Newsletter "Your Health"
- Can you spot the sunspots?
- Hands up if you sweat too much!
- Exercise will make you feel great.
- Endometriosis. Often diagnosed late.
- Listen hear!
- Does extra calcium help weak, brittle nails?
- Can stress cause your hair to go grey?
- New funding package for autism
- Health check for four-year olds
- Nuts on the menu
Can you spot the sunspots?
Endless Australian summers are a treasured part of our lifestyle. However, we pay a price for our sun worship with a high rate of sunspots.
Sunspots are rough, scaly skin lesions, ranging mostly from 2 to 10mm. They usually begin as an area of pink or red skin, which develops a surface scale and can become quite thickened.
Sunspots are found on sun-exposed areas especially the face, ears, bald scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms.
One in 2 adults over 40 years has at least one sunspot (solar keratosis) with an average of 6-8 lesions. Fair-skinned people and outdoor workers are most at risk.
Why do they matter?
Although sunspots themselves are harmless they are unsightly and can be uncomfortable. More importantly, they can progress to a serious type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which can be fatal if left untreated.
Treating individual spots
Traditional treatment involves destroying individual lesions. Freezing (cryotherapy) with liquid nitrogen spray is the most popular method. It is usually effective but can cause pain, redness and blistering and may leave a pale scar.
Curettage (removal with a sharp instrument) plus cautery (burning) is also used, as well as surgery for thicker lesions. These two methods require a local anaesthetic and cause scarring.
‘Field’ therapy
Field therapy is the latest approach for treating a region with many sunspots, e.g. the forehead. A cream or gel (script only) is applied to the whole area (‘the field’) and eliminates visible lesions as well as those that can’t yet be seen. Field treatments give a good cosmetic result but can cause skin redness and irritation.
The latest treatment, a new gel formulation of 3% diclofenac + hyaluronic acid, is applied twice daily for 60-90 days to a field or single lesion. It is well tolerated and causes less inflammation than some other therapies. Other field treatments are 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod creams.
People with sunspots should have regular skin checks and try to minimise future sun exposure. If you have any persistent, scaly spots show your GP.
Hands up if you sweat too much!
We all sweat with exercise, emotional stress and overheating. Sweating is an important and natural process which helps the body cool down.
However, some people have excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) even under normal conditions. This can cause considerable embarrassment from wet handshakes, clothing stains, sweaty faces and smelly feet.
In most cases there is no known cause. The condition starts in childhood or around puberty and may improve with age. It mostly affects the underarms, palms, soles and face.
However, in a minority of sufferers there is an underlying problem such as an overactive thyroid, a drug, diabetes, an infection or, rarely, a tumour. The sweating in these cases tends to affect the whole body
Treatments for excessive sweating
The good news is that there are many useful treatments which reduce sweating and improve the quality of life of sufferers.
Deodorants are fragrances that help to disguise an odour but are of limited value.
Antiperspirants reduce sweat production and are usually tried first. The most effective is aluminium chloride solution which temporarily blocks the pores of the sweat glands. It is applied at night to dry skin, once daily at first and less often as the condition improves. It can take several weeks to work and may cause skin irritation.
Iontophoresis can be used for hands and feet and involves passing a weak electric current through the area while it is immersed in tap water or a medicated solution. This can cause mild discomfort. Treatment with tap water can be carried out at home.
Injections of botulinum toxin (‘botox’) are effective for armpits, palms and soles and can last 6-12 months. Botox stops the nerves from stimulating the sweat glands.
When medical treatments fail, surgery can be used to remove the sweat glands in the armpits or cut the nerves.
If you have excessive sweating, discuss it with your doctor who will check for an underlying cause and advise on treatment.
Exercise will make you feel great.
Exercise is an antidote to many of the problems of our modern lifestyle. It makes you more energetic, confident and relaxed and improves sleep. However, in spite of these and many other health benefits, 1 in 2 Australians do not get enough.
How much is enough?
