Being able to do CPR could save a life! Do you know how to perform CPR correctly? How to use a defibrillator? What to do in an emergency situation?

If no CPR is performed, it only takes three to four minutes for the person to become brain dead due to a lack of oxygen.

By performing CPR, you circulate the blood so it can provide oxygen to the body, and the brain and other organs stay alive while you wait for the ambulance. There is usually enough oxygen still in the blood to keep the brain and other organs alive for a number of minutes, but it is not circulating unless someone does CPR. CPR does not guarantee that the person will survive, but it does give that person a chance when otherwise there would have been none.

CPR is a life saving skill that everyone should learn. You should update your knowledge annually to make sure you’re confident at performing CPR, which in an emergency could save a life.

This information is not substitute for proper CPR training by an accredited organisation. Visit St John’s Ambulance website to find course locations.

It is now summer and the warmer weather means we will be spending more time outdoors, it is important to be sun-safe!

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. In 2013, more than 2,200 Australians died from this almost entirely preventable disease.

The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to UV radiation. This is produced by the sun, but it can also come from other sources, such as solariums (sun beds). While these are now banned in Australia, people who used a solarium before age 35 have an almost 60% greater risk of melanoma.

Most parts of Australia have high levels of UV radiation all year round. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt and it is not related to temperature, but it can cause:

• sunburn
• premature skin ageing
• damage to skin cells, which leads to skin cancer.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is by using sun protection measures. Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide to protect your skin from overexposure to the sun and sun damage.

For more information visit the cancer council website.

At least one-quarter of adults have high blood pressure. More than half of them are over 60, but many are younger. Could you be one of them?

High blood pressure can increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack. There are many things you can do to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk!

Exercise is recommended 30 minutes per day. This can be what ever you enjoy, walking, cycling, swimming. If you experience discomfort or pain during exercise, speak to your doctor about ways to manage this. You don’t need to do 30 minutes of exercise all in one go, you can break it up throughout the day into two or three separate 10 – 15 minute sessions.

Eating a Healthy Diet including high-fibre foods, fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and pleanty of water.

 Limit your salt, alcohol, sugar and saturated fat intake.

Weight Loss losing 5-10% of your current body weight will help improve your blood pressure.

Quit Smoking Although smoking doesn’t cause high blood pressure, it raises the risk of heart disease. Stopping smoking reduces this risk, and is especially important if you have high blood pressure.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommends that you regularly review with your doctor or specialist any medications you are taking for high blood pressure or high cholesterol to assess the ongoing benefits and risks.

Call our reception to make an appointment on 8038 1070 to discuss your blood pressure with your doctor today!

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency or Alpha-1 is a genetic (inherited) condition that may result in serious, chronic lung and/or liver disease at various ages in life (children and adults). Disease is caused by an abnormal alpha1 protein that is mainly produced by the liver.

Although Alpha-1 is one of the most common genetic disorders in the world, it is often misdiagnosed. Many times patients are told they have asthma, bronchitis, symptoms related to stress, emphysema caused by smoking, or simply chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of unknown cause.

The most common indicators of Alpha-1 include shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and abnormal liver test results. If you have any of these symptoms there is a simple blood test that can detect alpha-1 antitrypsin levels.

Despite treatments, including protein replacement, adults may require a lung transplant due to severe emphysema.

Visit the Alpha-1 website for more information and find out ways you can help raise awareness of Alpha-1!

The global World AIDS Day theme for this year continues on from last year’s theme: Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths.

The aim of World AIDS Day is to encourage all Australians to be aware of HIV; to take action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting safe sex practices; and to ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination.

As a community and as individuals, there is a lot we can do in relation to HIV. Working in partnership with people living with HIV, we can encourage others to understand how the virus is transmitted. We can support people to access testing and treatment, as we know that getting treatment at the early stages of infection results in better health outcomes. We can raise awareness that HIV positive people have the right to participate in a community free from stigma and discrimination.

Show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support.

For more information, visit World Aids Day.

There are several different types of eating disorder, the most common being anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that all involve an unhealthy relationship with food and eating, and often an intense fear of being overweight.

If you have an eating disorder you may experience one or more of the following:

• You have a preoccupation and concern about food and gaining weight.
• You would like to lose weight even though friends or family worry that you are underweight.
• You let people around you think you have eaten when you haven’t.
• You’re secretive about your eating habits because you know they’re unhealthy.
• Eating makes you feel anxious, upset or guilty.
• You make yourself vomit or use laxatives in order to lose weight.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of background. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa occur in about 0.5% of girls and young women in developed societies. Of all people with anorexia nervosa, 1 in 10 is male, with young males being most commonly affected.

If you are concerned about a friend or family member, it can be difficult to know what to do. It is common for someone with an eating disorder to be secretive and defensive about their eating and their weight, and they are likely to deny being unwell.

You can talk in confidence to your GP by making an appointment  online or phoning 8038 1070, visit the Butterfly Foundation for more information.

A fever is a temperature of over 38 °C or higher. Fevers are quite common in young children and are usually mild.