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Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects the brain, leading to a gradual decline in cognitive function. It commonly causes memory impairment, confusion, and difficulties with speech and language. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet fully understood, increasing age and a family history of the condition are recognised risk factors.

In individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain and form structures known as plaques and tangles. These disrupt communication between nerve cells, leading to the loss of neuronal connections, cell death, and progressive brain tissue shrinkage. In addition, levels of key brain chemicals responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells are reduced. While there is currently no cure, drug treatments are available that can help increase these chemical levels and temporarily relieve or slow the progression of certain symptoms.

Symptoms are often mild in the early stages but worsen over time. Common features include difficulty learning new information or recalling recent events, forgetting names or significant dates, becoming lost in familiar surroundings, and increasing problems with speech, concentration, decision-making, and orientation.

Asthma is a common, long-term or chronic lung condition that affects people of all ages. It is caused when a trigger – such as pollen or smoke – causes the airways to become swollen or inflamed, making them narrower. A build-up of mucus or sputum may also occur. The main symptoms are wheezing or breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing.

During an asthma attack the bronchioles (the tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs) become inflamed and swollen. Excess mucus is produced and builds up in the airways and the muscles around the chest contract. The airways are constricted, which results in breathing difficulties, wheezing and coughing.

People with asthma usually treat their condition by using an inhaler. Reliever inhalers provide short-term relief from symptoms during an attack. Preventer inhalers are used every day to stop the symptoms from occurring. Some people also take tablets.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of conditions that damage the peripheral nerves which relay sensory information and control muscles. It’s caused by an inherited fault in one of the genes responsible for the development of the body’s peripheral nerves. Symptoms can include muscle weakness in the feet, ankles, legs and hands and an awkward gait. CMT is also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or peroneal muscular atrophy (PMA).

CMT is estimated to affect 1 in 2,500 people and is considered to be the most common inherited neurological condition in the world. CMT damages the peripheral nerves which are responsible for passing on commands from the brain to the muscles and relaying information to the brain about sensations, like pain, heat and balance.

People with the CMT gene can develop no symptoms at all or develop symptoms later in life.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary heart disease (CHD) is the build-up of fatty material in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. This process is called atherosclerosis and can be caused by smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. The main symptoms of CAD are chest pain, heart attacks and heart failure.

CAD is a major cause of death worldwide and is the term used to describe the build-up of atheroma, or fatty material, in the coronary arteries. Risk assessments are sometimes carried out to determine whether a person is at risk of CAD, which involve looking at their family history, lifestyle and taking a blood test.

There is no cure for coronary artery disease (CAD), but treatment can help control symptoms and lower the risk of the condition getting worse. Treatment may include medication, healthier lifestyle changes such as better diet and regular exercise, and in some cases procedures like opening blocked arteries with angioplasty or having heart surgery.

Crohn’s disease is a condition in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed, causing diarrhoea, stomach aches, cramps, weight loss and fatigue. It’s a lifelong condition and can affect people of all ages. The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but a variety of factors may play a role including your genes, a problem with your immune system and smoking.

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract or gut and is one of two primary forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic condition but patients may experience periods of good health (remission) or periods when symptoms worsen (relapses or flare-ups).

There is no known cure for Crohn’s disease but drugs can sometimes be used to reduce symptoms and control flare-ups. Medication can be taken on a long- or short-term basis. Most people with Crohn’s disease will not need surgery, but it remains an important and effective treatment option for some patients.

A heart attack is a serious and life-threatening medical emergency that happens when a blockage in your coronary arteries stops the blood supply to your heart. Most heart attacks are caused by blood clots forming inside the arteries. Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling weak and/or lightheaded and a feeling of anxiety.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of heart attacks. CAD is the build-up of fatty material, known as plaques, in the vessels that supply the heart with blood. During a heart attack, one of these plaques bursts, causing a blood clot to develop. This block may stop the flow of blood to the heart.

Treatment for a heart attack varies depending on its severity. Medicines can help to dissolve blood clots or surgery may be necessary to restore blood flow to the heart. During recovery, patients are encouraged to reduce their risk of another heart attack by making lifestyle changes and taking medication that can help lower blood cholesterol.

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. It is not a heart attack but can be caused by one. There are usually no symptoms and cardiac arrest often happens without warning. A person is at a higher risk of cardiac arrest if they have previously had a heart attack, have congenital heart disease or an inherited heart condition.

Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem with the heart (in contrast to a heart attack, which is caused by a circulation problem). During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood around the body, starving the brain of oxygen. The person will become unconscious, unresponsive and unable to breathe properly.

The most common cause of cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation, which is when the heart quivers instead of pumping due to abnormal electrical activity. Other causes of cardiac arrest can include heart attack, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, heart valve disease and acute myocarditis.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a long-term condition that causes blood pressure to become elevated (140/90 or higher in adults or 150/90 for those aged 80 or over). There are no specific symptoms for hypertension but , if left untreated, can put a strain on your heart, blood vessels and other organs. Hypertension can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.

Hypertension increases pressure on the heart and blood vessels, making them work harder but less efficiently. Blood vessels become less elastic, thicken and weaken, and plaque begins to build up along the artery walls. As more plaque builds up, the heart must work harder to circulate the blood which further exacerbates the condition.

Persistent high blood pressure can put extra strain on the blood vessels, heart, brain, kidneys and eyes and can increase the risk of serious medical conditions like heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney disease and strokes. Clinicians may recommend making lifestyle changes and may prescribe medicines to keep blood pressure at safe levels.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, difficulty walking, balance and coordination problems, vision problems and numbness or tingling in parts of the body. The symptoms are treatable, but life expectancy is often lower for those diagnosed with MS.

