Newsletter "Your Health"
YOUR HEALTH. Edition 58, autumn 2011
- HPV vaccine now approved for males
- Blood pressure. What can YOU do?
- Lactose intolerance.Could you have it?
- Menopause. Your questions answered.
- Clean teeth might save your life!
- Is your child fully vaccinated?
- Recipe: Steak & caramelised onion sandwiches with mustard cream
- How much red meat?
- The lighter side of medicine (humour)
HPV vaccine now approved for males
HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination has recently been approved for males aged 9-26 years. The vaccine protects men from the papillomavirus which causes genital warts and genital cancers.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Australia and infects 4 in 5 people at some time in their lives.
There are > 40 types of HPV which affect the genital area. The vaccine protects against 4 of the important ones (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18).
The HPV vaccine is provided free for all 12-13 year old girls at school to prevent cancer of the cervix. It can also be given to older women up to and including 45 years.
What are genital warts?
HPV strains 6 and 11 cause genital warts which are flesh- or grey-coloured, raised or flat growths that appear in the genital area. They are generally considered to be harmless but can be embarrassing and can be passed on to others. They usually appear within 3 months of sexual contact.
Treatment can be uncomfortable and usually involves freezing, burning or cutting the warts. Warts come back in about 25% of cases within 3 months.
A worldwide trial of males aged 16-29 years found that the HPV vaccine was 90% effective in preventing genital warts.
Cancers in men from HPV
Some strains of HPV are important causes of cancer of the penis and anus. Mouth and throat cancers from HPV are also increasingly common due to the practice of oral sex. Men who have sex with men and men with HIV are at particularly high risk.
Vaccination is expected to protect men from many of these cancers which can take decades to develop after infection.
Another reason to vaccinate males is to reduce the risk of passing the virus to women. The vaccine gives protection against HPV 16 and 18 which cause about 70% of cervical cancer in women.
The vaccine
HPV vaccination is most effective when given at around 12-13 years of age before boys become sexually active. However, it can be given up to the age of 26 years.
The vaccine is well tolerated and serious reactions are rare. The most common side-effects are redness, swelling or pain at the injection site, mild fever and headache. Fainting can sometimes occur soon after the injection.
A course of 3 injections is given over 6 months. The vaccine is available for males on a private prescription. Ask your GP about it.
Blood pressure. What can you do?
Nearly 1 in 3 adult Australians has high blood pressure (hypertension). However, most people who are being treated are not reaching their target blood pressure. Many cases have not been diagnosed at all.
Target blood pressure (BP) is under 140/90 for most people and lower for those at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, e.g. people with diabetes or kidney damage. Not reaching your target BP leaves you at increased risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.
Lifestyle factors
Lifestyle changes can lower your blood pressure and are essential in all cases. Try to maintain an ideal body weight, limit alcohol and salt, stop smoking and get regular exercise.
These changes may allow you to reduce and even stop your medication. However, in most cases, lifelong medication is needed.
Managing your medication
Take your tablets every day. Dosette boxes, blister packs, Post-it notes or mobile phone reminders help some people.
Most patients will need 2 or more drugs to reach their target blood pressure.
Combination tablets are available which contain 2 or 3 medications. If you are taking 2 or more separate tablets ask your GP about switching to a single pill combination.
Ask your doctor about a Home Medicines Review if you are taking a lot of medication.
Side-effects from BP medications tend to settle within a few days. If they persist speak to your doctor about alternative drugs.
What else you can do
See your doctor for regular BP checks.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home can be useful. BP is often artificially raised at the surgery (‘white coat hypertension’).
Over-the-counter medicines such as anti-inflammatory tablets, complementary therapies and recreational drugs can raise blood pressure. Tell your GP everything you are taking.
If you snore ask your GP about sleep apnoea which is often missed as a cause of raised BP.
www.heartfoundation.com.au
Lactose intolerance.Could you have it?
Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy foods. It is digested in the bowel by an enzyme called ‘lactase’. People with lactose intolerance don’t have enough of this enzyme.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can occur some time after eating and include
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Bloating and wind
- Diarrhoea
About 6% of Caucasian Aussies have lactose intolerance but rates are much higher in people of Asian, African and aboriginal descent.
