Victoria's hub for health services and business
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
Type a minimum of three characters then press UP or DOWN on the keyboard to navigate the autocompleted search results
What do the experts say about electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes – or e-cigarettes – simulate the act of smoking, but you don’t burn tobacco when you use them...
E-liquid products may or may not contain nicotine or other harmful substances. E-liquid products are not always labelled accurately and there is no guarantee that a product does not contain nicotine...
EACH Social and Community Health is a health service that aims to improve community health and wellbeing...
It is estimated that around four out of five children will experience a middle ear infection at least once...
Babies and young children are more likely to develop middle ear infections because they are still building up their immunity...
In most cases, blockage of the ear canal with wax is a harmless event...
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors are medical specialists who diagnose and treat disorders of the ear, nose and throat...
Getting help early can reduce the severity of symptoms and the impact on people’s daily lives...
For children diagnosed with a disability, getting the support they need as early as possible will give them the best chance of minimising the long-term effects of the disability...
The brain uses the inner ear, the eyes and muscles to pinpoint the position of the body at all times...
Meniere's disease affects the ear, which is the centre of hearing and balance...
Ear correction surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to move prominent ears closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears...
Otosclerosis eventually affects both ears, but the condition doesn?t cause total deafness...
Once hearing is damaged, it often can't be restored...
Eating well and drinking plenty of water while staying in hospital is important to your health and recovery...
Eating disorders are a mental illness and can affect women and men of all age groups...
Eating disorders can cause people to act differently and they may seem to be a completely different person. Some people find it helpful to visualise the eating disorder in a particular way. In this...
Duration: 7:39
You have the potential to be a great support to your family member if they are diagnosed with an eating disorder...
Often, an eating disorder develops as a way for an adolescent to feel in control about what's happening in their life...
Nutritionist Shane Bilsborough takes us on a tour of Melbourne’s restaurants. Some popular food from different cultures is high in fat and kilojoules. There are, however, some healthy alternatives...
Duration: 4:40
First foods for babies can be prepared easily and cheaply at home without salt, seasonings and sweeteners...
Offer children the same foods as the family, with a variety of textures and flavours for balanced nutrition...
Children are able to decide how much food they need for activity and growth if allowed to eat according to their appetite...
Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children, so offer nutritious as well as high energy snacks...
Children have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full...
Ebola virus is a rare disease that can causes severe symptoms and can be life-threatening...
A doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram for patients who may be at risk of heart disease because of family history, smoking, overweight, diabetes or other conditions...
Ecstasy is an illegal stimulant and hallucinogenic drug that can cause stroke and heart attack...
Ectopic pregnancy is caused by a fertilised egg not being able to move through the fallopian tube...
Eczema can vary in severity, and symptoms may flare up or subside from day to day...
Saving water in the garden not only saves money, but also helps protect the environment...
In a person with epilepsy, an electroencephalogram (EEG) may show bursts of abnormal discharges in the form of spikes and sharp wave patterns...
The long-term effects of stroke depend on which part of the brain was damaged and by how much...
Egg allergy is one of the most common causes of allergies in children with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening reactions...
You can freeze your eggs for medical reasons or for reasons that are more to do with your life circumstances...
Eggplant, or aubergine as it’s sometimes called, is a fruit that comes in a variety of shapes and colours, but the most common is the deep purple oval. You can use eggplant in a wide variety of dishes...
An egg is a nutritional powerhouse full of protein and essential vitamins and minerals. You can simply boil, poach, scramble or fry eggs – or use them in more complex desserts or in savoury dishes...
The humble egg is a powerhouse of nutritional goodness. Eggs are full of things your body needs. They are a great source of protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin A, vitamin D...
Elbow pain and can result from overuse in a range of sports or occupations...
Any act occurring within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm to an older person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social and/or...
Always disconnect the power supply before trying to help a victim of electric shock...
ECT can be an effective treatment for some types of mental illness...
The effect of electromagetic fields (EMF) from power lines and other sources is a controversial issue...
