Day: December 27, 2023

What is a myringoplasty? A myringoplasty is an operation to repair a hole in the eardrum. A perforation is usually caused by an infection in the middle ear that bursts through the eardrum. It can also be caused by trauma (for example, being hit across your ear or by placing an object in your ear). Often a perforated eardrum does not cause any problems but it can lead to repeated ear infections and poorer hearing. What are the benefits of surgery? Your child should have less risk of repeated ear infections and their hearing may improve. Are there any alternatives

What is a myringoplasty? A myringoplasty is an operation to repair a hole (perforation) in your eardrum. A perforation is usually caused by an infection in your middle ear that bursts through your eardrum. It can also be caused by trauma (for example, being hit across your ear or by placing an object in your ear). Often a perforated eardrum does not cause any problems but it can lead to repeated ear infections and poorer hearing. What are the benefits of surgery? You should have less risk of repeated ear infections and your hearing may improve. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Keeping

Short-sightedness (myopia) What is short-sightedness? Short-sightedness (also known as myopia) is a common eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurred. Someone with myopia can achieve good vision with prescription glasses, contact lenses or laser surgery. Short-sightedness usually first appears in childhood. How is short-sightedness caused? When light enters the eye, it is bent by the cornea (the clear layer on the front of the eye) and the lens. If you have normal vision, the light waves are brought into focus right on the retina, the layer at the back of the eye. If you are short-sighted, the light waves

Uterine fibroids What are uterine fibroids? A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous tumour that grows in and around the womb (uterus). It is also known as a myoma. Uterine fibroids develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They may also grow in the fallopian tubes, cervix, or tissues near the uterus. They can vary in size, from being so tiny you cannot see them with the naked eye to being the size of a melon. It is possible to have one or many fibroids. Most fibroids do not need treatment. Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that grow in and around

What is a heart attack? To work properly, your heart needs a continuous supply of blood. It normally receives this from blood vessels called coronary arteries. When a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked, oxygen can’t get to your heart muscle. This causes a heart attack (or ‘myocardial infarction’). A heart attack is a medical emergency: without oxygen, your heart muscle begins to die and your heart can become permanently damaged. Heart attacks can be fatal — every day, 17 Australians die from a heart attack. One patient is admitted to hospital due to heart attack every 13 minutes. What are the symptoms

What is myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease of the neuromuscular system, caused by a breakdown in communication between the nerves and muscles. This leads to muscle weakness during activity, which can improve after a period of rest. Myasthenia gravis can’t be cured, but treatments are available to help manage your symptoms. What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis? The symptoms of myasthenia gravis often begin in your eye muscles or elsewhere on your face. It can become hard to control your eye and eyelid movements, and to talk, chew and swallow. Your symptoms can appear suddenly or take

Chronic fatigue syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a chronic (long-term), complex and disabling illness that causes extreme fatigue and other symptoms that cannot be explained by any other medical condition. If you have ME/CFS, you are likely to feel very tired, very often, even if you have not been active. You may also have a host of other symptoms. Doctors do not yet understand the cause of ME/CFS, and there is no simple cure. If you or your child has ME/CFS, your doctor

What is a heart attack? To work properly, your heart needs a continuous supply of blood. It normally receives this from blood vessels called coronary arteries. When a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked, oxygen can’t get to your heart muscle. This causes a heart attack (or ‘myocardial infarction’). A heart attack is a medical emergency: without oxygen, your heart muscle begins to die and your heart can become permanently damaged. Heart attacks can be fatal — every day, 17 Australians die from a heart attack. One patient is admitted to hospital due to heart attack every 13 minutes. What are the symptoms

What is myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease of the neuromuscular system, caused by a breakdown in communication between the nerves and muscles. This leads to muscle weakness during activity, which can improve after a period of rest. Myasthenia gravis can’t be cured, but treatments are available to help manage your symptoms. What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis? The symptoms of myasthenia gravis often begin in your eye muscles or elsewhere on your face. It can become hard to control your eye and eyelid movements, and to talk, chew and swallow. Your symptoms can appear suddenly or take

What is My Health Record? My Health Record is a secure digital record of your health information. Your healthcare providers can check your My Health Record when they need to. Both you and your healthcare providers can add information to your record. You can also choose to have Medicare information added to your record. This includes information from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You can download your immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate. Your record can only be seen by you, your healthcare providers and any people you choose to share it with. My Health Record can help you in emergencies or when

beginning of content Top 10 safety tips for music festivals   Going to a music festival can be an amazing experience. Whether it’s one day or a weekend-long event, these 10 tips can help you stay safe and healthy while still having a blast. 1. Party safe You can make the most of your music festival experience by partying safely. Keep tabs on how much alcohol you’re drinking and avoid binge drinking. Remember to eat meals and drink plenty of water. While illicit drugs may seem fun, they are also dangerous as you don’t know what’s in them or how they’ll affect you. Don’t

What is muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy is the name of a group of genetic (inherited) disorders that cause weakness and wasting in the muscles that control your movement. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Medicines and physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms and slow down disease progression. What are the different types of muscular dystrophy? There are many different types of muscular dystrophy. The most common ones are: Duchenne — this is the most common kind in children, with symptoms usually appearing at 2 to 4 years of age. It usually affects males, but females can still be carriers of the disease

What are muscle aches and pains? Muscle aches and pains, also called myalgia, can be felt anywhere in the body where there is muscle tissue. Muscle pain usually affects a specific part of the body at a time. It often occurs after a particular movement or activity. Sometimes muscle pain can be more widespread and affect many parts of the body at once. What symptoms are associated with muscle aches and pains? If you have muscle aches and pains, you may have mild to severe pain in muscles anywhere in your body. Your muscles may also be sensitive to touch.

What is Murray Valley encephalitis? Murray Valley encephalitis is a serious but rare illness spread through mosquito bites. Most reported cases of Murray Valley encephalitis have occurred in northern Australia or Papua New Guinea. What are the symptoms of Murray Valley encephalitis? Many people with Murray Valley encephalitis have no symptoms. Others may have mild symptoms including fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. More severe symptoms may include: fever drowsiness confusion nausea and vomiting shaking neck stiffness headache seizures Babies who are infected may also become irritable or drowsy. Murray Valley encephalitis can be fatal in a very small number of people. How

Dissociative identity disorder What is dissociative identity disorder? Dissociative identity disorder is a psychological condition where disturbance to a person’s sense of identity causes them to feel or be observed by others to have 2 or more separate personalities. It was previously known as ‘multiple personality disorder’. Dissociative identity disorder is a type of dissociative disorder — where there is a disconnect between your thoughts, memories and feelings and sense of who you are. Dissociative identity disorder is usually long-term and is a response to extreme trauma. Dissociative identity disorder may be incorrectly mixed up with schizophrenia. While they are both

What is myeloma? Multiple myeloma, or myeloma, is a type of cancer that affects your plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection as part of your immune system. Plasma cells are not the same as plasma — the fluid that carries the components of blood. Myeloma causes plasma cells to grow abnormally and build up in your bone marrow (the inside of your bones). These abnormal plasma cells are known as myeloma cells. What are the symptoms of myeloma? Myeloma can affect different areas in the body — for example, your spine, skull, pelvis, rib cage, shoulders, and