A fever is characterized by a body temperature of 38°C or higher. Usually harmless, a fever is an indicator that your body is fighting off an infection. Typically a mild fever will be accompanied by a cold whereas a higher …
Having a sore throat can involve a variety of sensations. Pain when talking or swallowing, the throat feeling swollen, dry, irritated, scratchy, or raw – these are some typical responses from people describing their symptoms. A sore throat is often …
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition caused by inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways. Asthma symptoms include tightness in the chest, wheezing, coughing, and feeling breathless. When asthma symptoms become severe, it is known as an asthma attack, and if …
Nosebleeds occur when one of the many blood vessels which line the nose bursts. They can be caused by numerous factors such as infections, injuries, allergic reactions, nose picking, or by pushing objects into the nostrils. The medical term for …
Febrile illnesses are illnesses such as viral or bacterial infections which can cause a fever. Getting a high temperature is a completely natural and normal reaction of the body towards fever, and most of the time a fever is not …
We all suffer from pain during our lives – an occasional headache, sprains and strains from work and sport, body aches, sore throats when we pick up a cold, and joint pain from arthritis as we age, to name just …
Rashes refer to noticeable changes in the appearance, colour, or texture of the skin. At warmer times of the year, it is quite common to experience rashes that are caused by overheating, sweating, insect bites, and allergies. Rashes caused by …
A chesty cough is when your chest feels heavy, and you find that you are coughing up mucus or phlegm. Often patients find that a chesty cough appears after a sore throat or following a cold, and is often at …
Meningococcal disease is an infection which is caused by the meningococcus bacterium. There are three forms of the invasive disease; Meningitis, in which the infection affects the meninges – the covering of the brain and spinal cord Meningococcal septicaemia, where …
Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most common cancer that is diagnosed in Australian women. It is estimated that one in eight women develop breast cancer by the time they reach the age of 85. However, more women are now surviving …
Early Identification, Causes And Risk Factors For Breast Cancer Read More »
Acne is a common skin condition which tends to appear during the teenage years. It is often triggered by hormone changes, which can cause the sebaceous glands in your skin to produce too much sebum – a naturally oily secretion …
Abnormal or prolonged uterine bleeding, also known as abnormal menstrual bleeding, is when bleeding does not follow a normal pattern as it would during the menstrual cycle. Typically, a woman passes around 40ml of blood during her menstrual period, which …
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Causes And Treatments Read More »
We are a few months into the flu season, with another to go. Authorities have reported a peak in mid-August, but even as the weather gets warmer, we need to stay alert and continue with preventative measures. It has been …
Clinical depression is more than just feeling down for a while. It is a serious illness where negative feelings are intense and end up persisting over weeks and months. Depression can have a major impact on your everyday life and …
You’ve spent 10 years studying and working to be a fully qualified GP. And finally, you are doing what you love – providing high-quality medical care for the community. But since the birth of your daughter last year, you wish …
After Hours Medical Deputising Services: Offering Doctors Flexible Working Hours Read More »
Hay fever is the common term for the condition ‘allergic rhinitis’. It is caused by an allergic response to allergens which can be found both indoors and outdoors. These allergens can include pollen, dust mites, fungal spores, or even animal …
The normal temperature range for children is usually up to 38°C. A fever is when the body’s temperature rises above this rate. A high fever does not always mean that your child has a serious illness – in fact, fever …
Migraines are a common type of neurological disorder which can be highly distressing and disabling. Usually, it presents itself as an intense one-sided pulsating headache, and any physical activity can further aggravate the condition. In some patients, migraines can be …
It’s hard to believe that there are 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia – those who provide endless hours of high quality care to their loved ones whilst making significant sacrifices to their own lifestyles. If carers were replaced by …
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are surprisingly common. It is estimated that almost half of all women and one in twenty men will get a UTI at some point in their lifetime. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infections; …
Urinary Tract Infections: What They Are And How They Are Treated Read More »
Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycle stops, and she becomes infertile. It is a completely natural process which every woman will go through at some point. It occurs when the ovaries stop working and …
It is dangerous, it does not discriminate, it is rampant and claims one victim every five minutes. Here are some startling statistics from Diabetes Australia. We have 1.2 million diagnosed diabetics. And for each one affected there is a carer, …
Almost half of Australia’s adult population sleeps poorly. A new national study by the Sleep Health Foundation says we are in the grip of a sleep epidemic that is costing us productivity, causing accidents and affecting our mental health. One …
Australia’s Sleep Epidemic: Ways to Get Better Sleep Read More »
All of us have suffered from muscular aches and pains at some point in our life. These are often caused by unaccustomed use or over usage of ligaments, tendons, or the soft tissues which connect the muscles. However, when muscle …
A few weeks ago, a TV channel did a show on a ‘dementia village’ – a facility aimed at allowing those affected to live with dignity. It would not be a first. A small town in Netherlands, Hogeweyk, showed the …
Coping with Dementia: Ways to Stay Brain Healthy Read More »
Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. This month is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and there is a big drive to detect cases early. Why? Bowel cancer has a very high survival rate of …
You would never think that there are more cases of burns in winter. But it’s true. According to the government website, HealthDirect, 40% of all deaths from fire occur in winter and 65% occur in the home. Sadly, the majority …
Sinusitis means inflammation of the sinuses which surround the nose. The sinuses are spaces within the bones of the face located in the cheeks, forehead, and around the eyes. All the sinuses are linked together and connect to the nose …
The colder weather means more time at home. If you have a toddler, it may be a good time to run through a check list and make sure your home is as secure as it can possibly be. It’s best …
Some people claim their knees can predict a cold snap. Is it just a myth or does arthritis really get more acute in winter? The medical profession is sceptical about weather affecting the condition but some explanations have been put …
