Wildcard

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s at a crucial moment of an exam, walking into a room for a specific purpose, or making an impromptu speech, your mind goes blank. It can be frustrating, stressful or worrying. But what’s really going on in your brain? And when should you go to your GP for a…

Since fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) began, there has been concern they could cause cancer. Concerns have included whether aspects of treatment – such as taking hormonal medications, or puncturing the ovaries to retrieve eggs – could stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Now, our new study, published on Wednesday, has found…

Growing older has plenty of upsides – but achy joints is not one of them. As we age, the joints that once handled every bend and fall start to weaken. This is because the amount of cartilage, a tough but flexible kind of connective tissue, and fluid in your joints decreases over time. This may…

Have you ever been drifting off to sleep when suddenly you hear what sounds like a gunshot, a door slamming, or an explosion inside your head? You jolt awake, heart pounding, sit upright in bed, but the room is silent. Nothing has happened – but it felt very real. This experience has a dramatic name:…

When most people think about “healthy eating”, they usually focus on what they eat. That might mean trying to eat more fruit and vegetables or less fast food, or counting calories. But there’s a lot more to healthy eating than just dietary intake. Behaviours and attitudes around food are also important. Take, for example, orthorexia…

Your doctor has just prescribed medicinal cannabis. You think it’s helping. But you rely on your car to get to work and pick up the kids. Are you allowed to drive? And more importantly, is it safe? Here’s what the evidence says and what it means for you. Medicinal cannabis is now widely prescribed in…

Easter chocolate is all over supermarket shelves. Some people reach straight for milk chocolate eggs while others pause at the darker varieties, assuming they’re healthier. Dark chocolate has gained a reputation as the “better” choice because it usually contains more cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate. But is dark chocolate actually healthier? Let’s see…

If you’ve ever tried a diet to fix gut symptoms, you’ll know it can be hit or miss. One person swears it changed their life. Another follows it carefully and feels no better. This is especially true for irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. It’s a common condition that causes stomach pain, bloating and changes in…

“Boy kibble” is the latest food trend that has young men (and some women) preparing simple meals that – you guessed it – look like dog food, or “kibble”. Typically, boy kibble is made up of rice and minced or ground meat, usually beef, along with various other optional ingredients. Social media loves it because…

Can you hold your breath until you’re almost bursting to take another breath in? This urgent feeling that you need to get more air is called “air hunger”. You may feel this sensation when you exercise intensely and push to your limit. Your breath will usually return to normal quickly once you’ve stopped exerting yourself….

This week, we learned older people in home-based aged care will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for showering, dressing and continence care. This backflip will provide relief for those currently receiving services under the Support at Home program and the 100,000 or so people on the waiting list for home care. For people with…