A-Z of health information displaying “D”

Milk allergy symptoms range from mild to a life-threatening severe allergic reaction. Avoid food containing milk only under strict medical supervision...

Dairy products (and dairy alternatives) are packed with calcium, protein and lots of other essential nutrients. Calcium is vital for healthy teeth and bones. It is also important for your muscles...

Dancing can be a fun way to stay fit for people of all ages and abilities...

Dancing is fun and a great form of exercise, but make sure you avoid injuries...

Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis...

Dangerous goods are objects or substances that are potentially harmful to people or the environment, such as explosives or chemicals...

Now in my life I see a lot of light. I feel genuinely happy, it’s not a mask I wear.” Darce is a mental health advocate and has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Watch Darce’s story...

Duration: 2:54

The sudden death of his father rattled Darryl Wilson and saw him reach out to a psychologist for the first time to get help. As a triple-premiership winning football coach at Strathfieldsaye Football...

Duration: 3:20

Date rape can be especially common among young people who have had little sexual experience and aren’t sure that what they have experienced crosses the line into rape. Many victims of date rape can...

Find out how the NDIS has helped improve David's life...

Duration: 1:20

Day surgery is completed in one day, usually the person does not have to stay in hospital overnight...

Deafness is caused by many different events including injury, disease and genetic defects...

Grief counselling and bereavement services can help you with feelings of grief and loss caused by death, loss of control and independence due to ageing...

It is important to acknowledge that you will respond in your own way to the news that you are dying. Respect your need to question, your need for silence and your need to talk...

Organising a funeral is an important part of grieving, so it is worth spending time to plan the funeral that you and the deceased person would want...

Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is a shattering event for those expecting a baby, and for their families. Grief, relationship stresses and anxiety about subsequent pregnancies are common in...

This checklist provides a list of things to think about regarding health decisions in hospital...

Long international flights are suspected of contributing to deep vein thrombosis in susceptible people...

The most important way to help young people cope with dementia is to talk openly and be willing to listen...

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in Australia, accounting for about two thirds of cases...

Providing a calm environment for the person with dementia can help to reduce the impact of changes to behaviour patterns...

Participating in suitable activities can help a person with dementia to achieve purpose and pleasure...

Carers need to pay attention to how they present themselves to the person with dementia...

Incontinence may occur in people with dementia for many reasons...

Helping the person with dementia adjust to residential care can be a new role for carers...

Dementia is more common in people over 65, but it is not a normal part of ageing...

Some people with dementia may not recognise their declining ability to drive...

A correct diagnosis of dementia at an early stage is important for early treatment, support and planning for the future...

A number of strategies can help encourage healthy and nutritious eating for people with dementia...

People with dementia continue to need loving, safe relationships and caring touch...

People with dementia can forget about washing themselves or changing their clothes...

Depression makes it harder for a person with dementia to remember things and enjoy their life...

Deciding to place a person with dementia into residential care is a difficult decision...

Safety checks and modifications around the home can help ensure the safety of a person with dementia...

Caring for someone with dementia who lives alone can be difficult, but support is available...

Caring for a person with dementia will become more difficult if the carer is worn down...

Dementia Australia provides information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their carers...

DBMAS works to improve the lives of people with dementia whose behaviour is affecting their care...

Dengue virus disease (dengue fever, or ‘dengue’) is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world...

Dental anxiety is common, but there are ways to help you manage it. Talk to your dentist about which strategies are right for you...

Fluoride in your drinking water is like a constant 'repair kit' for your teeth...

Finger or thumb sucking should stop before school age to avoid mouth problems...

Children should have an oral health check by the time they turn two...

Visit your dentist regularly so tooth erosion is detected early, helping prevent further tooth surface loss...

Dental fillings are used to repair worn, decayed or damaged teeth...

Dental Health Services Victoria provides Victorians with quality oral healthcare...

A knocked out permanent tooth can survive if it is immediately put back. Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back...

A dental sealant is a coating applied to the permanent back teeth to prevent tooth decay...

Modern techniques mean that dental and oral health treatment is almost always painless...

A dentist diagnoses and treats diseases of the teeth and the mouth...

It is important to look after your dentures and your gums to keep your mouth healthy...

The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support...

Older people are at greater risk of developing mental health conditions because of the cumulative effect of numerous risk factors, including chronic illness and isolation...

Research shows that keeping active can help lift mood, improve sleeping patterns, and increase energy levels...

The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support...

Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life...

If your mother took DES while she was pregnant with you, then you are a DES daughter or DES son...

A birth plan is a written summary of your preferences for when you are in labour and giving birth...

Around 95 per cent of babies born with developmental dysplasia of the hip can be successfully treated...

Diabetes and the build-up of glucose (sugar) in the blood can cause serious complications if left untreated...

Good foot care and regular check-ups can help people with diabetes avoid foot problems...

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears when the pregnancy is over...

Many parents worry when their child with diabetes starts or returns to school...

The risk of most diabetes-related complications can be reduced...

Pre-diabetes has no symptoms or warning signs, and is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes...

Men with diabetes are more prone to problems with erectile dysfunction or impotence...

