Donna Fleming

Decrease your likelihood of having a stroke by avoiding these common causes.

Keeping calm in the face of a cancer diagnosis is no easy feat – here are some tips. Get the facts Hearing that you have cancer is overwhelming, and you may be so stunned that the information your doctor gives you goes in one ear and out the other. If you can, take someone close […]

When Stephanie van Heuven got a phone call to say her name had been put forward to meet Kate, William and George, she thought she was being pranked. The mum-of-one from Wellington hung up the phone after the call from Plunket and thought, “Hang on a minute – was that real?” “I was a bit […]

There are many ways to ease the crippling effects of depression.

Research shows even small tiffs can adversely affect kids’ brain development.

Plus-size model Michelle Williamson believes keeping it real is the future of fashion.

It’s hard being a parent – and even harder being a stepparent. Here are some tips on how to make taking on your partner’s children easier. Don’t try too hard Many stepparents are so keen for things to work out that they come on too strong. Trying to win over the child by being a […]

Probiotics and fermented or aged foods, such as pickles, sauerkraut and blue cheese, may help prevent diabetes. Researchers at Cambridge University say that aged foods could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25% over 11 years. When certain foods are left to ferment, ‘good’ bacteria and yeast that occur naturally break down […]

As well as being unwanted, excess hair may indicate a bigger health issue.

The key to getting a good night’s sleep could be as simple as eating a handful of nuts and drinking a glass of milk just before bedtime. US scientists who studied the diets and sleep patterns of more than 4500 people found that certain minerals and acids in food and drink can help us to […]

Make food your friend and lose weight the healthy way.

Keep a happy household by banishing dust mites.

What you do for a living can have a huge impact on your health. Not only do many jobs present physical dangers, but they can also be stressful, which can in turn affect your wellbeing. Stress can play a part in a variety of conditions. According to a recent US survey, the most stressful jobs […]

Be aware that what you eat may alter your medication.

Sharpen your survival skills in case disaster strikes.

Often children have just the right approach to life.

Research proves the benefits of having a significant other.

Stick to your weight-loss plan by making the right food choices.

For many families, the beginning of the new school year means a return to morning mayhem. Getting the kids ready and out of the house can leave you extremely stressed – but it doesn’t have to be that way. A few simple changes can make a big difference. And if they become part of a […]

Tradition rules when it comes to giving monikers.

Be motivated to get fit with these eight health benefits.

Cutting down on “bad” cholesterol food could prove a simple way to beat Alzheimer’s disease. Raised levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol not only contribute to heart disease but Alzheimer’s. Foods containing LDL cholesterol include: • Fatty processed meat products, such as sausages, salami and deep-fried fast foods • Commercially prepared baked goods, such as processed […]

After an emotional and unexpected exit from Shortland Street, the Kiwi actress prepares for her biggest challenge yet.

Avoid pregnancy-related faux pas with this helpful guide.

Medical experts claim our daily intake could be too high.

Forget about willpower – the key to losing weight is being organised. Planning ahead so that you’re not tempted to eat unhealthy foods is the best way of shedding unwanted kilos, according to researchers at the University Institute of Lisbon in Portugal. They have found that most of us understand we should be filling up […]

Being nice to others can have far-reaching results.

Refine your diet and you’ll be happier inside and out.

Getting asperger’s syndrome diagnosed can be a relief.

Give up smoking and you’ll feel better, reduce your health risks and save money.

Strengthen the ties that keep us together – and have fun!

Set realistic resolutions and you’ll see effective results.

Don’t let your kids get the better of you this christmas.

If there’s one snack food you should be eating at all those Christmas events, it’s nuts. They’re high in calories so that means you need to munch them in moderation, but it’s a good idea to include them in your diet. New research has shown that people who regularly snack on peanuts, Brazil nuts and […]

It may not be on their Christmas wish list, but this year many women will find they get something unexpected – pregnant. A British survey has found that as many as half of all women of child-bearing age put themselves at risk of having an unplanned pregnancy over the festive season. The study found that […]

As the newsreader swaps late nights for early mornings, she finds there’s plenty of time left for family.

We parents just can’t help ourselves. Our toddler said something hilarious, so we tweet it. We’re so proud of our teenager for passing their piano exam with flying colours that we post details on Facebook. Our Instagram account has shot after shot of our kids looking adorable and getting up to all sorts of mischief. […]

Make time for yourself to relieve the festive tension.

40 is when you’re more likely to suffer.

Here’s a good reason to catch up with your mates over Christmas and New Year: Certain parts of the brain are bigger and work better in people who have lots of friends. And the more sociable you are, the bigger the boost to your brain. This finding comes from Oxford University scientists, who asked volunteers […]

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea.

Some types of food can be especially good to eat if you’re feeling on edge.

That overwhelming feeling of being exhausted when you’ve been on a long-haul flight is due to your body clock getting out of sync, because you’ve travelled across several time zones. Jet lag appears to be worse when you go from west to east. Some ways of avoiding jet lag, or at least reducing the effects, […]

Soft drinks may be bad for our brains. A study at Sydney’s Macquarie University found long-term consumption altered hundreds of proteins in the brain. Similar changes have been seen in cancer and Alzheimer’s patients. Because fizzy drinks alter the chemistry of the brain, they should be consumed in moderation, say the researchers.

