid has not been drunk before sleep.Causes could be Kidney disease, bladder infection such as Cystitis or Enlargement of the Prostate Gland

Nocturnal Myoclonus: Sudden jerk of Muscles which occurs when a person is drifting off to sleep.Usually felt as a single brief spasm in the arms or legs.Caused by a sudden Reactivation of the Parts of the Brain controlling sleep

Nosebleed: Occur when a small area of blood vessels on the inner surface of the nose rupture.Can be caused by hard nose blowing or sneezing when child can a common cold or hayfever, a knock on the nose,by picking the nose.,or by a foreign body in the nose- this will be accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge.Nosebleeds are not serious - but seek medical attention if child has frequent nosebleeds, which don't stop easily or if he has bleeds after a blow to the head

info sources:

South African Family Medical Adviser

Family Health Guide & The Baby & Child Health Care Handbook - Dr.Miriam Stoppard