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What is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) is a painful musculoskeletal (muscle and bone) condition that affects the shoulder joint. Your shoulder joint includes your upper arm bone (humerus) and collarbone (clavicle) and their associated ligaments and tendons. These are contained in a covering or ‘capsule’ of connective tissue. If you develop frozen shoulder, this capsule becomes thickened and inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness. What causes frozen shoulder? Sometimes, frozen shoulder develops after a shoulder or arm injury. It can also develop after certain surgeries on the upper body, including shoulder surgery and open-heart surgery. Often, there is no

What is frostbite? Frostbite develops when the skin freezes after being exposed to very low temperatures. Frostbite can cause serious permanent damage. With proper preparation, however, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing frostbite. How does frostbite happen? In temperatures below 0.5 degrees Celsius, the skin freezes and ice crystals form in the tissue, damaging the cells. Blood flow to the affected area slows and can stop. Frostbite can also happen with prolonged exposure to temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. Frostbite usually affects exposed areas such as the fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheek and chin. Who is at risk?

What is a bone fracture? A bone fracture is when the force of a blow or fall causes a bone to break. Fractures are especially common in children. There are different types of bone fracture, such as: a simple fracture — where the break goes all the way through the bone a greenstick fracture — where the bone is broken on one side, and only bent on the other a displaced fracture — where a broken piece of bone has moved out of its usual position a hairline or stress fracture — a crack in the bone from repeated movement

There’s more to looking after your feet than wearing shoes and cutting your toenails. Foot conditions and injuries are common, and many health conditions affecting other parts of your body can also impact your feet. What are the types of foot problems? Common foot injuries Ligament sprains (for example, ankle sprain) happen when joint ligaments stretch and tear causing pain and swelling, and limit walking. Mild sprains heal with rest, ice and elevation (keeping them off the ground). Severe sprains need medical attention. Broken bones in the feet can be caused by trauma from a fall or sports injury. Common foot conditions

What is zinc? Zinc is a mineral that is essential for many of the body’s normal functions and systems, including: the immune system wound healing blood clotting thyroid function senses of taste and smell Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. Where does zinc come from? Zinc is found in many foods, but the body cannot absorb the zinc from all foods in the same way. Zinc tends to be better absorbed from animal-based foods, than plant-based foods. This means that vegetarians and vegans, or people on long-term restricted diets, are more likely to experience zinc deficiency.

Why should I include vitamin E in my diet? Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which means that it can help protect cells in your body against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances such as cigarette smoke or radiation. Vitamin E also helps keep your immune system healthy, promotes good eye health and maintains healthy skin. Vitamin E may also have a role to play in maintaining heart health. Read more here about vitamin E and your health. What are the best natural sources of vitamin E? Vitamin E is found in fats and oils from animal products (meat, poultry, fish and diary foods), as well as vegetables, seeds and

Why should I include vitamin B in my diet? Vitamin B should be a part of your diet. It helps your body function better, such as your metabolism (how your body converts food to energy). It also plays a vital role in your body’s cellular processes. Each type of vitamin B has a different but critical role in keeping you healthy. For example, B12, B6 and B9 are important vitamins for healthy brain and nerve function. Vitamin B2 is important for skin health and good vision. Go here for more information on vitamin B and your health. What are the best natural sources

Why should I include vitamin A in my diet? Vitamin A helps to keep your body’s cells healthy and maintain a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is considered an essential vitamin. This means that your body cannot produce it. Your body relies on a diet that includes vitamin A. Some fruits and vegetables contain provitamin-A carotenoids, including beta-carotene. These undergo a reaction in your body to form vitamin A. This conversion doesn’t happen with animal sources of vitamin A. Go here for more information about vitamin A and your health. What are the natural sources of vitamin A? Fruit and vegetables Sometimes

What is potassium? Potassium is a mineral that is essential for all of the body’s functions. It helps your nerves, muscles and heart function properly, as well as helping move nutrients and waste around your cells. Read more on potassium and your health. Where does potassium come from? Potassium is found in a wide variety of plants, meats and drinks. Potassium is also an ingredient used in some salt substitutes that people take to replace sodium in their diet. If you have kidney disease or take certain medicines, your potassium levels may be too high, so it is important to talk to your doctor before using

