World's hottest chilli causes thunderclap headaches

A man suffered unusual consequences when participating in a hot chilli pepper eating competition.

Most lower back pain treated incorrectly

Worldwide, overuse of inappropriate tests and treatments such as imaging, opioids and surgery means patients are not receiving the right care, and resources are wasted.

Opioids unnecessary for chronic pain

A small US study has found that non-opioid-based medicines were as effective as opioid medicines at improving chronic back, hip or knee pain.

Reminder: From 1 Feb, codeine is prescription only

Australia is following other countries in curbing access to codeine medications to prevent, reduce and manage codeine addiction. Resources are available to healthcare practitioners to assist with the change.

Codeine abuse costing the Australian health system

One hospital alone had $1 million in codeine abuse-related costs.

Health Care Homes trial starting October

Patients with chronic health concerns will benefit from a coordinated approach to their care, with trials starting soon.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: self-help exercise program may improve symptoms

Some chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers may experience reduced fatigue thanks to a self-help exercise program.

New medical cannabis industry body to position Australia as world leader

The founder of BuddingTech, a medical cannabis technology start-up, believes an industry body is essential for providing patients, doctors and the community with the right information and access to safe and proven products.

Emergency Medicine in Rural Mali

In Koutiala, in southern Mali, severe acute malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, respiratory tract diseases and other so-called opportunistic infections are creating havoc in children aged six months to five years. Dr Lisa Umphrey describes how Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is working to prevent infant mortality in a region that has very few health professionals.

Miele Professional launches a new endto-end solution for Australian CSSD’s

Full state of the art instrument reprocessing to meet the new standards arrives.

Standardising on-screen medicines information for safety

More nurses mean less death

HPV vaccine not linked to rare conditions

Scientists say they have found no evidence to link reported cases of two rare conditions with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, given to protect teenage girls from cervical cancer.

The Role of Australian Consumers in Infection Prevention and Control

Regional South Australia Receives Diabetes Care Framework

In regional South Australia, populations have been identified has being at risk of potentially reaching “unacceptably high rates” of diabetes, with 30,000 in the Country South SA Medicare Local (CSSAML) area cited as currently living with type 2 diabetes, either diagnosed or undiagnosed.