Call triple zero (000) in an emergency for ambulance, fire or police services...
In a gas or electricity blackout you may have to think laterally to come up with ways to continue bathing, eating and keeping warm...
You and your family should work out an emergency plan in case of flood...
In a medical emergency, call triple zero (000) for assistance...
If you are worried about your alcohol or drug use or, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for counselling, information and referral, or speak with your local doctor...
Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Heavy rain causes runoff to collect in dips, car parks and roads, and there is a risk of contamination, injury and disease...
After having a baby, you need to choose an effective method of contraception if you don't want to have another baby straight away...
You are treated as soon as possible in an emergency department, but someone who arrived after you may be seen earlier if necessary...
The emergency department is staffed by highly trained clinicians, including nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals...
Hospital emergency services are for people with serious illness or injury...
An emergency care plan is a set of instructions about caring for someone in the event that you are not able to...
In situations where people are injured or their lives are in danger, always call triple zero (000). If you have seen a serious accident or crime, you should also call triple zero (000). The triple...
Look after your emotional needs so you can continue your care role, be healthy and well and enjoy life as much as possible...
Emphysema is generally caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to certain industrial pollutants or dusts...
The grief of empty nest syndrome often goes unrecognised, because an adult child moving out of home is seen as a normal, healthy event...
Some people prefer having palliative care at home because of the familiar environment, feeling of independence and close access to family, friends and the local community...
Palliative care helps improve the quality of life for a person with a life-limiting illness, as well as the lives of their family, friends and carers, through advice, information, referral and support...
Palliative care for children provides physical, emotional, social and spiritual support to newborns, infants, children and young people with a life-limiting condition and their families...
There are age sensitive palliative care services that will help you and your family...
If you are living with a life-limiting illness, end of life and palliative care services can be provided to you at home...
End of life and palliative care for Victorians living with a disability can be provided at home, in specialist disability accommodation, in residential aged care or in an inpatient facility at a...
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart...
Hormones can be thought of as chemical messages that communicate with the body and bring about changes...
An endocrinologist is a doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat disorders involving the endocrine system...
Endometriosis is a painful condition that may be treated with medications or surgery...
Learn some facts about endometriosis. We debunk some myths and explore symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for women...
Duration: 3:19 min
An endoscope or fibrescope is a long, usually flexible tube with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other...
A kilojoule is a unit of measure of energy, in the same way that kilometres measure distance...
Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) gives information about what to do in a gas or electrical emergency. The website explains what to do in a number of other situations such as natural gas leaks, electric...
An enlarged heart isn?t a condition in itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem that is causing the heart to work harder than normal...
People who have asthma or hay fever can get severe asthma symptoms during pollen season when high grass pollen counts combine with a certain type of thunderstorm...
Epididymitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the epididymis...
Medication can provide seizure control for approximately 70 per cent of people with epilepsy...
Good seizure management is an important part of reducing the risks associated with epilepsy...
Learn about your epilepsy so that you can make informed decisions about your lifestyle...
Epilepsy most commonly begins in childhood or in older adulthood, although it can begin at any age. People over 65 years of age have the highest incidence of epilepsy of any age, accounting for almost...
Many people living with epilepsy are successfully employed across a range of professional fields...
It is rare for a person with epilepsy to have a seizure during physical activity, but you should always take safety precautions when exercising...
Epilepsy is the world's most common serious brain disorder and is characterised by a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Most seizures are spontaneous and brief yet self-limiting and can involve...
Duration: 4:02
Children with epilepsy generally have seizures that respond well to medication, and they enjoy a normal and active childhood...
Common causes of erectile dysfunction include physical illness, anxiety and too much alcohol...
Men with diabetes are more prone to problems with erectile dysfunction or impotence...
Erythema nodosum appears as red tender lumps, most commonly on the shins...
Essential tremor causes involuntary shaking or trembling of particular parts of the body, usually the head and hands, but it is not Parkinson's disease...
Unlike a bee, which can only sting once (and leaves the stinger behind in the skin), the European wasp can sting repeatedly...
