Newsletter "Your Health"
- Online health. Where to find it?
- Nicotine replacement, Myths & facts
- Travelling overseas with medicines
- Ovarian cancer. Should I be tested?
- AMD. The leading cause of blindness
- How do you treat a bluebottle sting?
- Do ‘flight socks’ prevent DVT on plane flights?
- Are artificial sweeteners in food and drinks safe?
- Is your child overweight?
- Are you getting enough fruit ‘n veg?
Online health. Where to find it.
The internet is a valuable resource for health education. Online information can help you understand your illness better and work with your doctor to get the best care.
However, a lot of websites contain inaccurate or misleading advice. How do you know what information to trust?
1. Who is responsible for the site?
Websites published by the government (.gov), non-profit organisations or hospitals (.org) or a university (.edu) are usually reliable sources. Check the About Us page for ownership details.
2. What is the source of the info?
Is the information written by health professionals? What are their qualifications? Is there a reputable editorial board that reviews the information? Are the claims supported by references?
3. Is the information up-to-date?
Health information is constantly changing. Check when the page was last reviewed or updated.
4. Is the information biased?
Does the author have anything to gain from a particular point of view? Commercial sites (.com) usually have a product or service to sell and this may influence the advice given. Sponsors or advertisers can also skew the content.
It is a good policy to use a variety of websites as well as other trusted sources to cross-check information. If you are still in doubt consult your doctor.
Some reputable websites
To help you find accurate and unbiased health information, we have prepared a comprehensive list of reputable websites at www.yourhealth.net.au/websites.htm . Bookmark it in your browser.
Health index sites or ‘portals’ such as the federal government’s HealthInsite (www.healthinsite.gov.au) can make searching easier. HealthInsite only directs you to information on sites which have been evaluated and approved.
Another guide to reliable health sites is the HONcode (the Health On the Net Foundation’s Code of Conduct). Sites with the red and blue HONcode seal comply with HONcode principles (www.hon.ch/home.html).
Information that you find on a website can be informative but should never replace your doctor’s advice. In particular, be very wary of online or email consultations with ‘cyberdocs’. Medicine is best practised face-to-face with your doctor who knows you and can examine you. Always speak to your doctor before changing your treatment.
Nicotine replacement. Myths & facts
The use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a patch, gum or lozenge, is an effective aid to quitting smoking. NRT doubles the success rate of any quit attempt.
However, there are many myths about nicotine and the risks from using it to quit smoking. Do you believe any of these?
Myth 1. Nicotine is the most harmful ingredient in cigarettes
Fact. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 compounds. The other toxins are responsible for tobacco-related diseases, not nicotine. Nicotine’s main action is to create and maintain the addiction to smoking.
Myth 2. Nicotine causes cancer.
Fact. There is no evidence that nicotine directly causes cancer in animals or humans. It is the other chemicals in tobacco smoke which cause cancers such as in the lung, mouth, oesophagus, pancreas and kidney.
Myth 3. Nicotine causes heart disease.
Fact. While nicotine has some small effects on the circulation, e.g. raised blood pressure and pulse, it is not the major cause of heart disease from smoking. NRT has been shown to be safe in patients with stable heart disease, such as angina or past heart attack.
Myth 4. Smoking with NRT is dangerous.
Fact. Smoking while using NRT does not increase your risk of a heart attack or similar conditions. However, it is not a good idea. It reduces your chance of success and may cause nausea and cold sweats from too much nicotine.
Myth 5. NRT is as addictive as cigarettes.
Fact. Nicotine from cigarettes is highly addictive as it is delivered rapidly to the brain. All forms of NRT deliver nicotine more slowly and in smaller amounts and have low or no risk of addiction.
Remember that nicotine replacement therapy is always safer than continuing to smoke. Success rates are highest when combined with your doctor’s support and advice. Speak to your GP or visit www.quitnow.info au or www.quit.org.au.
Travelling overseas with medicines
Illness while travelling overseas is common and can ruin your long awaited holiday. Careful planning of a medical kit with first aid items and your usual medication is essential for all travellers.
First aid items to include depend on your destinations, duration of travel and type of holiday (see box). Ask your doctor about your needs and follow these guidelines:
- Carry medicines in your hand luggage and possibly another set in your suitcase.
- Always keep drugs in original packaging.
