Common conditions

GESTATIONAL DIABETES: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT PREGNANCY?

You may have heard of friends having gestational diabetes through their pregnancy, or maybe you’ve recently been diagnosed? It’s good to know that despite coming with serious risks, you can manage gestational diabetes with the supervision of your GP and medication if you need to.

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS): HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT?

PCOS is a complicated condition that’s difficult to diagnose. So, what are the PCOS symptoms and how do you treat it? Discover how lifestyle changes can make a big difference to your long-term health and wellbeing.

Worried about the measles outbreak? Here’s how to protect yourself

It’s on the rise in Australia and around the world but getting vaccinated is still the best form of defence against the measles outbreak.

Diabetes and Feet: Why 80% of amputations are preventable

When it comes to diabetes and feet problems, prevention is key. Here’s how to stay one step ahead of diabetic foot disease.

Hormones and Health: What do hormones do to your body?

What are hormones? Why are they important? And what do they control? Here, we uncover some things you may not know about how hormones help to keep you fit and well.

5 SELF-CARE STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU GET BETTER WHEN YOU’RE SICK

We’re overwhelmed with the range of ways to take care of our own health issues, so we asked an expert for their tips.

BLUE LIGHT FILTERS ON GLASSES: ARE THEY EFFECTIVE?

Experts explain how blue-light blocking lenses work – and if you should get them for your glasses.

Should you get the flu shot?

A yearly flu shot can be the most effective way to protect yourself from the virus. We answer some of the most commonly asked questions about it.

Lung cancer: the facts

Learn more about the biggest cancer killer in Australia.

Person checking their temperature with a digital thermometer

Fever: when to treat it, and when to leave it alone

A raised temperature can help your body fight bugs, but it can also be dangerous. Here’s how to tell the difference.

How to lower your blood pressure

Research shows that a couple of simple health changes could have a big impact on your blood pressure.

A man doing exercise with other people in the background

WHAT CAUSES DIZZINESS?

A dizzy spell can be unnerving, but with a little detective work, your doctor may be able to find the cause. We look at what it is and common causes.

CAN YOU PREVENT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS?

Short-sightedness is on the rise. We investigate ways to manage and even prevent it in both children and adults.

THE FACTS ABOUT KIDNEY DISEASE

1 in 10 Australian adults shows some sign of kidney disease. But what causes it and what treatments are available?

Cholesterol: What you should know

Understand the different types of cholesterol and how they affect your heart health.

Eczema

Red, itchy, dry skin is all too common among people with eczema, but the triggers and management can be different for each person.

Relieving menopause symptoms

If you’re approaching, or experiencing, menopause you’re probably aware of how it can affect your mind and body. Here’s how to manage the symptoms.

Treating chronic pain

In Australia, 1 in 5 people live with chronic pain. As well as physical pain, it can cause high levels of psychological distress and disruption to your life. Here’s how to tackle it.

GLUE EAR IN KIDS

Glue ear can lead to problems with a child’s hearing, speech and behavioural development. Here’s how to treat it.

CAN YOU REVERSE PRE-DIABETES?

Lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of people with pre-diabetes developing type 2 diabetes. Find out what to do.

ENDOMETRIOSIS: THE FACTS

Little is known about what causes the painful gynaecological disease, endometriosis. We explain what it is, question why it can be hard to get a diagnosis and suggest what might reduce painful symptoms.

The tiny capsule changing our understanding of gut health

The key to assessing gut heath may lie in an exciting new Australian invention.

Is mould in the home bad for your health?

During the colder months you may notice an increase in damp and mould in your home. We find out if this can affect your health.

Shedding a light on lesser known cancers

They’re sometimes called “the forgotten cancers” but they should be talked about. We uncover the facts about rare cancers and a study aiming to better understand them.

Dementia: reduce your risk

It’s thought that simple lifestyle changes could prevent dementia in some cases. We ask experts for the evidence.

KNEE REPLACEMENT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A knee replacement can be a daunting prospect, but it could give you a new lease on life.

WHAT ARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES?

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases, and they affect around 5% of Australians. But what are they?

How easy is it to damage your hearing?

