A-Z of Conditions and treatments displaying “A”

During fetal development, the diaphragm or abdominal wall may fail to properly fuse, allowing the abdominal organs to protrude...

The abdominal muscles support the trunk, allow movement and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure...

The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly...

Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment...

A 'tummy tuck', or abdominoplasty, is cosmetic surgery to remove fat and excess loose skin from the abdomen...

People who run regularly seem to be susceptible to Achilles tendonitis...

Acne is common and can make people of all ages feel embarrassed, but treatments can help if acne is causing distress...

In its earlier stages, an acoustic neuroma can present similar symptoms to other, less serious conditions, which may delay diagnosis and treatment...

The long-term effects of brain injury will be different for each person and can range from mild to profound...

Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs...

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and consists of inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin...

Most cases of Addison's disease are caused by an autoimmune response that attacks and damages the adrenal glands over time...

Since adenoids are constantly in the path of germs, infections are common...

Adhesions may have no signs or symptoms, or they may cause pain by pulling on nerves...

Age affects the fertility of both men and women, and is the single biggest factor affecting a woman?s chance to conceive and have a healthy baby...

Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too...

A person with agoraphobia is afraid to leave familiar environments, because they are afraid of having a panic attack...

Panic disorder is not the same as anxiety or a single panic attack. Most people experience anxiety and up to 40 per cent of us have a panic attack at some stage during our lives. People who have...

A person with alcohol related brain impairment (ARBI) might experience problems with coordination, thinking, planning and memory...

If a person with alcohol related brain impairment is aware of their memory limits, they can learn how to deal with them...

People with alcohol related brain impairment benefit when their life is organised and follows a good structure...

The Alexander technique stresses that movement should be economical and needs only the minimum amount of energy and effort...

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)...

If you have an allergy, visit your doctor before you travel, especially if you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or an asthma attack...

Allergy occurs when the body overreacts to a 'trigger' that is harmless to most people...

Allergies to insect stings and bites range from milder allergic reactions to life-threatening, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)...

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

Peanuts, tree nuts and seeds can all cause allergies with symptoms ranging from milder reactions to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)...

Pollen allergies cause seasonal hay fever and asthma and can be treated with antihistamines, nasal sprays or asthma medication...

Allergy testing is used to find which substances provoke an allergic reaction...

Egg allergy is one of the most common causes of allergies in children with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening reactions...

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

Some women are more at risk of amenorrhoea (the absence of periods) because of emotional stress or changes in weight...

Loss of memory can be temporary or permanent, but 'amnesia' usually refers to the temporary variety...

Amoebiasis can cause diarrhoea among travellers to developing countries...

A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body...

When a person is anaemic, the red blood cells have to work harder to get oxygen around the body...

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

Around half of cases of anal fissures heal by themselves with proper self-care and avoidance of constipation...

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention...

The effects of androgen deficiency depend on how severe the deficiency is, its cause and the age at which the deficiency begins...

Androgen deficiency in women and its treatment is controversial, and more research is needed...

An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is either very large or it ruptures...

The characteristic features of Angelman syndrome are not always obvious at birth, but develop during childhood...

Angina attacks can be prompted by exertion or physical exercise, when the hard-working heart muscle requires greater amounts of oxygen...

Ankle sprain is a common sports injuries caused by overstretching and tearing the supporting ligaments...

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that targets the joints of the spine...

People are less sensitive to smells the older they get, and women tend to have a more acute sense of smell than men...

Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans...

The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis...

Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria...

Antipsychotic medications work by altering brain chemistry to help reduce psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking...

Learning all about anxiety is central to recovery...

Improve your understanding of anxiety and depression, then take action...

You can help your child overcome anxiety by taking their fears seriously and encouraging them to talk about their feelings...

Anxiety disorders are common mental health problems that affect many people...

Aortic stenosis may be congenital (present from before birth), but is often diagnosed during teenage years...

An appendectomy is usually carried out on an emergency basis to treat appendicitis...

Anyone of any age can be struck by appendicitis, but it seems to be more common during childhood and adolescence...

An 'arm lift' is surgery to reshape or reconstruct the underside of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow...

The different smells and chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils can produce different emotional and physiological reactions...

One child in every 1,000 in Australia is diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. It is one of the most common chronic conditions to affect children...

Long-term exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer and other serious illnesses...

Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms...

IVF (in-vitro-fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) are assisted reproductive treatment (ART) procedures in which fertilisation of an egg occurs outside the body...

Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is well managed...

Careful diagnosis of adult onset asthma is important, because the symptoms can be confused with other conditions...

Many people with asthma find their symptoms can worsen when they are exposed to certain allergens like house dust mite, animal dander, pollen and mould...

It is important you discuss your asthma and preferred therapies with both your doctor and complementary therapist...

Exercise-induced asthma can be prevented with medication and by preparing for exercise and physical activity...

It is important to identify any foods or food chemicals that may trigger your asthma, but this must be done under strict medical supervision...

Breathing in other people's cigarette smoke can be harmful to a person with asthma, especially a child...

Asthma affects about one in ten teenagers in Australia...

Before taking your trip, visit your doctor to make sure your asthma is under control well before you leave...

Some industries are more likely to affect a person with asthma because of the triggers in the environment...

Asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)...

Understanding asthma triggers for your child can help to reduce the risk of an asthma attack...

Your doctor will prescribe the correct medications that can either help to relieve or prevent the symptoms of asthma...

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...

If your child has asthma, the childcare centre or school should have relevant action plans and staff trained to deal with asthma emergencies...

Exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of children developing asthma and provokes more frequent asthma in children with asthma...

Women who are athletes or who exercise a lot on a regular basis are at risk of developing athletic amenorrhoea, which is the absence of periods...

Eczema can vary in severity, and symptoms may flare up or subside from day to day...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of arrhythmia, which means that the heart beats fast and abnormally...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder, not an illness or a sign of low intelligence...

An adult with properly managed ADHD often shows great imagination and creative flair...

Children with ADHD may benefit from medication or other therapies, or a combination of both...

Auditory neuropathy is hearing loss caused by a disruption of nerve impulses travelling from the inner ear to the brain...

Breast implants are inserted under the skin to create larger breasts...

Like any language, Auslan continues to evolve to meet the communication needs of people who are deaf...

The simplest form of prevention for lyssavirus is to avoid close contact with bats...

A person with Asperger syndrome often has trouble understanding the emotions of other people...

ASD is a complex disorder that affects a person's ability to interact with the world around them...

Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition, but you are not on your own and there are plenty of professionals and groups who can help...

There is generally no cure for an autoimmune disorder, but the symptoms can be managed...

The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of regular influenza...

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that uses a range of techniques to treat illness and encourage wellbeing...