Health Information Tinea is a fungal skin infection. It sometimes forms a round red rash with a pink central area, so many people also refer to it as ‘ringworm’, although it is not a worm at all! Depending on where the infection occurs on the body, it can also be given other names. Tinea can occur on the scalp (Tinea capitis), nails (Tinea unguium), body (Tinea corporis), or groin area (Tinea cruris).
Health Information Thrush is an infection caused by yeasts (a type of fungus) called ‘candida’. Thrush can occur on the moist areas of the skin, vagina or in the mouth. Another common but different, fungal infection of the skin is tinea (ringworm). Symptoms of thrush on the skin are a red itchy rash, with skin that is cracked with small sores or blisters.
Health Information When you smoke cigarettes there are two groups of chemicals that negatively affect your health. The smoke that is inhaled from cigarettes contains thousands of toxic substances that can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive, making it very hard to quit smoking, but it is never too early, or too late, to quit smoking and improve your health. Here are some steps to begin your journey to Stop Smoking.
Health Information Sports injuries can damage the ligaments, tendons or muscles that help our bodies move. Ligaments join bones together and tendons join muscle to bones. They both stabilise the joints in our bodies.
Health Information Sleep is the way our bodies rest and restore themselves. Good quality sleep helps maintain the immune system and keep our organs healthy. Many people feel they don’t get enough sleep. Some people may spend enough time in bed, but their sleep is not refreshing. Insomnia is a sleep problem where people have trouble either falling sleep or staying asleep. Fatigue due to lack of sleep can cause road accidents and work injuries.
Health Information The sun is vital for life, and provides an opportunity for fun and outdoor leisure activities. Australians are lucky to enjoy sunshine most of the year, and long hours of sunshine in summer. Too much exposure to the sun however, can cause severe skin damage. The sun’s rays contain ultraviolet (UV) A rays that are linked to skin ageing and the formation of wrinkles. UV B rays in sunlight are linked to skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Health Information Scabies are tiny mites which burrow under the skin and cause an allergic reaction that results in a rash with raised bumps and intense itching.
Health Information Planning for a pregnancy is an exciting time. To improve your chances of success, both partners need to look after their health and live a healthy lifestyle.
Health Information Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional sensation aimed to prevent further injury or harm. Pain can be acute (lasts a short time) caused by an injury, strain or sprain or headache, or chronic which is persistent and ongoing.
Health Information Heartburn is the common name for the symptoms of indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Reflux is a symptom that occurs when digestive juices (which contain stomach acids) spill back into the oesophagus or mouth and cause a “burning” feeling. This can happen when the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus (food pipe), relax too much and allow acid to rise. Read below to find out your treatment options.
Health Information Head lice are tiny wingless insects that live and feed on the scalp. They are about the size of a sesame seed and can be clear, reddish-brown or dark. They cling to the hair shaft with the hook-like claws on their legs.
Health Information The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing and itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat. Some people also experience tiredness, puffy watery eyes, nasal congestion, or a thin watery nasal discharge. The severity of hay fever symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may impact your quality of life. Congestion of the nasal sinuses can cause pain in the forehead or cheeks that is worse when bending over.
Health Information Dry eyes are caused when there is not enough protective, lubricating liquid (‘tears’), or the lubricating liquid does not work properly. Dry eyes occur more commonly as people get older.
Health Information Eczema causes the skin to become inflamed and itchy, and is also known as atopic dermatitis. It can occur at any age, but is most common among children, although most grow out of it by their teenage years.
Health Information Coughing is the way our body gets rid of something that is irritating the throat or airways (respiratory tract). It is part of the body’s normal defence mechanism.
Health Information Constipation is when you have trouble passing your bowel motions (stools), or your motions are not as regular as usual. Some people have a bowel motion every day, while for others it is normal to go, for example, only twice a week.
Health Information Do you have itchy, sore eyes? Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin clear layer on the white of the eyes (conjunctiva) and is sometimes called ‘pink eye’. Find out your Treatment options;
Health Information The initial sign of an emerging cold sore is a tingling, itching or burning feeling occurring on the lip, nose or cheek area. A small red bump appears after about one or two days, which turns into several tiny fluid-filled blisters. If the blisters burst, the fluid that oozes out is highly contagious. Symptoms of cold sores can last up to a week.
Health Information Common colds and influenza are caused by different viruses that are spread by sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing utensils. Colds and flu have many symptoms in common, but they are very different conditions.
Health Information Australia has a variety of tropical marine and land creatures that can cause serious bites and stings. Although it is always best to seek medical advice where possible, it is also helpful to know some first-aid techniques that help. Bites can be from snakes, mosquitoes, midges (sandflies), spiders, ticks, or a variety of other insects. Stings can be caused by bees, wasps and marine creatures like shell or jellyfish.