Every now and again there is news about yet another case of a meningococcal outbreak in Australia. According to the Meningitis centre Australia, ‘Bacterial meningitis is aggressive, develops quickly and can lead to permanent disability or death in a matter of hours. It is fatal in approximately 50% of cases and accounts for around 170,000 … Continue reading Increasing incidences of Meningitis in Australia
Category Archives: Blog
By Meghan Betts What is osteoporosis? In osteoporosis (which means ‘porous bones’) bones become weak and fragile which means that even a minor bump or accident can result in a broken bone known as a minimal trauma fracture. These can result in chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and premature death. Brittle bones usually … Continue reading Osteoporosis
What is osteoarthritis? By Meghan Betts Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that usually gets worse over time. As the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints degrades (breaks down), the bones start to rub together causing pain and swelling (See Figure 1). As joints become stiff there is a loss … Continue reading Osteoarthritis
Screening for cervical cancer Meghan Betts You can follow Meghan at Let’s Talk Medical The National Cervical Screening Program initiated in 1991 currently provides cervical screening tests via a Pap smear. Pap smears do not detect or diagnose cervical cancer; however, they are important for identifying cellular changes or abnormalities which may be … Continue reading Screening for Cervical Cancer
By Meghan Betts Increasing evidence suggests that a disruption of the healthy human microbiome (i.e. communities of microbes, their genetic content and their interaction with the human host) is linked to an increased risk of developing allergic diseases. Studies have shown that newborns who later develop either asthma or allergies commonly have … Continue reading How the microbiome affects the development of allergies
By Meghan Betts Globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming an increasingly serious public health concern. In particular, the development of antibiotic resistance – due to the frequent and commonplace use of antibiotics in modern society – has become a highlighted medical issue in recent times. Antibiotic resistance is now considered to be one … Continue reading Are we at risk of a post-antibiotic era?
Science not Silence! By Meghan Betts Thousands of people across Australia rallied together for the ‘March for Science’ on Earth Day 2017 (Saturday 22nd April) as part of a global movement to defend the vital role science plays in our health, safety, economics and government. Demonstrations were held around the world, from the North … Continue reading March for Science
Over recent years there has been a surge in products containing live cultures of ‘good bacteria’, or ‘probiotics’, that claim to aid digestion, ease intestinal problems and keep your gut microbiota (the microbial population that lives in your gut) balanced and healthy. But are these probiotics as good for you as they seem? In … Continue reading Should we all be taking probiotics?
Distinguishing between depression and bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that affects approximately 2% of the Australian population. It was previously known as ‘manic depression’ which encompassed the extreme and uncontrollable mood swings between states of manic highs and depressive lows that are experienced by those with the disorder. Symptoms … Continue reading Depression versus bipolar
Will there ever be a hormonal contraception method for men? Although there are a wide variety of contraceptive options for females to prevent pregnancy, the choices available for men to have control over their fertility have not changed for over a century. These choices either have a lower efficacy, such as condoms … Continue reading Men and Contraception