Month: November 2023

What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a painful musculoskeletal (muscle and bone) condition that affects the shoulder joint. Your shoulder joint includes your upper arm bone (humerus) and collarbone (clavicle) and their associated ligaments and tendons. These are contained in a covering or ‘capsule’ of connective tissue. If you develop frozen shoulder, this capsule becomes thickened and inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness. What causes frozen shoulder? Sometimes, frozen shoulder develops after a shoulder or arm injury. It can also develop after certain surgeries on the upper body, including shoulder surgery and open-heart surgery. Often, there is no

What is frostbite? Frostbite develops when the skin freezes after being exposed to very low temperatures. Frostbite can cause serious permanent damage. With proper preparation, however, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing frostbite. How does frostbite happen? In temperatures below 0.5 degrees Celsius, the skin freezes and ice crystals form in the tissue, damaging the cells. Blood flow to the affected area slows and can stop. Frostbite can also happen with prolonged exposure to temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. Frostbite usually affects exposed areas such as the fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheek and chin. Who is at risk?

What is a bone fracture? A bone fracture is when the force of a blow or fall causes a bone to break. Fractures are especially common in children. There are different types of bone fracture, such as: a simple fracture — where the break goes all the way through the bone a greenstick fracture — where the bone is broken on one side, and only bent on the other a displaced fracture — where a broken piece of bone has moved out of its usual position a hairline or stress fracture — a crack in the bone from repeated movement

There’s more to looking after your feet than wearing shoes and cutting your toenails. Foot conditions and injuries are common, and many health conditions affecting other parts of your body can also impact your feet. What are the types of foot problems? Common foot injuries Ligament sprains (for example, ankle sprain) happen when joint ligaments stretch and tear causing pain and swelling, and limit walking. Mild sprains heal with rest, ice and elevation (keeping them off the ground). Severe sprains need medical attention. Broken bones in the feet can be caused by trauma from a fall or sports injury. Common foot conditions

What is zinc? Zinc is a mineral that is essential for many of the body’s normal functions and systems, including: the immune system wound healing blood clotting thyroid function senses of taste and smell Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. Where does zinc come from? Zinc is found in many foods, but the body cannot absorb the zinc from all foods in the same way. Zinc tends to be better absorbed from animal-based foods, than plant-based foods. This means that vegetarians and vegans, or people on long-term restricted diets, are more likely to experience zinc deficiency.

Why should I include vitamin E in my diet? Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which means that it can help protect cells in your body against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances such as cigarette smoke or radiation. Vitamin E also helps keep your immune system healthy, promotes good eye health and maintains healthy skin. Vitamin E may also have a role to play in maintaining heart health. Read more here about vitamin E and your health. What are the best natural sources of vitamin E? Vitamin E is found in fats and oils from animal products (meat, poultry, fish and diary foods), as well as vegetables, seeds and

Why should I include vitamin B in my diet? Vitamin B should be a part of your diet. It helps your body function better, such as your metabolism (how your body converts food to energy). It also plays a vital role in your body’s cellular processes. Each type of vitamin B has a different but critical role in keeping you healthy. For example, B12, B6 and B9 are important vitamins for healthy brain and nerve function. Vitamin B2 is important for skin health and good vision. Go here for more information on vitamin B and your health. What are the best natural sources

Why should I include vitamin A in my diet? Vitamin A helps to keep your body’s cells healthy and maintain a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is considered an essential vitamin. This means that your body cannot produce it. Your body relies on a diet that includes vitamin A. Some fruits and vegetables contain provitamin-A carotenoids, including beta-carotene. These undergo a reaction in your body to form vitamin A. This conversion doesn’t happen with animal sources of vitamin A. Go here for more information about vitamin A and your health. What are the natural sources of vitamin A? Fruit and vegetables Sometimes

What is potassium? Potassium is a mineral that is essential for all of the body’s functions. It helps your nerves, muscles and heart function properly, as well as helping move nutrients and waste around your cells. Read more on potassium and your health. Where does potassium come from? Potassium is found in a wide variety of plants, meats and drinks. Potassium is also an ingredient used in some salt substitutes that people take to replace sodium in their diet. If you have kidney disease or take certain medicines, your potassium levels may be too high, so it is important to talk to your doctor before using

