Day: January 15, 2024

Rhinoplasty is also known as nose surgery, or a ‘nose job’. It is a form of cosmetic surgery to repair or reshape the nose. Some people have a nose job to fix a structural problem with their nose, others do it for cosmetic reasons. When might you have a nose job? Nose surgery can correct physical problems with the nose, including: breathing problems birth defects injuries damage caused by cancer or an infection Nose surgery can also be used for cosmetic reasons such as straightening a crooked nose or removing a hump or dent on the bridge of the nose. The surgery

What is rheumatic heart disease? Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that develops when the body’s heart valves are damaged by acute rheumatic fever (also called rheumatic fever). Rheumatic heart disease is a serious, disabling, sometimes fatal condition. But it is also entirely preventable. Who is at risk of rheumatic heart disease? You can develop rheumatic heart disease if you have had rheumatic fever. Rheumatic heart disease often begins as a strep throat (bacterial infection of the throat) in childhood, which then progresses to rheumatic fever. People are at greater risk of developing rheumatic fever if they have poor living conditions, including living in overcrowded

What is rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever is an illness that can occur after an infection with a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus (commonly known as GAS or ‘strep A‘). It is an inflammatory disease that affects many parts of the body, especially the heart, joints, brain and skin. What are the symptoms of rheumatic fever? Symptoms and signs of rheumatic fever may include: fever and malaise (feeling unwell) chest pain difficulty breathing rapid heartbeat, or heart murmurs that may be detected by your doctor painful or swollen joints a rash on the trunk or limbs (although this is uncommon) jerky movements and difficulty walking

What is rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition caused by muscle injury. It leads to muscle weakness, pain and swelling. When muscle tissue gets seriously injured, it breaks down, releasing the chemicals from the muscle — including a protein called myoglobin — into the bloodstream. This can worsen kidney function and cause kidney failure. It can also change the balance of electrolytes (minerals and salts) in the body, which can lead to serious problems with the heart and other organs. This can be life threatening in not treated urgently. What are the symptoms of rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis symptoms will change based on the cause, but include:

What is a revision total shoulder replacement? A revision total shoulder replacement is an operation to take out your old shoulder replacement and put in a new one. A shoulder replacement can fail for the following reasons. wearing out of the artificial joint infection in your shoulder replacement dislocation (coming out of joint) fracture (break) around your shoulder replacement What are the benefits of surgery? You should be able to move your shoulder more comfortably and do more of your normal activities. A total shoulder replacement. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Surgery is the only treatment for a shoulder

What is a revision total knee replacement? A revision total knee replacement is an operation to take out parts of your old knee replacement and put in new ones. A knee replacement can fail for the following reasons. wearing out of the artificial joint infection in your knee replacement dislocation (coming out of joint) fracture (break) of the femur or the tibia around your knee replacement What are the benefits of surgery? You should get less pain and be able to walk more easily. Are there any alternatives to surgery? If your symptoms are mild, you and your surgeon may

What is a revision total hip replacement? A revision total hip replacement is an operation to take out parts of your old hip replacement and put in new ones. A hip replacement can fail for the following reasons. wearing out of the artificial ball-and-socket joint infection in your hip replacement dislocation (coming out of joint) fracture (break) of the femur around your hip replacement What are the benefits of surgery? You should get less pain and be able to walk more easily. A revision total hip replacement. Are there any alternatives to surgery? If your symptoms are mild, you and

What is reversing a vasectomy? You had a vasectomy, which is meant to be a permanent method of male contraception. It involved cutting both the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from your testicles. Reversing a vasectomy is a procedure to rejoin the tubes. Reversing a vasectomy can fail, even if the tubes are rejoined. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim of rejoining the tubes is to allow sperm to mix with your semen, making you fertile again. After a bilateral vasectomy. Are there any alternatives to surgery? You may want to consider using donor sperm, either from someone

What is Hartmann’s procedure? Hartmann’s procedure involves removing a piece of large bowel (colon). It is usually performed as an emergency. The two ends of bowel were not joined together because your surgeon decided the risks were too high. Your surgeon made a colostomy (your large bowel opening onto your skin). The other end was closed as a rectal stump. Your surgeon has decided it is safe to join the two ends of your bowel back together. A Hartmann’s procedure. What are the benefits of surgery? You should be able to open your bowels in the normal way and you

The retina is a collection of light sensitive nerve cells at the back of the eyeball. Retinal disorders damage these delicate cells and reduce someone’s ability to see. ‘Macular degeneration’ is damage causing progressive loss of the central (reading) visionOther retinal conditions include floaters in the eye, retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy. Treatments of retinal diseases aim to slow or halt damage depending on the cause. Follow the links below to find information about retinal diseases.

