Phenylketonuria (PKU) - Better Health Channel.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited disorder. It occurs when the body cannot break down a substance in food, called phenylalanine. As phenylalanine builds up in the blood, it causes brain damage. Early detection and intervention with a special ... [... more]
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Lung conditions - obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term for a number of lung diseases that prevent the lungs from breathing properly. Two of the most common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic obstructive ... [... more]
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Breastfeeding - the first days
The first few days after your baby's birth will be a whole new learning experience for you and your baby. Letting your baby feed as much as they want will help to establish good breastfeeding patterns. If your baby is attached properly to the ... [... more]
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Disability - volunteer support
Interchange provides personalised respite and social support services to families of children and young people with a disability. Volunteers are carefully matched to meet the needs of the families who request support. All volunteers are trained ... [... more]
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Foot care - quiz
Want to know more about your feet and good foot care? Try our health quiz for the facts on smelly feet, infections such as tinea and how to prevent pain from high heels and bad shoes. No wonder your feet are always sore! It's in your best ... [... more]
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Baby furniture - safety tips
Baby furniture accounts for around 20 per cent of injuries to children aged 12 months or less. Some items - such as cots, prams and strollers - have to comply with Australian Safety Standards. Other items need careful consideration before ... [... more]
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Eyes - laser eye surgery
Laser corneal sculpting is a medical procedure that involves the use of laser to reshape the surface of the eye. This is done to improve or correct myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long sightedness) and astigmatism (uneven curvature of ... [... more]
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Pain management
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than three months. At any given time, around one third of Australians are in pain. Management strategies for chronic pain include medications, and therapies such as acupuncture. The main ... [... more]
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Wood fires and breathing problems
The smoke from wood fires can affect air quality and may affect people's health. Wood smoke is generated from wood heaters, incinerators, open air burning and bushfires. People most affected by wood smoke include those with heart or breathing ... [... more]
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Urinary catheterisation
Catheterisation means to introduce a catheter into a body cavity to inject or remove fluid. Urinary catheterisation reduces the risk of infection and kidney damage by ensuring the bladder is emptied adequately at regular intervals. A catheter is ... [... more]
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Skin cancer risk - quiz
Check your skin cancer risk with our quick health quiz. Skin type, sun exposure and family history all affect your skin cancer risk, but there are many tips to prevent skin cancer. Each year about 270,000 Australians have a skin cancer removed. ... [... more]
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Contraception ... all about
Contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy include the pill, condoms for men and women, IUDs and natural fertility control. Emergency contraception, or the morning after pill, is also available. Vasectomy for men and sterilisation for women are ... [... more]
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