Australian guidelines (www.health.gov.au > exercise) recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity (e.g. brisk walking) on 5 or more days per week for health benefits. Each session should be 10 minutes or more.
Weight control requires extra effort. To prevent weight gain, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise is needed on most days. To maintain your weight after previously losing weight, you need at least 60-90 minutes of moderate activity every day.
Walking is ideal for most people
Walking is free, enjoyable, healthy and carbon-neutral. Start slowly and reward yourself when you reach your goals. Finding a partner or pet to walk with can help.
Using a pedometer, gradually increase your number of steps by about 10% weekly until you reach your target. 10,000 steps is the usual daily goal for a healthy adult.
Visit 10,000 Steps (www.10000steps.org.au), a helpful website funded by Queensland Health that supports and motivates you to walk. You can record and monitor your activity online using the ‘Step Log’.
Another way to keep motivated and to make new friends is to join a walking group, such as Heart Foundation Walking, which operates across Australia (Tel: 1300 36 27 87, www.heartfoundation.org.au).
If you have been inactive, are over 40 (men) or 50 (women) or have a health problem, consult your GP before you beginEndometriosis. Often diagnosed late.
Endometriosis is a common and painful condition which affects up to 10% of women. There is often a long delay before diagnosis – 6-7 years on average.
Endometriosis is caused when cells from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grow in other places outside the uterus, e.g. on the ovaries or bowel. The cells continue to bleed and swell in a monthly cycle causing inflammation and scarring.
How is ‘endo’ diagnosed?
The symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Pain. Pelvic, back and/or abdominal pain, especially during periods or sex
- Menstrual problems. Heavy or irregular periods or spotting before periods
- Fertility problems
- Bladder symptoms e.g. blood in the urine
- Bowel symptoms e.g. constipation, painful abdominal bloating.
If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor, who will do a physical examination and may also order an ultrasound of the pelvis. In most cases, a laparoscopy is needed for a definite diagnosis. This involves passing a small telescope through a tiny cut into the abdomen.
A range of treatment options
Endometriosis can be mild and may need little or no treatment. Simple pain killers e.g. paracetamol or anti-inflammatory tablets e.g. naproxen may be sufficient.
In more severe cases, hormone treatments, e.g. the contraceptive pill and progestogens, are used to control the disease.
If symptoms persist, surgery by laparoscopy may be required. The affected areas are cut away or are destroyed by laser or cautery (burning). Less commonly the ovaries or uterus are removed.
For more information speak to your GP or go to www.endometriosis.org.au.
One in 6 Australians has hearing loss but many are undiagnosed and suffer in silence. It is not just the elderly who are affected – nearly half are working age people (15-64 years).
People with a hearing loss can feel isolated and frustrated and their relationships can suffer. They can even become depressed.
You may have hearing loss if you:
- Can hear but do not understand
- Have difficulty in noisy situations
- Think people mumble
- Turn the TV up loud
- Do not hear the doorbell or the phone
How is hearing loss treated?
Sometimes there is a treatable cause, such as ear wax or infection, a hole in the eardrum or fluid in the middle ear (glue ear). These problems can be easily fixed.
However, most cases are due to either ageing or noise exposure (especially from the workplace or music) and are permanent.
If you have a hearing loss see your GP for a checkup and a hearing test as treatment can greatly improve your quality of life. Hearing loss in one ear only may have a serious cause and should always be assessed. Sudden loss should be checked without delay as urgent treatment may be needed.
Many people benefit from hearing aids which have improved greatly over the past decade with digital technology. The latest aids are smaller, more comfortable and give a clearer sound with less background noise.
Government funded hearing aids are available up to age 21 years and for pensioners, veterans and certain other groups. If you are eligible, your GP can arrange for you to receive a voucher for this free service.
www.hearing.gov.au/hear, www.entuk.org
Does extra calcium help weak, brittle nails?
There is very little calcium in nails and extra calcium is of no benefit. Repeated wetting and drying is the main cause. Wear rubber gloves and try to avoid nail injury, detergents and chemicals.
