Health Hunter AU

22/08/2026

The hidden cost of waiting isn't just medical, it's personal.

Dr Sarah Farrell breaks down why delayed diagnosis in women’s health takes such a heavy toll. From structural impacts like endometriosis adhesions to unrecognised hormonal depression, putting off answers costs lives, careers, relationships, and financial stability.

What Dr Sarah highlights:
- Endometriosis & Chronic Pain: Unaddressed symptoms can lead to severe adhesions and daily, debilitating pain.
- Hormonal Mental Health: Unrecognised hormonal depression risks severe isolation, job loss, and heavy financial burdens.
- Proactive Preconception Care: Working with practitioners early ensures your body is fully supported before trying to conceive.

Don't wait for symptoms to disrupt your life. Tap the link: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01hJQ70 to watch the full interview or connect with a proactive practitioner on Health Hunter.

21/08/2026

Living with chronic pain can be one of the most isolating experiences, even when you're surrounded by people who love and support you. It's hard for others to fully picture what day to day life with persistent pain actually involves.

This is part of why group based pain programs have become such a well established part of pain management in Australia. Around one in five Australians aged 45 and over live with ongoing pain, and almost 45 per cent of people living with chronic pain also experience depression or anxiety. Despite this, access to multidisciplinary pain care remains limited.

Chronic pain is now understood through what's called the biopsychosocial model, shaped not just by physical factors but by mood, stress, beliefs about pain and the support a person has around them. Group programs bring something individual therapy alone can't fully replicate. Simply being in a room with others who understand persistent pain without needing to explain or justify it is, for many people, part of the therapeutic value in itself.

Understanding Persistent Pain is a 4 week psychology group for adults living with persistent pain, led by Sally Christopherson, Registered Psychologist, at CK Health and Wellbeing. It combines contemporary pain science with practical psychological strategies to help participants understand pain, calm the nervous system and reconnect with life.

This group may be a good fit if you've been living with pain for more than three months, feel like you've tried everything but are still struggling, or feel frustrated, misunderstood or limited by pain.

Sally explores the psychology behind group pain programs further on Health Hunter, https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01hF6L0.

19/08/2026

As parents, it's natural to focus on what we can see, meltdowns, poor concentration, tummy troubles, fussy eating or trouble sleeping. These behaviours are challenging, and while they can seem unrelated, they're sometimes clues to something deeper going on in a child's developing body and brain.

At least 1 in 40 Australians are on the autism spectrum, and ADHD affects an estimated 6 to 10 per cent of Australian children and adolescents. Digestive symptoms like constipation, bloating and abdominal pain are more common in children with neurodevelopmental conditions than in the general paediatric population, and they can affect comfort, sleep, mood and everyday participation.

The gut and brain are constantly communicating through what's known as the gut brain axis, a network involving the nervous system, immune system, hormones and the gut microbiome. Stress can affect digestion, digestive discomfort can affect sleep, and poor sleep can in turn affect behaviour. Rather than viewing these as separate problems, understanding how they interact can offer real insight into a child's overall health.

Every child is different. Two children with the same diagnosis can have completely different symptoms, nutritional needs and gut health, which is why a one size fits all approach rarely works.

Amanda Downsborough, Functional Medicine Practitioner and founder of Brain Kids, works with families to explore these interconnected factors and build personalised, evidence informed strategies that complement conventional medical care, particularly for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

If your child's behaviour, sleep or digestion has left you with more questions than answers, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture rather than each symptom in isolation. Amanda explores this further on Health Hunter, https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01hF4d0

18/08/2026

Perimenopause doesn’t wait for a convenient time.

Dr Sarah from Sydney Women's Wellness tackles the generational stigma that you just have to "tough it out." Navigating hormonal shifts in your 40s and 50s, while juggling peak careers, raising kids, or transitioning from IVF, deserves real support, not silence.

Signs to look out for:
- Sleep disruptions, night sweats, and hot flushes
- Brain fog, sudden mood shifts, or heightened anxiety
- Irregular timing, lighter/heavier flow, or skipped periods

Why early action matters:
- Break the Silence: You don't have to suffer just because past generations didn't talk about it.
- Your Symptoms are Valid: Asking for medical support is proactive, especially when life is full-on.
- Protect Your Wellbeing: Practitioner-led guidance helps safeguard your long-term energy and health.

Watch the full interview with Dr Sarah Farrell here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01hKFD0

Tap the link in our bio to find a supportive practitioner on Health Hunter.

