Day: November 8, 2023

Inhaled substance or foreign object What is an inhaled substance or object? Sometimes people accidentally breathe in (inhale) something they shouldn’t. This might include liquids, powders, gases or solid items such as medicines or drugs, particularly: small parts from toys food or drink that has gone down the breathing pipe (trachea) instead of the food pipe (oesophagus) smoke from fires chemical and toxic fumes, including household gas (such as the gas from your kitchen stove), aerosols or glues button batteries Some people, especially young children, may swallow foreign objects. While inhaled objects get stuck in the trachea or respiratory tract,

What is coronary heart disease? Coronary heart disease is a chronic (long-lasting) disease. It affects the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart. It is also called coronary artery disease. Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in Australia, and it cannot be cured. However, there are treatments that can reduce your risk of future heart problems and improve your symptoms. What causes coronary heart disease? Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply your heart with blood become blocked. There is no one cause of coronary heart disease, but risk factors can increase your chance of developing the condition.

What is Charles Bonnet syndrome? Charles Bonnet syndrome is a condition where visual hallucinations are experienced by people who don’t have a mental health issue. These hallucinations are sometimes called ‘phantom images’. Most people who have Charles Bonnet syndrome have very poor vision, but it can also affect people who have only slight loss of vision. The condition can affect people of any age, but it’s more likely to occur if you have significant vision loss later in life. You can have Charles Bonnet syndrome if you have macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Experts do not know what causes these images, but some

Why do I feel a change in appetite? You might feel that you are eating more than usual, or less hungry and not eating enough. Maybe you have gained or lost a lot of weight without trying to. Changes to your appetite can be caused by many things, including: diseases including cancer, heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease symptoms of COVID-19 which can also change your sense of smell or taste if you are unwell and feeling nauseous stress medicines or drugs an eating disorder changes to your mental health including anxiety or depression How do I manage an increase or decrease in my appetite? Managing an increase in appetite If you feel

What is cervical spinal stenosis? Cervical spinal stenosis is where the spinal canal narrows in your neck. The spinal cord passes down the spinal canal from your brain. Nerves from your spinal cord and blood vessels that supply the nerves pass into the spinal canal within the vertebrae. The spinal canal tends to narrow as we get older caused by bony overgrowth from wear and tear in the facet joints, thickening of surrounding ligaments and bulging of the discs. A narrowed spinal canal in your neck can press on your spinal cord, preventing it from working properly. What are the benefits of

What is the central nervous system? The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It is one of 2 parts of the nervous system. The other part is the peripheral nervous system, which consists of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The central nervous system is the body’s processing centre. The brain controls most of the functions of the body, including awareness, movement, thinking, speech, and the 5 senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. It carries

What is cellulitis? Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin spreading to the tissues under your skin. It can become serious if it’s not treated quickly with antibiotics. Cellulitis can occur on any part of your body including your face. If you think you or someone in your care has cellulitis, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. It is particularly important to get urgent medical help if: your face is affected you were bitten by an animal or human the redness is spreading very quickly or is very painful you have a fever you have diabetes, a weakened immune system or

What is cefalexin? Cefalexin (also known as cephalexin) is a prescription medicine in a class of antibiotics known as cephalosporins. What is cefalexin used for? Cefalexin (cephalexin) is an antibiotic that can kill certain types of bacteria that cause infections. Cefalexin is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. This includes infections of your airways (chest and lungs), throat, sinuses, ears, skin and soft tissue, kidneys and bladder. How does cefalexin work? Cefalexin (cephalexin) works by killing some types of bacteria that cause an infection. It’s important to always finish the full course of cefalexin as prescribed by your doctor to fully treat the infection. If you don’t,

What is a catheter? A catheter is a tube that is inserted into your bladder, allowing urine (wee) to drain freely. The catheter tube is attached to a drainage bag (a catheter bag), where the urine can be collected. Catheters are usually inserted through the urethra (the narrow tube that connects your bladder to the outside). Some people with urinary problems need catheters permanently, but more often people need them for a short time. What are the different types of catheters? There are several different types of catheters. Short-term indwelling catheter: catheter that is passed through the urethra and left in place for

Why is cataract surgery performed? A cataract is an eye condition where the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, making it difficult to see. A small operation can replace your cloudy lens with a clear plastic lens. Cataracts can make your vision become blurry or hazy. They can also make you sensitive to bright lights, see starbursts around lights, or see everything as slightly faded or yellow. The treatment for cataracts is surgery on the affected eye to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a permanently implanted plastic lens called an intraocular lens. How to prepare for cataract surgery

What are the symptoms of animal bites? Animal bites can be very painful or uncomfortable. They often result in these types of injuries: puncture wounds lacerations (cuts) abrasions (scrapes) bruising and swelling Dog bites Most dog bites are caused either by a family pet or a dog that belongs to someone you know. Dogs can bite anybody. However, the following people are most at risk: children under 5 years males those in households with dogs Children are more likely to be bitten on the head, neck and face. A dog may bite if it: is provoked, stressed or frightened is looking after puppies

