In today’s episode I breakdown a common skin infection - Genital Herpes. Genital herpes is caused by the virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), of which there are two types, 1 and 2. HSV is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection, affecting up to 1 in 8 Australians over the age of 25. Typically HSV 1 tends to affect the mouth area causing cold sores, and HSV 2 favours the genitalia. However due to changes in sexual practice, the two can be reversed. The first episode of HSV 2 can be proceeded by a prodrome of feeling unwell, having fevers, chills, glandular swelling and general fatigue. Thereafter there may be some blisters and ulceration which can be sore, itchy and painful. Usually patients will present to the doctor for treatment. This will usually encompass an examination, including a swab and medication which can take the form of an anaesthetic cream or anti-viral tablets. These will help to reduce the symptom duration. Usually the first episode will last up to 3 weeks. HSV is transmitted through close skin to skin contact and so it is vital if you are affected not to engage in this practice until symptoms have resolved on the advice of your doctor. Transmission can also occur in asymptomatic people and so the best way to help prevent infection is to use barrier methods. HSV remains dormant in the body after initial infection and can reoccur especially if your immune system is low or you are stressed. Typically recurrent episodes tend to be less severe and shorter in duration. It is therefore important to lead an active and healthy lifestyle to reduce your chances of getting a recurrent outbreak. I hope you enjoyed this video and as always if you have any questions or comments please drop me in a line below. COMPANION VIDEOS Tired All the Time: https://youtu.be/Zc0nXwC6RNw Immune Boosting Foods: https://youtu.be/Fu7tK5kHfn4 Health Tips: https://youtu.be/XMzA3l9iT20 Boxercise Workout: https://youtu.be/kbEQPOYTXBA Full Body Home Workout: https://youtu.be/C05Z7dAOlyY Take care and stay healthy ? Dr Nora ? FILM BY VTUDIO | https://vtudio.com FILMING TOOLS Sony A7III: https://vtudio.com/a/?a=sony+a7iii Rode Wireless Go: https://vtudio.com/a/?e=rode+wireless+go https://vtudio.com/tools Links to products often include an affiliate tracking code which allow us to earn fees on purchases you make through them. The information provided in this video is not a substitute for getting individualised advice by an accredited healthcare professional. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waugo6TrT0

How much salt are you eating? In today's episode of Dr Nora, I take you through why we need salt in our diet, how much we need and what happens if we have too much. SALT Salt is a chemical compound made up of sodium chloride. Our bodies need sodium to maintain fluid balance and volume which is thought to be less than half a teaspoon a day. However, if we have too much sodium in our bodies it can lead to a number of negative health impacts.  Current recommendations allow the average Australian adult to consume no more than 5g of salt a day or 2300mg of sodium per day. Unfortunately it's been reported that most adults consume 9g of salt per day which is almost double the recommendation.  HEALTH IMPACTS Consuming too much salt over prolonged periods can cause a raised blood pressure. When blood pressure is persistently elevated and not treated this can cause strain on the vital organs of the body such as the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and in turn increases the risk of stroke. HIGH SALT FOODS Foods that are generally higher in salt include, deli meats, cheese, bread, processed meals, canned fruit or vegetables, sauces and salad dressings. Take a look at the nutritional labels, there is a line that illustrates how much sodium is in a food per 100g. A low salt option would be a food that contains under 120mg of sodium per 100g and a high salt option would be a food that contains over 400mg of sodium per 100g. It's these higher salt foods that you should limit at much as possible.  HOW TO REDUCE DAILY SALT Other than being mindful of the nutritional labels, actively seek labels that say 'reduced salt' or 'low in salt'. These options will generally have less salt than the original item but still maintain the same flavour. It's important to know that even though they generally contain less salt, they still contain salt none-the-less, so be wary of your consumption.  You could also try 'light salt' options which are generally are made up of both potassium and sodium chloride, in these options, there is more potassium (another chemical element) than sodium and hence allowing it to have a lower sodium content.  Instead of using salt in your food preparation you could use aromatic flavours, such as spices or curry leaves to help maintain that kick in your food. COMPANION VIDEOS How To Quit Smoking: https://youtu.be/GdsLfMhK2GU How To Sleep Well: https://youtu.be/KGCG-J21rtc Everything About Genital Herpes: https://youtu.be/8waugo6TrT0 Tired All the Time: https://youtu.be/Zc0nXwC6RNw FODMAP Diet: https://youtu.be/Xi9TjiisSmc Health Tips: https://youtu.be/XMzA3l9iT20 Take care and stay healthy ? Dr Nora ? CHAPTERS 0:18 Introduction 0:32 Recommendations 1:25 Health Effects 2:34 Salt in Foods 4:25 Food Labels 6:40 Low Salt Options ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q5M2I-TqIw