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What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a malignant growth that starts in the glandular tissue of your breast. Lymph nodes (glands) are small structures which lie along lymph vessels present throughout the body. They help the body deal with infections, but they also become involved in the spread of some cancers. Sometimes breast cancer spreads to one or more lymph nodes in the armpit on the same side. Axillary node clearance is an operation to remove all the lymph nodes from the affected armpit. What are the benefits of surgery? Some lymph nodes in the armpit may appear normal but contain

What is an autoimmune disease? Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system produces antibodies that wrongly attack the body’s own cells. Your immune system usually protects you from infection. It does this by finding and fighting off viruses and bacteria that enter your body. An autoimmune disease occurs when your healthy organs and tissues are being targeted by your immune system. There are many types of autoimmune diseases. Some only involve one area of your body. Others may involve many different parts of the body. What are the types and symptoms of autoimmune diseases? There are many different autoimmune diseases. Most affect

What is primary healthcare? Primary care is provided by: doctors (General Practitioners — GPs) community nurses dentists pharmacists allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, dietitians and speech pathologists) It’s delivered in a variety of settings, including at: general practices community health centres pharmacies dental practices at home General practice General practitioners (GPs) are also known as doctors. They work in the community to keep people healthy. Your doctor can check and treat your: physical health mental health Your doctor can also help you access other health services, or specialist care, through a referral. You can read more about referrals here. It can be

What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. ADHD used to be called attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADHD is often misunderstood. It can cause problems: concentrating becoming distracted being hyperactive (sometimes) being impulsive This may cause people with ADHD to have problems with their: schooling friendships work family life Around 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD. While ADHD is more common in boys — it’s under diagnosed in girls and adults. More than 3 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD still have symptoms as an adult. What are the symptoms

/*! elementor – v3.17.0 – 25-10-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Add Your Heading Text Here Tinea What is tinea? Tinea is a common and contagious fungal skin or nail infection. The tinea fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, so areas like the feet, the groin, the scalp, under the breasts and sometimes the toe and fingernails are ideal places for the fungus to grow. Most tinea infections are mild. What are the types of tinea? Tinea can affect many areas of the skin/nails and the infection will have a different name depending on the location and type of fungus.

Will pregnancy affect my asthma? Pregnancy can affect your asthma in different ways. About 1 in 3 pregnant women with asthma find that pregnancy makes their asthma worse. However, about 1 in 3 women find that their asthma gets better during pregnancy. If you have severe asthma, your symptoms are more likely to worsen during pregnancy. Hormonal and physical changes that naturally occur during pregnancy can make it feel harder for you to breathe at times. As your pregnant uterus and baby grows, there is less space inside for your lungs to ventilate. Many pregnant women, with and without asthma, report feeling short of

What is an assisted vaginal delivery? An assisted vaginal delivery involves using a ventouse (vacuum cup) or forceps (like large tongs) to guide your baby as you push with your contractions. Why may I need an assisted vaginal delivery? You have been pushing for too long. You may have run out of energy to deliver your baby safely. Your baby’s heart rate may be going above or below normal levels or they may not be getting enough oxygen. Sometimes, if you have high blood pressure, your obstetrician may recommend an assisted vaginal delivery if the second stage of labour goes beyond a certain time and your

What is an assistance dog? An assistance dog is a working animal. It has special training to give people with disability support in their daily life. It is not a pet. Assistance dogs: are individually trained in obedience can perform tasks that ease disability can pass a public access test (PAT) The legal definition of an assistance dog is a dog that is: accredited under a state or territory law, or accredited by an animal training organisation stated in the regulations, or trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards

What is Asperger’s syndrome? Asperger’s syndrome is the former name of a developmental disability that affects how people behave, see and understand the world and interact with others. People with this developmental disability may have special interests, repetitive behaviours and under or overreact to sensory input. People who previously were diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome have since 2013 been diagnosed as having a high-functioning form of autism spectrum disorder. There is no longer a separate diagnosis for Asperger’s syndrome, although some people may prefer to keep using this term. People with Asperger’s syndrome, now diagnosed as a high-functioning form of autism spectrum

This page will give you information about an arthroscopy of the wrist. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an arthroscopy of your wrist? An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) is performed to diagnose and treat problems in your wrist joint. It involves examining the inside of the joint using a telescope inserted through small cuts on your skin. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time. Are there any alternatives to surgery?