- Make sure you have sufficient quantities for your trip, plus a bit more for delays.
- Check the expiry dates to make sure the medications don’t expire during the trip.
- Drugs subsidised by the PBS can only be taken overseas for personal use (Tel 1800 500 147, www.medicareaustralia.gov.au).
- For some drugs (e.g. codeine) check with the embassy of each country to see if they are legal in that country (www.smartraveller.gov.au).
- Ask your GP for a letter listing your health conditions, allergies and medications. www.tripprep.com, www.cdc.gov/travel
Traveller’s Medical Kit
Antiseptic; bandaids/dressings; painkiller (e.g. paracetamol); anti-diarrhoea medication; insect repellant containing DEET (tropical destinations); sunscreen; throat lozenges; thermometer; condoms.
Additional items.
Discuss with your GP:
Drugs for malaria; antibiotics for traveller’s diarrhoea; medication for vomiting, motion and altitude sickness; antihistamines; water purification tablets; sleeping tablets for jet lag; oral rehydration solution; antifungals; antibiotic.
Ovarian cancer. Should I be tested?
Routine testing for ovarian cancer has not been shown to be effective for most women. However, it may be considered for the small number of women who are at higher risk. About 1 in 100 women develop ovarian cancer. The risk increases with age, with over 80% of cases occurring after age 50. Taking the contraceptive pill, pregnancy and breast feeding have been shown to reduce risk.
High risk groups
Ovarian cancer can run in families but only about 5-10% of cases occur in women who have inherited a faulty gene from parents.
The risk increases with the number of close blood relatives from the same side of the family with ovarian or breast cancer. Your risk may also be raised if you have a number of relatives with cancers of the bowel, uterus, stomach or kidney. Detailed assessment in a family cancer clinic can help to determine your risk.
If you are at high risk your GP may recommend yearly testing with:
- CA125 – a simple blood test.
- Transvaginal ultrasound - a probe is inserted into the vagina and sound waves are used to form pictures of the ovaries.
Routine checks are not advised for women who are not in a high risk category.
Warning signs
A Pap smear cannot be used to detect ovarian cancer. You should inform your GP promptly about any unusual or persistent:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain or bloating.
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
- Fatigue or loss of appetite.
- Constipation, back pain, urinary frequency.
For further information visit www.ovariancancerprogram.org.au or www.ovca.org.
AMD. The leading cause of blindness
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of blindness in Australia. There is no cure for AMD but treatment can slow its progress.
AMD is a painless degeneration (breaking down) of the macula, the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. ‘Dry’ AMD causes a slower loss of vision and is due to cells dying at the macula. ‘Wet’ AMD is more severe and is caused by the formation of abnormal, leaky blood vessels.
Early detection is vital to reduce further damage. Possible warning signs are:
- Difficulty with central vision and fine detail e.g. reading or recognising faces.
- Straight lines appearing wavy or bent.
- Blind spots: dark patches, empty spaces.
The risk of developing AMD increases from the age of 50 and affects one in 3 people over 75 years. A family history of AMD and being a smoker also increase the risk. People at high-risk should have regular eye examinations and should monitor their vision every day at home with an Amsler chart: a square grid of intersecting straight lines. Any wavy or distorted lines or missing areas may indicate a problem.
Treatment of AMD
All patients with AMD should cease smoking and test their vision daily with an Amsler grid. A healthy diet including dark, leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, fish 2-3 times weekly and nuts is beneficial. Your doctor may also advise a zinc and antioxidant supplement.
In wet AMD the abnormal blood vessels can be treated with either laser therapy or photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses a special light-sensitive drug combined with light therapy to close the blood vessels.
Macular Degeneration Foundation (Tel. 1800 111 709), www.mdfoundation.com.au.
How do you treat a bluebottle sting?
Bluebottles are the most common cause of jellyfish stings in Australia. Stings cause immediate and severe pain that usually settles within an hour.
Recent research has found that hot water is more effective in reducing pain from bluebottle stings than ice packs. Experts now recommend that the affected area is immersed in a container of hot water (45 C) for at least 20 minutes. An alternative is continuous hot water from a hose or shower.
Vinegar is used for box jellyfish stings, not bluebottle stings.
Do ‘flight socks’ prevent DVT on plane flights?
