Bright Eyes, Dull Teeth?

Whether we’re getting our morning jolt of coffee or enjoying a spot of tea, these popular pick-me-ups can tarnish our pearly whites.

Coffee and tea are notorious for staining.

Coffee, in particular, is very acidic leading it to wear away enamel. This can result in your teeth having a dingy appearance.

Although giving up your coffee or tea habit is the best way to avoid the darkening of your teeth, it’s usually not an option as many people rely on this popular daily practice to get through the day.

Instead, consider rinsing your teeth or drinking water after consuming either beverage and limit drinking coffee or tea throughout your day. Using whitening toothpaste and brushing regularly can also go a long way when it comes to limiting stains and keeping your smile brighter.

For all your dental needs and whitening options to help enhance your smile, please call us at Riaz Dental on 68621261 or visit www.riazdental.com.au

 

Find It Hard To Breathe In Spring?

With spring in the air, 2.7 million people with asthma are being advised to keep a check on their hay fever symptoms as pollen season kicks in.

Asthma hospitalisation rates peak in September and people with asthma are urged to get on the offense to manage their symptoms.

Symptoms include: itchy, runny or blocked nose; itchy or watery eyes; sneezing; always feeling like you have a head cold; blocked nose; throat clearing or coughing to clear the throat; snoring; mouth breathing; shortness of breath; and wheezing

The most important approach to managing and preventing asthma and hay fever symptoms during spring is preventer and maintenance medicine.

Some medicines take up to three weeks before they are effective at reducing sensitivity to triggers like pollen, so start treating symptoms now.

Visit www.asthma.org.au for more information.

 

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” – World Health Organisation

One in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common illnesses are depression, anxiety and substance use disorder. While its very common, misunderstanding and stigma surrounding these conditions is widespread, leading to many people not seeking help.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds with 800,000 deaths due to suicide every year around the world. With every suicide it is estimated that more than 20 others are attempting suicide.

Early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need.

Parkes Pharmacy is a safe place to talk about mental health concerns. You’re always welcome to come and chat to a pharmacist.

Our pharmacists are trained in mental health first aid and are here for you whether to chat, or sit down in a private space to discuss any concerns about your well-being and/or medications.

We can help you find services available for help or support.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know just yet, there are many resources and support services available, or if you are worried about someone.

• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) 02 6363 8444 ramhp.com.au
• Mental Health Line by RAMHP 1800 011 511
• Lifeline 24-hour crisis support 13 11 14 / Lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 / beyondblue. org.au

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Don’t Chew That!

Do you find yourself gnawing on a pencil when you’re deep in thought? Do you like chomping on ice cubes to keep your mouth cool? While these everyday nervous habits aren’t likely to cause major health problems, they can result in chipped or cracked teeth and inconvenient dental repairs.

If you feel compelled to pop a pencil in your mouth or create crushed ice instead of letting your refrigerator do the work, consider softer-on-the-teeth alternatives. Such as chewing sugar-free gum. Doing so increases saliva production, tames the acids in your mouth and strengthens enamel.

Apples, carrots, cucumbers and celery are other sensible choices when it comes to satisfying your need to chew. These crunchy edibles are not only good for your
body but great for your teeth.

Of course, scheduling regular dental check-ups is another great way to ensure your teeth are in tip-top condition.

For all your dental needs please call us at Riaz Dental on 68621261 or visit www.riazdental.com.au.

Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

Far too many women in Western NSW may be unaware of their risk of breast cancer, despite the fact that 9 in 10 women diagnosed don’t have a family history.

“The risk is real for every woman aged 50 to 74. One in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and less than 10 per cent of them will have a family history,” said WNSWLHD Breastscreen Manager, Meg O’Brien.

“That’s why all women in this age group should screen for breast cancer, regardless of whether they have a family history.”

“By detecting breast cancer early, breast screening not only saves lives but also reduces the likelihood of a woman needing invasive treatment.”

“The more having a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW becomes part of your normal two-yearly health routine, the easier it is to keep going.”

To book a mammogram with Breast- Screen NSW, phone 13 20 50, or book PH: 6862 1261 | 19 Church St, Parkes online by visiting breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

One in five Australians live with chronic pain.

Many Australians are new to the notion of chronic pain, as many believe that pain should go away when tissues heal after an illness or injury. This is not always the case.

Chronic pain is a complex condition characterised by pain that persists beyond the normal healing time of three months.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of the pain and can be very frustrating for all involved. Chronic pain can be intense and unrelenting, and can lead to various degrees of disability if it is not managed well.

