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Preventive Health Care
Many people are understandably proud of being able to claim that they 'never go to the doctor'. In some ways this is good news because it means they have no illness needing medical attention. But it might mean that they are missing out on some important preventive health checks, which can keep them healthy.
These checks include:
- Blood Pressure
- Pap Smear and Breast Examination (for women)
- Vaccination Status (for example, we need a tetanus vaccination every 10 years)
- Cholesterol Level
These checks don't need to be done very often, but they can be very important in preventing problems, or detecting them in the early stages.
Remember:
- You don't have to be ill to see the doctor once in a while
- Doctors like seeing their healthy patients as well as their sick ones
We are especially interested in promoting good health and preventing illness.
Nutrition
Eating fruit and vegetables with every meal helps to prevent and
control diabetes, high blood cholesterol and constipation. Fresh
fruit is the perfect fast food. It is low in fat and kilojoules,
high in fibre and vitamins, easy to carry and comes in its own biodegradable
wrapper.
Find out more
Smoking
Smoking is a key risk factor for the three diseases that cause most
deaths in Australia: ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease
and lung cancer. We strongly encourage a non smoking policy. We
are happy to assist you to quit smoking.
Find out more
Diabetes mellitus
It is a condition where the body cannot maintain normal blood glucose
levels. Let us know if you have a family history. And some early
indicators cold be Blurred vision; Tiredness; Urinating more frequently;
Feeling thirsty all the time; Numbness and tingling in the feet
or legs; Recurrent infections.
Find out
more
Hypertension
Hypertention or high blood pressure, describes the pressure exerted
by the blood within the arteries. The heart creates this pressure
as it pumps blood around the body. Hypertension is a key cause of
preventable illness in our society. It is responsible for many strokes,
heart attacks and cases of kidney disease.
Find out more
Coronary Heart Disease
Disease of the coronary arteries around the heart - leads to heart
attacks. Together with the same disease in other arteries, it ultimately
leads to the death of nearly half of us.
Find out more
Prostate enlargement
It is rare for men under 50 to 55 years to have any problems
even if they have slightly larger prostates. The first sign of trouble
is usually a difficulty in passing urine: it may be hard to start,
and the stream may not be very strong.
Find out more
Skin cancer
Regular check ups are especially important for people with excessive
exposure to the sun. People who work outdoors are at risk, but so
are people who work indoors and spend their weekends or holidays
in the sun.
Find out
more
Vaccinations and Immunisations
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children
against certain diseases. The risks of these diseases are far greater
than the very small risks of immunisation.
This
sheet covers the why, how and where relating to immunising children
and the diseases they can now be immunised against. Tables are included
showing the schedule for immunising children.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is essential for your body, as it provides the building
blocks for cell membranes, bile acids, vitamin D, and certain hormones.
When your blood cholesterol is too high you are at increased risk
of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Find out more
Asthma
Asthma is a disorder affecting the airways of the lungs. Australia
has one of the highest rates of asthma prevalence in the world,
along with New Zealand and the UK. Asthma is a chronic condition,
one can lead a normal life with the right treatment.
Find out
more
Osteoporosis
It means thinning and weakening of the bones. Unfortunately, some
people have more risk factors for osteoporosis than others and some
of these risk factors cannot be changed.
Find out
more
Menopause
It is defined as the time when your periods stop for good. It is
a natural part of ageing and happens when your ovaries stop producing
the female hormone oestrogen. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
involves replacing the oestrogen and often the progesterone that
your body is no longer producing, with pharmaceutical formulations
of these hormones. Doctors especially recommend HRT to women at
risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, as HRT is known to help
reduce this risk
Find out
more
Breast Self Examination (BSE)
Breast cancer will affect about one in 15 women. It becomes more
common with older age. The chances of survival from this disease
are related to its early detection. For this reason, all women over
the age of 35 should learn the technique of breast self-examination
(BSE). You should perform this examination every month just after
your period. If you're not sure how, ask your doctor or nurse to
teach you how to perform the self-examination.
Find out more
Travelling Abroad
When planning overseas travel, it is easy to overlook the health
risks. It is important to check if any vaccinations are needed for
where you are going. Make this check well before you travel, because
some vaccines need to be given several weeks apart.
Find out more
Sexually transmitted diseases
If you develop symptoms that could indicate you have a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) it is important that you discuss them
with your doctor immediately. Do not try to diagnose your condition
yourself. You could be at risk of acquiring an STD if you have sex
with a new partner or if your partner has a sexually transmitted
infection
Find out more
Hay fever is an allergy
Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis,
which means an allergy that affects the nose. Most people associate
hay fever with spring, when airborne pollens and spores are at their
peak, but hay fever can occur all
year round.
Find out more
Bowel cancer
It can be cured if detected early. See your doctor if an unexpected
change in bowel habit (for example, diarrhoea or constipation for
no obvious reason).
- Bleeding from the anus ('back passage')
- Pain and/or swelling in the lower abdomen
- Vomiting
- Difficulty passing faeces or wind
- Loss of weight
Find out more
Pap smear (PAP Test)
It is a test your doctor does to check for signs of cancer of the
cervix. The cervix is part of your uterus (womb). During a Pap smear,
your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix to be tested.
Find out
more
Work Cover
- Covers reasonable medical treatment and rehabilitation;
- Provides weekly payments of compensation if there is incapacity for work after the injury/illness.
- Assists the staff member to return to work as quickly and safely as possible after their injury/illness
A Workcover Certificate of Capacity is issued by your treating medical
practitioner. The Certificate is identifiable as a blue A4 document.
The Workcover Certificate of Capacity provides details of your injury,
and if appropriate, your capacity to work.
The initial Workcover Certificate of Capacity must be issued by a
general practitioner, and must accompany a Worker's Claim for Compensation.
Dial 000 in case of Emergency
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