A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get a few days off from work for the first time since the pandemic started. A quick trip up the East Coast, accommodation sorted, kids packed up ready for fun, weather not so good but we were all in good spirits. …
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 …
Council elections are upon us with lots of talk about what should be done to improve health services within the Huon Valley, with a lot of focus on the access to General Practitioners (GPs) in Geeveston and Dover. I believe there is a lot of misinformation in the community about …
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, …
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that plays a very important role in your body. Cholesterol is used to build cell membranes and make hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen and adrenal hormones. Cholesterol is also important for the production of vitamin D and also for producing bile acids that help the …
Over the last couple of months, we have been bombarded with campaigns and policies that have been focusing on health, pinpointing issues such as lack of GPs in rural and regional areas, bed block in public hospital systems and the lack of timely access to specialists and medical services. These …
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 …
The spread of the Covid-19 virus is approaching its zenith and the spectre of the influenza season is upon us. For this month’s article, I will answer some frequently asked questions about the flu and Covid-19 vaccines (current at April 2022). Rules around vaccinations do change frequently so it is …
Internet breakdowns last week highlighted our high dependency on communication technology with all banks, EFTPOS machines, internet and most mobiles becoming silent and non-operational. In the pharmacy we could not access e-prescriptions, update vaccinations, receive faxed or emailed prescriptions or pretty much do anything. Everything just stopped. What did happen …
Taking or not taking your medications during pregnancy can be a risky business for both the mother and the baby. When a pregnant mother takes a medication, there is a possibility that this medicine can reach the developing baby through the placenta. Prior to prescribing medications to pregnant mothers, health …