Pain management needs a multi-pronged approach. Medication is one element and the other two major elements are physical and cognitive therapy. Getting the best from pain management will involve optimising a range of strategies into practice on a daily basis, which can take time and effort to learn successfully.

A medication review with a pharmacist can assist you with pain management and can improve your quality of life. Medication reviews allow you to get a better understanding of your medications while the pharmacists can also make suggestions to see if anything can be made better, safer or simpler!

There is also a range of resources and support available for those living with chronic pain.

Come visit our friendly, passionate pharmacists at Parkes Pharmacy to learn more about optimising your chronic pain management.

What Does Fluoride Do?

Fluoride is probably an ingredient in your toothpaste or mouthwash. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral often found in drinking water and certain foods. It protects teeth in two ways:
1. By aiding your tooth enamel to be produced in a more decay-resistant form.
2. By protecting the enamel from being attacked by acid from bacteria in your mouth.

These bacteria are made even more potent when there is sugar in your diet. Bacteria love sugar. The resulting acid attacks your enamel and can cause tooth decay. Fluoride is available in several forms:
• Fluoride treatments during a visit to the dentist.
• Over-the-counter and prescription toothpastes and rinses.
• Supplements prescribed by a dentist or medical doctor.

If you drink bottled water or have a higher risk of tooth decay, you may not be getting enough fluoride in your diet.

For all your dental needs call Riaz Dental on 6862 1261 or www.riazdental.com.au

Men Need Healthy And Strong Hearts

Heart disease is responsible for nearly 13% of deaths in Australian men.

The theme of this year’s Men’s Health Week is keeping boys and men healthy focusing on what males of any age can do to minimise their risk of developing heart problems later in life.

Over 30% of men in Australia have high cholesterol and almost 75% are overweight or obese. One-quarter of males have high to severe blood pressure levels. The good news is that walking is a great way for men to reduce these risk factors. Steps to take to reduce the risk of developing heart disease:

• Get a heart health check. A new Medicare- funded heart health check is available to all Australians.
• Be more active more often – aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet of food low in saturated and trans fats, salt and added sugar, and rich in wholegrains, fibre, antioxidants and unsaturated fats.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, not to mention a host of other health problems.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, also known as bacteria and yeasts. Many people often think of bacteria and other live microorganisms as harmful, however many help our bodies function correctly. For example, they help us digest food, destroy disease-causing microorganisms and produce vitamins.

What are the benefits of taking a probiotic? The growing evidence for probiotics suggests that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses by eating probiotic foods or taking a supplement.

Not all probiotics are the same and different strains have many different effects. For example, what may help for gut health may not be beneficial for someone with eczema.

While there is still a lot unknown about probiotics, research has shown benefits in the treatment and prevention of many conditions.

These conditions include:
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Diarrhea; infectious or antibiotic induced There has also been proven benefits in other parts of the body. For example, they have helped with:
• Skin conditions, like eczema
• Urinary and vaginal health
• Preventing allergies and colds
Probiotics have a range of benefits in the treatment and prevention of these conditions; however, they are also very useful when taking antibiotics! When taking antibiotics, your good bacteria is also affected and can throw your body out of whack. Taking a probiotic while sick can help replace those good bacteria, making you feel better quicker!

Come and have a chat to our lovely staff to see which probiotics may be beneficial to your health!

Is it a cold or is it the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illness but are actually caused by different viruses. The common cold is usually milder than the flu and is characterised by a stuffy or runny nose. The flu is more severe and will last much longer than a cold. The symptoms of the flu include a fever, fatigue and aches and pains.

How do I treat or prevent a cold?

The first signs of a cold include a sore throat and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing. Cold prevention is a mixture of washing your hands and simply avoiding sick people. Some vitamins can also help keep your immune system healthy.

Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for the common cold. Individual symptoms needs to be treated. This means that what is right for one person, may not be right for another.

Depending on your medications and existing medical conditions you may be better off with a simple nasal spray and cough mixture, or you may need something a little stronger.

How do I treat or prevent the flu?

The best prevention for the flu is to get vaccinated and to avoid people who have been diagnosed with the flu.

Once you have the flu it is extremely important to rest and stay hydrated. If caught early the flu can be treated effectively. Go and see your doctor if you think you have the flu. There are a range of medications that can help with the symptoms and make you feel a little better.

Feel better this winter with Parkes Pharmacy!