What is a retinal detachment? The retina is the inner layer at the back of your eye. The retina captures the light coming into your eye and sends this information to your brain. Sometimes the retina can peel off (detach), usually because of a tear. This causes your vision to be blurred or a shadow to develop in your vision. a A normal retina, b A torn retina, c A detached retina. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to prevent your vision from getting worse and your retina from detaching again. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Sometimes the tear or hole

What is retinal detachment? The retina is a layer of tissue found at the back of your eye. The retina controls how you see. Retinal detachment is when your retina separates from your eyeball. What are the symptoms of retinal detachment? Symptoms of a detached retina are: light flashes moving specks or cobwebs (floaters) in one eye blurred vision seeing an empty circle in front of you changes to your peripheral vision shadows appearing in your vision (often described as a ‘shadow’ or a ‘curtain coming down’ over your vision) Some people lose their vision suddenly. What causes retinal detachment? Retinal detachment

What is restless legs syndrome? Restless legs syndrome is a common condition where you have an urge to move your legs to relieve unpleasant sensations. Up to 1 in 20 people will have restless legs syndrome at some time in their life. It can start at any age, but the risk increases as you get older. Your risk is higher if it runs in your family. What does it feel like? If you have restless legs syndrome, you might have: unpleasant sensations in your legs, such as burning, tingling, aching, itching or a feeling of pins and needles, electric currents

What is resting heart rate? Your resting heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest — such as when you are relaxed, sitting or lying down. Resting heart rate varies from person to person. Knowing yours can give you an important sign of your heart health. What is a normal resting heart rate? For adults, a normal resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats a minute. Usually, a lower resting heart rate means your heart is working more efficiently and is more fit. For example, an athlete

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

What is the respiratory system Your respiratory system brings oxygen into your body and helps to remove carbon dioxide. Your lungs are part of your respiratory system. They sit in your chest, protected by your ribcage. Problems with your respiratory system can reduce the oxygen that reaches your lungs, which can make you unwell. Parts of the respiratory system Your respiratory system is made up of your: nose pharynx (throat) larynx (voice box) trachea (windpipe) bronchi (airways branching from the trachea, and leading to smaller bronchioles) lungs How your respiratory system works You breathe in by contracting your diaphragm, a

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can infect your airways and lungs. It is highly contagious and spreads easily. RSV infections most often affect children under 2 years of age. What are the symptoms of RSV? Symptoms usually start 3 to 10 days after infection with RSV. Most cases are mild, and symptoms include: a runny nose cough fever Some people will also get an ear infection. Almost all children will have been infected with RSV by the age of 3 years. Children with asthma or breathing problems will find these get worse when they

What is resilience? Resilience is the ability to cope with unexpected changes and challenges in your life. It’s not always possible to prevent stressful or adverse situations, but you can strengthen your capacity to deal with these challenges. Resilience is your ability to cope with tough times by applying your inner strength and engaging support networks. Resilience can enable you to face difficult situations and maintain good mental health. Coping with challenges Stress and setbacks are a part of life, and you can’t avoid them. A series of challenges, or a traumatic situation, can be hard to deal with. If you

What is residential care? An aged care home is for older people who can no longer live at home. This might be because you need help with everyday tasks or health care. Aged care homes are also called: residential aged care facilities (RACFs) nursing homes An aged care home gives you the services you need to have a good quality of life. The government funds aged care homes across Australia. These homes supply services to those who need it. Each aged care home is different. They provide different levels of care. Some provide just basic accommodation while others provide continuous

What are some potential problems I could have with a medicine? Adverse events Sometimes a medicine or vaccine can cause an ‘adverse event’. This is an effect of the medicine that is not intended or wanted and could be a sign, symptom or disease. Adverse events include unintended side effects (also called adverse drug reactions or adverse effects). Information about common known side effects is listed in the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) for each medicine. Adverse events can also include problems with medical devices that are used to administer a medicine. For example, insulin delivery devices. It’s important to remember that adverse events don’t

Why does my child need to have a tooth removed? Your child may need to have a tooth removed for one or more of the following reasons. tooth decay trauma dental abscess failed root-canal treatment severe pain orthodontic (teeth and jaw) treatment medical reasons Are there any alternatives to removing a tooth? Simple painkillers such as paracetamol can help control mild pain and antibiotics can help with infection. Sometimes root-canal treatment will help to treat infection and pain. Depending on how damaged your child’s tooth is, your dentist may be able to rebuild it with a filling or crown. What will happen

What is metalware used for? Metalware includes plates, screws, rods and wires. These are specially made from stainless steel or titanium for the following operations on bones. To help treat an infection around the metalware To stop the metalware from disappearing inside the bone To stop the metalware from getting in the way if you need another operation later What are the benefits of surgery? The following are the main reasons for having your metalware removed. to reduce any pain or discomfort to help treat an infection around the metalwork to prevent the metalwork from disappearing inside the bone to

What are skin lesions? Skin lesions are lumps found on or just below your skin. Examples of skin lesions are sebaceous cysts (also called epidermal inclusion cysts or epidermoid cysts), lipomas, skin tags (also called acrochorda) and moles. What are the benefits of surgery? Most skin lesions can be safely left alone. You may want the skin lesion removed for cosmetic reasons or to be reassured that it is not a cancer. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Surgery is the only reliable way to remove skin lesions but you may simply leave them alone. What will happen if I decide not

What is remedial massage? Remedial massage is a complementary therapy. It can be used to help people with problems that affect the muscles, tendons and bones. Remedial massage should not replace care from your doctor. Problems with your muscles can cause pain in other parts of your body. Remedial massage aims to: find the problem treat the problem manage your symptoms What does a remedial massage involve? Remedial massage is used to find any problems you may have, and help you heal. Depending on your problem, the pressure applied can either be: strong and deep gentle and shallow Before having a remedial massage, your

How are relaxation techniques beneficial? Stress causes your nervous system to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can help your body respond to challenging situations. But if you feel stressed for a long time, they can cause you to feel overwhelmed, exhausted or like you aren’t coping. Ongoing — or, chronic — stress is associated with some mental health conditions. It can also cause physical symptoms like high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and a weakened immune system. Relaxation techniques can help you manage stress and improve your wellbeing. When can relaxation techniques help me? Relaxation techniques can be used any time you feel stressed.