Latest from Your Health

'Peak' drinking age revealed

Binge drinking in men peaks at 25 before every day boozing starts later in life, says study. Similar patterns were found in women, but with less dramatic results.

The diet 'better than exercise'

A Mediterranean diet is more protective against heart disease than exercise, a new study has revealed.

Spider venom could stop pain - research

Spider venom may contain a long-sought secret ingredient for an effective, long-term painkiller, Australian researchers say.

Hidden illness drives loved ones apart

A little-known condition called cachexia, which affects people with life-threatening conditions, can cause avoidable misery and strife.

Nuts can reduce risk of heart disease death - study

The next time you reach for a snack, you may want to make it a handful of nuts because research shows they can reduce your risk of death from heart disease.

Training opens water to everyone

The freedom of diving is no longer restricted to able-bodied people, writes Sarah Ell.

Caught up in the cult of busy?

We work shorter days than ever, spend less time on household chores and more time on social media —so why are we are all so busy and why do we brag about it? Rebecca Barry Hill looks at the busy-ness trap and how we can escape from it.

Secret health benefits of sunshine

Summer sunshine makes most of us feel better, but there may be more to the benefits than just feeling good.

Sleep gets harder as we age

Getting a good night’s sleep can be challenging, especially as we age. About half of all older adults report sleeping difficulties.

Steve Braunias: Man on fire

A couple of close calls prove life is a series of tests, writes Steve Braunias.

A brief history of the sun

Inspired by one of the best New Zealand summers on record, Alan Perrott tells a brief history of the sun, from the time Kiwis were banned from the beach, to women-only mornings at local swimming pools, and the Sunshine League’s ‘rules for sunbathing’.

When can you start having sex after a heart attack?

Once a patient has made it through a heart attack and begins to recover, they get advice from their doctors on what to do to stay healthy and get back to normal.

Who'd prioritise an animal over a child?

A British dad launched a series of controversial ads, after a campaign for a dogs' home raised more money than one for a disease slowly killing his son.

Baby blip officially over

NZ's fertility rate has dropped below two births per woman for the first time in a decade, officially ending a "baby blip" that peaked in 2008.

Bad news ladies, menopause lasts longer

Women going through the menopause may suffer hot flushes for as long as 14 years, warn researchers.

10 ways to drop a clothes size

Want to drop a dress or pants size? Then losing five kilograms, or about 5 per cent of your body weight will help that zipper start to close with ease.

Diet link to problems during gestation

Is there a link between certain diets and pregnancy complications?

Postnatal depression affects dads as well - study

The condition is usually associated with women but a new study has found one in 10 new dads are affected by postnatal depression.