CHOICE investigates adverse events associated with medication and what can be done to prevent them.
11 Sep 2009 |
Our reliance on medicines has dramatically increased, and mixing them can prove a dangerous cocktail. CHOICE explains who’s at risk and why.
How to save money on your prescription medication.
25 Nov 2008 |
A generic drug is a copy of a branded drug. It's chemically equivalent to its branded counterpart but usually costs less.
How much influence do drug companies have on what your GP prescribes you?
27 Aug 2008 |
GPs are bombarded with marketing and promotions from drug companies. This can influence their prescribing habits — and this isn’t in the best interest of consumers.
Can a pill improve brain function and help prevent dementia?
21 Jul 2008 |
There are pills on the market that claim these benefits, and more. They can set you back anything from $10 to $70 a bottle. But do they work?
It’s a popular alternative treatment for osteoarthritis but does it really work?
8 May 2008 |
Does glucosamine help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis? The latest research casts some doubt on the matter.
A new treatment for varicose veins looks promising but there’s a danger unqualified operators could benefit at the expense of patients.
26 May 2009 |
Varicose veins can be painful, uncomfortable and lead to serious health consequences if left untreated.
CHOICE investigates why nut allergy rates are now soaring, and what can you do if you think you have an allergy.
24 Mar 2009 |
Australia has one of the highest allergy rates in the world, and the number of people affected is growing at an astonishing rate.
How to counter the risk of hearing loss but not miss out on entertainment.
3 Dec 2008 |
Excessively loud music or video can damage your hearing. While everyone is different, in general it’s important to make sure you don’t have exposure to loud noises over a long period of time.
We run through the top five numbers and what you should be aiming for as a healthy adult.
28 Nov 2007 |
There are lots of numbers and measurements used to describe health. We explain what they all mean.
Which products are most effective at dealing with this perennial childhood problem?
21 Aug 2007 |
Tenacious parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional insecticide treatments.
Do you need one and do they work?
20 Jun 2007 |
One in seven Australian adults suffer from some form of high blood pressure. If you’re one of them, monitoring your condition regularly at home with a blood pressure monitor can be useful.
Costs of hearing aids can vary greatly so make sure you shop around.
10 Jul 2006 |
Around 22% of Australians aged 15 and over are hearing-impaired, and each year more than 100,000 of them choose to be fitted with hearing aids.
Our investigation highlights the diagnostic minefield the average dental patient faces.
23 Nov 2009 |
Our undercover "patient" visited 14 Sydney dentists. Their wildly different verdicts on her teeth expose flaws in our dental system.
Something's rotten in the state of Australia's health - our teeth.
12 Jun 2007 |
Many people are avoiding preventative care and early treatment because they can’t afford dental care, resulting in more serious oral and general health problems — with more extreme treatment and higher costs later on.
Think a detox is a quick antidote for a month of excess? We debunk some common health myths.
21 Dec 2009 |
Read these long-held misconceptions about everything from diet and exercise, to air travel and antioxidants.
We find constructive solutions to building a healthy relationship with your doctor.
10 Mar 2010 |
Had a lousy experience with a doctor? We look at some of the main bugbears and doctors' patient-from-hell stories.
Skin clinics claim to help identify and treat skin cancers. How good are they?
18 Jan 2008 |
In the last financial year The Cancer Council NSW received 3974 calls about skin cancer to its helpline, 2251 (57%) of which were specifically about skin cancer clinics.
Plan ahead for when you can no longer look after yourself.
22 Aug 2006 |
Most of us don’t want to think about nursing home care while we’re still relatively healthy and independent; we tend to leave it until an emergency forces us to face the issue, utterly unprepared.
Looking for doctor right.
6 Feb 2006 |
The relationship you have with your doctor can be one of the most crucial in your life, particularly if you have a chronic condition or develop a serious illness.
Many chemicals available in Australia are no longer registered in Europe.
24 Apr 2009 |
Cockroach baits, termite treatments, surface sprays and head lice treatments are some of the products containing ingredients that could seriously affect our health and that of our children.
Nanotechnology is already here, yet most of us know nothing about it.
22 Jun 2007 |
Nanotechnology is heralded as making products and processes smaller, smarter, cleaner and safer, but could also spell trouble for our health and the environment.
Is fluoride good for your teeth, or a slow poison? We look at the most recent evidence.
23 Feb 2007 |
There’s now solid scientific evidence that fluoride added to drinking water helps to protect your teeth from decay.
Some exposure to sunlight is essential for your health, but too much can be dangerous.
10 Oct 2005 |
Summer is the season to get outdoors and enjoy the warm days, but it's also the season when the sun's rays are harshest on your skin.
Negative publicity about HRT led to a flood of alternatives. Do they work?
20 Jan 2009 |
In 2002, a major American study involving hormone replacement therapy was stopped early because researchers were concerned by increased incidence of breast cancer, heart disease and blood clots in participants.
Most people are happy with the results of their laser eye surgery.
3 Apr 2007 |
Since it was first performed in Australia in the early 1990s, laser eye surgery has become very popular, with many thousands each year choosing it to correct their long- or short-sightedness.
Don't let avoidable illness ruin your long-planned holiday.
27 Nov 2007 |
The last thing you need to worry about on a trip is illness. Here's how to keep safe and healthy while you're travelling.
What items do you need in a general purpose first aid kit?
12 Sep 2007 |
With these contents in your "general purpose" first aid kit, you should be equipped for a range of emergency situations.