What is magnesium? Magnesium is a mineral essential for healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood sugar levels. If you don’t get enough magnesium in your diet over a long time, you may be at a higher risk of health problems such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis. Many foods contain magnesium, but the main sources in Australia are cereals and non-alcoholic drinks like coffee and water. Read more on magnesium and your health. Which foods are rich in magnesium? Most people get all the magnesium they need from food. In general, foods that are high in fibre provide magnesium. Some good sources of magnesium include:

What is iodine? Iodine is an element that is essential for normal growth and for brain development. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones influence metabolism. They are essential for the development and function of the brain, nerves and bones. A healthy diet needs enough iodine to function well, but too much may cause health problems. Many Australians have enough iodine in their diet, but some don’t. Do not take more than the recommended dose of supplements. If you have a thyroid condition, speak to your doctor before taking iodine supplements. Where does iodine come from? Iodine is found naturally

Barbecuing food safely What are barbeque food safety risks? Barbecuing food can lead to food poisoning if it is not done correctly. Food poisoning is usually mild and most people get better within a week. However, sometimes it can be more severe, even deadly; so it’s important to take the risks seriously. Summertime is a great time to get together to share a meal, but it is also a time when food poisoning cases increase because of warmer temperatures. When cooking on the barbecue, there are 2 main risk factors for food poisoning: undercooked meat spreading germs from raw meat onto food

What is food safety and why is it important? Food safety refers to the storing, handling, and preparing food in a way that reduces the spread of bacteria, and minimises your risk of becoming sick from the food you eat. Taking care to prepare and cook your food safely is important in preventing illness. How to cook and cool food safely Preparing and cooking food properly and to the right temperature reduces the risk of food poisoning. Always cook minced meat, sausages and poultry all the way through until the juices run clear and there is no pink. Whole pieces

What is food poisoning? Food poisoning is caused by bacteria and viruses getting into the food we eat. It can also be caused by toxins produced by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Food poisoning is also called ‘foodborne illness’. What are the symptoms of food poisoning? Symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to very severe. You may be sick with food poisoning but not know what food caused it. Different bacteria and viruses cause different symptoms. If you have food poisoning, you’ll probably have gastroenteritis symptoms such as: abdominal (tummy) cramps nausea vomiting diarrhoea fever headaches Symptoms can take between a

What information is on the food label? The label on a packaged food will tell you: the name and brand of the product what ingredients it contains (listed in order from largest to smallest by weight) — this includes a list of food additives and information for people with food allergies nutrition information (such as average amount of energy, fat, protein, sugars and salt) percentage labelling (how much of the main ingredients it contains, so you can compare it to other products) use-by or best-before date and directions for use and storage details of the manufacturer and the country where the food was produced how much it weighs

beginning of content A balanced diet What are the 5 food groups? A healthy diet does not need to be complicated. Eat foods from the 5 food groups every day. The 5 food groups are: vegetables and legumes (beans) fruit grains and cereals lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, seeds milk, cheese, yoghurt or alternatives Each food group has important nutrients. The amount of each food you need will vary during your life. Your diet will depend on factors such as: how active you are whether or not you are growing whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding Why should

What are the symptoms of food allergy? Symptoms of a mild allergy include: hives (red circular weals on the skin) swelling of the face or around the mouth vomiting abdominal discomfort or pain Symptoms of severe allergy may include: wheeze or trouble breathing difficulty talking more than a few words and/or a hoarse voice cough swelling or tightness of the throat collapse light-headedness or dizziness diarrhoea swelling of the tongue going pale and floppy (in young children) What foods cause allergies? Some foods are more likely to cause allergies than others. These include: dairy (including milk) eggs peanuts tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts,

What is fluid retention? Fluid retention is also called oedema or water retention. It occurs when parts of the body swell due to a build-up of trapped fluid. The fluid gets trapped and makes the area swollen or puffy. Fluid retention is most common in your ankles and feet. What are the symptoms of fluid retention? Signs of fluid retention can be: swelling or puffiness under the skin skin that looks or feels tight or shiny skin that does not bounce back if you press it for a few seconds skin that is not the normal colour limbs or joints that