What is magnesium? Magnesium is a mineral essential for healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood sugar levels. If you don’t get enough magnesium in your diet over a long time, you may be at a higher risk of health problems such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis. Many foods contain magnesium, but the main sources in Australia are cereals and non-alcoholic drinks like coffee and water. Read more on magnesium and your health. Which foods are rich in magnesium? Most people get all the magnesium they need from food. In general, foods that are high in fibre provide magnesium. Some good sources of magnesium include:

What is iodine? Iodine is an element that is essential for normal growth and for brain development. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones influence metabolism. They are essential for the development and function of the brain, nerves and bones. A healthy diet needs enough iodine to function well, but too much may cause health problems. Many Australians have enough iodine in their diet, but some don’t. Do not take more than the recommended dose of supplements. If you have a thyroid condition, speak to your doctor before taking iodine supplements. Where does iodine come from? Iodine is found naturally

Barbecuing food safely What are barbeque food safety risks? Barbecuing food can lead to food poisoning if it is not done correctly. Food poisoning is usually mild and most people get better within a week. However, sometimes it can be more severe, even deadly; so it’s important to take the risks seriously. Summertime is a great time to get together to share a meal, but it is also a time when food poisoning cases increase because of warmer temperatures. When cooking on the barbecue, there are 2 main risk factors for food poisoning: undercooked meat spreading germs from raw meat onto food

What is food safety and why is it important? Food safety refers to the storing, handling, and preparing food in a way that reduces the spread of bacteria, and minimises your risk of becoming sick from the food you eat. Taking care to prepare and cook your food safely is important in preventing illness. How to cook and cool food safely Preparing and cooking food properly and to the right temperature reduces the risk of food poisoning. Always cook minced meat, sausages and poultry all the way through until the juices run clear and there is no pink. Whole pieces

What is food poisoning? Food poisoning is caused by bacteria and viruses getting into the food we eat. It can also be caused by toxins produced by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Food poisoning is also called ‘foodborne illness’. What are the symptoms of food poisoning? Symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild to very severe. You may be sick with food poisoning but not know what food caused it. Different bacteria and viruses cause different symptoms. If you have food poisoning, you’ll probably have gastroenteritis symptoms such as: abdominal (tummy) cramps nausea vomiting diarrhoea fever headaches Symptoms can take between a

What information is on the food label? The label on a packaged food will tell you: the name and brand of the product what ingredients it contains (listed in order from largest to smallest by weight) — this includes a list of food additives and information for people with food allergies nutrition information (such as average amount of energy, fat, protein, sugars and salt) percentage labelling (how much of the main ingredients it contains, so you can compare it to other products) use-by or best-before date and directions for use and storage details of the manufacturer and the country where the food was produced how much it weighs

beginning of content A balanced diet What are the 5 food groups? A healthy diet does not need to be complicated. Eat foods from the 5 food groups every day. The 5 food groups are: vegetables and legumes (beans) fruit grains and cereals lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, seeds milk, cheese, yoghurt or alternatives Each food group has important nutrients. The amount of each food you need will vary during your life. Your diet will depend on factors such as: how active you are whether or not you are growing whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding Why should

What are the symptoms of food allergy? Symptoms of a mild allergy include: hives (red circular weals on the skin) swelling of the face or around the mouth vomiting abdominal discomfort or pain Symptoms of severe allergy may include: wheeze or trouble breathing difficulty talking more than a few words and/or a hoarse voice cough swelling or tightness of the throat collapse light-headedness or dizziness diarrhoea swelling of the tongue going pale and floppy (in young children) What foods cause allergies? Some foods are more likely to cause allergies than others. These include: dairy (including milk) eggs peanuts tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts,

What is fluid retention? Fluid retention is also called oedema or water retention. It occurs when parts of the body swell due to a build-up of trapped fluid. The fluid gets trapped and makes the area swollen or puffy. Fluid retention is most common in your ankles and feet. What are the symptoms of fluid retention? Signs of fluid retention can be: swelling or puffiness under the skin skin that looks or feels tight or shiny skin that does not bounce back if you press it for a few seconds skin that is not the normal colour limbs or joints that