It may take a while to find the right insulin dose to reduce your blood glucose to acceptable levels...

Kidney failure means the kidneys can no longer remove waste and maintain the level of fluid and salts that the body needs...

Diabetes insipidus is characterised by extreme thirst and the passing of vast amounts of urine...

Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone of any age, but is more common in people under 30 years...

Type 2 diabetes may be prevented, but it cannot be cured...

Hypoglycaemia refers to symptoms caused by low blood glucose. The most common reason for hypoglycaemia is diabetes medication...

Diabetic coma is a medical emergency and needs prompt medical treatment...

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy...

Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can cause loss of vision and blindness...

Doctors do not have a single test to diagnose asthma so your doctor must understand your symptoms and eliminate other possible causes of your symptoms...

Regular eye tests or check-ups detect problems early, so you can have early treatment to minimise any permanent damage to your eyes...

Acute diarrhoea in babies and young children can be life threatening...

Dietitians provide information and advice about food and nutrition...

Dietitians offer advice on food choices to help people improve their health and general wellbeing...

Some people diet because they have a poor body image, not because they want to be a healthy weight...

The digestive tract can be thought of as a long muscular tube with digestive organs attached along the way...

Too much amniotic fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) may indicate the presence of defects of the digestive tract...

A dilatation and curettage (D&C) is an operation performed on women to lightly scrape away the womb lining...

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat and windpipe...

Confidential counselling for people of all ages and backgrounds who are affected by alcohol or drugs, including referral to specialist treatment services...

There are a number of ways that a person with a disability can successfully avoid unwanted weight loss...

If your child has a disability, you need to consider extra issues when your child starts school...

For older people living with a disability, it can be hard to manage household chores and day-to-day tasks without support. Here are some support services that can help...

Connecting with other people who have a disability and their families can be a good way of getting informal advice and support...

If you feel that your human rights have been violated or that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to make a complaint...

The Disability Services Commissioner is an independent agency that helps resolve complaints raised by, or on behalf of, people who receive disability services in Victoria...

The Victorian Disabled Persons Parking Scheme provides parking permits for people with a disability...

An emergency can strike at any time and without warning. Emergencies include natural disasters (such as floods, bushfires or heatwaves), communicable diseases (such as pandemic influenza) or a...

Disciplining your child means teaching them responsible behaviour and self-control...

Disease clusters are rare but can cause community concern about the possible effects of exposure to environmental hazards...

Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity...

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis relate to the formation or infection of abnormal pouches in the bowel wall...

Postural hypotension is the lightheaded feeling you may get if you leap out of bed very quickly...

Dizziness is generally treatable and rarely indicates serious brain disease...

If you feel uneasy about the conduct of your doctor, it may be a warning sign that something is wrong...

If you are planning to buy a dog, make sure you choose a breed that's appropriate to your lifestyle...

DVRCV provides support, information and referrals to people experiencing family violence...

Former radiographer Donna Matthews has experienced many mental health challenges as a result of trauma from early in her childhood. During a hospitalisation in her 30s, the kindness of a fellow mental...

Duration: 3:20

A person who offers a non-medical childbirth support service...

With the support and opportunities available to them today, most people with Down syndrome are able to achieve and participate as valued members of their community...

Studies of the brains of people with Down syndrome reveal that, by the age of 40, almost all develop the brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease...

For a person with Down syndrome, being included in all aspects of family life can lead to a successful life within the community...

There are a number of significant health and medical issues that are more common in people with Down syndrome...

You should focus on what your child with Down syndrome can do, rather than what they can't do...

There is no golden rule for how many drinks will take you over the legal limit for driving...

Slipping alcohol or drugs into a friend's drink as a joke is against the law...

Safe driving is up to every individual on the road. You can be a safe driver by being alert and ready to take action at any time...

Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken...

Many drugs, both prescription and illegal, can cause tooth damage...

Surveys provide information about drug use and the characteristics of people who use drugs in Victoria and Australia...

DrugInfo provides information about alcohol and other drugs and the prevention of alcohol- and drug-related harm...

The drug ice, is a stimulant with a high risk of addiction if it used regularly...

Teenagers use drugs for similar reasons that adults do...

All medication has the potential to cause allergies but some people can have allergic reactions to specific prescription or over-the-counter medications...

It can be dangerous for a pregnant woman to stop taking prescription drugs if she has a medical condition or becomes ill...

A person suffering from dry eye syndrome does not have enough of the right kind of tears to keep the eye comfortable...

A dry mouth is a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than a disease in itself...

Dummy sucking should stop before school age to avoid teeth or mouth problems...

Dupuytren's contracture gradually causes clawing of the fingers as they are pulled towards the palm...

Areas around the home that are heavily used, such as beds and upholstered furniture, will have much higher mite populations than the rest of the house...

Dwarfism refers to a group of conditions characterised by shorter than normal skeletal growth...

Dyslexia is a type of specific learning difficulty (SLD) in which the person has difficulties with language and words...

Women of any age can experience painful periods and some women find periods are no longer painful after pregnancy and childbirth...