Category Archives: Waitara Medical News

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.

Great Cycle Challenge 2019

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Great Cycle Challenge started in 2013, and after just 6 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in Australia.

People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout October to fight kids’ cancer

Why? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in Australia. Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 children die every week.

Riding and raising money is a chance to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives.

Get involved this October by signing up for the Great Cycle Challenge!!

For more information, visit:
https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/

Foot Health Month 2019

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The Foot Health Month campaign seeks to remind the public about the significance of good foot health and encourage people to seek more information about the services that podiatrists offer.

Over the years, your feet can clock up some serious kilometres, taking a significant toll on the condition of your feet. They can carry a lot of weight and keep you going throughout your day but sometimes we forget how essential it is to take care of our feet. 

Untreated foot problems cost our healthcare system millions of dollars, and can have a hugely detrimental effect on a person’s lifestyle and livelihood.

Around 40 percent of Australian will experience some form of foot problems in their lifetime.

Get involved this October by:

  • Taking care of your feet
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Informing family and friends

For more information, visit:
www.apodc.com.au/

Dementia Awareness Month 2019

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Dementia Awareness Month is Dementia Australia’s national awareness-raising campaign held every year throughout September.

Its aim is to encourage all Australians to become more aware of dementia, to get a better understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and how we can support people living with dementia.

There are many small actions people can take to create a big difference for people impacted by dementia, their families and carers.

“Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians contributing to 5.4% of all deaths in males and 10.6% of all deaths in females each year”

Get involved this September by:

  • Organising your own fundraiser
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit:
https://www.dementia.org.au/nsw/dementia-awareness-month

Liptember 2019

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Liptember is a campaign  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s mental health whilst informing the community of specific women’s mental health research and support programs.

“One in three Australian women will suffer depression or anxiety during their lifetime.”

“Postnatal depression affects 15% of women within the first year after childbirth.”

Get involved this September by:

  • Purchasing a Liptember lipstick from a participating store
  • Volunteering with the foundation
  • Organising your own fundraiser
  • Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.liptember.com.au/

Big Heart Appeal 2019

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The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease.

As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.

The Big Heart Appeal is one such opportunity for the community to realise the overwhelming spread of cardiovascular diseases and make a contribution to the Heart Foundation to ensure that they continue their work into such important research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia, with one Australian dying every 12 minutes. 

Get involved this September by:

  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Donate to the foundation
  • Organise a fundraiser
  • Informing the community of the benefits of eating healthier

For more information, visit:
http://www.bigheartappeal.org/index.html

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2019

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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved and help create awareness and raise the much needed funds to help in the fight against prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia with 20,000 diagnosis and close to 3,500 deaths each year.”

All men over 50 – or over 40 are encouraged –  if you have a family history – to talk with your GP about your prostate health.

Become a part this September by:

  • Volunteering with the foundation
  • Donating
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Informing the community

For more information, visit:
https://www.prostate.org.au/get-checked/

Dystonia Awareness Month 2019

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Dystonia awareness month is designed to inform the community of the spreading condition and urge the community to join in helping those which are affected. Dystonia is a Neurological Movement Condition which affects adults and children. It can affect any part of the body and causes muscles to contract or spasm. This may cause pain, tremors, twisting and other uncontrollable movements.

Currently there is no cure. 

“Research from the United States indicates that dystonia is as common as multiple sclerosis in certain areas of the world including parts of the Australia.”

To get involved this September:

  • Inform the community
  • Raise awareness on social media
  • Organise a fundraiser
  • Donate to the foundation

For more information, visit:
https://www.dystonia.org.au/

National Stroke Week 2019

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This year Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians who recognise the F.A.S.T signs of stroke to call an ambulance, thereby potentially saving a life. They are F.A.S.T. Heroes.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

There are some risk factors for stroke which can’t be prevented like age, family history and prior stroke. If you’re male, your risk is also higher.

There are two ways to approach this: first by talking to your doctor and secondly by taking ownership of your own health

Fight stroke this September by:

  • Volunteering
  • Donating to the foundation
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Organising a fundraiser
  • But MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking charge of your own health

For more information, visit:
https://strokefoundation.org.au/How-you-can-help/Stroke-week

National Asthma Week 2019

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This Asthma Week is about busting the myths by stating the facts.

Asthma is a condition that affects most Australians, 2/3rds in fact! Despite this, there are many misconceptions about this chronic disease.

We want everyone in the community to know about asthma, good asthma control and prevention. 

We want everyone in the community to be empowered to take steps to prevent and treat their asthma and to educate others. 

Get involved this Asthma week to bust the myths by:

  • Getting involved in your community events
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Informing the community

For more information visit:
https://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/nsw/about-asthma/resources/asthma-week

Gold Bow Day 2019

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in thyroid cancer and gives support to thyroid cancer patients undergoing Radio-Active Iodine Treatment.

The two loops of the ATF Gold Bow symbolise the Thyroid Gland, one gland on either side of the neck. The Gold colour symbolises that your Thyroid Gland is more valuable to you than Gold!

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in Thyroid Cancer, with the most recent research from 2008 stating, thyroid cancer had increased by 84% in women and 40% in men over the previous 10 years.

Wear your Gold Bow, the symbol of The Australian Thyroid Foundation with pride. Funds raised from the sale of Gold Bows goes towards supporting the work of The Australian Thyroid Foundation.

Get involved this September by:

  • Wearing your gold bow
  • Donating to the foundation
  • Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/Australian-Thyroid-Foundation-Awareness-Events