Health Resource Directory

Domestic and family abuse and violence comes in many forms. This type of violence doesn’t discriminate and...

You may need a safety plan if you feel you are at risk of domestic and family...

Sexual assault as any type of sexual behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable, frightened, intimidated or threatened....

A clavicle fracture is a break in the collar bone. Your collar bone is one of the...

Back pain is the term for pain felt in the spine or back. It can be mild...

Anaemia is when your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. This reduces the oxygen...

Deep vein thrombosis is a type of blood clot that forms in a deep vein (not a...

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure. High blood pressure means your blood is pumping...

A pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot blocks the arteries that supply blood to the lungs....

Bowel cancer is cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It is also called colorectal cancer. Cancer...

Breast cancer screening is a test that checks for early signs of breast cancer. When breast cancer...

Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the uterus. Most women who get this type of cancer...

Around five percent of breast cancers and 15 percent of ovarian cancers are due to a family...

Around 10 to 15% of all people with colorectal cancer have a family history. Family history means...

Liver cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the liver. In people with liver cancer,...

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. In Australia, more people die...

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer. Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Ovarian cancer is cancer that begins in the ovaries. In people with this type of cancer, cells...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder that affects how people behave. Children with ADHD may...

Autism spectrum disorder (autism for short) affects how someone thinks, feels, acts and behaves with others. Signs...

Some children act differently to other children. Behaving differently isn’t always a problem. But, if your child’s...

An infantile haemangioma is the most common type of birthmark in babies. They often appear a few...

GPs use milestones to track your child’s development. Milestones are the skills and tasks children can do...

An anxiety disorder is when we often feel very anxious. This can be anxious about something specific...

A behavioural disorder is when a child has difficulty with their emotions and behaviours. Their behaviour can...

A compulsive disorder is when a person has repeated unwanted thoughts or the need to repeat a...

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in a child aged 16 or younger....

Obstructive sleep apnoea is when something partly or completely blocks the throat during sleep. This causes breathing...

A rash is a change in colour and texture of the skin. They can feel hot, itchy,...

Weight management in children is about making long-term changes that support a healthy lifestyle. The goal is...

Diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. There is no one-size-fits-all diet for diabetes, because...

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are pregnant, you need special care. If...

Diabetes is not just a disease that affects your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can...

Diabetes is not just a disease that affects your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can...

High blood sugar levels can damage your kidneys. Undiagnosed kidney damage can lead to serious health issues....

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may need medication to help manage your blood sugar levels....

Diabetes develops if the body can’t make enough insulin. Insulin helps the body to absorb sugar from...

Hypoglycaemia is low blood sugar and it’s one of the most common problems related to diabetes. Taking...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

After you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, a type of sugar. A hormone called...

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, pre-pregnancy...

Type 1 diabetes is when your pancreas is unable to make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that...

Diabetes develops if the body can’t make enough insulin. After you eat, your body breaks down food...

It can sometimes seem too hard to exercise, with time, money, tiredness and other factors getting in the way. However,...

Sometimes getting the motivation to change our lifestyle is easy but actually making that change and sticking with it can...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Being overweight or obese can have an impact on your health, but even small amounts of weight...

Some people can gamble responsibly, but others find it hard to stop. Gambling becomes a problem when...

Smoking is the greatest cause of preventable illness and death in Australia. Around two-thirds of long-term smokers...

Alcohol is a legal drug in Australia for people over the age of 18. However, alcohol use...

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in Australia. It is used in three main forms:...

Methamphetamine is an illegal stimulant which is often called ‘crystal meth’ or ‘ice’. Methamphetamine gives you a...

There are many types of opioids, including prescription opioids such as morphine and illegal opioids such as...

Diabetes is not just a disease that affects your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can...

An ankle fracture is a broken ankle. Fractures can be thin cracks or complete breaks that shatter....

An ankle sprain is an ankle injury caused by rolling, twisting or straining the ankle. An ankle...

Ingrown toenails occur when your toenail grows into the skin of the toe. They are most common...

Bowel cancer is cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It is also called colorectal cancer. Cancer...

Iron deficiency anaemia is a type of anaemia caused by a lack of iron. You need iron...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Vitamin B12 deficiency means you don’t have enough vitamin B12 in your body. Our bodies need vitamin...

Around five percent of breast cancers and 15 percent of ovarian cancers are due to a family...

Around 10 to 15% of all people with colorectal cancer have a family history. Family history means...

Haemochromatosis causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. The condition is genetic, which means...

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist. The pinched nerve causes a...

Dupuytren’s Contracture happens when the skin under your hand slowly thickens and gets tight. This can force...

