healthy lifestyle

#Healthy lifestyle

Weight loss and dieting

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

What is a diet? A diet involves eating a certain selection of food, usually to improve your health, regulate your weight or cure a disease. New diets, programs and books on losing weight appear every day. While many Australians need to lose a few kilos, it’s important to follow an eating and exercise plan that you can maintain. The plan needs to help you stay healthy for the long term. Nearly 2 in 3 Australians are overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight increases your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. If you

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#Fungal infections #Health topics - T #Sexual health #Vaginal problems

Vaginal thrush

By Sama Mohamed

What is vaginal thrush? Vaginal thrush is a common yeast infection caused by the candida species of fungus. It is easily treated and can be prevented. It is also called vaginal candidiasis. Thrush occurs in many areas of the body, but especially in the vagina, anus and mouth. Vaginal thrush can affect women of any age, although it is more common in women between the ages of 15 and 50 years old. It is unusual in girls who have not yet begun their periods and in older women after menopause. What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush? The most common symptoms are itchiness,

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#Health topics - Q #Healthy lifestyle

Quit smoking

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Quitting smoking is associated with better outcomes for many health conditions and diseases. Your body starts repairing itself as soon as you’ve smoked your last cigarette. Most people who smoke will attempt to quit several times and are eventually successful. Why should I quit smoking? Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals and many of them can cause cancer. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and every cigarette is doing you harm.

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#Health topics - P #Male sexual problems

Prolonged erection

By Sama Mohamed

What is priapism? A persistent, prolonged erection of the penis that will not go down is called priapism. This unwanted erection may or may not be caused by sexual arousal, is usually very painful and can last for 2 hours or longer. Priapism is a medical emergency. The sooner you treat it, the less risk that the penis will be damaged. If it’s not treated within 24 hours your penis may be permanently damaged and you might have trouble getting an erection in future. If you have had an erection that has lasted more than 2 hours, you should go

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#Health topics - P #Male sexual problems

Premature ejaculation

By Sama Mohamed

What is premature ejaculation? Premature ejaculation is when you have trouble controlling when you orgasm, and you ejaculate at a time that you or your partner feel is too fast. Premature ejaculation is very common. Many men ejaculate prematurely, or “come too early”, at some time in their lives. There is no fixed time that a man should ejaculate. Premature ejaculation is normally considered when you ejaculate within one minute of your penis entering your partner. Premature ejaculation may also mean some men may ejaculate during foreplay, or when trying to insert their penis during sex. If premature ejaculation happens

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#Fitness and exercise #Health topics - P #Healthy lifestyle #Seniors' health

Physical activity (older people)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Keeping active helps you stay physically and mentally strong. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days, but any amount of activity is beneficial — even just a few minutes. Strength and weight-bearing activities can increase bone density, helping to prevent osteoporosis. Consider exercising with a friend, and choose activities you enjoy, to help you stay motivated. 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

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#Health topics - L #Male sexual problems #Medical articles

Libido (male – loss of)

By Sama Mohamed

What is loss of male libido? Low libido or low sex drive refers to a lack of interest in sex and sexual desire. Sexual desire often rises and falls over time for no apparent reason. It is very common for people to lose interest in sex (low sex drive or, low libido), from time to time. What are the symptoms of low libido? Symptoms of low sex drive or loss of libido might be: having no interest in any type of sex including masturbation rarely or never having sexual fantasies or thinking of sex being unhappy with your low desire

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#Health topics - H #Healthy eating #Healthy lifestyle

Healthy food swaps

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Healthy food swaps are simple changes you can make to your diet to replace less healthy food with more nutritious food. Healthy food swaps can help you to meet your health goals and improve your health in the long term. Follow the Australian Dietary Guidelines and plan your food shop beforehand. Eat a wide variety of food to get a range of nutritional benefits. Limit discretionary foods (ones that aren’t necessary for nutrients) to help you stay on track. What are the benefits of healthy food swaps? Small decisions around food choices can make a big difference to

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#Health topics - F #Healthy lifestyle

Fatigue

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Fatigue is when you feel exhausted all the time. It can impact your daily living, and your mental and emotional state. Stress, anxiety, depression, viruses, or sleep problems usually cause fatigue. Non-medical treatments may be effective in treating fatigue, like cognitive behavioural therapy. You should see your doctor if fatigue continues for more than 2 weeks. What is fatigue? Fatigue is not the same as feeling just tired or sleepy, although there is a link. When you feel fatigued, you have no energy, to the point that it affects your daily living, and your mental and emotional state.

