Conditions
What’s the difference between autism and Asperger’s disorder?
By Andrew Cashin, Southern Cross University Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg describes herself as having Asperger’s while others on the autism spectrum, such as Australian comedian Hannah Gatsby, describe themselves as “autistic”. But what’s the difference?...
Causes symptoms and treatments of head lice AKA nits
What are head lice? Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), also known as nits (which are actually the eggs of the lice), live, eat and breed on the hair and skin of the human scalp. They are small, wingless insects, about 2.5 to 3.5 mm in length. Head lice cannot jump...
Middle ear infection and grommets
Grommets are tiny tubes that can be inserted into the eardrums to treat conditions that affect the middle ear, such as recurrent middle ear infections and glue ear. Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion, is a persistent build-up of fluid in the middle ear...
Anal fissures explained
Pain in the backside isn’t something to take sitting down, with treatment and advice readily available for this extremely common condition. What are anal fissures? Affecting around one in 10 Australians, anal fissures are tears in the delicate lining of the anal...
The health risks of a heat wave, explained
Climate change has significant implications for our health in more ways than one, but one of the biggest issues is the risks associated with extreme heat. For Aussies familiar with long, hot summers, it may sound a tad dramatic, but heatwaves can pose a serious threat...
No silly questions: the Pain in the bum edition
They’re often misunderstood and rarely discussed, but did you know anal fissures affect about one in every 10 people? Painful, private but frightfully common, many people suffer in silence with anal fissures unsure of how to help heal the condition. That’s why we’ve...
Will 2023 be a bad year for allergies?
Spring has sprung which can only mean one thing: hay fever and allergic asthma season is upon us. But what is the forecast for allergy season 2023? The experts from Melbourne Pollen, the team behind Australia’s most accurate and trusted pollen count app, say it’s good...
Reproductive health and your fertility
Gynaecological conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis impact thousands of women, but how do they affect fertility? We asked Professor Eileen McLaughlin, a reproductive biologist and the Executive Dean of the University of Wollongong's...
Effects and health risks of obesity
The health risks of obesity are many and varied. According to Dr Georgia Rigas, a Sydney-based General Practitioner and obesity expert, the effects of living with obesity can be categorised into three main areas: metabolic mechanical mental health Metabolic...
This is how a dermatologist treats nappy rash
Red, painful and angry looking, nappy rash can be distressing for babies, and a source of anxiety for parents. But what exactly is nappy rash? Paediatric Dermatologist, Dr Deshan Sebaratnam explains causes, treatments and prevention. "Nappy rash is a common skin...