A simple test is to drink a glass of milk or have a lactose-free week and monitor your symptoms. If you are still not sure see your GP as these symptoms can also be caused by many other medical conditions and food sensitivities such as the fat in milk, caffeine and certain other dietary sugars.
The diagnosis of lactose intolerance can be confirmed with a simple test to measure the level of hydrogen in your breath. This is raised in people with lactose intolerance.
Can I still eat dairy foods?
Most people with lactose intolerance can still enjoy dairy foods which are an important source of calcium. However, the amount may need to be reduced and spread over the day.
Most people can drink ½ cup of milk without symptoms. Milk on cereal or in tea is fine.
Full cream milk is better tolerated than skim milk. Alternatives are calcium-enriched soy or rice milk and milk with pre-digested lactose.
Hard cheeses and yogurt are low in lactose and can generally be eaten safely.
Calcium-enriched soy custard, soy ice-cream and soy yogurt are alternatives. Other lactose-free foods are also available.
Lactase enzyme is available in drops and tablets from pharmacies to take with meals.
www.gutfoundation.com
Menopause. Your questions answered.
The menopause is the last menstrual period a woman has. The average age is 51 years (range 45-55 years). Smokers reach the menopause 1-4 years earlier than non-smokers.
What are menopausal symptoms?
A range of symptoms can occur several years before and after the menopause. The good news is that 20% of women have no symptoms and 60% have only mild symptoms.
• Hot flushes, night sweats
• Aches and pains
• Crawling or itchy skin
• Headaches
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced sex drive
• Urinary frequency
• Tiredness, irritability
• Depression
• Sleeping difficulty
• Low self-esteem
• Forgetfulness
How are hot flushes treated?
Hot flushes are a feeling of intense heat, flushing and sweating. They occur in up to 80% of women and continue for 4-5 years on average.
Drinking cool drinks, using a small fan, dressing in layers and wearing light clothing can help. Regular exercise, managing stress and a healthy diet are also beneficial.
Avoid triggers such as caffeine, smoking, alcohol, spicy foods, hot rooms and hot drinks.
Short-term hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flushes and is safe for most women. Other medicines are also available.
What about complementary medicines?
There is no good evidence that any complementary medicine helps menopausal symptoms. This includes black cohosh, red clover, soy foods, soy isoflavone extracts, dong quai, wild yam, progesterone creams and ginseng.
Are ‘bioidentical hormones’ safe?
Bioidentical hormones are promoted as being identical to natural hormones. They are not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. There is no evidence they are safer than any other hormone therapy and they may even be harmful in some women. Most experts do not recommend them.
When can contraception be ceased?
Birth control is needed until you have had one year without a period if over the age of 50 or 2 years if under 50. Women on the Pill are generally advised to stop by age 51 and use an alternative method if still needing contraception.
www.managingmenopause.org.au
Clean teeth might save your life!
Evidence is mounting that gum disease plays a role in a range of serious health problems around the body.
People with gum disease have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. There is also a known link with premature birth, lung and kidney disease.
Gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, improved oral hygiene appears to improve diabetes control.
How can gum health cause illness?
The problem begins with the bacteria living in the plaque on the surface of the teeth. Bacteria cause gum inflammation (gingivitis) seen as gum tenderness and bleeding when you brush.
The body’s immune system responds by releasing white cells and inflammatory chemicals which damage the gums further and destroy the soft tissue and bone that anchor the teeth (periodontitis) so that teeth can fall out.
The chemicals and bacteria escape into the bloodstream and are carried to other parts of the body where they cause inflammation and damage to a range of vital organs.
Looking after your gums
The best way to protect your gums is regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist.
Electric or power toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular. A recent scientific review found that power brushes with a ‘rotation oscillation’ action (the head rotates in one direction and then the other) are more effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis than manual brushing and do not cause gum damage.
Cleaning your teeth prevents dental decay and improves your breath. It could also save your life!
www.perio.org
Is your child fully vaccinated?
According to Medicare Australia, 1 in 10 five-year olds is not fully immunised.
