Medical Library
Please note, Southern Cross Medical Library information is necessarily of a general nature. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you.
Children's health Appendicitis (symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, recovery)
Inflammation of the appendix causing pain to the lower right side of the abdomen.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A developmental disorder characterised by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
Chickenpox (symptoms, treatment, vaccination)
A common and highly infectious viral disease.
Circumcision
The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Symptoms and Treatment
Atopic Dermatitis causes skin to become itchy, red, swollen and painful.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
An infectious illness characterised by fluid-filled blisters on hands, feet and inside the mouth.
Intoeing (Pigeon Toes)
Intoeing (pigeon toes) refers to feet that point inwards.
Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease)
A common childhood viral infection with a characteristic red facial rash.
Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism)
A male newborn disorder where one or both testicles don’t descend to the scrotum.
Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children
Urine flows back from the bladder to the kidneys, potentially causing infection and damage.
Whooping cough (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A highly infectious, bacterial respiratory disease.
Women's health Breast cancer (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
The abnormal development of breast cells, forming malignant (cancerous) tumours.
Breast Reduction
A procedure to reduce the size and/or reshape the breasts.
Cervical Cancer
The development of cancerous tumours from abnormal cell growth in a woman's cervix.
Dilation and Curettage
A minor surgical procedure used to diagnose and/or treat conditions which affect the uterus.
Endometrial Ablation
A procedure to remove the endometrium from the uterus to treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
Endometriosis (symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, treatment)
A reasonably common condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.
Exercise (weigh up the health benefits)
Lower risk of heart attacks and strokes, weight loss and enhanced general health and wellbeing.
Healthy Heart Diet
Simple changes to what you eat can reduce your risk of heart attack.
High blood cholesterol levels
High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Raised blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Therapy to bolster declining oestrogen and/or progesterone hormone levels during early menopause.
Hysterectomy
The surgical removal of the uterus.
Menopause (signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
The years when a woman's ovaries gradually begin to produce fewer eggs and less female hormones.
Molar Pregnancy
Abnormal development of tissue around a fertilised egg causing miscarriage.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
The development of cysts in the ovaries, causing a range of hormonal and metabolic effects.
Quit smoking
The risk of heart disease – the biggest killer of smokers in NZ - falls after you quit.
Stress (causes, symptoms, diagnosis)
The physical or emotional response to pressures which can have health impacts.
Tubal Ligation
A form of contraception where the fallopian tubes are permanently blocked or cut.
Urinary tract infections
Infections causing a painful, burning sensation when passing urine.
Blood and blood vessel conditions Aortic Aneurysm
An abnormal bulging of the body’s largest artery which, if ruptured, is potentially fatal.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
The formation of blood clots in major veins which can dislodge causing serious complications.
Diabetes (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose which contributes to long term complications.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Artery inflammation that can cause headaches and blurred vision.
Haemochromatosis
A disorder involving the excessive absorption and inappropriate storage of iron.
High blood cholesterol levels
High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Raised blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Iron deficiency anaemia
The lack of iron affects the blood’s ability to transport oxygen, causing fatigue and other problems.
Raynaud's disease
Affects blood circulation in fingers and toes when exposed to cold, temperature change or stress.
Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Damage to brain cells as a result of disruption of blood / oxygen supply.
Varicose veins (signs, symptoms, causes, treatment)
Veins that appear as bluish-green lines, which may bulge or appear twisted and contorted.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is necessary for red blood cell production and maintaining nerve cell health.
Bowel conditions Appendicitis (symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, recovery)
Inflammation of the appendix causing pain to the lower right side of the abdomen.
Coeliac Disease
A condition caused by gluten intolerance that damages the small intestine.
Gallstones
Gallstones can cause infection and inflammation to parts of the digestive system.
Hernia
When abdominal contents protrude through a weakened area of abdominal muscle.
Ulcerative Colitis
A disease which causes swelling, ulceration and loss of function of the colon.
Brain and nervous system disorders Alzheimer's disease - causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention
The most common form of dementia, characterised by loss of intellectual capacity and function.
Bell's palsy (symptoms, causes, treatment)
The sudden onset of facial nerve paralysis causing muscle weakness on one side of the face.
Cerebral palsy - causes, symptoms, life expectancy
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for disorders caused by brain damage which affects the ability to control movement.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
A disorder of the nervous system, typically causing burning pain and other symptoms.
Essential Tremor
The involuntary shaking of parts of the body, sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
A rare disorder that may cause muscle weakness or paralysis of limbs, face and respiratory system.
Motor Neurone Disease
The progressive and fatal degeneration of specialised nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Multiple Sclerosis
A disease of the central nervous system that affects movement, sensation and body functions.
Neurofibromatosis
Development of tumours on nerves or skin which can affect the way the body functions.
Parkinson's Disease
A progressive brain disorder characterised by tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement.
Post-Polio Syndrome
A condition of the central nervous system that affects 25% of polio survivors.
Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Damage to brain cells as a result of disruption of blood / oxygen supply.
Infectious conditions Cellulitis (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue.
Chickenpox (symptoms, treatment, vaccination)
A common and highly infectious viral disease.
