Measles, a highly infectious disease The Tasmania Government recently announced that a free measles ‘catch-up’ vaccination for eligible Tasmanians from GPs is available and will soon be available from pharmacies. Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that can have serious and even fatal consequences. The first …
Stress less and lose weight 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 …
Three dietary changes to improve your cholesterol 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 …
Winter takes its toll ‘Tis the season for coughing as the depths of 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 …
Proton Pump Inhibitors The medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been a part of therapy for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and other acid related disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and intestines) since the early 1990s. PPIs have effectively and safely managed reflux, healed gastric …
Always tired? Do you ever feel like you are always tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep? If you do, you are suffering from fatigue. Each year, approximately 1.5 million people visit their local doctor about fatigue. Fatigue is a symptom rather than a condition, which is generally …
Don’t have the motivation to exercise? Getting motivated to exercise during the long winter months is a hard task for many people. Many of us tend to hibernate away from the cold wet darkness of the winter nights, snuggling up with a hot chocolate and the TV remote. Getting that …
Flu vaccination The sweltering heat has passed and now the flu season is upon us. This flu season is shaping up to be particularly bad this year as the number of confirmed cases across Australia is up to three times higher than similar times in previous years. The flu is …
Pill testing at festivals … is one of a set of harm minimisation strategies that can potentially save lives. This month’s article will look at why introducing pill testing facilities at festivals will help reduce harm to people and improve the health of our society. In no way does pill …
Feeling emotional from the Huon Valley bushfires? The people of the Huon Valley can at last breathe out after holding our collective breaths for weeks, not knowing whether we would have a home or community to return to after the destructive bushfires. In times of crisis, people react in many …