Health risks after a cyclone or flood Floods and cyclones are unfortunately a part of life in Australia. Here’s a list of some of the common health risks and hazards associated with natural disasters, and how to avoid them. The most common type of flooding is when rivers flood following heavy rainfall. Flooding due to very high tides occurs in coastal areas. Flash flooding can result from relatively short, intense bursts of rainfall, commonly during thunderstorms, and can occur in any part of Australia. It can be a particularly serious problem in urban areas where drainage systems may not cope

What is a flexible sigmoidoscopy? A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the lower part of your colon (large bowel) using a flexible telescope. What are the benefits of a flexible sigmoidoscopy? If the endoscopist (the person doing the sigmoidoscopy) finds a problem, they can perform biopsies (removing small pieces of tissue) to help make the diagnosis. Sometimes a polyp (small growth) is the cause of the problem and the endoscopist may be able to remove it during the procedure. A flexible sigmoidoscopy. Are there any alternatives to a flexible sigmoidoscopy? Other options include a

What is a flexible cystoscopy? A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure to check for any problems in your bladder using a flexible telescope (cystoscope). What are the benefits of a flexible cystoscopy? You may be getting pain, blood in your urine or repeated infections, or you may have an irritable bladder (a sudden and uncontrolled urge to pass urine). If your doctor does see a problem during the cystoscopy, they may perform a biopsy (removing small pieces of tissue). Are there any alternatives to a flexible cystoscopy? A scan may give some information about the cause of the problem but

What is a flexible cystoscopy? A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure to check for any problems in your bladder using a flexible telescope (cystoscope). What are the benefits of a flexible cystoscopy? You may be getting pain, blood in your urine, repeated infections, or you may have an irritable bladder (a sudden and uncontrolled urge to pass urine). If your doctor does see a problem during the cystoscopy, they may perform a biopsy (removing small pieces of tissue). Are there any alternatives to a flexible cystoscopy? A scan may give some information about the cause of the problem but a

What is flatulence? Flatulence is the passing of wind (air or gas) from the intestine and through the anus. It is often accompanied by a sound and smell. Flatulence is commonly called farting, breaking or passing wind, or flatus. Most people pass wind between 7 and 12 times a day. But excessive flatulence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and can sometimes indicate a medical problem. What symptoms are associated with flatulence? There are usually no symptoms when flatulence is at a normal level. You might not even notice when you pass wind for much of the time. But if you

What are flat feet? Flat feet is the term used when the arch of your foot is lower than normal. This condition is also known as fallen arches. The foot usually has an arch shape: The middle part of the inside aspect of the foot is off the ground. The heel and ball of the foot touch the ground. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes the arch doesn’t develop properly or it might flatten towards the ground. Flat feet are normal in babies and young children. It is good to know whether you have flat feet. This can help

Seizures What is a seizure? Seizures are caused by sudden and uncoordinated changes to electrical signals in the brain. This can cause temporary (short-term) changes in behaviours, feelings, movements (such as sudden stiffening and jerking of the arms and legs), or a loss of awareness or changed awareness level. When should I call an ambulance? Call triple  if: a seizure continues for more than 5 minutes a second seizure quickly follows the first the person doesn’t respond for more than 5 minutes after a seizure stops the person has been injured the person is swimming or in water at the

Physical activity guidelines for older people Why should older people stay active? Whatever your age, you can enjoy the benefits of physical activity. There’s a host of health reasons to stay active and it doesn’t have to be ‘serious business’ — being active can be fun, especially if you can socialise at the same time. Exercise also helps keep your mind active and improves your quality of life. Even a small increase in daily physical activity can reduce your risk of health conditions such as: high blood pressure high cholesterol type 2 diabetes heart disease bone problems, including osteoporosis obesity some

How to start exercising Everyone should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Moderate-intensity physical activity is an activity that is energetic and raises your heart rate, but doesn’t make you too breathless, such as fast walking. If you are pregnant, have been previously inactive, or suffer from any medical conditions, it is recommended that you seek medical advice before commencing vigorous physical activity. For best results in achieving a healthier lifestyle and reducing your risk of developing a chronic disease, combine physical activity with healthy eating. Build up slowly

How do I find a health professional? There are many health professionals to choose from. It’s worth thinking about which is best for you. Knowing which questions to ask, and how to search for the right professional, can help you make the right decision. Many people find health professionals by asking people they trust. You can ask your: family members friends colleagues other health professionals (like a general practitioner) To search for a health professional, you can visit the websites of medical colleges and associations, such as: The Australasian College of Dermatologists The Australian Clinical Psychology Association The Royal Australian and