This page will give you information about an arthroscopy of the shoulder. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an arthroscopy of your shoulder? An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) is performed to diagnose and treat problems in your shoulder joint. It involves examining the inside of the joint using a telescope inserted through small cuts on your skin. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time. Are there any alternatives to surgery?

This page will give you information about an arthroscopy of the knee. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an arthroscopy of your knee? An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) allows your surgeon to see inside your knee using a camera inserted through small cuts on your skin. Your surgeon can diagnose problems such as a torn cartilage (meniscus), ligament damage and arthritis. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time. The benefit of

This page will give you information about an arthroscopy of the elbow. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an arthroscopy of your elbow? An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) is performed to diagnose and treat problems in your elbow joint. It involves examining the inside of the joint using a telescope inserted through small cuts on your skin. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time. Are there any alternatives to surgery?

What is an arthroscopy of your ankle? An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) allows your surgeon to see inside your ankle using a camera inserted through small cuts on your skin. Your surgeon can diagnose problems such as damage to the joint surface or ligaments, and arthritis. What are the benefits of surgery? The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Problems inside your ankle can often be diagnosed using a magnetic scan (MRI scan) but you may then need an arthroscopy to treat the

What is an arthroscopy? An arthroscopy is a procedure used to diagnose and treat some joint problems. When you have an arthroscopy, an instrument called an arthroscope is used to look inside your joint. An arthroscope is a small, fibre-optic video camera attached to a narrow tube. During an arthroscopy a surgeon uses an arthroscope to see inside the joint. When may an arthroscopy be needed? An arthroscopy can be done to help diagnose a problem in a joint. It can also help guide surgical repair of a joint problem. This type of ‘keyhole surgery’ is done with narrow, pencil-shaped surgical instruments.

What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder is a stiff and painful shoulder caused by inflammation, swelling and contraction of your shoulder lining (capsule). It is also known as adhesive capsulitis. What are the benefits of surgery? You should have less pain and be able to use your shoulder better. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Simple painkillers and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain but you will usually need stronger painkillers. A steroid injection into your shoulder joint can sometimes reduce pain and stiffness. Physiotherapy is often helpful in improving movement if the pain can be controlled. Arthrographic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical found in water, food and soil that is toxic when someone is exposed to a significant amount. It can also be found due to contamination from human activity. Sometimes arsenic is found in low levels in food. There are limits to levels of arsenic allowed in seaweed products, seafood, rice and cereals in Australia. These foods are being constantly monitored to make sure they are safe. The only food which has higher levels of arsenic is a type of seaweed called Hijiki. You should only eat small amounts of this food. A small amount

What is apraxia of speech? Apraxia is a rare type of speech disorder that makes it difficult to move the mouth in the way needed to produce sounds and words. A speech pathologist can often provide therapy that can help a person’s speech to improve. Apraxia occurs when the brain can’t move the mouth, lips, jaw and tongue properly. Even though they know what they want to say, people with apraxia have problems pronouncing sounds, syllables and words. The condition is usually noticed when a child is first learning to talk, but it can continue into adulthood. In adults, it can be

What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a thin pouch attached to a part of your large intestine (gut) on the right side of your abdomen (‘tummy’ area). It is usually about the size of a finger. If you have appendicitis, this means that your appendix is swollen and infected. A swollen and infected appendix can sometimes burst. If this happens, the infection may spread throughout your abdomen, causing serious problems such as peritonitis (infection inside the abdomen) or an abscess (a collection of pus) around the appendix. Appendicitis can occur at any age but it is most common in children

What is an appendicectomy? An appendicectomy is an operation to remove the appendix, which is a small, tube-like part of the bowel. It often needs to be performed urgently when someone has an infected and inflamed appendix (appendicitis). It is also known as an appendicectomy. Why is an appendicectomy performed? An appendicectomy is usually done because the appendix is inflamed or has burst. How to prepare for an appendicectomy The hospital will tell you how long you should fast (have nothing to eat or drink) before the operation. You might be given fluids through a drip (intravenously, directly into a

