Your Health Matters
Don’t take it for granted — look after your health for you and your family!
Eating disorders in children – what to look out for
Eating disorders are a complex mental issue which also impact physical health. They can develop at any age, but most commonly begin during adolescence. While eating disorders are more common in girls, boys can develop them too and they often take longer to be...
Hypothyroidism: symptoms, causes and treatment
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is found in your neck, at the base of your throat. It produces hormones (called tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine, or T3 and T4 for short)...
Chilblains: symptoms, causes and how to reduce your risk
Chilblains are itchy, swollen and painful lumps on the skin that form after exposure to the cold. They are caused by changes in the blood vessels in response to the cold. Chilblains most commonly affect the fingers and toes but can also occur on the nose and earlobes....
Understanding fertility treatment
Around one in six Australian couples have problems with fertility. Infertility is diagnosed when a couple has been unable to fall pregnant after having regular unprotected intercourse for a year. There are many causes of infertility, including problems with ovulation...
What you need to know about testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in one or both testicles. In most cases, only one testicle is affected. It is estimated that 980 Australian men were diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021, making up about 1.2% of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in men....
Do you have the winter blues?
Seasonal affective disorder (also known as SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes according to the season. Most people affected by SAD have winter-pattern SAD, where symptoms develop in autumn and winter and go away during spring and summer. However, a...
Your guide to fad-free weight loss
With 60% of Australian women over 18 being overweight or obese, it’s not surprising that diets sell. In fact, research by IBISWorld estimated that Australians' spending on weight loss counselling services and related low-calorie foods and dietary supplements will...
8 Tips for Getting Back on Track with Healthy Eating
We all have lapses every now and then where we are not eating as well as we could be. Maybe you’ve been lacking motivation, or fast food just seems like the easier option. Healthy eating can seem confusing at times, but it’s important not to get overwhelmed and to...
What is Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder?
Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder (MDD) is a type of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is a common but often under-recognised mental illness where a person becomes obsessed with parts of their bodies and how they appear to other people. BDD affects men and women equally,...
Reduce your risk of macular degeneration
Macular degeneration, also known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), is the leading cause of major vision loss in Australia, responsible for 50% of all cases of blindness. About one in seven Australians over the age of 50 years has some signs of the ARMD....
Could your child have Type 1 Diabetes? Know the Signs
Type 1 diabetes is the more common type of diabetes to be diagnosed in children and young people. According to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), in June 2020 there were over 14,300 children and young people aged 0-20 years with type 1 diabetes, making up...
Look after your mental health during COVID-19 restrictions
While restrictions have eased in many parts of the country, the recent increase in numbers in some states has shown the need for continued social distancing and the likelihood of further lockdowns for many Australians. The way we live has changed and is likely to be...
9 Tips to stay healthy when working from home
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many of us work and for many Australians, working from home, even for part of the week, may be the new normal. While there are many benefits (think the time and cost savings of not having to travel, and having more time in the...
The definitive guide on how to stay safe from COVID
While the numbers are constantly changing, at the time of writing, almost 12 000 Australians have been infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and 123 have died. And while Australia has fared well compared to many other countries, the recent increase in numbers in...
If your child has autism these tips will help you find support
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a lifelong developmental problem. While each child can be affected differently, they all have difficulties to some degree with social communication and repetitive patterns of behaviour. Some also have sensory...
Dealing with breastfeeding challenges
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both mother and baby and helps with mother-baby bonding. Australia’s infant feeding guidelines recommend that infants are exclusively breastfed until around six months of age when solid foods are introduced and that breastfeeding is...
Learn to spot the warning signs of suicide and what you can do to help
The reasons someone might consider ending their own life are complex and can be difficult to understand. What’s important is that we recognise the warning signs, take them seriously and take action. Most people thinking about suicide will give some clues or warning...
Okay guys, lets talk about STI’s
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI if they don’t practice safe sex. There are many different...