Day: December 24, 2023

Vitamins and minerals explained What are vitamins and minerals? Vitamins and minerals are needed to make your body work properly. Vitamins come from plants and animals, while minerals originally come from the earth. Most people can get all the vitamins and minerals they need from the 5 food groups in a balanced diet. However, some groups in the community are more at risk of developing deficiencies. Vitamins are found in: fresh foods frozen foods canned foods An example is Vitamin C. It is found in many fruits. Some vitamins can be lost by cooking in water. Fresh fruit and uncooked vegetables

Mindfulness is a mental state where you focus on the present, without judging or being distracted. Mindfulness can help you feel better and reduce stress. It is a useful technique that can help you deal with difficult emotions and situations. Sometimes mindfulness is incorporated into meditation practices, where it is described as ‘mindfulness meditation’. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is paying full attention to what is going on in you and outside you, moment by moment, without judgment. It means you observe your thoughts, feelings, and the sensations of taste, touch, smell, sight and sound. You are also fully aware of

What is heat rash? Heat rash — sometimes called prickly heat, sweat rash or miliaria, is a harmless but very itchy skin rash. It causes small red spots in places where sweat collects, such as the armpits, back, under the breasts, chest, groin, elbow creases and back of the knees, and the waist. It happens when the body sweats more than usual, and is more common during summer months or in a hot climate. What are the symptoms of heat rash? Heat rash causes: tiny red spots or clear blisters. In babies, these are often in the skin folds, on

What are milia? Milia are common and harmless tiny pearly white bumps that appear just under the surface of your skin. They are usually smaller than 1mm but can sometimes be bigger than 3mm. Milia are tiny, white lumps that appear on the surface of the skin. There are a few types of milia: Neonatal (newborn) milia: Almost half of all newborn babies have these. There may be a few or they may develop as a cluster. They are mostly found on a newborn’s face, especially on their nose. They can also appear on a newborn’s scalp, mouth (Epstein pearls), palate

What is migraine? Migraine is a common problem affecting the brain. It usually involves severe headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light or sound. However, symptoms can vary depending on the type of migraine. Migraine is a complex genetic condition, and symptoms are triggered by a combination of factors that may be biological and environmental. Triggers are unique to each person but can include food chemicals, smells, or hormones — resulting in a migraine attack. Migraine is more common in females. ‘Migraine’ is the term used to describe the condition, and ‘migraine attacks’ are the symptoms you feel

What is a microdochectomy? Milk ducts are small tubes in the breast that connect the breast tissue to the nipple. Fluid travels along the ducts and is discharged from the nipple. A microdochectomy is a procedure to remove one or more of the milk ducts from your breast. It is usually performed to diagnose and treat a problem that causes a continued leak of fluid from a nipple. Total duct excision is removal of a disc of duct tissue from behind the nipple. It is also performed to diagnose and treat a problem that causes a continued leak of fluid

What is microdermabrasion used for? Microdermabrasion is typically used as a cosmetic procedure to treat wrinkles, sun-induced pigmentation (darkened skin), acne scarring, enlarged pores and ‘stretch marks’. It may be combined with medicines applied on the skin to treat acne. What does microdermabrasion involve? The exact procedure may differ from clinic to clinic. The skin is usually first cleansed of any makeup. Tiny crystals are then sprayed onto the skin by a hand-held device while vacuum suction is used to remove the used crystals and skin cell debris. Some microdermabrasion devices use diamond-tipped wands, instead of crystals, to buff the skin. Local anaesthesia to

What is methadone used for? Methadone is prescribed for the medical treatment of heroin and other opioid dependencies. Methadone can also be prescribed to help manage severe pain cause by certain conditions. Because of the risks associated with opioid use, methadone should only be used for pain relief in people who are not able to take non-opioid pain-relief medicines, or in circumstances when pain cannot be managed with other options. How does methadone work? When methadone is used to replace another opioid, it helps to lessen the effects of withdrawal and reduces the harm associated with opioid drug use. In this way, methadone makes it

