Healthy advice from your family doctor
Most children have nightmares from time to time. It usually isn’t a sign of an emotional disturbance, but rather the product of your child’s normal stress and strains of growing up or even simply due to having a vivid imagination. Night frights The best advice when nightmares happen is: Reassure your child that she’s safe.
Let’s get some facts straight and fight back against some common myths about colds and flu. Myth (1) – Flu is just a heavy cold The flu and colds are different. Firstly, the flu usually lasts longer and causes more severe symptoms, even worse than a heavy cold. Secondly, the flu is caused by one of
Low-carbohydrate diets such as the Paleo and Atkins diets may be popular for weight loss and good health, however the medical research finds they provide little or no benefit. What’s a low-carbohydrate (carb) diet? The food you eat is made up three energy nutrients – carbohydrates, protein and fat. The Australian Government guidelines for weight
If you’re planning to only have children when you’re older, knowing how your age may affect your fertility can help you make better informed decisions. Women The quality of each woman’s eggs decreases with age. So after a peak age for ability to conceive (make a baby) in your early 20s, then comes a slow
Alcohol is the most widely used social drug in Australia. While most people don’t drink to excess, unfortunately two out of five Australians binge drink, with surveys showing this number may be increasing, and one in five of us drink at levels that cause long term health problems. As a result, thousands of Australians die
Talking with troubled teens The teenage years can be hard for many parents. Your child needs your help to eventually become a unique and independent adult, but it can be difficult to let go. While conflict is normal with your teenager during this process, you can still have a positive relationship. Teenagers need advice, support
Back home with unwanted passengers Wonderful memories and souvenirs may not be the only things you bring back home from an overseas holiday. Unfortunately, you may also return with an unwanted passenger – a virus or bacteria. Illness and disease associated with overseas travel are common. Up to one out of every three travellers report
Touch and massage are much more than just a feel-good way to be nice to people and pamper yourself. There is a body of research that shows they can achieve personal and health benefits. Touch can be provided in different ways, such as a hand placed on the shoulder, reassuring pat on the back or
Let’s put to rest some common myths about sleep. Myth (1) – Your brain is inactive during sleep. In fact, your brain is very busy. Among its activities is sorting and processing information on what happens each day, then consolidating it into your long term memory. This is essential for learning and memory. Myth (2)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is defined as symptoms that appear in the days leading up to the menstrual period (bleeding). With nine out of ten women experiencing symptoms, many accept PMS as a normal part of being female. This is unfortunate, because lifestyle changes and treatments are available that can help you reduce or manage your