The latest Jean Hailes national magazine summer 2008/09 edition is out, featuring important health issues relevant to the health and wellbeing of Australian women.

With a range of health practitioners, medical researchers and health educators, the Foundation is leading the way in improving women’s health in Australia.

Features in the latest edition focus on what’s going on for a woman on the inside, including:

Anxiety, phobias and panic attacks: are your fears holding you back?

One in four people will experience an anxiety disorder at some point. While we may all feel anxious or fearful at times, sometimes these feelings become overwhelming and distressing, interfering in daily life. Psychologist Gillian Needleman believes that many people think that high anxiety is normal. “Unfortunately this often means that they don’t seek professional help where a lot could be done to ease their symptoms,” she says.

Periods: what’s normal and what’s not – for all ages

For most women, having a period is nothing more than a minor monthly discomfort, but for some women it can cause serious, and sometimes debilitating, physical and emotional issues. Period pain is more common in teenagers and women in their 20s, but can occur in older women as well. Foundation gynaecologist Dr Elizabeth Farrell answers commonly asked questions on this topic.

What’s your gut feeling?: common digestive disorders

Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, wind … do any of these symptoms sound familiar, or make your stomach churn? Unfortunately, most people do not pay attention to their digestive system (gut) until something goes wrong. Common gut conditions can include allergies, intolerances, reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and coeliac disease. Naturopath Sandra Villella takes women through important, but often little mentioned, gut conditions, and offers tips for maintaining a healthy gut.

Media

To interview a Foundation expert – or for a copy of our latest magazine – please call Aleeza Zohar on (03) 9562 6771 or 0425 758 729.

www.jeanhailes.org.au

Content Updated November 19, 2008