What is metformin? Metformin is a diabetes medicine. It is commonly prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes. It’s also sometimes used to treat certain types of infertility in females. What is metformin used for? Metformin is used to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in people who have type 2 diabetes. It can be prescribed for adults and children over the age of 10 years. Unlike insulin, metformin doesn’t cause weight gain and may help with weight loss. This makes it a good choice for people with type 2 diabetes who are living with overweight or obesity. In adults, metformin can be used alone or together with other

What is metabolism? Metabolism is the processes where your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. The food and drink that you eat contains: carbohydrates fats proteins Your body breaks these down into simpler forms. These are then converted into energy by your body. Your body uses this energy to help carry out everyday functions. How is metabolism measured? Kilojoules measure the amount of energy your body uses. Many people are familiar with the term calorie. A calorie is another measurement of energy. One kilocalorie = 4.18 kilojoules. How does my metabolism work? Your metabolism involves two processes,

What is metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that together increase a person’s risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These risk factors are: high blood pressure excess abdominal weight low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) insulin resistance, where your cells don’t respond to insulin and your blood sugar levels rise Metabolic syndrome is also known as syndrome X or insulin-resistance syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome have 2 to 3 times the risk of having a heart attack and stroke, type 2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease than people without the condition. Metabolic syndrome affects many adults in Australia, and

What is lung cancer? Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs grow in an uncontrolled way. The cancer may start to grow in the lungs first (primary cancer) or may spread to the lungs from a cancer somewhere else in the body (secondary cancer/metastasis). Lung cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Australia and, in general, it spreads quite quickly. This cancer is diagnosed more often in older people, and it is much more common in smokers — although non-smokers can get it too. Lung cancer is generally divided into two main types: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up about 85%

What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world because of our extensive use of asbestos in the past. Even though asbestos is now banned in Australia, the number of Australians with mesothelioma is growing because the disease can take decades to develop. What are the types of mesothelioma? Mesothelioma grows in the mesothelial cells, which are found in the membranes that surround most organs in the body. There are 2 main types of mesothelioma: Pleural: This type develops in the lining of the lungs, called

What is Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)? Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a rare disease. It causes bad respiratory (breathing) problems. MERS was first identified in 2012. MERS is caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV). Coronaviruses also cause: the common cold severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) COVID-19 MERS has infected more than 2,600 people worldwide. Of these, more than 935 people have died. Most cases have happened in Saudi Arabia. What are the symptoms of MERS? Symptoms of MERS usually start 5 to 6 days after infection. But this can range from 2 days to 14 days. Symptoms often

What is mental illness stigma? In relation to mental illness, stigma is when someone is marked or discredited somehow, or reduced from being a whole person to being a stereotype or labelled as a collection of symptoms or a diagnosis (e.g. ‘psychotic’). The meaning of the word stigma is a mark, a stain or a blemish. People with mental illness may face stigma — they may be viewed in a negative way, treated differently, and made to feel ashamed or worthless, as if they are somehow less than other people. Stigma can also lead to discrimination, and this in turn can

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 to take on new roles or responsibilities

What is mental illness? A mental illness is a health issue. It can affect your thoughts, mood, or behaviour. It can impact the way you perceive the world around you. A mental illness can cause distress. It may affect how you cope at work, how you function in relationships and your ability to manage everyday tasks. Mental illnesses can last for a short time or for your whole life. Some mild mental illness lasts only a few weeks. Sometimes severe illnesses can be life-long and cause serious disability. Each year, about 1 in every 5 Australians will experience a mental

What is a mental health treatment plan? A mental health treatment plan is for people with a mental health condition. The plan identifies: your treatment options support services available what goals you and your doctor have agreed on How can a mental health treatment plan help me? If you are struggling with your mental health, having a mental health treatment plan can help cover the cost of seeing a specialist mental health professional. It can also help you: feel more in control of your mental health feel supported Am I eligible for a mental health treatment plan? You can only