What is anxiety? Anxiety is a normal part of life and can affect anyone. Sometimes, if anxiety becomes overwhelming and doesn’t go away, it can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. However, with treatment and support from family and friends, anxiety can be managed. Anxiety affects the body and mind. Your teenager may often feel tense, jittery or agitated, and worry about a situation they’re in or what might come next. A bit of anxiety from time to time is normal, especially for teenagers. It can help with motivation at school, sport or work. But if anxious feelings don’t go away,

What are antipsychotic medications? Antipsychotic medication (antipsychotics) are medicines that can help ease the symptoms of a psychosis. Psychosis is a mental health condition that affects how the brain works. There are different types of antipsychotic medications. Sometimes they cause side effects. Talk with your doctor or mental health nurse about what might work best for you. Antipsychotic medications are medicines used to treat psychosis. Psychosis is an illness that makes it hard to tell what is real and what isn’t. They may also help anxiety and agitation, and problems with mood, thinking and socialising. Sometimes you might get psychosis if you already

What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are substances produced by your body that play an important role in your health. They are also found in foods, and in vitamin and mineral supplements. There are many different types of antioxidants. Why are antioxidants important? Many chemical reactions take place inside the cells in your body. Sometimes, these form by-products known as free radicals. Free radicals have important roles in your body. Some are used by your body’s immune system to attack viruses or bacteria.   However, if free radicals build up in your body, they can cause ‘oxidative stress’. This can damage your cells and impact your health.

This page will give you information about anti-reflux surgery. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is acid reflux? Acid reflux is a condition where acid from your stomach passes up into your oesophagus (gullet). If this happens too often it can cause symptoms of a burning sensation in your chest (‘heartburn’) or acid in the back of your mouth. The acid can cause the lining of your oesophagus to become inflamed (oesophagitis) or scarred. What are the benefits of surgery? This surgery aims to improve your reflux symptoms. You should

What is anthrax? Anthrax (also known as ‘wool-sorter’s disease’) is a serious infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria known as bacillus anthracis. It can survive for a long time as spores. Anthrax is very rare in Australia, with only been 3 cases occurring in humans since 2001. However, it still occurs in animals — mainly in the ‘anthrax belt’, which runs through western New South Wales into Victoria and southern Queensland. What are the symptoms of anthrax? There are 3 types of anthrax, each with different symptoms. Cutaneous (skin) anthrax This infection appears on the skin, usually 1 to

This page will give you information about an anterior repair. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an anterior prolapse? An anterior prolapse is a bulge of your vagina caused by your bladder dropping down. It is caused by weakness of the support tissues between your vagina and bladder. What are the benefits of surgery? An anterior prolapse can cause the following problems. A sensation of ‘something coming down’. The need to pass urine more often. The feeling of not having fully emptied your bladder. Difficulty urinating. A bulge in

What is Anosmia? Anosmia is the medical term for the loss of smell. If a person has a partial sense of smell, it is called hyposmia. Your sense of smell contributes to your everyday experiences. Smell is especially connected to the sense of taste. Having anosmia can affect the taste of food and drink. What symptoms are related to anosmia? If you have anosmia, this means you are unable to smell anything. Other symptoms you might experience depend on what causes your anosmia. What causes anosmia? Anosmia and hyposmia have many different causes. Most of the time, the causes of

What is anorexia nervosa? Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and a serious mental illness. A person with anorexia nervosa restricts their energy intake, has a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. The restriction in energy intake can cause a significant amount of weight loss in a short period of time and may result in a person having a very low weight. Anorexia nervosa is most common in women and usually starts in adolescence. It is the third most common chronic illness in girls and young women and affects up to 1 in 200 girls. One in 11 people who

This page will give you information about ankle fracture surgery. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an ankle fracture? An ankle fracture is a break of one of or both your ankle bones. An ankle fracture is usually caused by a twisting injury to your ankle, resulting from sports or a simple fall or trip. There may be a break of the bone on the outer side of your ankle (fibula), the inner side (tibia), or both sides. There may also be damage to your ankle ligaments. What are