Health risks after a cyclone or flood Floods and cyclones are unfortunately a part of life in Australia. Here’s a list of some of the common health risks and hazards associated with natural disasters, and how to avoid them. The most common type of flooding is when rivers flood following heavy rainfall. Flooding due to very high tides occurs in coastal areas. Flash flooding can result from relatively short, intense bursts of rainfall, commonly during thunderstorms, and can occur in any part of Australia. It can be a particularly serious problem in urban areas where drainage systems may not cope

What is a flexible sigmoidoscopy? A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the lower part of your colon (large bowel) using a flexible telescope. What are the benefits of a flexible sigmoidoscopy? If the endoscopist (the person doing the sigmoidoscopy) finds a problem, they can perform biopsies (removing small pieces of tissue) to help make the diagnosis. Sometimes a polyp (small growth) is the cause of the problem and the endoscopist may be able to remove it during the procedure. A flexible sigmoidoscopy. Are there any alternatives to a flexible sigmoidoscopy? Other options include a

What is a flexible cystoscopy? A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure to check for any problems in your bladder using a flexible telescope (cystoscope). What are the benefits of a flexible cystoscopy? You may be getting pain, blood in your urine or repeated infections, or you may have an irritable bladder (a sudden and uncontrolled urge to pass urine). If your doctor does see a problem during the cystoscopy, they may perform a biopsy (removing small pieces of tissue). Are there any alternatives to a flexible cystoscopy? A scan may give some information about the cause of the problem but

What is a flexible cystoscopy? A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure to check for any problems in your bladder using a flexible telescope (cystoscope). What are the benefits of a flexible cystoscopy? You may be getting pain, blood in your urine, repeated infections, or you may have an irritable bladder (a sudden and uncontrolled urge to pass urine). If your doctor does see a problem during the cystoscopy, they may perform a biopsy (removing small pieces of tissue). Are there any alternatives to a flexible cystoscopy? A scan may give some information about the cause of the problem but a

What is flatulence? Flatulence is the passing of wind (air or gas) from the intestine and through the anus. It is often accompanied by a sound and smell. Flatulence is commonly called farting, breaking or passing wind, or flatus. Most people pass wind between 7 and 12 times a day. But excessive flatulence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and can sometimes indicate a medical problem. What symptoms are associated with flatulence? There are usually no symptoms when flatulence is at a normal level. You might not even notice when you pass wind for much of the time. But if you

What are flat feet? Flat feet is the term used when the arch of your foot is lower than normal. This condition is also known as fallen arches. The foot usually has an arch shape: The middle part of the inside aspect of the foot is off the ground. The heel and ball of the foot touch the ground. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes the arch doesn’t develop properly or it might flatten towards the ground. Flat feet are normal in babies and young children. It is good to know whether you have flat feet. This can help

Seizures What is a seizure? Seizures are caused by sudden and uncoordinated changes to electrical signals in the brain. This can cause temporary (short-term) changes in behaviours, feelings, movements (such as sudden stiffening and jerking of the arms and legs), or a loss of awareness or changed awareness level. When should I call an ambulance? Call triple  if: a seizure continues for more than 5 minutes a second seizure quickly follows the first the person doesn’t respond for more than 5 minutes after a seizure stops the person has been injured the person is swimming or in water at the

Physical activity guidelines for older people Why should older people stay active? Whatever your age, you can enjoy the benefits of physical activity. There’s a host of health reasons to stay active and it doesn’t have to be ‘serious business’ — being active can be fun, especially if you can socialise at the same time. Exercise also helps keep your mind active and improves your quality of life. Even a small increase in daily physical activity can reduce your risk of health conditions such as: high blood pressure high cholesterol type 2 diabetes heart disease bone problems, including osteoporosis obesity some

How to start exercising Everyone should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Moderate-intensity physical activity is an activity that is energetic and raises your heart rate, but doesn’t make you too breathless, such as fast walking. If you are pregnant, have been previously inactive, or suffer from any medical conditions, it is recommended that you seek medical advice before commencing vigorous physical activity. For best results in achieving a healthier lifestyle and reducing your risk of developing a chronic disease, combine physical activity with healthy eating. Build up slowly

How do I find a health professional? There are many health professionals to choose from. It’s worth thinking about which is best for you. Knowing which questions to ask, and how to search for the right professional, can help you make the right decision. Many people find health professionals by asking people they trust. You can ask your: family members friends colleagues other health professionals (like a general practitioner) To search for a health professional, you can visit the websites of medical colleges and associations, such as: The Australasian College of Dermatologists The Australian Clinical Psychology Association The Royal Australian and