Cat and dog allergy What is pet allergy? Pet allergies occur when the immune system reacts to the saliva, dead skin cells (dander) or urine of pets. About 1 in 5 people have a pet allergy. Most are allergic to cats or dogs, but you can also be allergic to other domestic animals, such as guinea pigs, mice, rats, horses and birds. Allergies are particularly common in people who handle pets as part of their job. Some people are allergic to more than one animal. People with a pet allergy are also likely to have other allergies — for example, to pollen and dust

What is a cast? A cast is a hard, protective cover that is wrapped around a broken or fractured bone. A cast holds your injured bone in place while it heals. Once the bone is held still by the cast, it should heal by itself. A healthcare professional will put your cast on and take it off. While you have a cast, there are important things you should do to care for it. How is a cast put on? Casts are always put on by a healthcare professional. Your healthcare provider will first wrap the injured area in soft cotton or a bandage.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve comes under pressure in your wrist. The median nerve: carries the sense of touch to the thumb and most of the next 2 fingers controls movement for some of the hand muscles The median nerve travels down your arm and through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. This is a narrow passageway with just enough room for your tendons and nerves to pass through. When your tendons swell or thicken, they take up more space in the carpal tunnel. This leaves less space for the median nerve,

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where there is increased pressure on a nerve that crosses the front of your wrist (the median nerve). The median nerve runs through a tight tunnel on the front of your wrist, together with the tendons that bend your fingers. If the tunnel becomes too tight it can cause pressure on the nerve, usually resulting in pain or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers. What are the benefits of surgery? You should get relief from pain and numbness in your hand. The carpal tunnel. Are there any alternatives

Supporting carers of people with dementia What does caring for someone with dementia involve? Caregiving can be both rewarding and challenging. Some carers are in paid roles, but often carers are family or loved ones of the person with dementia. This is often unpaid. It involves managing many things every day. In some cases, this may include working or studying while you care for someone with dementia. Caregiving can be physically and emotionally demanding, so you need to look after yourself. You may feel you need to give more time and energy as the person with dementia needs more care. Caring

Caring for someone with a mental illness How does a person’s mental illness affect their family and friends? Having a mental illness can affect a person’s family and friends in many ways. As their relative, partner or friend, your experience will depend on your relationship with the person and their specific mental health condition. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when someone you care about is diagnosed with a mental illness, including: fear confusion guilt shame uncertainty Some people also describe feelings of grief and loss for their previous relationship, and for the kind of future they imagined together. You may need

How can I tell if my child is sick? One of the most common signs of illness in children is a fever. If your child is ill, you may also notice these signs: sore throat or headache blocked or runny nose sneezing or coughing a rash that appears suddenly on their skin vomiting or diarrhoea glazed eyes drowsiness/lethargy or a low appetite Other signs that your child might be sick include a change in breathing patterns, such as shallow breathing or pausing between breaths, or a change in the colour of their skin, making it appear pale or blotchy. Your child may show a lack of energy

What are sutures? Sutures are little stitches that hold the edges of a wound together while the skin heals. When the cut has healed, the sutures have done their job and are removed. Some types of sutures will automatically dissolve. Sutures could be made of natural materials such as silk, or synthetic materials such as nylon. What are the different sutures my doctor might use? There are different types of sutures and techniques your doctor may use, depending on your wound. Sutures can be: regular stitches — these will be removed by a doctor or nurse once the wound has

What is respite care? Respite care’ is when someone else takes care of the person you usually care for, so that you can take a break. Respite care provides an organised, temporary break both for the carer and the person they care for. Letting someone else do the caring for a few hours or days has benefits for both of you. Sometimes carers get physically and emotionally tired. It is important that they can have a break so they can be better carers. Respite care also benefits people who receive care, such as children or adults with disability, people with

Online health information If you need information about a health problem, you can find high quality information online. It is important to know how to search properly, so you find information that is trustworthy. Make sure you only use information from well-known organisations, such as Australian hospitals or government departments. Always check with your doctor if you’re not sure about the information you read online. healthdirect is a government-owned health advice and information service. It provides safe and relevant Australian health information and links to other sources that you can trust. For more tips on searching for trustworthy online health information,

What is the circulatory system? Your circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system or vascular system, moves oxygen, nutrients and hormones to your body’s cells to use for energy, growth and repair. Your circulatory system also removes carbon dioxide and other waste products that your cells do not need. These key parts of your circulatory system maintain blood flow to all the cells in your body, so you can survive: blood — made up of red and white blood cells, plasma and platelets the heart — a muscular organ that pumps blood to all parts of your body blood vessels, include arteries, capillaries and veins

What is heart failure? Heart failure (also known as ‘congestive heart failure’ or CHF) occurs when your heart muscle has become too weak to pump blood effectively through your body. It can also happen if your heart becomes too stiff to fill up with blood properly, so not enough blood is pumped around your body. As a result, your muscles and organs don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. This may cause fluid to build up in your body and make you feel breathless or tired. Heart failure is usually an ongoing (chronic) condition — unlike heart attacks, which occur suddenly and require immediate treatment (acute).