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#Health topics - E #Male sexual problems

Erectile dysfunction

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED or impotence, means not being able to obtain or keep an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction is very common, affecting up to 2 in 3 males over age 45 years. Erectile dysfunction can have a range of causes, both physical and psychological. There are many options available to treat erectile dysfunction. These include psychological treatments, medicines and medical devices. Ask your doctor before taking any medicines for erectile dysfunction, as they aren’t suitable for everyone. What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction means not being able to obtain or

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#Health topics - D #Male sexual problems

Dry orgasm

By Sama Mohamed

Dry orgasm Some men can have an orgasm without ejaculating. They still have the feeling of having an ejaculation (coming) but little or no semen comes out of the penis. Many men say dry orgasm feels like a regular orgasm, while some may have reduced sensation. What is a dry orgasm? Dry orgasm happens when: there is no semen made in the body the semen travels backwards into the bladder instead of coming out of the penis. This is called retrograde ejaculation. In this case some people notice their urine is cloudy after a dry orgasm What are the symptoms of

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#Health topics - D #Healthy eating #Healthy lifestyle

Dietary fibre

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Fibre is a type of nutrient that reduces your risk of disease and keeps your digestive system healthy. There are several types of fibre that can be found in different foods. Including a variety of fresh foods in your diet will ensure you get enough fibre. 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

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#Health topics - D #Male sexual problems

Delayed ejaculation

By Sama Mohamed

What is delayed ejaculation? Delayed ejaculation is the inability to ejaculate at will, so that ejaculation takes much longer than desired or does not happen at all. Some men find that they can only reach orgasm (come) and ejaculate after long periods of stimulation, even though they have the normal desire and a normal erection. This may happen only with sexual intercourse with a partner or may occur at all times, including with masturbation. This may or may not cause relationship problems or embarrassment. You may have delayed ejaculation if: you cannot ejaculate when you want to and experience an

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#Health topics - C #Healthy eating #Healthy lifestyle

Cholesterol (how to lower it)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Cholesterol is a type of fat needed to build and repair cells and to make hormones. Cholesterol is made in your liver but is also present in some foods. There are different types of cholesterol — including LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Over time, too much LDL cholesterol (or, ‘bad’) cholesterol in your blood can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. You can lower high cholesterol by making lifestyle changes and often through medicines. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a type of fat which is needed by your body to build and repair cells and to make

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#Health topics - B #Healthy eating #Healthy lifestyle

Balanced diet

By Sama Mohamed

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 I eat vegetables and legumes (beans

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#Health topics - G #Sexual health

Genital warts

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Genital warts are lumps that appear in the genital area, cervix, anus and rectum (back passage), and sometimes around your mouth. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through sexual contact. There are many types of HPV — the types that cause genital warts don’t cause cancer. Genital warts can be removed with creams, cryotherapy or laser, but treatment won’t get rid of the virus itself, which usually clears up by itself within 2 years. You can reduce your risk of genital warts by using condoms and being vaccinated. What are genital warts? Genital warts

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#Health checks for women #Health topics - B #Healthy lifestyle

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are measurements that you can use to see if you’re a healthy weight. Body mass index and waist circumference can be used to assess your risk of developing some health issues. In some populations, body mass index is less accurate. What is body mass index (BMI)? Body mass index (BMI) is calculated from your weight and height. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height as follows: BMI = Weight in kilos/Height in metres x Height in metres You can find your BMI using the healthdirect BMI

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#Health topics - S #Sexual health

Safe sex

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Any type of sexual activity, including vaginal, anal and oral sex, can carry a risk of infection. Safe sex is important to reduce your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy and sexual abuse. Always use a condom to reduce your risk of STIs and an unplanned pregnancy. See your doctor or local sexual health clinic to check for STIs on a regular basis and before starting a new sexual relationship. Tell your partners if you are diagnosed with an STI. If you have unprotected sex, get tested for STIs. If you are female and don’t want

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#Health topics - H #Healthy lifestyle

How alcohol affects your health

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Why is alcohol a health issue? Many Australians drink some alcohol. Some people drink alcohol in amounts that are harmful to their health. This kind of drinking can cause death, disease, and injury. This is a major factor in ill health and social harm in Australia. One standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in (approximately): 285ml full-strength beer or cider 375ml mid-strength beer 425ml light-strength beer 100ml wine 1 nip (30ml) of spirits No level of alcohol consumption can be considered safe. To reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury for healthy adults: drink no

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#Health topics - C #Sexual health #Women's health

Contraception options

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Using contraception (birth control) allows people to have penis-in-vagina sex while preventing an unplanned pregnancy. Many different methods of contraception are available. It’s important to discuss contraception with a new partner before you decide to have sex. Contraception affects both you and your partner, so you are both responsible for it. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of each type of birth control. 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).

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