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Many individuals in Anguilla continue to believe many myths about mental health. Indeed many refuse to believe that individuals do have mental illnesses and others avoid the topic completely. Stigma and discrimination are widespread when it comes to mental illnesses.Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

As the vast majority of school children in Anguilla return to school, many health professions tend to see an increase in a number of illnesses such as coughs, colds, diarrhoea, eye infections and sore throats or strep throats.There are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of illnesses during this stressful time.

Mosquito-borne Dengue Fever is reaching epidemic stages across the Caribbean, with dozens of deaths reported and health authorities are concerned it could get worse. The recent rains in Anguilla will increase the risk of a dengue outbreak on the island.

There is growing evidence that the number of children in Anguilla affected by asthma is on the increase. Asthma in children is a leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and missed school days. Childhood asthma must be taken seriously by parents and health care professionals as untreated asthma can be life-threatening in some instances. An acute asthmatic attack can be a medical emergency requiring urgent attention.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death and illness in many residents of Anguilla, and many of these individuals often suffer from heart failure also known as congestive heart failure.

Alcohol binge drinking also called binge drinking is a "huge public health problem" in many countries including Anguilla, yet most of us do not know it is a problem. There are several health and other problems associated with binge drinking some of which can be fatal.

Approximately 15% of child bearing age women report to having physical symptoms occurring during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle severe enough to interfere with some aspects of their lives. These symptoms are often grouped together and referred to as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Often these symptoms can go on to affect the woman in a number of ways and can lead to serious consequences if not treated appropriately.

Approximately 15% of child bearing age women report to having physical symptoms occurring during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle severe enough to interfere with some aspects of their lives. These symptoms are often grouped together and referred to as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Often these symptoms can go on to affect the woman in a number of ways and can lead to serious consequences if not treated appropriately.

The increasing number of residents of Anguilla that abuse alcohol is one factor mentioned for increasing numbers of individuals being diagnosed with cirrhosis on the island. This chronic liver disorder can lead to many complications some of which can be fatal.

Many individuals have occasional nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis (ep-ih-STAK-sis). Nosebleeds may be scary, but generally are a minor annoyance. While most episodes are uncomplicated, epistaxis can occasionally be difficult to control. If nosebleeds are severe, emergency medical care is needed.

June 6th 1981 was the first reported cases in the world of individuals with symptoms and signs that later became known as HIV/AIDS. It is 30 years since the emergence of this mysterious disease, but it was apparently around many years before this time. This disease has impacted almost every nation large and small, including islands like Anguilla. After 30 years there is still much fear and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. After thirty years many countries and groups are reflecting on this global disease.

Ovarian cancer is one of the cancers that females in Anguilla and many other countries develop. It is considered one of the most lethal gynaecological malignancies, partly because the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Nevertheless, the management of patients with ovarian cancer has changed substantially recently, with improved survival due to major advances in chemotherapy and the constantly evolving role of surgery.

Dysmenorrhoea is an extremely common and sometimes debilitating condition for women of reproductive age. Many young girls and women in Anguilla suffer from this disorder. A multidisciplinary approach, involving a combination of lifestyle and medications, is used to limit the impact of this condition on women.

Concussions are common especially if you play contact sports like boxing and football. A concussion injures your brain, to some extent, but most concussive traumatic brain injuries are mild, and people usually recover fully within a few hours to a few weeks.

The National AIDS Committee is using the month of May to create further awareness of HIV/AIDS in Anguilla. This potentially life-threatening condition continues to affect many individuals living here in Anguilla, but with the use of medications the progression of the disease has slowed significantly in many persons.

Despite the many deaths from cancer, doctors and other scientists have made great progress in understanding the biology of cancer cells, and they have been able to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer worldwide. It has been estimated that at least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable. Although some cancers cannot be prevented, it has been shown that individuals can do a lot to prevent cancer development and small lifestyle changes can make a great difference in cancer prevention.

Snoring is not just a night-time annoyance. It can be a serious health issue, disrupting normal sleeping patterns and disturbing partners as they try to sleep through the noise. Snoring affects many individuals some of whom fail to seek help and suffer for many years.

Bipolar Disorder ,formerly known as manic depressive disorder, is a serious mental illness that affects many individuals. In Anguilla, there is still much stigma attached to mental health disorders resulting in many persons failing to seek medical attention in a timely fashion. Many people with Bipolar Disorder do not get the treatment they need.

Bunions of the feet, affect many individuals and can cause much pain and disability. Very often this problem is ignored by individuals for many years and many persons fail to seek medical attention. It has been shown that bunions can affect a person’s quality of life as well.

The majority of us wish to remain healthy and live productive lives. To ensure good health we should all be proactive in taking care of our bodies, vigilant to its changes and seek medical help when we notice any changes in order to maintain great health. Healthy eating, regular physical activity and regular medial check- ups with appropriate screening tests can go a long way in many people living longer and staying healthy.