Some studies show that oral biotin 2.5mg daily helps some people. A nail moisturiser such as 10% urea cream or a ‘alpha-hydroxy acid’ cream such as lactic acid or glycolic acid can also be effective.
Can stress cause your hair to go grey?
No. This is a popular urban myth which has no scientific evidence to support it. Hair can go grey or white slowly with age and (rarely) with certain medical conditions, but not with stress.
What is an HMR (Home Medicines Review)?
An HMR is a service provided by your GP and local pharmacist to help you manage your medicines better. The pharmacist usually visits you at home, talks to you about your medicines and makes a written report to your GP.
A HMR is especially useful if you use many medicines or if you are confused or worried about them. You will be shown how to take your medicines correctly, learn what they are for and how to store them. Ask your GP for more details.
New funding package for autism
Autism is a condition of the brain that makes communicating and interacting with other people difficult. It also causes unusual and repetitive behaviours. Many children with autism have an intellectual disability as well.
Autism is one of a group of developmental disabilities called autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Other ASDs include Asperger’s Syndrome and Rett’s Disorder.
Who gets autism?
One in 160 children has autism and it is 4 times more common in boys. The condition is usually diagnosed by the age of 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life.
The causes of autism are not fully understood but appear to include both genes and the environment. It is not caused by bad parenting.
Early detection is vital
Some early warning signs of autism are:
- Trouble interacting or playing with others
- Lack of eye contact
- Not pointing to objects
- Unusual movements, such as hand flapping, spinning, or tapping
- Delays in developmental milestones
- Playing with the same toy in an odd or repetitive way
- Delayed speech and language
- Not exploring environment with curiosity
How is it treated?
There is no cure for autism but early, intensive treatment can help children reach their full potential. An individual program of special education and behaviour management can help improve social skills, communication and behaviour.
‘Helping Children with Autism’ package
Medicare has recently provided funding for a specialist to assess a child under 13 years for autism and to develop a treatment plan. Some treatment with psychologists, speech pathologists or occupational therapists is also now funded.
To find out more, ask your GP, ring the Autism Inquiry Line on 1800 289 177 or visit www.health.gov.au/autism or www.autismawareness.com.au.
Health check for four-year olds
A basic health check is now available for four-year olds to see if they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school.
The Healthy Kids Check is performed by your GP or practice nurse, usually when the child comes for the four-year vaccination. It includes a discussion of health concerns and a check of height and weight, eyesight, hearing and teeth.
Get Set 4 Life
- At the check-up, you will be given a free copy of a 48-page booklet, Get Set 4 Life – Habits for Healthy Kids. This provides practical advice to help you set up healthy habits for your child in areas such as play and learning, healthy eating, sleep, speech and language. The booklet can be read with your child and includes posters and stickers. Here are some tips from the book:
- Boundaries and rules help children feel safe and secure, but don’t overdo it. Try to stick to the important issues.
- Provide healthy food and let children decide if they eat, what parts of the meal they eat and when they’ve had enough. Remove leftovers without a fuss.
- Limit ‘sometimes’ foods like potato chips, lollies and soft drinks to no more than 1-2 times a week. Have clear rules about when they can be eaten.
- Have a consistent bedtime routine with ‘wind down’ time before bed. Most four-year olds need 10-12 hours sleep.
- Help your children to identify their feelings and to talk about them.
For further parenting advice, ask your GP or visit www.raisingchildren.net.au.
Nuts on the menu
Nuts are an important part of a healthy diet. There is good evidence that nuts lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Studies also show that when eaten in moderation, they do not cause weight gain. Nuts are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eat a handful on most days as a snack or in a dish such as the recipe below.
Beans with pecans and macadamias
175g green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon macadamia oil
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
50g raw pecans, roughly chopped
50g raw macadamia, roughly chopped
Salt and black pepper
Place beans in a saucepan of boiling water and blanch for 1-2 minutes. Drain well and put on a serving plate.
Heat a small saucepan over medium low heat. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, dijon and nuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring until honey has dissolved. Spoon warm dressing and nuts over the beans and serve immediately.
