Wildcard

A migraine attack is not just a “bad headache”. Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition which can cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound, in addition to severe headaches. Migraine affects roughly five million Australians, but few people understand the different stages of a migraine attack. Knowing the four distinct phases can help…

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness and swelling, and reduces your range of motion. It often affects the knees, hips and hands, although it can also occur in other joints throughout the body. If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your doctor has probably recommended exercise. This has become standard treatment…

Intermittent fasting has become a buzzword in nutrition circles, with many people looking to it as a way to lose weight or improve their health. But new research from the Cochrane Collaboration shows intermittent fasting is no more effective for weight loss than receiving traditional dietary advice or even doing nothing at all. In this…

Depression is a complex and deeply personal experience. While almost everyone has periods of sadness, low mood or grief, depression is different. Major depressive disorder is persistent, interferes with day-to-day activities, and can affect work, life and relationships. One in five people will experience depression in their lifetime. Women are nearly twice as likely as…

Somewhere along the way to adulthood, time to play fades away. We tend to trade silliness and imagination for seriousness and busyness. Yet there is clear evidence that adults benefit from playfulness just as children do. Research shows that adults who engage in playful activities tend to cope better with stress, experience more positive emotions,…

If you go to the gym often, you might have been told you shouldn’t lift weights in runners. The common belief is it is bad for your performance and can lead to injuries. But is this really the case? Let’s unpack the science. What your feet are doing when you lift Your feet are key…

When it comes to autism, few questions spark as much debate as how best to support autistic people with the greatest needs. This prompted The Lancet medical journal to commission a group of international experts to propose a new category of “profound autism”. This category describes autistic people who have little or no language (spoken,…

Scroll through social media and you’ll quickly encounter phrases like “I am worthy” or “I choose happiness”. The tantalising promise is: repeat these positive affirmations often enough and you’ll be happier, calmer and even healthier. Given we are biologically hardwired to avoid suffering and want to feel safe and happy, no wonder it is tempting….

“Butterflies in the stomach” is that fluttery, nervous feeling you might have before a job interview, giving a speech or at the start of a romance. It’s a cute description for one part of the fight-or-flight response that can kick in if you’re excited or afraid. But what exactly are these butterflies? Why can we…

Could a simple patch, inspired by the weight-loss drug Ozempic, really help you shed excess kilos without the pain and effort of an injection? Promotions of these Ozempic-style, weight-loss patches are popping up online, promising dramatic results with little evidence to back their claims. Personal recommendations for the patches are common. This includes from some…

If you’re feeling worn out or have suddenly lost some weight, your doctor might send you for a blood test. Blood tests are a common way health-care professionals detect, diagnose, and monitor a range of medical conditions. But can they help us detect more serious conditions such as cancer? Let’s dive into the research. How…