Category Archives: Medical Information

Waitara Family Medical Practice aims to keep the local community as healthy as possible. We will be posting relevant medical centre news and GP advice.

Medical Information, Waitara Medical News

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Throughout March, Epilepsy Australia is urging people around the country to end the stigma and discrimination of epilepsy and ‘GO PURPLE’, the international colour for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder which takes the form of recurring seizures.

“An estimated 65 million worldwide currently live with epilepsy – in Australia alone approximately 250,000 people live with epilepsy and one in 25 people will have epilepsy at some point in their life.”

Get involved this March by:

  • Informing family and community members about epilepsy
  • Hosting a purple day fundraiser
  • Buying merchandise which donates money to epilepsy Australia
  • Volunteering
  • Raising awareness on social media using #gopurple

 

For more details, visit: http://www.epilepsyaustralia.net/get-involved/

Medical Information, Waitara Medical News

World Glaucoma week March 5-11

Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people grow older, it can occur at any age. As our population becomes older, the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing.

World Glaucoma week is held in March each year to raise awareness about glaucoma as a potentially blinding eye disease and to stress the importance of regular optic nerve checks. This is an issue which needs to be stressed as glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

“One in eight Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma with 50% of these cases being undiagnosed”

Beat invisible Glaucoma by:

  • Informing your friends and families of the risks of Glaucoma
  • Register to hold a breakfast at com.au
  • Become a Glaucoma ambassador
  • Raise awareness on social media
  • Make a donation

For more information, visit  http://www.glaucoma.org.au

Medical Information

When it’s not a medical emergency

When you or someone you know is sick but you don’t know where you should get help from, consider these options before calling 000.

Make an appointment to see your GP, you can call reception on 8038 1070 or book online via health engine.

Call Health Direct Australia 1800 022 222

Healthdirect Australia is a 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by registered nurses to provide fast and simple expert advice on any health issue and what to do next.

Sydney Medical Service (02) 8724 6300

Bulk billed home visits after hours, weekends and public holidays

Pharmacist 

Visit your pharmacist for over the counter medications and medication advice.

Medical Information

2016 Influenza Season has arrived – get vaccinated!

downloadimages

Waitara Family Medical Practice are now offering government funded and private flu vaccines.

Vaccination is the best form of protection against the flu!

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, spreads easily from person to person through infected droplets in the air and by hands. Vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing and stopping its spread. There is no live virus in the flu shot and the composition changes every year so it is important to be vaccinated against the flu annually.

The government provides free influenza vaccines to the following eligible people;

  • People aged over 65
  • Pregnant women (safe to be given in all stages of pregnancy)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months to 5 years
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over
  • People aged 6 months or older with chronic health conditions, such as;
    • Severe asthma
    • Heart or lung disease
    • Diabetes
    • Renal failure
    • Neurological disorders (e.g. MS, seizure disorder)
    • Have an immune compromising condition (e.g. HIV)

If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, you can still get vaccinated with a private vaccine; check the cost with the practice.

If you  are interested in receiving your flu vaccination at Waitara Family Medical Practice,

You can book your appointment online by visiting www.waitaramedical.com                                                                                      or   call    Waitara Medical at 80381070
Health information, Medical Information

World Hemophilia Day

World Hemophilia Day

 

HaemophiliaThe aim is to gain awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.

1 in 1000 people globally have a bleeding disorder, but most are not diagnosed and do not get treatment.

For more information or to support this cause visit the website below.

http://www.haemophilia.org.au

If you have any concerns, see GP at Waitara Medical by making an appointment. You can book online by visiting www.waitaramedical.com or call Waitara Medical at 80381070.

Health information, Medical Information, Waitara Medical News

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Australian women.

Breast Cancer

It was estimated in 2015 that approximately 42 women were diagnosed each day.
Self-breast examination is not a substitute for Mammography or for regular examination by a health care professional.
Diagnosed early, women have a greater chance of being successfully treated.
To discuss more see one of our GP’s.
You can visit our website www.waitaramedical.com to book an appointment or call us at 02 8038 1070.

Health information, Medical Information

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Ovarian cancer

  • Raising awareness for ovarian cancer with our Teal ribbon day.
    Some signs and symptoms, which may or may not indicate ovarian cancer. If you have any of these symptoms and are concerned, make an appointment with your GP today.
  • Appetite loss or feeling full quickly.
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Indigestion or heartburn
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Abdominal/or back pain
  • Fatigue

To find out more see your GP or visit https://ovariancancer.net.au                           OR                                                   Visit www.waitaramedical.com and book your appointment with GP at Waitara Medical. You can also ring 02 8038 1070 to book an appointment with GP.

Medical Information

Pap smear

Pap smear

Are you up to date with your Pap smear Screening test?

It’s important to have a pap smear test every two years even if you have had the cervical cancer vaccine.

Regular Pap smear tests help detect and prevent cervical cancer.

Book in with one of our GP’s today.

Visit our website www.waitaramedical.com to book an appointment or call   02 8038 1070

Medical Information

Bowel Cancer

Do you know???

Bowel cancer is one of the most curable cancers,

IF CAUGHT EARLY

Bowel cancer

  • Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Australia
  • Approximately 15,000 people each year are diagnosed with Bowel cancer
  • Around 1,000 are under the age of 50
  • Bowel cancer causes more deaths than prostate or breast cancer
  • Men and women are affected almost equally by bowel cancer
  • Often, bowel cancer develops without any warning signs

So don’t wait until it’s too late, talk to your GP about Bowel cancer screening today.
You can book an appointment with a GP at www.waitaramedical.com or call  Waitara Medical 02 8038 1070 to make an appointment.