Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the muscles at the back of the throat relax and block the airways during sleep. Symptoms include snoring and waking up with a sensation of choking or gasping.
First Aid and Self-Care
Ant sting anaphylaxis mostly due to jack jumpers
Jack jumper ants are the most common cause of anaphylaxis (severe allergy) after ant stings, followed by bulldog ants, a study shows.
Bee stings
The best way to deal with a bee sting is to scrape it off with a sideways motion using a firm object such as the blade of a knife, a credit card or even a fingernail.
Medicare refund cheques phased out
From 1 July 2016 there are no more Medicare patient cheques for refunds, and patients need to register their bank details so Medicare benefits can be paid directly into their bank account.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal, degenerative brain disorder that causes rapidly progressive dementia and loss of muscle control. It is a rare disease, affecting 1–2 people in every million in Australia.
Myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy. Myotonic dystrophy is caused by a defective gene.
Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy can be struck with urges to sleep several times a day and may suffer from cataplexy – a loss of muscle function or sleep paralysis.
9 pieces of medical jargon you might not understand
Patients have a much better understanding of their chronic conditions when discharge letters use plain English rather than medical jargon.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is when your parathyroid glands (situated in the neck) produce too much parathyroid hormone, causing abnormally high calcium levels in the blood.
Splinter removal
First aid treatment of splinters and when you should see the doctor after getting a splinter.
