Respiratory system

Your respiratory system brings oxygen into your body and helps to remove carbon dioxide. Learn more about how it functions and how to keep it healthy.

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Circulatory system

The circulatory system includes the blood, heart and blood vessels. It moves oxygen and nutrients around the body and removes carbon dioxide to help keep your body cells healthy.

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Calcium

Calcium strengthens bones, helps prevent osteoporosis and more. Find out how much you need for your age and how to find good sources of calcium.

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Calcium blood test

A calcium test indicates how much calcium is in your blood. Find out how this test helps doctors diagnose or monitor and treat your illness.

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Red blood cells

Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body and transport carbon dioxide to your lungs. Learn more about how your red blood cells work.

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Calcium channel blockers (CCB)

Find out what the most common types of calcium channel blockers are used for, how they work and any side effects associated with taking them.

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Dairy foods

Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are rich sources of many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which is essential to bone health.

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Parathyroid glands

Your parathyroid glands are small glands that are found in your neck and make parathyroid hormone (PTH). Find out more about PTH here.

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Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroid glands can become overactive, causing an increase in the level of calcium in your blood. Surgery to remove any affected glands is the only reliable way to prevent long-term problems.

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Blood pressure medication

Blood pressure medicines ('antihypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics help manage high blood pressure.

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Osteoporosis medicines

Osteoporosis medicines include bisphosphonates, denosumab and hormonal treatments. Calcium, vitamin D and exercise are also important.

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Osteopenia

If you have osteopenia, your bones are weaker than normal. Osteopenia is less severe than osteoporosis but you need to take care if you're at risk.

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Rickets

Rickets is a bone disease that can affect children with lack of vitamin D. Find out about the symptoms and treatments for rickets.

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Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, or milk sugar. Learn more about treatment, symptoms and tests for lactose intolerance.

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Vegetarian and vegan diets

It's easy to be healthy on a vegetarian diet if you include plant-based foods from the 5 food groups. But a vegan diet requires extra care.

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How to build the perfect kids' lunch box

Children consume about 30% of their food at school, so a healthy lunch is important for good nutrition. Preparing the perfect lunch box is easier than you might think.

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Healthy bones

From your 40s onwards, bones gradually lose their density. Follow these steps to help keep your bones healthy and avoid osteoporosis.

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Blood tests A-Z

From the fasting blood glucose test to the prostate (PSA) test, there are many kinds of blood tests. Browse the index and learn how to prepare for your test.

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A balanced diet

It's important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage.

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Healthy eating over 60

As your body changes over time, so do your nutritional needs. Here's how to get enough fibre, vitamins, minerals and more in your diet as you age.

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Blood and blood vessels

Blood flows through blood vessels to carry oxygen, nutrients and waste around the body. Find out about different types of vessels and role of blood.

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Lithium

Lithium is a mood-stabilising medicine used to treat some mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. Learn about the risks and benefits of this mood-stabilising medication.

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Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma develops when plasma cells build up abnormally in your bone marrow. Currently there's no cure but treatment is available.

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Vitamins and minerals explained

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the healthy functioning of our bodies. A balanced diet with a variety of foods will meet most of your needs.

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Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is the removal of part or all of your thyroid gland. It’s used to treat an enlarged or overactive thyroid gland or thyroid cancer.

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Vitamin D and your health

Vitamin D is important for our health. Read about sources of vitamin D – sunlight and foods – and what happens if we don’t get enough vitamin D.

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Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease is a condition that weakens and deforms your bones. Read more information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

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Should I be tested for heart disease?

Understanding heart disease risk can help you reduce your risk and protect your heart. Find out more about heart disease risk and heart disease tests.

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Kidney stones

Kidney stones are also known as urolithiasis. This is a common problem of the urinary system. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

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Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

ACE inhibitors and ARBs are commonly taken for hypertension. They work by relaxing your blood vessels. You shouldn’t take ACE inhibitors and ARBs together.

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