Please call us and ask to speak to our nurse if you have reason to believe you have been exposed to the Corona Virus and you have a cough, cold, sore throat or flu like symptoms. Please do not come into the practice unless you have been advised to by our nurse.
Hayfever symptoms and treatment options
With Spring here we often find ourselves sniffling and sneezing. Hayfever can occur all year, however there is a peak in Spring with the increase in pollen in the air.
Symptoms of Hayfever
* sneezing
* runny or stuffy nose
* itchy ears, nose and throat
* red, itchy or watery eyes
* headaches
Improving your symptoms
* stay in doors on days with high pollen counts (check the pollen count here: http://www.weatherzone.com.au/pollen-…/…/melbourne/melbourne )
* select plants in your garden that are pollinated by birds or insects not seeds in the air
* replace lawn with alternatives like fake grass or paved areas
* splash eyes often with cold water to flush away pollen
* reduce exposure to dust, animals and animal hair or fur.
Treatment of hayfever
* Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the best options for you. Ensure you mention any medication, medical conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Nasal corticosteroid sprays. These need to be used regularly to get the benefit
* Non-sedating antihistamines. These can help with the sneezing and itching.
* Eye Drops. May relieve eye symptoms
* Decongestant nasal sprays. Do NOT use for more than 5 days.
* Allergen immunotherapy. Gradually increased exposure to the allergen can be done with some people under medical supervision. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you
See your doctor:
Make an appointment here or call 03 9789 5966
References:
Cholesterol: What to eat to lower your cholesterol
The benefits to lowering cholesterol include reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Aim to reduce the levels of ‘bad cholesterol
- Limit saturated and trans fats
- Replace trans and saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats
- Enjoy a variety of food daily including veggies, whole grains, legumes, lean meat, oily fish, fruit, reduced or no-fat dairy (or non-dairy) products , vegetable and seed oils
Regularly have your cholesterol checked by your doctor
USE food high in polyunsaturated fats eg
– Margarines spreads and oils such as sunflower, soybean and safflower
– Oily fish
– Some nuts and seeds
USE food high in monounsaturated fats
– Margarine spreads and oils such as canola, olive and peanut
– Avocados
– Some nuts
Food to include to lower cholesterol
– Foods high in dietary fibre and soluble fibre can reduce your bad cholesterol in your blood. These include legumes (chickpeas, lentils, baked beans) and cereals (oats and barley)
Food to limit to lower cholesterol
– Processed meats including sausages, deli meats and salami
– Takeaway foods such as pastries, pies, pizza, hot chips, fried fish, hamburgers, creamy pasta
– Salty, fatty and sugary snack foods eg chips, cakes, pastries, biscuits, lollies, chocolate
– Liver, kidneys, pate
See your doctor
Book in to have your cholesterol checked at Langpark Medical Centre.
Checklist before falling pregnant
Planning to start a family is an exciting time for a couple. Careful planning can help your child have a healthy start to life.
Here is a useful pre-pregnancy checklist to help ensure the healthiest start for your little one.
Pap smear:
These should be done every 2 years. This can be done before pregnancy or during early pregnancy.
Breast check:
Self examination should be done monthly. Annual examination with a GP is a good idea.
Sexually transmitted infections:
Identify and treat before falling pregnant to minimise any risks to your baby.
Dental check:
It is best to avoid dental work in pregnancy, so organise a dental check before falling pregnant.
Existing health conditions and medications:
Book in with your GP to discuss any existing health conditions, gynaecological conditions or medications being taken for either you or your partner. It is important not to stop taking medications because you want to fall pregnant without discussion with your GP. In conjunction with your GP you can make informed decisions about the best course of action.
Stress:
If you feel overwhelmed, anxious or need someone to talk to reach out to your doctor or midwife.
Whooping cough:
Whooping cough vaccine is recommended before or during pregnancy to protect your newborn baby. It does not last a lifetime, check to see if you need a booster from your GP. This is free for expectant parents and parents of a newborn in Victoria.
Flu vaccine:
Pregnant women can become very sick with influenza. This must be updated yearly. Flu vaccine can be given before or during pregnancy. It is free for pregnant women, visit your Langpark doctor to find out more.
Rubella status:
In the first 20 weeks of pregnancy rubella can cause severe abnormalities to an unborn child. It is important to be immunised before pregnancy. Your immunity can be tested by your GP. Note immunity doesn’t always last a life time.
Chicken pox immunity:
Chicken pox in early pregnancy or close to baby’s due date can cause miscarriage or abnormalities. If you have had chicken pox previously you will be immune. Otherwise vaccination is available, you should not fall pregnant for 28 days after having the vaccination.
Healthy weight:
Women who are underweight are at risk of pre-term delivery. Women who are overweight or obese are at risk of pregnancy complications eg miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Obesity can also result in complications during birth and labour. Weight can also impact on your ability to conceive.
Discussing weight management is an important part of pregnancy planning. A small change can have a big impact.
Folic acid:
Folate is found in some foods or can be taken as a supplement. It is important to take folate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy to minimise risk of spina bifida. The recommended dose is 0.5mg of folic acid daily for people who do not have any risk factors for spina bifida.
Alcohol:
It is strongly advised to limit alcohol consumption when trying to conceive. Alcohol can have effects on physical and mental development of baby. Alcohol intake in men can reduce sperm counts.
Smoking:
Smoking has shown to have harmful effects on an unborn baby and increases the risk of infertility and miscarriage. It is recommended to quit before becoming pregnant.
Recreational and illegal drugs:
Recreational drugs have been shown to harm baby and mother. These should be stopped if planning pregnancy. They can also reduce sex drive and sperm counts.
See your doctor
Come in and see one of our GPs and we will talk you through your pregnancy planning. Call us on 03 9789 5966 or book here
References:
Reference and further reading: The Royal Women’s Hospital
Psychology
Dr Thamizan Tucker is the psychologist at Langpark.