Financial stress and your health How can financial stress impact my health? Money worries a major source of stress in Australia, and can lead to relationship problems, depression or anxiety. Some signs that financial stress is affecting your health and relationships include: arguing with the people closest to you about money difficulty sleeping feeling angry, fearful or experiencing mood swings tiredness, aches and pains withdrawing from others feeling guilty when you spend money delaying health care you need, due to the cost While these are normal reactions to being under financial stress, they can affect your health if they continue for

Dental fillings What is a dental filling? Your dentist or dental practitioner can use a dental filling to fix a cavity (hole), in a tooth. You may need a filling if you have tooth decay or if the tooth has been damaged due to trauma. Your dentist or dental practitioner may find damage to the structure of a tooth when you have a dental x-ray. What types of filling are there? Various materials can be used to fill a cavity (hole) in your tooth. Your dentist or dental practitioner will advise you which is suitable for you. Composite resin Composite resin is a

Fifth disease (Slapped cheek disease) What is fifth disease? Fifth disease (also known as ‘slapped cheek disease’, erythema infectiosum or Parvovirus B19) is a fairly mild viral illness, usually of childhood. It is a common infection — half of adults have been infected during their childhood. Why is it called fifth disease? It is called fifth disease as it was the fifth of the 5 common viral rash illnesses of childhood. The ‘slapped cheek disease’ name comes from its most obvious symptom — a red rash that makes children’s cheeks look like they’ve been slapped. What are the symptoms of

High-fibre foods and diet What is fibre? Fibre is a nutrient that is needed by your body to keep you healthy. It’s digested by the bacteria in your gut to produce substances that keep you healthy. Eating a diet high in fibre and wholegrain foods is linked to a lower risk of: obesity type 2 diabetes heart disease lower cholesterol bowel cancer diverticular disease constipation haemorrhoids What foods contain fibre? There are several types of fibre including: soluble fibre insoluble fibre resistant starch Because they have different health benefits, it’s important to include these in your diet. Soluble fibre Soluble fibre is

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder? FASD is a whole-body condition. It affects your ability to: think learn focus attention manage behaviour manage emotions People with FASD can have lifelong problems, such as: learning difficulties low self-esteem mental illness drug and alcohol problems What are the symptoms of FASD? The symptoms of FASD vary from person to person. This is because the symptoms depend on when the alcohol was used during pregnancy and how much alcohol was consumed. FASD might not be obvious when your baby is born. Behavioural and learning differences It’s only as your

Fertility awareness (natural family planning) What is fertility awareness? Fertility awareness is when you learn to recognise on which days of the month you are fertile and can therefore conceive a baby. It can either be used as a form of contraception or as a method to become pregnant. It’s known by different names, including natural family planning, and there are several ways of practicing fertility awareness, including the symptothermal method, the ovulation method, periodic abstinence, the mucus method, the Billings method and the rhythm method. During your monthly menstrual cycle, you will not be able to get pregnant for about half of the month.

Good fertility health Age and fertility When it comes to fertility, age matters. Many people today wait until they’re older to have children. But fertility declines over time, and you should consider this if you plan to have children later. Both women and men are most fertile in their early twenties. In women, fertility declines more quickly with age. This decline becomes rapid after the age of 35. There are a number of reasons, but particularly the decline in the quality of the eggs released by the ovaries. Around 1 in 3 of couples in which the woman is over the

What is a femoral hernia? Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers. Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle, resulting in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal wall. This produces a lump called a hernia. A femoral hernia causes a lump low down in your groin. It happens at the hole in the wall of your abdomen where the femoral artery and vein pass from your abdomen into your leg. What are the benefits of

Tubal ligation What is a tubal ligation? Tubal ligation is a procedure to block or cut the fallopian tubes. It is a permanent form of female contraception. Tubal ligation is very effective at preventing pregnancy. Less than 1 in every 100 females who has a tubal ligation will get pregnant. Another name for this procedure is laparoscopic sterilisation. What does a tubal ligation involve? If you have a tubal ligation, your fallopian tubes will be clipped, cut and tied, or sealed shut. This stops your eggs from moving from your ovaries to your uterus. It stops sperm from meeting and fertilising