Financial stress and your health How can financial stress impact my health? Money worries a major source of stress in Australia, and can lead to relationship problems, depression or anxiety. Some signs that financial stress is affecting your health and relationships include: arguing with the people closest to you about money difficulty sleeping feeling angry, fearful or experiencing mood swings tiredness, aches and pains withdrawing from others feeling guilty when you spend money delaying health care you need, due to the cost While these are normal reactions to being under financial stress, they can affect your health if they continue for

Dental fillings What is a dental filling? Your dentist or dental practitioner can use a dental filling to fix a cavity (hole), in a tooth. You may need a filling if you have tooth decay or if the tooth has been damaged due to trauma. Your dentist or dental practitioner may find damage to the structure of a tooth when you have a dental x-ray. What types of filling are there? Various materials can be used to fill a cavity (hole) in your tooth. Your dentist or dental practitioner will advise you which is suitable for you. Composite resin Composite resin is a

Fifth disease (Slapped cheek disease) What is fifth disease? Fifth disease (also known as ‘slapped cheek disease’, erythema infectiosum or Parvovirus B19) is a fairly mild viral illness, usually of childhood. It is a common infection — half of adults have been infected during their childhood. Why is it called fifth disease? It is called fifth disease as it was the fifth of the 5 common viral rash illnesses of childhood. The ‘slapped cheek disease’ name comes from its most obvious symptom — a red rash that makes children’s cheeks look like they’ve been slapped. What are the symptoms of

High-fibre foods and diet What is fibre? Fibre is a nutrient that is needed by your body to keep you healthy. It’s digested by the bacteria in your gut to produce substances that keep you healthy. Eating a diet high in fibre and wholegrain foods is linked to a lower risk of: obesity type 2 diabetes heart disease lower cholesterol bowel cancer diverticular disease constipation haemorrhoids What foods contain fibre? There are several types of fibre including: soluble fibre insoluble fibre resistant starch Because they have different health benefits, it’s important to include these in your diet. Soluble fibre Soluble fibre is

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder? FASD is a whole-body condition. It affects your ability to: think learn focus attention manage behaviour manage emotions People with FASD can have lifelong problems, such as: learning difficulties low self-esteem mental illness drug and alcohol problems What are the symptoms of FASD? The symptoms of FASD vary from person to person. This is because the symptoms depend on when the alcohol was used during pregnancy and how much alcohol was consumed. FASD might not be obvious when your baby is born. Behavioural and learning differences It’s only as your

Fertility awareness (natural family planning) What is fertility awareness? Fertility awareness is when you learn to recognise on which days of the month you are fertile and can therefore conceive a baby. It can either be used as a form of contraception or as a method to become pregnant. It’s known by different names, including natural family planning, and there are several ways of practicing fertility awareness, including the symptothermal method, the ovulation method, periodic abstinence, the mucus method, the Billings method and the rhythm method. During your monthly menstrual cycle, you will not be able to get pregnant for about half of the month.

Good fertility health Age and fertility When it comes to fertility, age matters. Many people today wait until they’re older to have children. But fertility declines over time, and you should consider this if you plan to have children later. Both women and men are most fertile in their early twenties. In women, fertility declines more quickly with age. This decline becomes rapid after the age of 35. There are a number of reasons, but particularly the decline in the quality of the eggs released by the ovaries. Around 1 in 3 of couples in which the woman is over the

What is a femoral hernia? Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers. Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle, resulting in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal wall. This produces a lump called a hernia. A femoral hernia causes a lump low down in your groin. It happens at the hole in the wall of your abdomen where the femoral artery and vein pass from your abdomen into your leg. What are the benefits of

Tubal ligation What is a tubal ligation? Tubal ligation is a procedure to block or cut the fallopian tubes. It is a permanent form of female contraception. Tubal ligation is very effective at preventing pregnancy. Less than 1 in every 100 females who has a tubal ligation will get pregnant. Another name for this procedure is laparoscopic sterilisation. What does a tubal ligation involve? If you have a tubal ligation, your fallopian tubes will be clipped, cut and tied, or sealed shut. This stops your eggs from moving from your ovaries to your uterus. It stops sperm from meeting and fertilising