This is of great concern as immunisation is an effective and safe way to prevent many infections that killed a lot of children in the past. Unvaccinated children are still at risk from these very serious diseases.
The huge benefits of immunisation far outweigh the very small risks. Side-effects are usually minor, e.g. soreness at the injection site or mild fever. Serious reactions are rare.
These days, children receive more vaccines than previously but many are now combination vaccines so the child can get protected against more diseases using fewer needles.
Is your child up-to-date?
Find out by checking the National Immunisation Program Schedule below which lists the vaccines recommended and provided free for Australian children and adolescents.
If you are still unsure, speak to your GP or contact the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register which keeps a record of all vaccinations given to children under 7 years of age. You can request a free vaccination history statement for any child under 14 years of age by ringing 1800 653 809 or going to www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.
Vaccination history statements are also needed for school enrolment and to prove eligibility for Childcare Benefit and Maternity Immunisation Allowance payments.
For more information
For more about immunisation speak to your GP, visit www.immunise.health.gov.auor ring the Immunise Australia infoline on 1800 671 811. A new website www.chainofprotection.org is now online and is an authoritative and valuable reference for parents.
Age |
National Immunisation Program Schedule |
Birth |
Hepatitis B |
2 months |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilusinfluenzae type B, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis |
4 months |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilusinfluenzae type B, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis |
6 months |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilusinfluenzae type B, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis |
12 months |
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) |
18 months |
Chickenpox |
4 years |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis |
10-13 years |
Hepatitis B – if no previous vaccination or disease (2 dose course) |
12-13 years |
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – girls only (3 dose course over 6 months) |
15-17 years |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (age 12-13 in NSW, NT, WA) |
Additional vaccinations are recommended for Indigenous children and medical at-risk children. Please note that there are some minor diifferences between states. Your doctor will advise you where appropriate.
Recipe: Steak & caramelised onion sandwiches with mustard cream
Prep: 10min, cook: 15–20min
Serves 4. Cost per serve: $3.38.
Cooking oil spray
2 medium brown onions, sliced
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup extra light sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
500g ‘minute’ steaks, trimmed (if not available use ‘flattened’ sirloin steaks)
8 slices multigrain sourdough
2 cups lettuce leaves
2 tomatoes, sliced
½ cup canned beetroot slices, drained
Step 1. Spray a large frying pan with oil. Add onion and cook for 10–15 minutes over low heat, until very soft. Add 1 tblspn water occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in sugar + vinegar. Remove from heat. Keep warm.
Step 2. Beat sour cream and Dijon mustard in small bowl. Set aside.
Step 3. Spray steaks with oil and season with ground black pepper. Cook on high heat for 1 min each side, or till browned and just cooked. Remove from heat and rest for 2 minutes.
Step 4. Meanwhile toast bread and place 4 pieces on plates. Top with lettuce, tomato, beetroot, caramelised onions, steaks. Spoon over mustard cream and top with remaining toast.
P. serve: 9.5g fat, 1510kJ, Protein 34.1g
From: Australian Healthy Food Guide www.healthyfoodguide.com.au
How much red meat?
Red meat contains 5 essentialnutrients (iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega 3 fats and protein) and should be eaten regularly. However it can be a source of ‘bad‘ saturated fat so choose lean cuts.
Eat red meat 2-3 times per week. Therecommended serving size is roughlythe size of your palm which is about65-100g for both men and women.
From: Australian Healthy Food Guide www.healthyfoodguide.com.au
Humour
Signs
On a maternity room door
PUSH PUSHPUSH
At the gynaecologist’s office
Dr Jones at your cervix
At the podiatrist
Time wounds all heels
In a Vet’s waiting room
Be back in 5 minutes. Sit and stay!
On the back of a septic tank truck
Yesterday’s meals on wheels
Submitted by G Zurilla
Exercise the easy way!
Purchase a block of timber and write ‘Exercise Block’ on it.
Instructions
1. Carefully place block on floor
2. Walk around the block twice
3. Sit down and relax
If anyone asks if you have exercised today, tell them you have walked around the block TWICE!
