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.
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Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the hollow centres of a person?s long bones and is the blood cell 'factory'...
The adult skeleton is made up of 206 bones, which provide the structure for our bodies...
Some athletes and bodybuilders wrongly believe that taking synthetic growth hormone will help build up their muscles...
A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement...
The skeleton and skeletal muscles work together to allow movement...
There are about 600 muscles in the human body...
A balanced UV approach is required to ensure some sun exposure for vitamin D while minimising the risk of skin cancer...
Make stretching part of your life ... 10 tips for safe stretching...
Reduce your intake of coffee, alcohol and soft drinks... 10 tips on how to eat more calcium...
Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too...
Most procedures that measure bone density are quick and pain-free...
If you don't have enough calcium in your diet, your bones will eventually become weak and brittle...
Bad habits such as slouching and inactivity cause muscle fatigue and tension that ultimately lead to poor posture...
A balanced approach to sunlight exposure will help you get enough vitamin D while protecting against skin cancer...
Vitamin D is important for healthy bones, muscles and the nervous system...
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...
A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body...
Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer that is treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy...
Common sites for bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip...
Fibrous dysplasia causes abnormal growth or swelling of bone, but it is not a form of cancer...
Most children and many adults with acute leukaemia can expect to be cured, while chronic leukaemia can be successfully managed...
The severity of symptoms or how a child with McCune-Albright syndrome will be affected throughout life is difficult to predict...
Multiple myeloma is cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow...
Osteomyelitis means an infection of bone which can either be recent or longstanding...
Paget's disease of bone is a chronic condition that causes abnormal enlargement and weakening of bone...
Rib injuries may include bruises, torn cartilage and bone fractures...
Rickets is a preventable childhood bone disease caused by a lack of vitamin D...
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curve of the spine...
'Shin splints' refers to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone from knee to ankle...
Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects growth and development of the head, causing facial defects and hearing loss...
Regular weight-bearing exercise and maintaining a diet rich in calcium from childhood will help reduce bone loss at menopause...
A healthy, calcium-rich diet and regular physical activity throughout life can help prevent osteoporosis...
People with osteoporosis talk about the role of diet and exercise in managing their condition...
People with osteoporosis provide reassuring advice to others living with the same condition...
Exercise can reduce the risk of fractures resulting from osteoporosis by both slowing the rate of bone loss, and reducing the person?s risk of falling by building muscle strength and improving balance...
Osteoporosis in children is rare and usually caused by an underlying medical condition...
Up to 30 per cent of all fractures that occur in people with osteoporosis and osteopenia, occur in men...
The majority of people with Bell's palsy, around 90 per cent, will recover completely with time...
If you have a child with a disability you can help improve their communication and movement by encouraging them to take part in daily activities...
Multiple sclerosis is not contagious, but it is progressive and unpredictable...
A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle...
People affected by muscular dystrophy have different degrees of independence, mobility and carer needs...
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness...
Polymyositis is hard to diagnose and may be mistaken for muscular dystrophy...
A child with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 rarely lives beyond three years of age...
It is important to get the correct treatment for a sprain or strain as soon as possible after the injury to help you recover quickly...
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that targets the joints of the spine...
People can manage their arthritis using medication, physiotherapy, exercise and self management techniques...
Baker's cysts of the knee don't always require active treatment and sometimes will only require observation by the treating doctor...
Bursitis is often caused by overuse and the inflammation will continue unless the particular activity or movement is stopped...
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repetitive hand movements, pregnancy and arthritis...
Around 95 per cent of babies born with developmental dysplasia of the hip can be successfully treated...
Elbow pain and can result from overuse in a range of sports or occupations...
The hip joint is complicated to allow a wide range of motion while still supporting the weight of the body...
Mild knee injuries may heal by themselves, but all injuries should be checked and diagnosed by a doctor or physiotherapist...
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a painful knee condition that affects adolescents...
Most children with Perthes' disease eventually recover, but it can take anywhere from two to five years...
Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of some bacterial infections...
People who run regularly seem to be susceptible to Achilles tendonitis...
A child learning to walk receives important sensory information from the soles of their feet, and shoes can make walking more difficult...
A ganglion cyst is the most common lump on the hand, and tends to target women between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age...
Good foot care and regular check-ups can help people with diabetes avoid foot problems...
Dupuytren's contracture gradually causes clawing of the fingers as they are pulled towards the palm...
Podiatrists can advise about how to choose the right shoes for your feet...
Even the most fastidiously clean people can suffer from foot odour...
People who have chronic foot or leg problems that interfere with their health may be prescribed orthoses by their podiatrist...
The heel protects the structures of the foot, but heel pain is a common foot complaint...
Wearing shoes that fit properly and support your feet is vital to avoid sore feet and to prevent or alleviate many common foot problems...
If your child is naturally left-handed, don't try to force them to use their right hand...
Raynaud's phenomenon can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so see your doctor if you experience it...
Sever's disease is a common cause of heel pain, particularly in the young and physically active...
Back pain is common. Some people will develop back pain that is persistent (lasts more than three months). There are many things that you can do to live well with back pain...
Children with back pain may grow into adults with chronic bad backs, so it is important to encourage sensible back care...
Most disc problems resolve without specific treatment...
Pain is our built-in alarm system. It makes us aware that something might be going wrong in our body. However, there are many things you can do to deal effectively with persistent pain...
Treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy or remedial massage can generally help neck and shoulder pain...
Shoulder pain is common in our community. The good news is that with appropriate treatment pain will improve so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy...
Most cases of tendonitis recover completely, but severe untreated tendonitis can lead to rupture of the tendon...
Living with persistent pain isn’t easy. Your doctor can help you balance your pain, your treatment and hurdles you encounter in life...
Need to find a doctor in your local area? Take a look at the general practitioners entry in the health services directory.
Want to know more about the medications you are taking. Search and find information sheets on over 4,000 prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Find out more about over 170 common surgeries including risks, benefits and after care.