From the moment your baby is born, they no longer receive nutrients through the umbilical cord. They will instead need nutrients initially from milk and then at around six months, also from solid food. It is important for a child to have an appropriate diet for growth and development at every sta...

Antioxidants are compounds in the body that neutralise excess free radicals, a type of unstable molecule that can cause cell damage. Antioxidants are produced naturally by the body, but are also found in fruits and vegetables.

Cervical dysplasia is when abnormal changes occur in the cells of a woman’s cervix. This condition can, if left untreated, develop into cervical cancer. There are numerous ways to treat this condition and to reduce the risk of developing it.

Childhood immunisations help protect infants and children against a variety of diseases, without them being exposed to the actual diseases. Immunisations include tetanus, polio, measles and chicken pox vaccines. They also help protect friends and family by reducing the rates of these conditions.

Carrying excess body fat can have a range of serious consequences for children’s health, particularly in their future. There are numerous strategies available to help children manage their weight and enjoy their childhood.

There are many ways to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, such as condoms, oral contraceptives and diaphragms. Your doctor can help you to decide which method of contraception is best for you. However, whatever your decision, it is important to remember that no method of contraception is 100% effective.

During pregnancy, you need to make sure both you and your baby get all the nutrients you need. Not only does your baby need a range of nutrients for their development, there is increasing evidence that what you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby's health throughout their lives.

Dietary fat is an important nutrient and an essential part of your diet. However, some types of fat are healthier than others, so it's important to serve yourself up the right kinds in the right amounts.

With a healthy, balanced diet, you can improve the health of your hair, skin and nails. Your skin is a particularly important barrier against infection, mechanical damage and ultraviolet radiation.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that may cause a fever, breathing difficulties and swollen lymph nodes. Without treatment, it can lead to severe complications. It is now a rare condition in developed nations due to the widespread use of the diphtheria vaccine.

Dyslipidemia is an imbalance of the amount of fats or lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, detected in the blood. It is also known as high cholesterol, hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia.

Fad diets are weight-loss diets that promise fast results and often do not provide any scientific basis. They often involve eliminating whole food groups, which starves your body of important nutrients. They can generally provide short-term results, but are not sustainable in the long-term and ca...

FODMAPs stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. They are specific carbohydrates found in various foods and, in certain people, can cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Following a low FODMAP diet can help reduce these effects.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to certain proteins in food. Symptoms can be mild to severe. Common allergens are nuts, eggs, milk and wheat. Knowing what is safe to eat is important.

The types of food and drink you consume and the times at which you consume them can interfere with your medication use and have unintended consequences. It is essential to read the label and consult with your doctor or pharmacist on safety of the use of medication.

Food refusal often occurs in children, usually at the end of their first year. By this time they have formed food preferences. In their second year, children may refuse food on sight, based on these preferences.

Despite their name, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria do not cause influenza. Hib bacteria can cause other serious diseases including pneumonia and meningitis, particularly in children under the age of five. Fortunately, Hib can be prevented with immunisation.

Healthy eating is about consuming a balanced diet with a variety of nutritious foods and even the occasional indulgent food. When this is combined with adequate exercise, it can help to manage your weight, reduce your risk of many health conditions and improve your overall quality of life.

Carrying too much or too little weight can increase your risk of a range of health problems. There are some simple but effective steps you can take that can help you to manage your weight.

Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common cause of anaemia, which is a deficiency in the quality or number of red blood cells. It may be caused by blood loss, decreased iron absorption, pregnancy or other causes. Your doctor will help work out the cause and appropriate treatment.

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which your body cannot properly digest lactose, a natural substance found in milk. This occurs in people when they do not have enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose. Lactose intolerance can cause abdominal pain, bloating, wind and sometimes ...

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease which mainly affects children. Children who get measles typically have a fever, sore throat, spots in the mouth and a generalised skin rash. There can be serious complications from measles. Fortunately, it is now rare in developed nations due to the me...

Mumps is an infectious viral disease. It is mostly a childhood disease and, although usually a mild illness, mumps can have serious consequences. A mumps vaccine is available and given as part of a combined vaccine during routine childhood vaccination.

Body mass index, or BMI, is a tool used to classify your weight. Obesity is defined as a BMI greater than 30 and is a weight significantly greater than what is considered healthy for your height. Carrying excess body weight can have serious consequences for your health. It is possible to reduce y...

Osteomalacia is a condition in which your bones become soft because of a lack of vitamin D. It can make bones prone to fractures and cause widespread bone pain and tenderness. Osteomalacia can be effectively treated by increasing vitamin D levels in the diet and getting regular sunlight exposure.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine, an amino acid that plays an important role in metabolism. A build-up of phenylalanine in the body can lead to an intellectual disability.

Polio is a contagious viral disease, mainly affecting children. It can cause paralysis, breathing difficulties and even death. Once a major public health concern, with the development of vaccines in the 1950’s and 1960’s polio has now been virtually eradicated.

Pre-pregnancy check-ups can improve pregnancy outcomes by identifying risk factors that may cause complications and providing options to avoid such occurrences. Consulting with your doctor on lifestyle factors – such as diet, alcohol and smoking – and making some changes may result in better outc...

Rabies is a serious viral infection that is passed on through the bite of an infected animal. It causes fever, pain and extreme changes in behaviour and can even be fatal. Following some advice can help prevent this condition.

Rubella is a viral disease which generally causes a mild illness and usually resolves after a few days. However, death or serious birth defects can occur if the virus is contracted during pregnancy. Vaccines exist for children at twelve and eighteen months and also for adults.

Medications are meant to make you well, but if they are not used appropriately and with care they can make you very sick. Understanding the medications you take and communicating clearly with your health professional are important steps in using medication safely.

Scurvy is caused by a severe, long-term deficiency in vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. It’s usually caused by malnutrition or another medical condition that prevents absorption of vitamin C by the body.

Smoking cessation, or quitting smoking, is notoriously difficult due to the addictive chemicals that are in tobacco. But quitting is worth the effort – your health will improve, you will live longer and even save money. While there are many strategies to help you quit, it is important to find one...

Sunburn is damage caused to the skin when it is overexposed to ultraviolet light, such as from the sun. Sunburned skin changes colour to pink or red, and becomes swollen and tender. It can lead to premature ageing and even skin cancer. It is advisable to take preventative measures to avoid gettin...

Tetanus is an infection which usually occurs when a particular bacteria contaminates an open wound. After infection, the tetanus bacteria release a toxin which attaches to nerve cells and causes muscles to spasm. Tetanus is a serious condition and can lead to death if left untreated.

The flu, or influenza, is a common viral infection, which causes fevers, headache, coughing and muscle aches. It is different to the common cold, which usually has relatively milder symptoms. Rarely, complications can occur with the elderly, children and people with weakened immune systems.

Typhoid fever is caused by a strain of salmonella bacteria. It is transmitted via contaminated food or water, and can cause severe diarrhoea and a rash. Typhoid fever is much more common in developing countries.

Carrying too much weight can increase your risk of a range of serious health problems. Even a small amount of weight loss can improve your health and prevent such problems.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious disease that causes inflammation in the respiratory tract. Pertussis causes many deaths, especially among infants, but can be prevented with immunisation.

Yellow fever is an infectious viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It can be fatal, and is a serious health concern. A vaccine is available and is routinely given to people who live in, or are intending to travel to, countries where the disease is common.