Health hub

Spring Hay Fever: Symptoms, Causes and How to Manage Them

Spring hay fever causing sneezing, itchy eyes or a blocked nose? Learn the common symptoms, causes and ways to manage hay fever in Australia.

Top Tips to Fight the Spread of Cold and Flu

There have been more than 160,000 laboratory confirmed notifications of Influenza in Australia up to July 2019, which is more than double the number of cases for 2018. With this flu season hitting hard and early this year, prevention is the best strategy to stay healthy. Follow these easy tips to st

Cold Sores: What are they and how to treat them?

Cold sores, also known oral herpes, are very common. They usually appear as red bumps or blisters around the lips and mouth. Cold sores usually resolve on their own without treatment in 8-10 days.

Keep Your Feet Fresh and Prevent Athletes Foot!

Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis) is the most common form of fungal infection. It can cause skin to dry out, itch, crack, blister and peel.

OVERINDULGED? Tips for Treatment and Prevention of Heartburn

Reflux, commonly known as heartburn can cause a burning discomfort or pain in the chest usually after eating. With almost 1 in 5 of Australians experiencing some form of reflux once a week, it is a common ailment that tends to be more prevalent during the holidays when rich food and drink are a plen

The Ultimate Travel Medication List

Almost 50% of international travellers will develop some sort of medical problem while they are away. A well packed medical kit is a vital part of every travellers’ luggage.

Travel In Comfort Whilst Protecting Your Health

Travel can be tough on your legs Any trip that lasts more than a few hours could leave your legs swollen and achy. And if you travel for a long period of time (5 hours or more), the problem can become more serious.  What is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? This condition involves the formation of blood

Good Night, Sleep Tight…Simple Tips for Better Sleep

Sleep deprivation is wide spread amongst Australians, with research by the Sleep Health Foundation finding up to 45% of adults don’t sleep enough or have poor quality sleep that can leave them irritable and exhausted the next day. Poor sleep can impact not only your ability to concentrate, think and

Nutrient Requirements for a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy and breastfeeding places an increased demand on a mother’s nutrition. A recent study (Australian Longitudinal study on Women’s Health) has shown that only 50% of pregnant women adhere to the recommended intake of fruit and even fewer achieved the recommended intake of other food groups.  D

6 Ways to Combat Morning Sickness

Up to two thirds of pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness during pregnancy. High levels of hormones, variations in blood pressure and immense physical changes can all contribute to a woman being nauseous, vomiting and even feeling depressed in her first trimester. Morning…

How to Defeat Hay Fever this Spring

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis can be debilitating for sufferers, if not managed well. According to the Australian health and Welfare report one in five (20%) of Australians suffer from hay fever. Reducing exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, and air pollutants as well as taking…

What's the Deal with Vitamin D?

Studies have shown that around one third of Australia’s population is Vitamin D deficient, and around 75% of us have suboptimal levels, with current consensus that levels be above 50nmol/L.

Taking Care of Your Skin in the Winter

As winter sets in, the cold dry air can wreak havoc on our skin. The thin layer of oil that traps moisture in the skin is easily lost, causing small cracks to appear in the skin barrier. Skin can become exceptionally dry and cracked which may lead it to start itching.

6 Ways to Soothe a Sore Throat

Sore throats can be caused by infections from bacteria or viruses, allergies flaring up or at times environmental factors like voice strain or dry air. Most sore throats are viral and will resolve on their own within a week or sooner if using some of the measures below.

Lower Blood Pressure without Medication

Over one third of adults have high blood pressure. Could you be one of them? High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it's important to have your blood pressure checked by a health professional. Generally, a result of 140/90 mm Hg or above is considered high.

Probiotics and Immunity in Children

Flu season is around the corner and many parents are wondering how to limit children coming home with the dreaded symptoms that mean miserable kids and days off school and work. The latest research suggests that, a lot of our immune system and hence our ability to fight infection is linked to our…

Your Complete Guide to Back-to-School Essentials for the Whole Family

Many people don’t fail to consider back-to-school season for what it really is: an opportunity. Not just in terms of making sure that your child’s school year gets off on the right foot, but also for creating a solid foundation for the entire family to start the year right.

The 5 Nutrients All Babies Need

Everyone knows that the health of their child is important, but many people don’t realise that the seemingly simple decisions you’re making today about what your baby eats could have major implications down the road.

Effective Pain Management Alternatives to Codeine

Even though it's only been little more than a month since the ""off the shelf"" codeine ban went into effect in Australia, the sales of products like Nurofen and Panadol have already skyrocketed as a result. The ban is due, in large part, to the sensitive nature of codeine and the effort…

Unlocking Your Partner's True Fitness Potential: What You Need to Know

To say that living the healthiest and most active life that you can is important is a little bit of an understatement, particularly when you consider a number of recent studies. According to the Department of Health, low levels of physical activity is the fourth leading cause of death due to…

How to Best Relieve the Pain of Knee Injuries and Inflammation

According to one recent study, sports injuries in general tend to send about 36,000 Australians to the hospital each and every year. Many of these situations involve knee injuries, which can be defined as anything from a sudden meniscus tear to dislocating one's kneecap to issues developing with…

5 Ways to Treat Migraine Headaches

A migraine headache is thought to be caused by abnormal brain activity involving nerve pathways and chemicals, which in turn affects blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues. For the 15 percent of the population who suffer from migraines, the symptoms can be debilitating.

Is It Time to Quit Smoking? Here Are the Best Options Available to Support You

The smoking problem in Australia is a lot more severe than most people probably realise. Although there has been a significant decrease in Australian smokers from 2001 to 2014

The Best Ways to Boost Your Child’s Health

Your children are heading back to school for another exciting year. As always, but now more than ever, their health is your top priority. While it’s true that a lot of kids have the mighty power of youth on their side, some are prone infections and illnesses, like sore throats, coughs, ear…