Family medicine

After saving my wife, I wanted to help millions more

Seeing a doctor is now a simple tap or click away!

It’s time to break the stigma about poo.

I had a COVID test but the result wasn't what I expected

''The end was drawing near, but I wasn’t ready to give up.''

Sensing he was giving up, a mother took action for her son.

''I’ve been given a second chance with my family.''

I’m ageing too fast, but it won’t stop me smiling.

Our boy was dying and there was only one way we could help!

I thought we were happy, then she did something shocking.

I literally couldn't put her down.

To diagnose, or not to diagnose...

Plucky Gold Coast youngster Mackinlee defies all odds to recover from an horrific car crash that killed her grandma.

More than what you think.

Incomprehensible.

Find out what's going on with your health.

Medications containing codeine could no longer be available over the chemist counter but instead require a visit to your GP.

Children who have not been vaccinated will be banned from child care in NSW following the introduction of tough new laws this week. And centres will be fined up to $4000 if a child in their care does not have a record of immunisation. State Health Minister Jillian Skinner amended the Public Health Act on […]

New mums are embracing a different approach when it comes to getting their pre-baby bodies back — wearing an old-fashioned girdle. Jessica Alba recently admitted she used a corset to get back her toned tummy and post baby figure, and it looks like she isn’t the only one. “I wore a double corset day and […]

It has been labelled “dangerous” by health experts but “baby yoga” instructor Lena Fokina says there is nothing wrong with the practice which sees newborn babies thrown in the air and flipped upside down by their wrists and ankles. Footage of a bizarre new baby fad sweeping Europe has been banned from a number of […]

Many parents today may believe their children have a lot more distractions than what they did as a kid with the invention of Facebook and texting, but is this really the case? US child psychologist Professor Douglas Gentile says Facebook and texting aren’t any better or worse than what today’s parents did as teens: watch […]

A US study has found that teenagers diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are far more likely to have suicidal tendencies compared to other teens. The University of Maryland research team surveyed 248 young people aged nine to 18 years, of whom half had been diagnosed with ADHD as young children, the UK’s Daily […]

It is possible to eat well and keep fit, even if you're pinching pennies until they squeak. Here's how.

Sitting your kids down in front of the television could be more harmful than you think, new research shows. Children who watch more than two hours of television a day have twice as much chance of developing asthma as those who watch less than this. This new research conducted by the Medical Research Council in […]

Eating more fruit and vegetables and consuming less red meat and alcohol could prevent thousands of incidences of cancers each year, according to a major new study. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) discovered that 12 major types of cancer, including breast, bowel, stomach and pancreatic cancers, could be reduced by 39 per cent simply […]

Did you down a glass of ordinary orange juice at breakfast? Do try to keep up! The new and incredibly nutritious ‘super-juices’ provide a wealth of health-promoting ingredients. Pamela Allardice shows you four wiser ways to wet your whistle. Amazing acaiThe berries of the Amazonian acai palm (Euterpe oleracea) produce a claret-coloured juice with a […]

Nicknamed the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because your body makes it from sunlight, vitamin D is essential for overall health. However, even in sunny Australia, you might not be getting enough, says Pamela Allardice. Bone densityVitamin D (which is technically not a vitamin, but a hormone which your body produces in response to UVB rays) builds a […]

A US study has found that women carry a far greater number of bacteria on the palms of their hands than men, and that washing them in fact has little impact on the diversity of bacteria we carry. The findings revealed that not only do human hands in general have a far greater range of […]

Although pollen from trees may pose a problem for children with asthma, a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health claims trees actually reduce asthma rates. Columbia University researchers found asthma incidence in children aged 4-5 years fell by nearly 30% for every extra 343 trees planted per square kilometre. There were also […]

The question of whether plastics can harm human health has been debated for years. Pamela Allardice has the latest. According to chemical manufacturers, plastics industry associations and bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), plastics are safe when used correctly. However, some experts are concerned by research which shows that certain compounds in […]

With a recent survey showing that four out of ten adults report they are eating more vegetarian meals than they did a couple of years ago, it’s time to take a look at your own family’s meal patterns. Hippie food? “By giving vegetarian meals a go, people will be doing their wallet, their health and […]

According to new information released by The World Health Organisation, the air we breathe in our own homes could be more harmful to our health than the pollution we’re exposed to outdoors. The World Health Organisation believes indoor air pollution is one of the top 10 risks for global disease, with recent Australian studies continuing […]

Badly stored food can harbour a formidable range of disease-causing bacteria. Make sure you stay safe and that your fridge is well-stocked and clean with these 10 tips: 1 Invest in a good quality frost-free fridge so you don’t have to worry about defrosting it. 2 Put a small bowl of vanilla essence on a […]

This month we talk to Dr George Janko, Medical Director, McKinnon Sports Medicine centre on his advice on how best to approach physical activity if you or a family member has asthma. What is asthma? Asthma is a breathing disorder caused by an over sensitivity of the linings of the airways, leading to constriction of […]

It’s the sneezin’ season, and it seems that, when it comes to improving your immune system so it can fend off flu, everything old is new again. As long ago as 400 B.C., Hippocrates — nicknamed “the father of medicine” — called the elder (Sambucus canadensis) his “medicine chest”. The dark purple berries and white […]

A recent study has revealed that the average Australian shopping basket of food has traveled more than 70,000 kilometres from producer to consumer. Let’s explore this relatively new concept of considering “food miles” when buying your weekly groceries. What is the food miles concept? Food miles is a term which refers to the distance food […]

Roll up, roll up and find out about one of the hottest new ways to get fit and have fun — circus training. No, we don’t mean circuit training. Think juggling, balancing acts, contortion, the strong man and more. Circus skills Troupes like the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and Circus Oz have spearheaded a new […]

Roll up, roll up and find out about one of the hottest new ways to get fit and have fun — circus training. No, we don't mean circuit training. Think juggling, balancing acts, contortion, the strong man and more.

A recent nutrition and health review of apples completed by an Australian dietitian has looked closely at the benefits of including an apple a day in your diet. Apples have been shown to have a range of health benefits including asthma and cancer protection. But can they really keep the doctor away? Let’s take a […]

If you need a good reason to get your daily dose of Vitamin D — then nothing beats this! Here’s a good reason to get a daily dose of at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): it lowers your risk of developing certain cancers, notably colon, breast and ovarian cancer, by up to 50 […]

Do you suffer from the no time to cook syndrome? It’s a common cry in today’s busy world. The problem is you can end up with too many dial out solutions that are often high in kilojoules and fat and low on nutrients. Let’s take a look at some smart swaps for your kitchen that […]

Learn to love fibre, for your heart’s sake. That’s the message from a recent Medical University of South Carolina study. Thirty-five healthy adults were randomly selected to consume either the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) high-fibre diet (nearly 28 grams of fibre per day) or a psyllium fibre supplement (equivalent to 27 grams of […]

Last month we looked at the pros and cons of the popular sports supplement carnitine and this month we delve deeper into amino acid land. Branched chain amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine are also popular supplements, but what are they and do they really work? What are BCAAs? Unlike other amino acids, the branched […]

This month we take a closer look at one of the less common varieties of canned fish. A little fishy There’s nothing new about sardines, but the fact that they have been largely overlooked in the omega-3 stakes is, well, just a little bit fishy! Sardines are a great health bargain as they are easy […]

In days gone by children used to walk miles and miles to school and back each day, often without shoes! And perhaps in your childhood you walked or biked to school alone or with your neighbours and siblings. But in today’s busy world it’s not so common. Kids still love to ride bikes and a […]