Cytomegalovirus
A common viral illness related to the chickenpox and glandular fever viruses.
Dengue Fever
A viral infection carried by mosquitoes in tropical areas like the Pacific Islands and South East Asia.
Glandular Fever (Infectious Mononucleosis)
A viral infection with flu-like symptoms that can persist for several weeks.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
An infectious illness characterised by fluid-filled blisters on hands, feet and inside the mouth.
Hepatitis B
A virus spread through infected blood or body fluids that can cause liver inflammation.
Hepatitis C (Diagnosis, treatment, prevention)
A virus spread through infected blood that can cause liver inflammation and chronic liver disease.
Meningococcal Meningitis
A condition causing swelling around the brain, potentially leading to death or serious disability.
Nocardiosis
A rare and often fatal infectious condition caused by a fungus-like bacterium found in the soil.
Pneumonia (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
Pneumonia is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial or viral infection of the lungs.
Shingles (symptoms, causes, treatment, vaccination)
A viral infection that causes a painful skin rash.
Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease)
A common childhood viral infection with a characteristic red facial rash.
Whooping cough (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A highly infectious, bacterial respiratory disease.
Muscle, joint and bone conditions Achilles tendon rupture (tear)
Tendon fibres tear (partially or completely) causing pain and loss of function.
Achilles tendonitis / tendinopathy
An overuse injury where the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
A form of arthritis characterised by long-term pain and stiffness in the back.
Bunions (causes, treatment, surgery, prevention)
The enlargement of the big toe joint causing inflammation and pain and leading to arthritis.
Bursitis (Causes, diagnosis, treatment)
Inflammation of fluid-filled bursae that cushion movement around the joints.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
A disorder causing pain and limiting use of the hand and wrist.
Cervical Spondylosis
The degeneration of discs and vertebrae at the top of the spinal column.
Costochondritis
Cartilage inflammation where ribs attach to the breastbone causing chest pain.
Dupuytren's Contracture
Tissue in the palm of the hand becomes tight and shortened, contracting the fingers inwards.
Fibromyalgia
Long-term muscle pain and fatigue most commonly diagnosed in women aged 30 to 45 years.
Gout (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A common and painful form of arthritis, most often affecting the big toe.
Herniated Disc
Spinal disks rupture and bulge, putting pressure on nerves causing pain.
Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)
Muscle, joint, tendon or nerve pain/discomfort related to repetitive activities.
Osteoarthritis (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
The most common form or arthritis, causing cartilage breakdown in the joints.
Osteoporosis (Symptoms, treatment, prevention)
A disease that weakens the bones, increasing the risk of fracture.
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spur Syndrome)
Inflammation of tough fibrous tissue running along the sole of the foot, leading to heel pain.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
An arthritic condition characterised by severe pain and stiffness in various muscles.
Polymyositis
A rare inflammatory muscle disease that causes weakness and pain in various parts of the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A condition that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints.
Sciatica (symptoms, pain relief, treatment, prevention)
Pain associated with the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower spine to the lower legs.
Tennis elbow
A condition caused by repetitive activities that place strain on the forearm muscles.
Total hip joint replacement surgery
Replacement of the hip joint with an artificial joint following arthritis or fracture.
Total knee joint replacement surgery
Replacing a knee joint impaired by arthritis or wear-and-tear with an artificial joint.
Skin conditions Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common yet least dangerous type of skin cancer.
Cellulitis (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue.
Chickenpox (symptoms, treatment, vaccination)
A common and highly infectious viral disease.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Symptoms and Treatment
Atopic Dermatitis causes skin to become itchy, red, swollen and painful.
Keratosis pilaris
A skin condition characterised by numerous small, rough bumps on the skin.
Melanoma Skin Cancer (signs, symptoms, prevention)
A serious form of skin cancer that kills 300 New Zealanders each year.
Rosacea
A skin condition commonly characterised by a red facial rash.
Shingles (symptoms, causes, treatment, vaccination)
A viral infection that causes a painful skin rash.
Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease)
A common childhood viral infection with a characteristic red facial rash.
Miscellaneous medical conditions Bee and Wasp Sting Allergies
From mild pain and swelling to more serious anaphylactic reactions.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (Tapanui flu)
A condition characterised by long-term debilitating fatigue that may affect up to 20,000 New Zealanders.
Depression (Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
Characterised by feeling "down" along with other signs or symptoms.
Diabetes (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment)
A disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose which contributes to long term complications.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
Reaction to common allergens in the environment such as pollen, dust mites, mould or animals.
Hypothyroidism
The insufficient production of hormones that regulate growth, development and metabolism.
Kleine Levin Syndrome
A rare sleep disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep and altered behaviour.
Narcolepsy
Uncontrollable and sudden daytime sleep attacks.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
A condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep.
Sinusitis
The inflammation of the lining of one or more of the nasal sinuses, most often caused by infection.
Snoring (causes, remedies, surgery)
The sound made by the throat or nose vibrating when air passes through narrowed airways.
Stress (causes, symptoms, diagnosis)
The physical or emotional response to pressures which can have health impacts.
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