What is arthritis? Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause damage to one or more joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where there is gradual wear and tear of a joint. Some other types of arthritis are associated with inflammation of the joints that can eventually lead to severe joint damage. Arthritis eventually wears away the normal cartilage covering the surface of the joint and the bone underneath becomes damaged. What are the benefits of surgery? You should get less pain and be able to walk more easily. Are there any alternatives to ankle arthrodesis? Simple painkillers such

What are ACE inhibitors and ARBs? Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are medicines commonly prescribed for hypertension. These medicines work by relaxing your blood vessels. Your doctor may also prescribe ACE inhibitors or ARBs if you have: heart failure chronic kidney disease diabetes with too much protein in your urine (proteinuria) had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) There are many ACE inhibitors and ARBs available in Australia. The different ACE inhibitors and ARBs have similar effects on your medical condition but have different dosages and potential side effects. The ARB medicines all have names ending in “sartan” so you might

What are ACE inhibitors and ARBs? Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are medicines commonly prescribed for hypertension. These medicines work by relaxing your blood vessels. Your doctor may also prescribe ACE inhibitors or ARBs if you have: heart failure chronic kidney disease diabetes with too much protein in your urine (proteinuria) had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) There are many ACE inhibitors and ARBs available in Australia. The different ACE inhibitors and ARBs have similar effects on your medical condition but have different dosages and potential side effects. The ARB medicines all have names ending in “sartan” so you might

What is an angiogram? Angiography is a procedure in which a liquid contrast agent is injected into the bloodstream to make blood vessels visible on a scan. The image produced by the scan is called an angiogram. Angiography can be used to look at blood vessels in the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys or other parts of the body. It is usually done in hospital. As well as being used for diagnosis, angiography can also be used to guide procedures that treat some abnormalities of the blood vessels, such as narrowing or clots. For example, narrowed arteries may be treated by

Everyone feels angry sometimes. Anger can be a good thing because it allows us to express our emotions. It’s what we do when we’re angry that can cause problems. For example, anger expressed as violence or ignoring a person is not appropriate. What is anger? Anger is a normal human emotion. It can range from feeling annoyed to intense rage. What are the signs and symptoms of anger? Anger makes your heart rate and blood pressure go up as your body produces more of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. This is the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. You may feel

What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction. It can happen after exposure to certain triggers, such as: food – commonly milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and seafood bites and stings – including tick bites and snake bites some medicines Anaphylaxis develops rapidly and can be fatal, so should it always be treated as a medical emergency. If anaphylaxis progresses, it can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. This is known as ‘anaphylactic shock’. What causes anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is triggered by the immune system when it recognises a harmless allergen as ‘dangerous’ and releases a natural chemical called histamine. Histamine causes inflammation when it is

This page will give you information about different forms of anaesthesia. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional. What is an anaesthetic? An anaesthetic is a combination of drugs that causes loss of sensation. General anaesthetic — A combination of drugs that produce deep sleep. You will not be aware of what is happening and afterwards you will not remember anything that has happened. Epidural or spinal anaesthetic — Involves injecting local anaesthetics and other painkillers near your spinal cord to give pain relief in certain areas of your body. Local anaesthetic — Temporarily stops nerves working

What is anaemia medicine? Anaemia medicines are used to treat anaemia, a condition where your blood test result shows a low red blood cell count or low haemoglobin level.  The medicine used to treat anaemia will depend on its cause. The most common type of anaemia is iron-deficiency anaemia, usually caused by not eating or absorbing enough iron, or by losing blood. It is common in rapidly growing children and teenagers, during pregnancy and in people with long-term conditions such as kidney disease. Medicines to treat iron-deficiency anaemia include tablets or liquids, or intravenous (IV) infusions that are given through the vein. Other types of anaemia can be

What is anaemia? Anaemia is when you don’t have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin. Red blood cells and haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that makes them red, are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. It’s important to find and treat the cause of the anaemia to prevent it coming back, as well as the anaemia itself. What are the symptoms of anaemia? If you have anaemia, you may experience a range of symptoms, including: fatigue or weakness a fast heartbeat or heart palpitations dizziness, light-headedness or headaches shortness of breath, even when doing things you could usually