Difficulty reaching female orgasm It’s common for women not to have orgasms – this is the case for about 1 in 3 women. Sometimes women who have experienced orgasms go through periods of time where orgasms are less frequent or absent. If you are unhappy about the amount, or type of orgasms you have, talk to your doctor. It’s quite natural for a woman to have experienced orgasms many times before, only to go through periods of time where orgasms are less frequent or absent. What can affect orgasm in women? Difficulty reaching an orgasm can be a result of

Why am I feeling worthless? Several factors can contribute to a feeling of being worthless. It may be sparked by an event, such as a relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one, losing your job, or by an ongoing situation like bullying, poor performance at school, abuse or financial pressure. A person who was constantly criticised when young may form the negative core belief that they are worthless. A core belief is a deeply held assumption you have come to think about yourself or the world, based on your childhood experience. Our core beliefs drive our automatic thoughts. If you

Everyone can feel restless and fidgety from time to time. However, when restlessness is experienced more frequently and is accompanied by other symptoms it can interrupt daily life and reduce a person’s quality of life. Restlessness may affect your mental state and be experienced as an inability to remain at rest, difficulty in concentrating, not being able to relax or being constantly uneasy. It may also be something that affects you physically, such as in restless legs syndrome. What can cause restlessness? Occasional restlessness can be part of normal life, but when it is experienced often, restlessness may be a feature

  Feeding your newborn baby How can I feed my baby? There are several ways to feed your baby, depending on what suits you both. Babies need milk that has certain qualities to help them grow and thrive. They can’t digest any other form of food until they’re around 6 months old. The World Health Organization recommends that you feed your baby only breastmilk for their first 6 months. This is called exclusive breastfeeding. After that, you can introduce solid foods while you continue breastfeeding. If you don’t plan to breastfeed, you can give your baby: expressed breast milk infant formula Depending

G6PD deficiency What is G6PD deficiency? G6PD deficiency is a lifelong genetic disorder that causes your red blood cells to break down if you are exposed to certain foods, medicines or chemicals (triggers). People with G6PD deficiency are normally healthy but must avoid these triggers. Most people with G6PD deficiency are male. The breakdown of red blood cells, called ‘haemolysis’, can lead to anaemia (lack of red blood cells) and jaundice (the yellowing of skin and eyes). Certain triggers can cause your red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they can be replaced, known as acute haemolytic anaemia (AHA), which can be life-threatening. Triggers can include:

What is fatty liver disease? Fatty liver is when there is too much fat in your liver. It’s common, particularly in people who have diabetes and are overweight. Although it might not cause any symptoms, it can lead to significant health problems. Making changes to your lifestyle is key to preventing and improving the condition. The liver is the body’s main organ for processing food and waste materials. A healthy liver contains very little or no fat. If you drink too much alcohol, or eat too much food, your body deals with this excess by turning some of the calories into fat.

Dietary fats What are fats? Fat is a kilojoule-dense nutrient needed for energy and to help absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. There are different types of fats. Fats are important for a healthy diet. But some are better for you than others. It’s best to choose foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as omega-3 and 6. Eating too much saturated and trans fats, on the other hand, will increase your risk of high cholesterol and heart disease. Unsaturated fats Unsaturated fats help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels. There are 2 types of unsaturated

How to reduce visceral body fat (hidden fat) What is visceral body fat? Visceral body fat, also known as ‘toxic’ fat, is fat stored deep inside your body. Most fat is stored underneath the skin and is known as subcutaneous fat. This is the fat that is visible and that you can feel. The rest of the fat in the body is stored around your internal organs, including your heart, liver and intestines. This is visceral fat. Visceral fat makes chemicals and hormones that can be toxic to the body. Visceral fat produces more of these toxic substances than subcutaneous

Fasting for medical tests Why do I need to fast before a test? If you are having a medical test, your doctor may ask you to fast. For some tests, fasting beforehand gives a more accurate result. For other tests, you need to fast for safety reasons. Ask your doctor how to prepare for your test. What can I eat and drink while I’m fasting? You can’t eat or drink anything. You can’t drink fruit juice, cordial, soft drink, coffee, tea or milk, and you can’t eat or suck on lollies or chewing gum. Ask your doctor if you can

