The Stroke Foundation aims to ensure someone in every household knows the FAST signs of stroke.

FAST stands for:
• Face: check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
• Arms: Can they lift both arms?
• Speech: Is their speech slurred. Do they understand you?
• Time: Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.

There are 56,000 strokes each year in Australia – that is one every nine minutes.

Stroke is always a time-critical medical emergency. After a stroke 1.9 million brain cells die each minute. The faster treatment is sought, the better the chance of a good outcome.

Just 36% of Australians with stroke arrive at hospital within the 4.5 hour window for blood clot dissolving treatment, because not enough Australians know the signs of stroke and to call an ambulance.

Besides brushing, flossing pays the greatest dividends when it comes to oral hygiene. Is there an ideal time to floss? Yes. Anytime!

Today, we know that using an interdental cleaner (like floss) is part of taking care of our teeth and gums. Yet, many of our older patients see flossing as, well, optional.

Maybe because it wasn’t until the 1980s that flossing was acknowledged as a helpful self-care procedure.

Granted, brushing and flossing after every meal is ideal. But if flossing is going to be a once-a-day habit, consider this guideline. If you’re a ‘morning person’, floss in the morning. If you’re a ‘night owl’, floss at night. If you’re not sure, floss before bedtime. That way your mouth will be clean while sleeping.

Finally, should you brush first or floss first? It doesn’t seem to matter. However, those who brush first seem more likely to neglect flossing because their mouth feels clean.

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

Did you know that as of January 2019 Pharmacists in NSW can now give a wider range of vaccinations?

This legislation change allows pharmacists who have completed additional professional training to give vaccinations
against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus (dTpa) as well as the influenza vaccine to those over the age of 16.

This is an exciting change for pharmacists and the community. As pharmacists we are ideally positioned to provide vaccination services. We are easily accessible, cost effective and convenient, no appointment needed! We are dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of service and regular contact with patients allows us to identify at risk groups, provide early intervention and referrals when issues are identified.

Why are vaccinations so important?
Vaccinations protect individuals and the community from the deadly consequences of contracting the above conditions. When you receive a vaccination, you not only protect yourself but also protect those who for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated. This is called herd immunity.

Who benefits from this change?
We have already seen in 2018 that pharmacist immunisations contribute to higher vaccination rates, with significantly fewer deaths and hospitalisations being attributed to this. Everybody has individual circumstances in regards to their vaccination history. For example, many people born between the late 1960s and 1980s actually remain unvaccinated or are only partially immune to measles, mumps and rubella.

Call in to Parkes Pharmacy to discuss how this change can benefit you or to receive that booster shot you just didn’t get!

Dozens of Parkes residents were recently informed the Healthy Lifestyles Program they have come to rely on for their physical and psychological well-being would be discontinued by NSW Health.

They were notified in an unsigned letter that participants would be transferred to community-based exercise and activities, and attached a list of local sports clubs and gyms. “This is an insult to these people who have contributed to society their whole working lives,” said Member for Orange Philip Donato MP last Friday when he met with some of the residents.

“What is overlooked by NSW Health and the Government is the cost savings to the health system through the management and prevention of illness delivered by this program, which keeps people out of hospital beds.

“Given the emphasis upon mental health, especially in rural and regional NSW where isolation from services is prevalent, the mental health benefits from this program are enormous. I support the Parkes community and their call to have this program re-instated.”

Your tongue provides insights into your overall health. It should be pink, moist, smooth and glistening. When it isn’t, see a professional.

White: If your tongue has a white coating it could be a fungal infection. That means something has upset the normal bacteria balance in your mouth. A patchy white covering of your tongue could be leukoplakia, often seen among smokers.
Red: Pink is normal but if your tongue is bright red you may have scarlet fever. A fever and rash may accompany this highly contagious bacterial infection. Seek professional help immediately.
Black: Another sign of unusual bacteria growth is a black or dark brown hairy-looking coating. Reducing sugary foods, better brushing and quitting smoking can often help.
Purple: If your tongue appears a shade of purple or violet, no need to be alarmed. You’ve merely had some grape juice. If you haven’t had any grape juice call us!

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

Diabetes: What You Need To Know

Diabetes is currently affecting the lives of approximately 12 million Australians, with numbers continually rising. When you eat, your body turns food into sugars, or glucose. At that point, your pancreas is supposed to release a hormone called insulin. Insulin serves as a ‘key’ to open your cells to allow the glucose to enter, and allow you
to use the glucose for energy.

In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. It requires daily selfcare and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and could reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and how to effectively manage it.

Parkes Pharmacy’s aim is to help people with diabetes be confident in managing their medicines and blood sugar levels (BGL) for improved day-to-day quality of life and reducing long-term complications. Over the next month we will focus on supporting patients with diabetes’ effective use of medicines by offering Diabetes MedsChecks, and discussing effective BGL monitoring.

The Diabetes MedsCheck is a government- funded pharmacy program, involving a private, face-to-face consultation and medication review with the pharmacist. It focuses on education and self-management, and will help the patient better understand or manage their structured BGL monitoring.

We can also help people who might be at risk of diabetes due to genetic and lifestyle factors. Evidence shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in up to 58% of cases by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following a healthy eating plan.

Red wine, tea and black coffee are known to stain teeth, but there are some foods that can actually help whiten teeth.
These are some of them:
1. Apples: Bite into an apple and you’re helping to strengthen your gums. Plus, the high water content in apples helps
increase the production of saliva. This in turn can help wash away bacteria that can lead to stained teeth.
2. Seeds and Nuts: Sunflower seeds, walnuts and almonds provide important trace minerals. Their abrasive texture
also helps to remove surface stains. Think of them as an exfoliator for your teeth.
3. Strawberries: The malic acid in strawberries can act as an astringent that can help reduce tooth discolouration. For a refreshing change, mash up a strawberry and use it as toothpaste!
4. Baking Soda: Speaking of toothpaste, try brushing with baking soda. This pantry staple acts like a bleaching agent,
scrubbing off plaque and surface stains.

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

Stay Safe In The Heat
Summer has set in and while everyone wants to soak up those summer rays, it is extremely important to stay SUN SAFE. Increasing temperatures lead to an increase in dehydration, particularly in the elderly and young children. Your body needs both water and electrolytes to help you through the day. Water helps you digest food and maintain a normal body temperature, while electrolytes help keep your muscles functioning.

In the heat, or if you are unwell, the balance of water and electrolytes may become disturbed leading to dehydration. Look out  for the following signs and symptoms: a dry or sticky mouth, increased thirst, fatigue, headache, decreased urine output and dark yellow urine.

In young children, it can be quite hard to see to signs of dehydration. Look out for dark yellow urine, fewer wet nappies or dry lips.

If you are getting older or care for an elderly person, it’s important to recognise the above signs as elderly persons are at a higher risk of dehydration. A vital sign of dehydration in the elderly is reduced sweating.

HOT TIPS FOR STAYING HYDRATED
1. Keep a water bottle close at hand to make a habit of drinking water at regular intervals! You need at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.
2. At the first signs of dehydration, increase your fluid intake by drinking a large glass of water or sipping on replacement solutions such as Hydralyte.
3. Replacement solutions (Hydralyte) may be better tolerated if frozen.
4. Avoid sugary drinks as they can worsen dehydration.
5. Introduce more ‘wet’ foods into your diet, such as jelly or soup.

Come in and see our friendly pharmacists or staff to stay hydrated and safe this summer!