Ganglia are small cysts, they are also known as ganglion cysts. They look like small bumps and...

A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the bones in your wrist. They usually happen...

Chest pain can feel like a dull ache, a sharp stab, or a crushing or burning sensation....

Heart failure is when your heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of your body. The...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Immunisation is the process of getting a vaccine against a serious disease. Vaccines work by producing an...

Getting certain vaccines before, during and after pregnancy protects you and your baby. Vaccines for pregnant women...

The influenza (flu) vaccine protects against the flu. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of getting sick...

Acute kidney injury is a form of kidney damage that occurs quickly, over a few hours to...

Your kidneys filter the blood in your body, removing waste products that can harm your organs. If...

Kidney infections happen when bacteria enters your body via the urethra (the tube you pass urine through)....

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Proteinuria is the medical name for protein in the urine. There is usually a small amount of...

Knee pain is pain you can feel in the knee joint or around the knee. Knee pain...

Prepatellar bursitis is a type of knee injury that occurs when the bursa, in the front of...

The shin bone (tibia) is the large bone at the front of the lower leg. Shin pain...

Healthy livers have very little or no fat in them. But if you drink too much alcohol,...

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. The virus is spread through body fluids such...

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects your liver. It is spread by direct blood contact such...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Breathlessness is shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. It can happen for a number of reasons, including:...

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, describes a range of lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible...

End-stage respiratory disease is when a lung disease reaches a stage where the person with the disease...

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. In Australia, more people die...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection caused by a bacteria or virus. It can affect one or...

Your kidneys filter the blood in your body. They remove waste products that could harm your vital...

Iron therapy is when you get iron injected into your vein through an intravenous (IV) infusion. Your...

A medical termination uses medication to end a pregnancy. It is safe and effective for pregnancies up...

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) means a person can ask for medical help to end their life. The...

An oral glucose tolerance test, or OGTT, is a test that looks at the amount of glucose...

A skin biopsy is a quick and simple procedure that removes a small sample of skin for...

Psychosis is a serious mental health condition. It is when a person cannot tell the difference between...

Anxiety is when you feel anxious or stressed without a clear reason. It is the most common...

Bereavement is the process of coping with the death of a family member or close friend. If...

Depression is a mental health condition that affects your mood. One in six people will experience depression...

A disaster can include heatwaves, bushfires, droughts, floods, severe storms and tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides....

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Some people can gamble responsibly, but others find it hard to stop. Gambling becomes a problem when...

Self harm is when someone purposely hurts a part of their body. Some common forms of self-harm...

Sometimes, people have thoughts about wanting to harm themselves or end their life. These thoughts may occur...

Medicinal cannabis comes from the cannabis plant (also called marijuana). Most medicinal cannabis contains cannabidiol (CBD) and...

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked. There are two main types...

A Transient Ischaemic Attack, also known as a TIA, is a minor stroke. It occurs when blood...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder that affects how people behave. Children with ADHD may...

Autism spectrum disorder (autism for short) affects how someone thinks, feels, acts and behaves with others. Signs...

Dementia causes a decline in brain function. It affects parts of the brain like memory, thinking, learning,...

If you have epilepsy and want to fall pregnant, there are some issues you need to be...

Mild cognitive impairment is memory loss that is not a normal part of ageing. It affects up...

Advance care planning involves making a plan for your future medical care. If one day you are...

Dementia causes a decline in brain function. It affects parts of the brain like memory, thinking, learning,...

Mild cognitive impairment is memory loss that is not a normal part of ageing. It affects up...

Palliative care is a specific type of care for people who have a life-limiting illness. Palliative care...

Caring for someone who has a life-limiting illness is hard but rewarding. It is normal to feel...

People nearing the end of their lives may have trouble sleeping. There are many reasons why sleep...

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than expected. It usually occurs after an injury or disease....

There are two main types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain starts suddenly and is usually...

More than 65% of palliative care patients experience a form of pain from mild to severe, depending...

Anaemia means you don’t have enough red blood cells in your blood. It’s often caused by low...

A fetal anomaly, sometimes called a birth defect, is when there is a change to part of...

If you have asthma and are pregnant, your asthma control can change. Some women have an increase...

For women who have had one or more caesarean sections in the past, you may have the...

Bleeding in mid to late pregnancy is any bleeding from 20 weeks to full term. It can...

Every person has one of four blood types (A, B, AB or O). These blood types are...

What will my healthcare team do? Your healthcare team can answer many of the medical questions you may have regarding...

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are pregnant, you need special care. If...

A Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is an operation performed on women to scrape away the lining of...

If you have epilepsy and want to fall pregnant, there are some issues you need to be...

Fetal movements is a term that refers to the baby’s movements in the womb during pregnancy. Your...

Diabetes develops if the body can’t make enough insulin. Insulin helps the body to absorb sugar from...

Hypertension in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia are health concerns that can affect pregnant women at any stage. Hypertension...

A medical termination uses medication to end a pregnancy. It is safe and effective for pregnancies up...

A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that occurs within the fi­rst 20 weeks. This is usually confirmed...

It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy. However, being overweight or obese before pregnancy, or putting...

It is common for women to have some form of tear during a vaginal birth. A tear...

If you’re planning to have a baby, it’s important to see your GP for a pre-conception visit...

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, pre-pregnancy...

Surgical termination of pregnancy is a safe day-surgery procedure. It can be performed anywhere between 7 to...

Your thyroid gland is located in your neck, near the base of your throat. It makes hormones...

Vaginal discharge is a fluid that comes out of your vagina. It is normally clear or white....

Acute pelvic pain is soreness that’s felt in your lower stomach area. The pain may feel short,...

Acute pelvic pain is soreness that’s felt in your lower stomach area. The pain may feel short,...

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection. It’s caused by bacteria. You get chlamydia by having unprotected...

You’ve just found out you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). There’s a lot going through your...

Epididymo-orchitis is the painful swelling of the testes and the tubes attached to each testicle. It is...

Genital warts, or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), is a sexually transmitted infection caused by strains of the...

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. Common symptoms include genital discharge, pain when urinating...

Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. As many as one...

People can become exposed to HIV in several ways. This may be from unprotected sex, sharing needles...

Living with HIV is the term used to describe people who are HIV-positive. Over the last three...

Permanent contraception stops a person from being able to reproduce. There is an option for people with...

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that greatly reduces the risk of getting HIV. PrEP is recommended...

Sexual health screening is testing for one or more sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You might need a...

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. It’s a bacterial infection that spreads by having unprotected sex or...

Urethral discharge is when fluid leaks from the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis....

Acne is a condition causing spots and painful bumps on the skin, also known as pimples. Acne...

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. The infected area may be swollen, red, hot and tender. Common...

Corns and calluses are patches of thick, hard skin. They usually form on feet and toes but...

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is dry and irritated skin. Eczema often appears on the face, neck,...

A hand fracture is a break in a bone in the hand (metacarpal fracture) or fingers (phalanx...

Hives (urticaria) is a type of itchy skin rash. The raised bumps (wheals) appear when skin cells...

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer. Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the...

Pruritus is the medical word for itchy skin. There are many reasons why your skin can itch....

Psoriasis is a type of skin condition that usually appears as an elevated round or oval patch...

A rash is a change in colour and texture of the skin. They can feel hot, itchy,...

During pregnancy, you may experience some changes to your skin. Sometimes, you can experience a rash or...

Obesity can affect a person’s overall health and wellbeing. People with a body mass index of more...

Obstructive sleep apnoea is when something partly or completely blocks the throat during sleep. This causes breathing...

After a loved one has died, your GP may sign a certificate that confirms the death. You...

Haematuria is when there is blood in the urine. It can be: Visible: It is possible to...

Heatstroke happens when your body gets too hot. It is more common in summer due to the...

A heatwave is when there are more than three days in a row with a temperature above...

A Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is an operation performed on women to scrape away the lining of...

Surgical termination of pregnancy is a safe day-surgery procedure. It can be performed anywhere between 7 to...

A Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is an operation performed on women to scrape away the lining of...

Endometrial cancer is cancer that starts in the uterus. Most women who get this type of cancer...

Factor V Leiden is a gene mutation. It can increase your chance of developing an abnormal blood...

Long-acting contraceptives are birth-control devices that stay in your body for a long time (from one month...

A medical termination uses medication to end a pregnancy. It is safe and effective for pregnancies up...

In South Western Sydney, there are five main types of pregnancy care. You have a say in your pregnancy care...

Ovarian masses (cysts) are fluid-filled sacs that appear in the ovary. The most common types of cysts...

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a bacterial infection of your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This infection may...

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, pre-pregnancy...

Short-acting contraceptives prevent pregnancies but are either single use or only last for a short time. The...

Surgical termination of pregnancy is a safe day-surgery procedure. It can be performed anywhere between 7 to...

An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is not planned. A chance pregnancy brings up a lot...

A laceration is a deep cut to the skin or flesh. In some cases, your GP can...

A leg ulcer is a wound on the leg or ankle. The wound is usually caused by...