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder? FASD is a whole-body condition. It affects your ability to: think learn focus attention manage behaviour manage emotions People with FASD can have lifelong problems, such as: learning difficulties low self-esteem mental illness drug and alcohol problems What are the symptoms of FASD? The symptoms of FASD vary from person to person. This is because the symptoms depend on when the alcohol was used during pregnancy and how much alcohol was consumed. FASD might not be obvious when your baby is born. Behavioural and learning differences It’s only as your

Farmers and their families often face many more physical risks than other people and they are at also at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Safety and staying healthy are therefore especially important for those who work on farms. What types of injuries can happen on a farm? Agriculture has the highest fatality rate of any industry in Australia. Every year, thousands of people are injured or become ill and need to go to hospital because of working on a farm. This is because there are many hazards on farms such as vehicles, chemicals, large farm animals and extreme weather

Contraception options What is contraception? Contraception (birth control) can be used to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Pregnancy can happen when sperm released during penis-in-vagina sex fertilises an egg, which then implants in your uterus (womb). What should I think about when choosing contraception? There are many different forms of contraception. No form of birth control is 100% effective, but some methods are more effective than others. Aside from preventing pregnancy, some — but not all — methods of contraception can also help prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Discuss contraception with a new partner before having sex, so you can choose a

Why are falls a particular concern for older people? Anyone can have a fall, but falls are a major health concern for older people (those aged 65 and over). Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older Australians. As our population ages and the number of older people grows, the likelihood of more falls and fall-related hospitalisations increases. Nearly 1 in 3 older Australians have experienced a fall in the past 12 months. Of these, 1 in 5 required hospitalisation. Even when falls don’t cause an injury, they often trigger a loss of confidence in an older person and lead

What is fainting? Fainting, also called syncope, is a period of temporary loss of consciousness that happens when the blood flow to the brain is reduced. When should I see a doctor? People normally recover quickly after fainting. Fainting can be the sign of a medical condition, like a heart or brain disorder. It’s always worth checking with your doctor, especially if you haven’t fainted before. You should see a doctor if you: have fainted and do not know the cause have recently fainted more than once When should I call an ambulance? You should call an ambulance if you:

What is faecal incontinence? Faecal incontinence is when you experience leakage from the bowel or pass a poo at the wrong time or in the wrong place due to poor bowel control. You may also have trouble with excessive wind or staining of underwear. As many as 1 in 20 people have poor bowel control, but there are treatments available. It’s more common as people get older, but young people experience faecal incontinence too. People with the condition may also have problems with bladder control. What are the symptoms of faecal incontinence? The symptoms of faecal incontinence include: being unable to

What are facial injuries? Facial injuries include: cuts and wounds to the face nosebleeds a broken nose injuries to the eyes and airways Some minor injuries can be managed at home, while others will need urgent medical attention. What causes facial injuries? Facial injuries can affect any part of the face, with a wide range of causes that can include: Minor cuts and grazes Wounds and grazes to the face can often be caused by a range of things, such as falling over, shaving or knocking into something. Accidental bumps and knocks are a part of everyday life but wounds can also

What is facial droop? Facial droop occurs when your facial muscles are not working properly. Your face may not look symmetrical, and you may have trouble moving your eyes and/or mouth. Facial droop can affect one or both sides of your face. What symptoms are related to facial droop? The symptoms associated with facial droop depend on its cause. Bell’s palsy symptoms usually appear quickly and gets better gradually. These symptoms may include: difficulty closing your eye or blinking on the affected side difficulty smiling or chewing food mild pain near your ear change in taste Facial droop to the

What is a facet joint medial branch block? A facet joint medial branch block involves injecting local anaesthetics into or around a facet joint to see if this relieves your back pain. Sometimes steroids are also used to reduce inflammation and to make the pain relief last longer. What are the benefits of a facet joint medial branch block? A facet joint medial branch block can be used to find out if your pain is caused by your facet joints. A side view of lumbar vertebrae Are there any alternatives to the injection? An x-ray or scan can show if you have osteoarthritis in

Why are falls a particular concern for older people? Anyone can have a fall, but falls are a major health concern for older people (those aged 65 and over). Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older Australians. As our population ages and the number of older people grows, the likelihood of more falls and fall-related hospitalisations increases. Nearly 1 in 3 older Australians have experienced a fall in the past 12 months. Of these, 1 in 5 required hospitalisation. Even when falls don’t cause an injury, they often trigger a loss of confidence in an older person and lead