Healthy advice from your family doctor
Heart disease is Australia’s single leading cause of death. In 2017, heart disease claimed the lives of 51 Australians each day – that’s one person every 28 minutes. While both men and women are affected, men are more likely to develop heart disease than women. There’s no single cause for heart disease but there are
Commonly called “the flu”, influenza affects between 5 and 20% of Australians each year and has been estimated to result in around 300,000 consultations with general practitioners (GP) annually. Having the influenza vaccine won’t guarantee that you won’t get flu, but it significantly reduces the risk. Studies have shown that the vaccine can provide between
It doesn’t get as much attention as other types of cancer, but bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia. It is estimated that 1 in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. It can occur at any age but is more common after the age of 50. Symptoms
If you’re unsure about what to eat, you are certainly not alone. There’s plenty of confusing and conflicting information out there when it comes to good nutrition, but unfortunately, much of it isn’t evidence-based. While they may not be as exciting as the latest diet fad, the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADGs) provide information about the
If you’re having sex and don’t want to fall pregnant, then contraception (birth control) is a must. However, there are many options available and it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Using the contraception you choose correctly will increase your chances of avoiding a pregnancy. Currently available forms of contraception work
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. It occurs due to partial or complete blockage of their airway while sleeping. Someone with OSA may stop breathing for anywhere between a few seconds and 90 seconds at a time. These episodes (known as apnoeas) can occur up to hundreds
Most of us enjoy spending time around water in the summer months, from heading to the beach to relaxing at home around the pool. But whether at home, visiting friends or family, or on holidays, it’s always important to keep safety in mind when near water, particularly for young children. According to Water Safety Australia,
There’s increasing evidence about the importance of gut health for our overall health and wellbeing. After all, it’s not much help eating the perfect healthy diet if we are not digesting our food properly. What’s more, digestive problems can make us feel unwell and in some people can impact their day-to-day activities and quality of
Whether due to limited healthy food choices, lack of kitchen facilities or the temptation of energy-dense foods and all-you-can-eat offerings, maintaining healthy eating habits can be more challenging when travelling. However, with some forethought and planning, it is possible to enjoy your holiday without your healthy eating habits falling by the wayside. Here are a
Regular physical activity and limiting sedentary time is important for the health and development of children of all ages. Encouraging kids to be active each day helps to build good habits that will stay with them throughout life. Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines recommend the following for children and young people of different