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Parkes Phoenix

Arm Yourself This Flu Season

April 11, 2019 By editor

Coming into winter there is a lot of hype about the flu vaccine. This can cause a bit of a mix-up between the myths and the facts! So, we’ve decided to give flu myths the jab.

Did you know?
The flu is not the same as the common cold. While some symptoms may be similar, the flu is caused by a different virus and is a much more serious disease. The flu causes an estimated 1,500 deaths and 18,000 hospitalisations each year in Australia!

I got my flu shot last year, why do I need another one?
The influenza virus changes each year, the vaccines are updated yearly. Your immunity also reduces over time. Therefore, it is important to be vaccinated each year before the flu season starts.

Can the vaccine give me the flu?
The flu vaccine doesn’t contain any live virus and therefore cannot cause the flu.

When should I get my flu vaccination?
Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated! It takes up to two weeks for your immune system to build up its immunity after you receive the flu vaccine. So, it’s best to get vaccinated before flu season starts.

I never get the flu, why do I need one?
When you get vaccinated, you are also helping to protect the people around you, especially those in the community who are the most vulnerable to complications from the flu. Those at risk include people over 65, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people and people with certain medical conditions.

Protect yourself and your community by getting your flu shot! Speak to Parkes Pharmacy today about getting the flu vaccine.

Do You Know The FAST Signs Of Stroke?

April 11, 2019 By editor

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.

What’s The Best Time To Floss?

April 11, 2019 By editor

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

Vaccinations at Parkes Pharmacy

March 7, 2019 By editor

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!

No Wealth, No Health!

March 7, 2019 By editor

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.”

Is Your Tongue A Funny Colour?

March 7, 2019 By editor

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

Your Health Matters…

February 7, 2019 By editor

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.

Foods That Can Whiten Your Teeth

February 7, 2019 By editor

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.

Your Health Matters!

January 24, 2019 By editor

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!

Stress Fractures

November 8, 2018 By editor

The stress fracture is a common overuse injury seen in athletes who participate in endurance and high load bearing activities. Stress fractures in the lower limb account for between 80 to 90% of all stress fractures and in runners contributes to almost 16% of all injuries.

During periods of relative inactivity or with osteoporosis or eating disorders, the density of bone decreases. If loads on the bone become repetitive or abnormally high and the bone is not given enough rest to allow for adaptation, the rate of stress-induced microfractures in the bone exceeds the rate at which the bone can repair and stress fractures develop.

The typical complaint with stress fractures is of a gradual onset of pain. Initially there is just pain with activity that subsides with rest but returns when the aggravating activity is resumed. Local tenderness and swelling are often found at the fracture site and pain is easily localised as opposed to shin splints which produce a more diffused pain.

Treatment initially involves rest from the aggravating activity for approximately four to six weeks. It may also require bracing or the use of a cam boot. In some cases, surgery may even be required.

Return to sport should be gradual to allow time for adaptation within the bone and it is important that all biomechanical and nutritional causes be addressed to prevent recurrence. Cross training and participating in a variety of different sporting activities can help minimise the risk of stress fractures.

It is important to remember that if you recognise the symptoms early and treat them appropriately, you can return to sports at your normal playing level.

For the fitness of you.
Linda Reilly

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