Metabolism

Metabolism refers to all the chemical processes your body uses to produce energy. Find out more about metabolism, what affects it and whether you can boost your metabolism.

Read more

Gut health

Gut health is important for your physical and mental wellbeing. Find out about how to maintain your gut health and about your gut microbiome.

Read more

Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raise the risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Find out its symptoms and treatments.

Read more

Metabolic diseases

Metabolic disorders disrupt the way your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. Learn about symptoms and treatment here.

Read more

Hormonal system

The endocrine (hormonal) system influences your metabolism, growth and other functions. Learn more about what it is and related conditions.

Read more

Thyroid gland

Your thyroid gland sits in the front of your neck and helps control your metabolism. Read about the different thyroid hormones and thyroid problems.

Read more

Total thyroidectomy (for thyrotoxicosis)

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces a hormone called thyroxine, which regulates your body's metabolism. The thyroid can become overactive, causing weight loss, sweatiness and eye problems.

Read more

Malabsorption syndromes

Malabsorption syndrome refers to several disorders that affect someone’s ability to absorb nutrients from their food.

Read more

Risk Checker

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes in just a few minutes using the healthdirect Risk Checker.

Read more

Gastrointestinal illnesses

Gastrointestinal illnesses are very common. Some may last for only a day or two; others are long term. Learn here about their causes, symptoms and treatments.

Read more

How to reduce visceral body fat (hidden fat)

Visceral or 'toxic’ fat is the harmful fat around your heart and abdominal organs. Learn how to tell if you have visceral fat and how to manage it.

Read more

Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited problem with breaking down protein. With the right diet, people with PKU can live a normal life. Learn about diagnosis and the PKU diet.

Read more

Irritable bowel syndrome infographic

Explore this infographic to learn about how to deal with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and how you can prevent an attack of IBS.

Read more

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes 2 main conditions, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which both cause inflammation in the bowel.

Read more

Fatty liver

Fatty liver disease might not cause any symptoms, but it can lead to health problems. Learn how to change your lifestyle to prevent fatty liver.

Read more

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Information about diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition caused when you have a high blood sugar level, and not enough insulin in your body to break it down to use for energy .

Read more

Water and your health — infographic

If your body doesn’t have enough water (dehydration), it won’t function well. This infographic shows why drinking plenty of water daily is essential.

Read more

Urine colour chart

It's important to drink plenty of water every day to stay healthy. Use this urine colour chart to assess how hydrated you are.

Read more

Potassium deficiency

Potassium is a mineral that helps nerves and muscles function properly. Read more about potassium deficiency, symptoms, diagnosis and causes.

Read more

Porphyria

Porphyria is caused by problems with red blood cells. It has a wide range of symptoms making it hard to diagnose. Learn how it's managed and treated.

Read more

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia affects your adrenal glands and causes imbalances in the levels of certain hormones. It can be mild or severe.

Read more

Hormones

Hormones are responsible for many bodily functions including growth, repair, maintenance and triggering a number of bodily processes. Learn more here.

Read more

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that can affect the brain, heart, joints or kidneys. Learn about causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Read more

Endocrine glands and their hormones

Find out more about the endocrine glands and hormones in your body, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland and adrenal glands.

Read more

Find out your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease with this quick test

Healthdirect, with the George Institute, has developed a free online risk calculator to help prevent heart disease, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Read more

Bowel cancer in young people on the rise — here’s what to look out for

Bowel cancer more commonly occurs in older people, while rates of the deadly disease in younger people are going up. But whatever your age, it's important to know the warning signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. Learn more here.

Read more

Why a diabetes test might be overdue for you

Diabetes is being diagnosed too late in many Australians, and by delaying a visit to the doctor they put themselves at risk of life-threatening health problems.

Read more

How long should you stay out of the pool after diarrhoea?

Summer's here, which means more pool time. But it's important to not go swimming in pools if infected with Cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes diarrhoea.

Read more

Stay safe while flying with diabetes

If you live with diabetes and travel by plane, forward preparation is crucial. Use these tips on meals, insulin and emergency planning so you arrive safely.

Read more

Surgery for rectal cancer

Removing the cancer by surgery gives you the best chance of being free of rectal cancer.

Read more