MS is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s and is more prevalent among women than in men. People with relapsing-remitting MS experience episodes of symptoms and remission and usually go on to develop secondary progressive MS. People with primary progressive MS experience symptoms that steadily worsen and accumulate over time.

There is no known cure for MS, but there are treatments to help control the condition, including the use of steroids to speed up recovery after a relapse and medication to reduce the number of relapses. Therapies may also prove effective at slowing or reducing the overall worsening of the condition for those with secondary progressive MS.

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones, making them more likely to fracture or break. It can affect anyone but women are at a slightly higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men. Other factors can also increase your risk of developing the condition include a family history of osteoporosis, low BMI, having an eating disorder or drinking and smoking heavily.

Osteoporosis occurs when the cells that build new bone don’t work as quickly as those that remove old bone, resulting in an overall loss of bone tissue. This makes bones weaker and more fragile. Oestrogen helps protect bone strength and a reduction in this hormone following menopause can increase a woman’s risk of developing the condition. Research also shows that smoking and drinking too much alcohol can lead to bone loss.

Weight-bearing exercises are recommended to both stabilise the area around the bones and improve balance. Sometimes medication is prescribed to help strengthen bones alongside increasing amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the lining of the joints, leaving them swollen, stiff and painful. It is a long-term condition that usually affects the hands, feet and wrists. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, but you are at increased risk if there’s a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, you smoke or you are a woman.

People with rheumatoid arthritis will usually experience periods where symptoms are worse (flare-ups). Medication can be prescribed to help relieve symptoms and slow the progress of rheumatoid arthritis. Physiotherapy treatment may be used to maintain mobility in the affected joints. Surgery is sometimes recommended.

Some of the complications associated with rheumatoid arthritis include carpal tunnel syndrome (compression in one of the nerves in the hand), inflammation of the lungs, heart, eyes or blood vessels, significant or permanent joint damage, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition that affects the parts of the body that produce fluids. It’s a long-term condition that usually starts in people aged 40 to 60 with symptoms including dry eyes, a dry mouth, dry skin, tiredness and joint pain. The cause of Sjögren’s syndrome is unknown, but it may be linked to your genetics or hormone balance.

Sjögren’s syndrome can also lead to dryness of the gastrointestinal tract, which results in difficulty swallowing dry foods and other symptoms that are similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People with Sjögren’s syndrome may also suffer from fatigue, low mood, irritability and problems concentrating.

There is no known cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, but symptoms can be managed with eye drops, mouth sprays, lozenges or gels, or medicine that helps the body produce more tears and saliva. Patients are encouraged to avoid alcohol and smoking, practise good oral hygiene and to limit the time they spend reading or looking at screens.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – or lupus – is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy tissues. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually include joint pain and stiffness, extreme tiredness, skin rashes, weight loss, swollen glands, sensitivity to light and poor circulation. Lupus is usually diagnosed following blood tests.

Mild lupus usually causes joint and skin problems and tiredness. Moderate lupus typically causes inflammation of other parts of the skin and body, including the lungs, heart and kidneys. Severe lupus usually can cause life-threatening inflammation to the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys.

Lupus shares symptoms with a number of other conditions, so the condition is usually diagnosed following a blood test and a consultation with a healthcare professional. Symptoms are treated and managed through medication and making lifestyle changes, including stopping smoking, staying out of direct sunlight, staying active and eating a balanced diet.

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which can block the flow of blood through the circulatory system. It can occur in veins (venous thrombosis) or arteries (arterial thrombosis), and can lead to serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, heart attack, or stroke. Risk factors for thrombosis include prolonged immobility, surgery, certain medical conditions, genetic predisposition, smoking, obesity, and some medications. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the clot but may include swelling, pain, redness, warmth in the affected area, or sudden shortness of breath and chest pain if a clot travels to the lungs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent life-threatening outcomes. Treatment options often include blood-thinning medications, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgical interventions.

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of blood sugar (glucose) in blood to become too high. It’s caused when the pancreas stops producing insulin, which controls blood glucose levels. It’s a lifelong condition and its cause is still unknown. Symptoms include urinating a lot, feeling very thirsty, feeling very tired, weight loss and blurred vision. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take daily injections of insulin.

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is usually diagnosed through a blood or urine test. Once diagnosed, a person with Type 1 diabetes must closely monitor their blood sugar levels to ensure they stay within a safe range. Daily insulin injections are required to manage blood sugar and prevent it from becoming too high.

High blood sugar levels can lead to serious health complications including eye problems, foot problems, heart attack and stroke, kidney problems and nerve damage. Some acute complications associated with Type 1 diabetes include hypos (when blood sugar is too low) and hypers (when blood sugar is too high).

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition in which the body cannot use insulin properly, or does not make enough insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise. People who are overweight, inactive, or have a family history of diabetes are at higher risk. Symptoms may develop slowly and can include increased thirst, frequent urination, feeling very tired, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that is usually diagnosed following a blood or urine test. A person diagnosed with the disease may require regular check-ups, to take medication or make changes to their diet and lifestyle. In many cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active.

Left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of other medical conditions including heart disease and stroke, loss of feeling and pain, sores or infections in the feet, vision loss and blindness, miscarriage and stillbirth, and kidney problems. Annual cholesterol and blood pressure tests are recommended for all patients.