There are lots of everyday activities that provide an opportunity to be active and provide health benefits...
You need to drink enough and regularly to keep hydrated during exercise...
Exercise can reduce some of the symptoms of arthritis, and improve joint mobility and strength...
Exercise is an important lifestyle choice for everyone. For people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes, exercise is still an important part of a healthy lifestyle...
Healthy exercise is important for everyone. This video from Diabetes Australia – Victoria explores the importance of exercise when you have diabetes...
Duration: 8:32
We all know how important exercise is for keeping us physically healthy. But did you know that exercise can also help keep you mentally healthy? Research shows that people who exercise regularly have...
Exercise can have an enormous impact on your mood. Not only can exercise help in treating depression, it can also prevent people from becoming depressed again. So it’s important to keep up an exercise...
Sitting behind a desk all day doesn't mean you can't exercise...
Duration: 3:42
Want to exercise, but find gyms boring or expensive? Sue Stanley and Shane Bilsborough team up to show you how to exercise indoors and outdoors using your local surroundings - whether it's running up...
Duration: 4:04
If you can talk but not sing, you?re exercising at the right intensity...
An exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional who gives people information and advice about exercise to help them manage and prevent injuries and chronic conditions...
If you are unfamiliar with what is involved, starting an exercise program can be challenging...
Training too hard or fast is a common cause of sports-related injuries...
Exercise is important for your physical and mental health. Working out with a friend means you’re more likely to have fun and stick to your exercise plan...
Exercise-induced asthma can be prevented with medication and by preparing for exercise and physical activity...
Expressive language disorder means that a child has difficulty with verbal, written or other information...
Extreme heat can affect anyone, including the young and healthy...
Duration: 0:31
A standard eye examination with an optometrist includes a screening for all common eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts...
Orthoptists assist in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease...
If you are short-sighted, you will have trouble seeing objects clearly in the distance and they will appear blurry...
Some eye floaters look like small dots, while others appear like threads or little hairy clumps...
Always wear safety goggles or a face shield when handling liquid or powder chemicals...
Don't try to remove a foreign body from your eye - go to your doctor or hospital emergency department for help...
Wearing eye protection appropriate for the task can significantly reduce the risk of injury...
Regular eye tests or check-ups detect problems early, so you can have early treatment to minimise any permanent damage to your eyes...
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, aims to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both...
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of vision loss where there is a distortion or absence of the central field of vision...
Some babies are born with a blocked tear duct, but other events, including infection and trauma to the nose, can cause a blocked tear duct...
Many people who suffer from Charles Bonnet syndrome do not consult their doctor out of fear and embarrassment, as hallucinations are associated with mental illness...
People who are colourblind can't see some colours or see them differently from other people. Colour blindness is inherited, and affects more boys than girls. Out of 20 boys, it is likely that one or...
You can help prevent dry eyes and minimise the risk of tired or sore eyes while reading or using a computer...
Proper care of your contact lenses will help avoid irritation or damage to your eyes...
Flash burns are like sunburn in the eye and can affect both your eyes. Find out more...
Giant cell arteritis is inflammation of the arteries that can cause sudden blindness in one or both eyes...
Glaucoma can happen at any age and without early detection can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness...
During laser eye surgery, a computer-controlled laser is used to remove microscopic amounts of tissue from the front surface of the eye...
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve that causes blurred, grey and dim vision...
If a detached retina is not treated, it can lead to total blindness...
Retinitis pigmentosa is the collective name for a range of diseases that damage the retina and cause vision to fade...
A clean face and clean environment are the best protection against trachoma...
Iritis can cause vision problems if it is not treated...
A person with vision loss needs to make adaptations in order to do some everyday activities...
The eye's complicated design means that an image can pass through its many layers and end up crisply focused on the retina...
A significant amount of long-sightedness can lead to blurred vision, particularly for close objects...
Refractive errors are common eye disorders causing blurry vision and are related to the focusing ability of your eyes...