Join Alzheimer’s Australia to raise awareness about dementia this September!

More than 353,800 people are living with dementia and 1.2 million people in Australia care for someone with dementia.  The theme for 2016 is “you are not alone”.

The purpose of Dementia Awareness Month is to encourage Australians to become dementia-aware, have a better understanding of what it is like for a person to live with dementia, and ultimately be encouraged to create communities where people with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with meaning, purpose and value.

For more information, and to find out about local campaigns visit the Alzheimer’s Australia Website.  If you are a carer or are living with dementia, make an appointment with your GP for advice and support.

It is the second most common genetic disorder in Australia affecting 1 in 2000 people.

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a gene mutation in your DNA and is associated with cleft palates, congential heart disease and many other disorders, up to 180 disorders can be linked to VCFS! Which can affect nearly every organ system in the body with broad reaching effects on development and behavior, including speech, language, personality, mood, learning, attention, and temperament.

The abnormality is detected through genetic testing and can be done on adults or for the baby during pregnancy.

For more information visit the VCFS Foundation Website.

Daffodil Day is one of Australia’s best known and most popular fundraising events. This year it is held on the 26th of August.

You can help beat cancer by wearing a daffodil pin this Daffodil Day, and joining the fundraising efforts.

Daffodil Day merchandise is on sale throughout July and August, but you can donate to Daffodil Day at any time.

The vibrant yellow daffodil represents hope and a continuing fight against cancer. You too, can help in the fight against cancer by wearing a Cancer Council pin this Daffodil Day. Who will you wear one for?

You can dedicate a daffodil to someone you know through the Cancer Council website.

Be Medicinewise Week is an annual, national awareness week that promotes the safer and wiser use of medicines. This year, Be Medicinewise Week will be held 22–28 August 2016.

This year, we will be encouraging Australians to take charge of their health by being medicinewise, and raising awareness on the importance of having conversations about medicines. The campaign is encouraging people to:

• Ask the right questions
• Ask the right people
• Follow the right advice

To be medicinewise you should ask questions to make sure you fully understand everything about the medications you are taking;

1. what is the medicine for?
2. what is the active ingredient?
3. how do I take or use this medicine correctly?
4. what are the possible side effects, and what can I do about them?
5. what should or shouldn’t I do when taking this medication?

Remember to check the expiry dates of your medications, taking expired medication can be harmful or not give you the intended effect. You can these to your pharmacy, where they will be correctly destroyed – don’t throw medications in the rubbish or toilet!

You can make an appointment with our GP’s to discuss and review your medications, call 8038 1070 or book online.

Visit the NPS Medicinewise website for more information.

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently?

Do you know if you’re at risk of high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force your blood travels through your arteries in your body. High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, such as;

• stress
• age
• being overweight
• unhealthy diet
• family history

Make an appointment with one of our GP’s to discuss your risk of high blood pressure and have it checked today!

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) occur when eosinophils (pronounced ee-oh-sin-oh-fills), a type of white blood cell, are found in above normal amounts within the gastrointestinal tract. The eosinophils generally attack foods (or airborne allergens) creating an allergic response and causing inflammation wherever they may gather.

People living with EGIDs often have to live with food restrictions which make it hard on physical, emotional and social levels.

There is NO CURE and one of the common treatment options patients follow is an Elimination diet which can mean removing the Top 8 common allergenic foods! This means no milk, eggs, wheat, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy or shellfish.

Visit the EOS website for more information.

Haemochromatosis is the most common inherited disorder where there is too much iron is absorbed from your food, this excess is stored in the body.

Did you know that too little iron can be bad for your health? Too much iron can also be bad for you!

Iron overload may lead to serious medical problems. The good news is that it is easily treated if detected early and is no barrier to a normal, healthy life.

If you know someone in your family has haemochromatosis, or you have been feeling tired and aching for an extended period, talk to your GP about Haemochromatosis – call 8038 1070 to make an appointment with our GP’s at Waitara Medical.

For more information about haemochromatosis, visit Haemochromatosis Australia website.

Join the Australian Dental Association in raising awareness for Dental Health this August.

Their main objectives are;

• Promote oral health education and awareness in the general community
• Motivate and educate dental professionals to promote oral health
• Encourage ongoing collaboration within the dental profession

This year Dental Health Week is focusing on the significant way that hormones can play havoc with a woman’s oral health, an especially important topic in light of a recent study that revealed that many women are unaware of the significant impact that various life stages have on the health of their teeth and gums. The reality is that major life events like pregnancy, puberty, menstruation and menopause, dramatically affect the state of a your dental health if you are a woman.

Visit Dental Health Week’s website for more information.

Wear your jeans to school or work today the 5th of August to raise awareness and support to end childhood illnesses on Jeans for Genes Day!

Every dollar raised goes to the Children’s Medical Research Institute for research into treatment and cures of childhood diseases.

To be involved, register your workplace or community, you can even sell merchandise or hold an event to collect money. More information is available on the Jeans for Genes website.

Join the Healthy Bones Week campaign this August 1 to 7 to help spread the word on the key actions needed for building and maintaining healthy bones.

2016 healthy bones week is focusing on women over 50, who are at an increased risk of fractures and injury due to osteoporosis and loss of bone density after menopause.

Healthy Bones Action Week calls on Australians of all ages to take the three actions to build and maintain healthy bones:

1. Increase daily serves of calcium through milk, cheese or yogurt;
2. Go for a walk or committing to some new form of regular exercise; and
3. Spend time outdoors to get more vitamin D.

Visit the healthy bones website for more information.