What are anabolic steroids? Anabolic steroids are synthetic (man-made) drugs that are similar to the male hormone testosterone. Their proper name is anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). They are swallowed as tablets, applied as a gel, or injected into a muscle. Anabolic steroids are different from corticosteroids, which are medicines used to treat conditions such as arthritis or asthma. Both are sometimes referred to simply as ‘steroids’. Anabolic steroids can be used for medical purposes, but people also sometimes take them to improve their performance in sport, their appearance or their body image. When used for performance, anabolic steroids are classed as performance and

What is amyloidosis? Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that can affect the brain, heart, joints or kidneys. It is a rare condition that is caused when the body produces an abnormal protein called amyloid. This protein can collect in different organs in the body such as the kidneys or the heart and stop them working as well as they should. What are the symptoms of amyloidosis? The symptoms of amyloidosis will depend on where the amyloid protein builds up in your body. Amyloidosis symptoms might be difficult to tell apart from symptoms of other medical conditions. They can include:

What is an amputation? An amputation is the loss or removal of a part of your body, such as an arm or leg. The loss of a limb can be a life-changing experience, but there is help and support available. Why might an amputation be needed? There are several reasons why someone might need to have an amputation. These can include: diabetes complications peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the arteries leading to your legs and feet) other causes of severely reduced blood supply to the limb severe infection cancer serious injury Many people can use a prosthesis (artificial limb) or mobility device

What is an ambulance? Ambulances are vehicles that transport people needing emergency medical care. Sometimes they also transport people needing non-emergency medical support. You may need an ambulance to take you to hospital if you are sick or injured, after an accident, or an ambulance may be needed to take you from one hospital to another. There are several types of ambulance, all specially equipped. Types of ambulances include: Vans The van is the most common type of ambulance vehicle across Australia. These are used by advanced care paramedics for serious medical emergencies and patient transport officers for non-emergency situations.

What is AATD? Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, also known as AATD, or as genetic or inherited emphysema, is a common, inherited genetic condition that can cause chronic lung and liver disease. It can be managed to slow down the progress of the disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein made in the liver and circulated through the blood. It helps protect your lungs and liver from damage. If you have a deficiency of AAT protein, you are more at risk of 2 main sets of problems: In the lungs, AATD can cause emphysema, which may appear earlier than it might otherwise, as well as asthma, chronic

What is alopecia? Alopecia means hair loss. There are different types of alopecia. Some types can cause you to lose hair from a single area. Other types can cause hair loss from several areas of your head, face or body. Common types of alopecia include: male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss alopecia areata telogen effluvium How is alopecia causes? Androgenetic alopecia Androgenetic alopecia is the name for both male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. It usually runs in families. It is caused by the effects of androgens (male hormones) on your hair follicles. Most of the

What is albinism? Albinism is a group of genetic conditions in which a person has no or very little melanin pigment in their skin, hair and eyes. Albinism occurs in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. In Australia, about 1 in 17,000 people have some type of albinism. It is important for people with albinism to protect their skin and eyes from the sun, and have their eyes checked regularly. The genes for albinism are passed down from both parents, who may not be directly affected by it themselves. However, there is no simple test to determine whether

What is agoraphobia? Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder where a person fears having a panic attack in certain places — like public transport, crowds or queues — or situations from which escape is difficult. It is normal to sometimes feel anxious, but anxiety becomes a disorder if it interferes with daily life. Anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia can seriously restrict a person’s ability to go to work or socialise with friends and family. What are the symptoms of agoraphobia? Agoraphobia is a type of phobia and often goes together with panic disorder. Symptoms of agoraphobia include: experiencing anxiety or panic attacks in situations

What is agnosia? Agnosia is a rare condition that causes an inability to recognise objects, people, smells or sounds. If you have the signs of agnosia, you should see your doctor for advice. Agnosia is a neurological disorder (a condition that affects the nervous system). It is caused by damage to parts of the brain. It can either occur suddenly — for example, as a result of a stroke or an accident — or over time (such as when a person has a brain tumour). Agnosia is not caused by memory loss, but it can be caused by dementia. If you have agnosia, you will