Prolonged air travel can lead to a DVT (a blood clot in the deep veins, usually in the lower legs). Part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs (a pulmonary embolus), which can be fatal.
Below-knee elastic compression stockings or ‘flight socks’ (available at pharmacies) improve the circulation in the legs and greatly reduce the risk of developing a DVT while flying. They are especially useful for people at higher risk, such as those with a previous DVT or women on the Pill.
Are artificial sweeteners in food and drinks safe?
Artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) do not contain kilojoules and are used to replace sugar in some diet food and drinks.
Health authorities have recently reviewed the evidence regarding the artificial sweeteners available in Australia and have found that they are safe. They are suitable for people with diabetes or those on a weight control diet.
Aspartame and sucralose are considered safe in pregnancy.
Childhood overweight and obesity are spiralling out of control. One in 4 Australian children weighs too much.
Is your child one of them?
Being overweight is a major health problem in childhood causing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea. Overweight kids have lower self-esteem and are often bullied and teased. Many become overweight adults.
Assessing your child
Many parents are surprised to find their child is actually overweight when they are properly assessed. To see if your child is a healthy weight, you need to calculate their body mass index (BMI).
- Weigh and measure your child.
- Calculate the BMI by dividing the child’s weight (in kilograms) by their height squared (in metres).
- Plot the BMI on a BMI-for-age chart see www.cdc.gov/growthcharts to compare the child to others of the same age and sex.
Overweight is a BMI over the 85th centile and obesity is over the 95th centile.
What can parents do?
The good news is that parents can do a lot to influence a child’s weight and improve their health. In most cases, it is simply a matter of restricting high energy food and drink and increasing physical activity. Set a good example with your own eating and exercise habits.
The goal for most growing children is to maintain (rather than reduce) weight, so that they ‘grow into’ their weight.
Eating strategies
- Provide a wide variety of foods with plenty of vegetables, fruits, cereals (breads, rice, pasta and noodles) as well as lean meat, fish, poultry and (from age 2) reduced fat dairy foods.
- Eat smaller servings of food.
- Reduce junk foods. Biscuits, cakes, chips, lollies and chocolates should be occasional treats only.
- Offer healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, fruit juice ice blocks, fresh bread.
- Restrict take-away or ‘fast food’ to no more than once weekly.
- Water is the preferred drink. Limit fruit juice and soft drinks to special occasions.
- Eat breakfast every day.
- Choose more low GI foods as they are more filling, www.glycemicindex.com.
Exercise ideas
- Find sporting activities your child enjoys, such as swimming or basketball.
- Limit TV viewing and computer games to less than 2 hours per day.
- Walk more. Walk rather than drive if possible, walk the dog, walk to school, start a ‘walking bus’, www.travelsmart.gov.au/schools/schools2.html.
- Be active as a family, e.g. go bushwalking or bike riding together.
- Encourage ‘incidental’ activity during the day, e.g. using stairs instead of lifts.
- Involve the kids in ‘fun’ family chores e.g. washing the car, sweeping leaves.
Ask your doctor for help or visit www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au or www.daa.asn.au for more information.
Are you getting enough fruit ‘n veg?
Most Australians eat only half the amount of fruit and vegies recommended for good health. Fruit and vegetables can help prevent some forms of cancer, heart disease, obesity and constipation.
Adults need 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegies daily. A serve of fruit is a medium sized apple and a serving of vegies is ½ cup of cooked vegetables or 1 cup of salad.
For more information and some delicious recipes like the one below, go to www.gofor2and5.com.au.
Vegetable Frittata
Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cups cooked sweet potato, peeled and sliced thinly
440 g can or 1 cup sweet corn kernels, cooked
2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
60 grams reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated
6 eggs
125 ml skim milk
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Method
Preheat oven to 1900 C. Use oil to grease a large baking dish.
Cook onion and sweet potato in the microwave for 3 minutes on high. Add broccoli and microwave for a further 2 minutes.
Layer the baking dish with half the sweet potato, top with corn, broccoli, onion and remaining sweet potato.
Whisk eggs, milk, and black pepper. Pour over the vegetables.
Top with grated cheese.
Bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes or until firm in the centre.
Variation: Substitute with 5 cups of leftover cooked vegies.
Recipe from the Healthy Food Fast © State of Western Australia, 2006 reproduced with permission.
