Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis share some symptoms, such as pain and exhaustion. If a person has both conditions, the symptoms may be difficult to distinguish. However, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are unrelated and have different causes. While many natural remedies are similar, medical treatments for these conditions are usually different. In this article, we highlight differences in...
Signs of pancreatic cancer are hard to spot, and early detection is key to survival. Chances are, you rarely give much thought to your pancreas, a glandular organ that helps your body digest food and convert it into energy. Located behind your stomach, the pancreas produces insulin and regulates your body’s hormones that maintain glucose...
What is sepsis, and how is it different from a regular infection? Most of us think that sepsis is a type of infection. But it’s technically a condition that occurs when the body launches an extreme response to an infection-bacterial, viral, or fungal-that you already have. “It’s not a disease caused by a specific agent,”...
About the disease Meningococcal disease is an acute bacterial infection that can cause death within hours if not recognised and treated in time. In Australia there are 5 main strains of the disease, all of which now have vaccinations available from your doctor. *Note that the C-strain vaccine available through Australia’s free National Immunisation Program...
The flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia. The flu is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. It is estimated that flu contributes to over 3,000 deaths in Australia each year. The “swine flu” virus – also known as influenza A (H1N1) – emerged in...
Some amount of forgetfulness – say, forgetting where you parked your car after you leave the shops— is normal, especially when you’re busy or have a lot on your mind. But for something like 1 in 10 Australians, that forgetfulness will eventually progress into Alzheimer’s disease. Decades of research have shown that the buildup in...
Most nosebleeds are mild and do not last long. Nosebleeds are common in children and older people with medical conditions, but can also occur after an injury or cold. If you have a nosebleed: lean forward and firmly pinch the nose below the bridge (the bony part), for 10 minutes non-stop then let go and see if the bleeding has...
Many people who develop type 2 diabetes have no idea they’re sick until a blood test shows abnormal blood sugar levels, or until their disease progresses and serious complications start to occur. “For the most part, diabetes is silent and insidious,” says Ronald Tamler, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Clinical Diabetes Institute. “Most of...
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can potentially save your life. There are four vital steps you can take to ensure you recognise if you are having a stroke and seek medical attention as soon as possible. F.A.S.T FAST is a test encouraged for you to use if you think either you or someone...
Probiotics are bacteria that live in your body naturally and help your intestines break down food. Probiotics that are the same or very similar to the ones that your body makes can be taken to supplement healthy digestion. In recent years, a new class of supplements called prebiotics has been advertised as a companion to...
Movember, also known as Men’s Health Awareness Month, is an annual global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health...
November marks COPD Awareness Month, a crucial time to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its profound...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is observed every October to highlight the devastating impact of breast cancer on Australians. Every...