Don’t confuse thirst with hunger. Drink a glass of water when you feel hungry to see if fluids are what you’re really craving.

Spinal pain may be common, but it’s also easily prevented.

It really is possible to die of a broken heart. A study carried out by Harvard University has found that when your spouse dies, you have a 66% increased chance of dying yourself in the next three months. One theory is that people with a sick partner stop looking after their own health, and also […]

The Kiwi daredevil and bungy-jump creator faces Christmas in a wheelchair.

If your partner’s snoring drives you mad, you may want to consider hiding the salt shaker. A study currently underway in Brazil suggests a low-salt diet could help to tackle snoring. Researchers are testing the theory that eating lots of salt contributes to the condition sleep apnoea, which is one of the main causes of […]

Eating disorders among teenage boys are on the rise.

Incontinence is no laughing matter, especially when laughing makes you wet yourself. Sneezing, coughing and jumping can also lead to urine leakage, which makes life very difficult for many women. Stress urinary incontinence is very common, and happens when the pelvic muscles supporting the bladder have been damaged or weakened, often because of childbirth, gynaecological […]

The latest gadgets may make life easier, but they can also damage your health.

Women who look young for their age are more likely to live longer than those who look older than their years.

If you’re eating at a buffet, fill up on salad first. Recent research shows that people who start with healthy foods, eat 31% less than those who head straight for the starchy, deep-fried, calorie-laden offerings.

Wait until morning tea to knock back your first drink of the day.

There’s more evidence that regularly brushing your teeth may help protect against heart attacks. Scientists at Columbia University in New York have found brushing and flossing helps to stop 700 types of bacteria entering the bloodstream via your mouth. This bacteria can cause hardening of the arteries.

H... is for Hives.

Being subjected to constant noise can be enough to drive you mad, even if it is not loud enough to damage your hearing. But it’s not just annoying – it can also be bad for your health. A review published in The Lancet has found that noise can be associated with several illnesses, including heart […]

The sudden death of the love of his life and star colleague left the journalist shattered.

If getting some shuteye is becoming a challenge, take a few tips from deep sleepers.

Keep feeling in check during your teen's special time.

Five spider facts.

Tobacco effects much more than just your lungs.

Save 85 calories.

Getting kids to sleep isn't an easy feat, but there are a range of benefits to making consistent bedtimes a daily habit.

The onset of perimenopause can deliver some surprising symptoms.

Walking vigorously could be the answer to slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s later in life. Researchers have discovered a natural chemical produced by the body during exercise that helps to keep neurons in the brain healthy. This protein, which is released into the bloodstream during muscular exertion, has an impact on the part […]

Liquorice may hold the key to beating potentially deadly skin cancer. Research carried out at the University of Minnesota in the US has found that the root of the liquorice plant contains a compound that can slow down the growth of melanoma cells. Scientists are now working to develop it into a new drug that […]

Fibroids can cause major complications, so see your doctor ASAP.

Try not to reward yourself with treats.

The broadcasting legend found himself lost in the wonder of Waiheke.

Improving your wellbeing starts with a few easy steps.

Symptom alert.

She's suffered from morning sickness and hospitalisation, but the news reader still can't wait for her second child.

It's thought about 130,000 Kiwi woman and girls have this condition.

Down size your dinner plates.

Thrown together by a shared love for laughs, this comedy duo are more than just co-stars.

Don't let chronic joint inflammation slow you down.

A modern-day christening can take many forms.

Doctors told the 30 year old there was nothing to worry about - but Lisa Baker knew better.

Aloe Vera is packed full of nutrients that have all sorts of health benefits.

For years we've been told to eat our 5+ a day of fruit and vege, but now the bar has moved.

Move around whenever you can. Studies show people who fidget a lot tend to be skinnier than people who sit for long periods. at work, walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing. at home, walk around during tv ads.

This is especially common in people over 50.

The Paralympic swimming superstar opens up for the first time about her father's guilt over the accident that changed her life.

A mother and her precious baby's awe-inspiring courage.

Being the enforcer may not feel great, but here are seven ways your discipline is beneficial.

A swig of sea water may benefit you.

Try grabbing a skipping rope every time your'e craving a sweet or fatty snack.

Notice cancer warning signs before it's to late.

Eat more slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to get the message from your stomach that it is full, and if you eat quickly, you’ll consume more than you would if you slowed down. Put your knife and fork down between each bite, chew your food and wait five seconds after finishing one […]

This skin condition is common and also potentially serious.

How to get arms like Minnie Drivers.

What to do when grown-up offspring come home to roost

Keeping active for just 38 minutes a day can reduce the risk of cancer in the womb by half!

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of bone spurs

Don't ignore the warning signs of osteoporosis

Keep a diary of everything you eat and drink. Research shows that people who write down what they consume while trying to shed kilos, lose twice as much weight as those who don’t keep notes.

A sudden brain haemorrhage took the Milne family on a terrifying journey - but the life today is a real blessing

A second marriage can be hard on the kids, so it's important to strike a balance