Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can be a painful and uncomfortable condition, but with early diagnosis, prevention strategies, and appropriate treatment, its impact can be minimised. The characteristic symptom of shingles is a …
As we grow older, it’s natural to become concerned about our cognitive health. Dementia is a condition many of my patients are concerned about. However, it’s essential to recognise that occasional forgetfulness is a common part of aging, and there are various reasons why we may experience memory lapses that …
Many people have no doubt heard about the protests of pharmacists against the federal government and the stripping of funding from community pharmacy. This culminated in scenes within Parliament House in Canberra last Monday where there was uproar as the attending pharmacists peacefully left the public gallery in protest. Personally, …
COVID-19 is here with us to stay for some time. As a community we have endured isolation, lockdowns, reduced access to services, supply problems, mask mandates and a seemingly continual conga line of vaccinations. Methods have been introduced to reduce the impacts and risks of COVID-19 including vaccination, mask mandates, …
Having a few (or more) extra pounds around the waist heightens the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and at least 13 types of cancer including breast and colon cancer. One of the most common causes of weight gain is chronic stress. Stress triggers a cascade of physical and …
‘Tis the season for coughing as winter takes its toll. Patients have been flocking to pharmacies across Tasmania looking for the treatment to stop the incessant coughing during and following a cold. Though coughing is a very annoying symptom for patients and close family members alike, this symptom is a …
Over the years working as a pharmacist, I have met and helped many patients seek treatment for anxiety disorders. About 25 per cent of people seek treatment for anxiety at some time throughout their lives. Within the Huon Valley, I have noticed many men are reluctant to seek treatment for …
Bone strength decreases as we age due to the loss of minerals, mainly calcium. The loss of bone strength increases the risk of fractures, causing long term complications and at times death. The disease is osteoporosis and affects over one million people in Australia with another six million people suffering …
Often, I get asked what can be done to help reduce the risk of heart disease. It all does sound a bit boring but it all comes down to a number of things that health care professionals and the media mention frequently. Heart disease is a leading cause of death …
There has been a lot of talk and media coverage concerning artificial intelligence (Al) with the recent launch of ChatGPT, which is a sophisticated language processing system that can understand and respond to language, taking into account context and providing coherent answers. As information and knowledge is the corner-stone of …
