Glaucoma is a common condition affecting the eye where a build up of fluid results in higher pressure within the eye (intra-ocular pressure). Medication in the form of eye drops are used to help drain this fluid and reduce pressure in eye. If left untreated glaucoma can result in loss of vision.

When you start a new medicine taking it at the right time is important for how it works. If you struggle to take your medicines you should talk with your Doctor. Sometimes when you start a new medicine there are side effects as your body gets used to it but they should go away, if they don’t, speak to a Pharmacist for more information. A new medicine can be prescribed for conditions that might not have any symptoms such as High Blood pressure where the idea is to treat it to reduce the risk of further problems in the future.

High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms but can be associated with headaches, nosebleeds, shortness of breath and chest pain. It is recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at least every 5 years if you’re a healthy adult aged over 40, those at higher risk should be checked annually.

COPD is a common lung disease and as opposed to asthma it can be prevented by taking action against risk factors for the condition earlier in life. COPD is an age-associated condition and is most common in middle-aged to elderly people with a history of smoking or occupational exposure to harmful and polluted air such as from dust in coal mines.

A stroke is an acute medical emergency that is life-threatening and occurs when part of the brain is starved of oxygen due to either a blood clot or a bleed (hemorrhage).

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the term used when your heart beats in an irregular pattern and is often beating too fast. This may first be noticed as palpitations and can be diagnosed on an ECG. Some blood pressure meters can also help detect irregular heartbeats.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) refers to a group of conditions linked to chest pain, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the build-up of crystals inside the joints. This condition leads to severe pain and often begins in the big toe but can affect any joint in the body, including the wrists, ankles, hands, and knees. The crystals form due to high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition where the airways respond to triggers such as allergies, smoke and exercise – this results in narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing. This can also occur randomly in the absence of any triggers and symptoms such as coughing wheezing and chest tightness may also occur. Many find their symptoms are worse at night.