17/08/2026

Meet Andy Finestone OAM, experienced Physiotherapist, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Health Coach!

With a strong foundation in physiotherapy and professional coaching, Andy specializes in helping individuals move from "I should change" to sustainable, long-term health habits. Whether you struggle to maintain a consistent exercise routine, manage daily stress, or navigate perimenopause and lifestyle changes, Andy offers practical, personalized guidance to help you feel back in control of your health and wellbeing.

Andy is available for consultations in-clinic in Caulfield, Melbourne (VIC), as well as online via Telehealth.

Find out more or book a session with Andy Finestone OAM via the link: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01gn4k0

14/08/2026

Meet Dr Darren Webb, Health Coach and founder of Precision Health Coaching!

Dr Darren offers a personalized, data-driven approach designed to help you unlock your true health and wellness potential. By leveraging AI technology and deep learning alongside epigenetic HealthType identification, he provides tailored insights to drive positive, lasting behavior change. Whether you're looking to optimize your nutrition, manage stress and weight, or improve overall physical wellbeing, Dr Darren combines cutting-edge health technology with expert coaching to help you achieve your goals.

Dr Darren is available for appointments in-clinic in Perth (WA) as well as online via Telehealth.

Find out more or book a session with Dr Darren Webb via the link: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01h2bf0

12/08/2026

Awareness of ADHD in women is growing, particularly around how symptoms present during perimenopause and menopause.

ADHD in women often looks different to the presentation seen in men. Rather than externalised hyperactivity, women more commonly experience inattention, distractibility and emotional dysregulation, symptoms that are frequently misattributed to stress or anxiety.

Declining oestrogen during midlife adds another layer. Oestrogen plays a role in modulating dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for planning, focus and working memory. As oestrogen drops, dopaminergic signalling can become less stable, which may explain why some women notice worsening memory, concentration and emotional regulation for the first time in their 40s and 50s, or find their existing ADHD medication less effective.

Clinical cases have also shown stimulant medication improving cognitive symptoms in perimenopausal women, even without a formal ADHD diagnosis, pointing to a genuine hormonal link worth understanding.

For practitioners and patients alike, recognising this overlap matters. Without it, women are sometimes misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression, delaying more effective support.

Dr Kafayat Lee explores the clinical presentation and management approaches in full on Health Hunter.
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01fTqt0

Sources: Antoniou et al., 2021; Jacobs & D'Esposito, 2011; Australasian Menopause Society, 2015

On Health Hunter you can search by your chronic or preventative health concern and be matched with a practitioner in your location. Plus health apps and services related to your condition.

10/08/2026

Meet Rohan Smith, Functional Medicine Practitioner.

Rohan brings over 13 years of clinical experience, focusing on uncovering and treating the root causes of chronic and complex health issues rather than simply managing symptoms. He has a particular interest in gut health, utilising advanced functional testing such as stool and microbiome analysis, to address bloating, digestive irregularities, food sensitivities, and gut-related fatigue.

Rohan is passionate about translating complex results into clear language and creating personalised, realistic treatment plans for lasting improvement.

Find out more about Rohan: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01fTyP0

10/08/2026

Perimenopause is the transitional stage leading up to menopause, and it can begin years before periods stop completely. For many women it starts in their 40s and lasts on average four to six years.

One of the biggest challenges is that perimenopause symptoms closely resemble chronic stress or burnout. Fluctuating hormones can affect mood, energy, concentration, sleep and even weight, often leaving women feeling exhausted and not quite themselves without understanding why.

Dr Jo Mackson breaks down what's actually happening and when it's worth seeking support in her latest article on Health Hunter.
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01fRSy0

Many women in their 40s and 50s find themselves feeling exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, forgetful, and unlike themselves. The demands of work, family, relationships and everyday responsibilities make it easy to assume these changes are simply the result of stress or burnout. What many women don'...

09/08/2026

If you're neurodiverse, you may have spent years being misunderstood.

Labelled anxious. Lazy. Disorganised. "Too much."

Many neurodiverse women mask so well that everything looks put-together on the outside - while they're scrambling behind the scenes just to keep up 💛

And the usual medical system doesn't always help. Bright lights. Time pressure. Ten-minute appointments. When that isn't enough for anyone, it's rarely
enough for someone who needs a little more time, and information explained in a way that actually makes sense.

You deserve care that takes the time to understand you - without judgment.

At Health Hunter, we help you find practitioners who listen, explain, and treat the whole person - neurodiversity included 🌱

Find a practitioner who gets it - https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01fkJl0.