As we get older, our needs change The Australian aged care system provides various options to cater to different care needs. Many of these options are funded by the government. An assessment is required to access government-funded services for older Australians. These assessments are completed by the aged care assessment team / service (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria). These determine a person’s eligibility for services, as well as assess the care and support they need. Carers may also be eligible for respite services. What is aged care? Aged care is the support provided to Australians aged 65 years and over

What are ‘after-hours’ health services? After-hours health services are services for people needing healthcare outside of normal general practice opening hours. However, they are not a hospital emergency department. They can manage problems that don’t need the emergency department, but that can’t wait for a GP to be available. Which services are available? There are many different healthcare services that are available after-hours including GPs, urgent care clinics, pharmacies, dentists and mental health counsellors. A good place to start looking for services near you is the healthdirect Service Finder. You can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak to

What is advance care planning? Advance care planning involves planning for your future healthcare. The process of advance care planning helps you outline your values and beliefs and your preferences for your future healthcare. Advance care planning will help guide your loved ones and doctors to make decisions on your behalf that align with your values, in a situation where you aren’t able to do this yourself. What is an advance care directive? Advance care planning involves formally detailing your values and preferences regarding your future healthcare. This document is called an ‘advance care directive’, though it has different names

What is adrenaline? Adrenaline is a hormone that helps you react very quickly if you are faced with an exciting, stressful or dangerous situation. This is known as the ‘fight-or-flight response’. In this type of situation, your brain sends messages to your adrenal glands (located just above the kidneys) to start releasing the hormone into the blood. You will feel the effects of the adrenaline within 2 or 3 minutes. Adrenaline is also a medication used to treat a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in an emergency. It may also be used during cardiac arrest, croup and asthma when other treatments are not effective. When

6-minute read What are the adrenal glands? Your adrenal glands are 2 triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They form part of your body’s hormonal system. What do my adrenal glands do? Your adrenal glands make hormones that are involved in: controlling your blood pressure your metabolism your body’s response to stress What hormones do my adrenal glands make? Your adrenal glands makes many hormones, including: adrenaline cortisol aldosterone Adrenaline is involved in your body’s stress (or ‘fight or flight’) response. It: makes your heart beat faster sends more blood to your muscles causes other changes in your

What is adrenal fatigue? Adrenal fatigue is a term used by alternative health practitioners to explain tiredness and other symptoms which are thought to be due to chronic (long-term) exposure to stressful situations. However, it currently is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Many studies have failed to prove that adrenal fatigue is a medical condition. Adrenal insufficiency Your adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney. Their role is to produce hormones, including adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones prepare your body for fight or flight. Adrenal insufficiency (also called Addison’s disease), is a recognised medical condition when your adrenal glands don’t make enough

What are the adrenal glands? Your adrenal glands are 2 triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They form part of your body’s hormonal system. What do my adrenal glands do? Your adrenal glands make hormones that are involved in: controlling your blood pressure your metabolism your body’s response to stress What hormones do my adrenal glands make? Your adrenal glands makes many hormones, including: adrenaline cortisol aldosterone Adrenaline is involved in your body’s stress (or ‘fight or flight’) response. It: makes your heart beat faster sends more blood to your muscles causes other changes in your body that

What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. ADHD used to be called attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADHD is often misunderstood. It can cause problems: concentrating becoming distracted being hyperactive (sometimes) being impulsive This may cause people with ADHD to have problems with their: schooling friendships work family life Around 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD. While ADHD is more common in boys — it’s under diagnosed in girls and adults. More than 3 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD still have symptoms as an adult. What are the symptoms

What are the adenoids? They are fleshy lumps of tissue that are out of sight located at the back of the inside of the nose and at the top of the throat. Together with the tonsils, they trap and destroy germs that enter the child’s mouth and nose. They are part of the immune system and help to fight infections. Everyone is born with adenoids and they are biggest when children are around 3 to 5 years old. They start to shrink when children reach around 5 to 8 years of age. They are usually gone altogether by the time