Day: January 12, 2024

What is pulmonary fibrosis? Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease. The tissue around the air sacs of the lungs — known as alveoli — becomes damaged, thickened, and scarred. As the lungs scar and stiffen, breathing becomes more difficult. It can mean that not enough oxygen enters your blood. What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis? The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis can include: being short of breath — at first only when you’re active, but then later when you’re just resting a dry, hacking cough that does not go away being tired losing weight losing your appetite having bulging finger or toe tips, known

What is a pulmonary embolism? A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in the blood vessels in your lungs. It is normal for your blood to clot, such as when you cut yourself. However, a blood clot in the wrong place can cause problems. A blood clot forming in an artery or vein is called thrombosis. An example of this is deep vein thrombosis, also known as a DVT. When part of a blood clot comes away from a vein and travels through your bloodstream to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can reduce the amount of

What are pubic lice? Pubic lice (also known as crabs or Pthirus pubis) are tiny insects that live in coarse body hair including pubic hair, armpit hair, beards, chest hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They do not live on your head. The female lice lay eggs (also known as nits) that are glued to the hair shaft. The eggs are smaller than the size of a pin head and difficult to see. They hatch after 6 to 10 days leaving behind empty egg sacs. The empty egg sacs look like white or grey oval dots on the hair. How do you

This page contains information about physical changes in females during puberty. You can visit our other pages to find more information about: puberty for boys emotional changes in puberty What is puberty? Puberty is when you start to move from childhood into adulthood. During puberty, your body makes hormones that lead to physical and emotional changes. Your reproductive system and other body systems mature, and your body develops so that you are physically able to have a baby. Changes during puberty can make you feel many emotions, including feeling: overwhelmed excited awkward empowered This is very normal. It’s a good idea to talk to a

This page contains information about physical changes in boys during puberty. You can find more information about physical changes in girls or the emotional changes that teenagers often experience. What is puberty? Puberty is the time when your body develops and goes through rapid growth. It happens because of natural substances in your body called hormones. Your body’s reproductive system matures, and so too will other body organs and systems. During puberty, you move from childhood into adulthood. Your body develops so that you are physically able to make a baby. Your brain also goes through changes at this time. This affects your emotions and behaviours. These

What is ptosis surgery? Ptosis surgery is an operation to tighten the muscle that lifts your upper eyelid. As you get older, the levator muscle that lifts your upper eyelid stretches and weakens, causing your eyelid to sag. If you have a sagging eyelid that is interfering with your vision, ptosis surgery can be an effective treatment to improve your vision. Ptosis What are the benefits of surgery? The position of your eyelid should improve. If your eyelid is interfering with your vision, your vision should improve. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Ptosis surgery is the only effective way

What is psychotherapy? Psychotherapy is a group of therapies designed to help someone change their thinking patterns and improve their coping skills. These therapies are often used to treat mental health conditions, but can also be useful for anyone wanting to change unhelpful thoughts or behaviour. Psychotherapy is provided by a psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist or support person. It is sometimes called psychological therapy or talking therapy. When would I need psychotherapy? Psychotherapy can be used to treat: depression bipolar disorder anxiety obsessive compulsive disorder schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders post-traumatic stress disorder borderline personality disorder or dependent personality disorder phobias panic disorder addictions (including alcoholism,

What is psychosis? People with psychosis (also known as a ‘psychotic episode’) cannot tell what is real and what is not. They have difficulty with the way they interpret the world around them, and their thinking can be confused. They may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices that aren’t there. They may also have delusions — false beliefs about themselves or the world around them. Psychosis can be very frightening for the person experiencing it. In severe cases, someone with psychosis may be at risk of self-harm, or harming others. About 1 in every 200 adult Australians will experience a psychotic illness

If you have a mental illness, or are not coping well with things, there are specialised healthcare professionals who can help. These include psychiatrists and psychologists. What does a psychiatrist do? Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialised training in psychiatry, which is how to diagnose, treat and prevent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. They work in different ways and can use a combination of treatments, including counselling, psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants. They can usually admit people to hospital if needed. You will probably need to see a psychiatrist if you have a severe mental health condition such as: severe depression anxiety

If you have a mental illness, or are not coping well with things, there are specialised healthcare professionals who can help. These include psychiatrists and psychologists. What does a psychiatrist do? Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialised training in psychiatry, which is how to diagnose, treat and prevent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. They work in different ways and can use a combination of treatments, including counselling, psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants. They can usually admit people to hospital if needed. You will probably need to see a psychiatrist if you have a severe mental health condition such as: severe depression anxiety