Amyloidosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surgery for rectal cancer

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

Read more

Colon resection for colon cancer

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

Read more

Giardiasis (giardia)

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite giardia. Learn about cause, symptoms, treatment and prevention of giardiasis.

Read more

Stomach ulcers

Stomach ulcers occur in the lining of your stomach. Be aware of the symptoms and get diagnosed early to treat ulcers and prevent complications.

Read more

Achalasia

Achalasia is a rare condition of the oesophagus (the food pipe) that stops food from entering the stomach properly. There is no cure, but there are different treatments to ease the symptoms.

Read more

Get behind bowel cancer screening

Free bowel cancer screening test kits are being sent to Australians aged from 50 to 74. Bowel cancer is one of the most curable cancers – if detected early on.

Read more

Pre-diabetes

Having pre-diabetes does not mean you will necessarily develop type 2 diabetes, but you will have a higher risk than if you had normal glucose levels.

Read more

Diabetic retinopathy

Discover how diabetes can slowly damage your retina (the back of your eye). This can lead to diabetic retinopathy and vision problems.

Read more

HbA1c test

Find out about the HbA1c test — a type of blood test used to help diagnose diabetes and monitor blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

Read more

Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness or feeling woozy is when you feel like fainting or passing out. You might be dehydrated or it could be something more serious.

Read more

Abdominal Surgery for Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of your bowel. Surgery is usually recommended if medication fails to improve your symptoms.

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

Bowel infections

Bowel or gastrointestinal infections can affect anyone. Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of different bowel infections.

Read more