With 1 in 7 Australians suffering from some form of hearing loss, it’s important to protect your hearing from an early age. Here’s how.

MIGRAINES: MORE THAN A BAD HEADACHE

15% of Australians regularly experience migraines. But what are they and how are they treated?

Prostate cancer: treatment options

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia. If detected early, it can be effectively treated, with many options now available. Here’s what you need to know.

How can we reduce the spread of the flu?

Don’t want to share your bug? Here’s how to protect those around you.

CONQUERING CROHN'S

Despite living with chronic and unpredictable pain, 25 year-old Laura Minns is positive about her life, managing her condition and future planning.

5 sun safety myths

Before heading outdoors this summer, brush up on your 'slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’ knowledge.

Heart disease: lower your risk

In 2015, nearly 20,000 Australians died from heart disease. Here’s how you can be proactive about your heart health.

4 REASONS TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST (IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BRACES)

There are many different reasons to see an orthodontist, from smile alignment to treating sleep apnoea. Should you consider a visit?

THE SIGNS OF ASTHMA

Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world. We discuss the symptoms and triggers, and how to manage the condition.

How to reduce your risk of osteoporosis

The bone disease osteoporosis is common in women and men over 50. Here are some simple tips to keep your bones strong.

All about thyroid disease

Around half the people who have thyroid disease don’t know they have it. And for those with a diagnosis, treatment can be a balancing act.

Recovering from a stroke

Fast, specialist treatment can be the difference between life and death. Alex Wright is living proof.

Sexually transmitted infections: what you need to know

It's a health issue we don’t talk about enough. If you’re sexually active, get the facts.

5 PREVENTABLE HEALTH ISSUES

You can improve your quality of life every day through healthy eating, exercise and vaccinations. Here are 5 preventable health issues you can address today.

Smoking – why quitting is so hard, and what to do about it

Anyone who’s tried to quit smoking knows willpower often just isn’t enough. We asked addiction specialist Professor Andrew Lawrence why it’s so tough – and what can help.

Serious conditions that can be missed

Many serious conditions have vague or hidden symptoms. Here’s how to identify and screen for them.

KIDNEY DISEASE: A SILENT KILLER

You can lose up to 90% of your kidney function before you develop symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Are you at risk?

How to prevent a stroke

One in six of us will have a stroke during our lifetime, but they’re largely preventable. Learn how to protect yourself and how to recognise the signs of stroke in others.

Memory loss or dementia: how to tell the difference

As we age, our focus, ability to retain new information and memory may diminish, but dementia goes much further. Here’s what you need to know.

The importance of oral health

Dental hygiene isn’t just about teeth, good oral health can also help prevent a number of diseases.

Knee surgery alternatives

Knee replacement surgery may not be the best solution for painful osteoarthritis.

Your skin check checklist

If caught early, skin cancer can be successfully treated so checking your skin regularly is vital.

How eye tests work

If you want to protect your eyesight, regular eye checks are a must.

A common sense guide to food allergies

Knowing how to identify trigger foods and reactions is essential for anyone living with allergies.

Eye health alerts

Eyes can give doctors valuable insights into a range of potentially dangerous health conditions.

Diabetes and your eye health

With an increasing number of Australians diagnosed with diabetes, poor eye health and potential vision loss is becoming an issue for more people.

A guide to bowel cancer prevention

One in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer. Knowing the signs, and regular screening are key to tackling the disease.

Beating lower back pain

Your lower back does all the heavy lifting for your body so it’s important to look after your lumbar spine.

Dental health for every life stage

How to look after your teeth, today and in the future.

Arthritis: don’t ignore aches and pains

Arthritis often starts with joint pain and stiffness so don’t ignore mystery pangs, particularly in your hands, hips or knees.

Macular degeneration: what you need to know

Find out if you’re at risk of being affected by this eye disease, how it’s diagnosed and how you can lower your risk factors.

My story: experiencing a heart attack

Healthy 56-year-old heart researcher Scott Kesteven recently suffered a heart attack. These are the warning signs he wished he’d paid attention to.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This communication contains information which is copyright to The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, HCF does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on this website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. HCF members should rely on authoritative advice they seek from qualified practitioners in the health and medical fields as the information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.

HealthAgenda