Sunburn
Ideally prevention is far better than a cure for sunburn; therefore the use of sunscreen, protective clothing, wearing a hat and minimising exposure to the sun (especially during the middle of the day) is extremely important.
If you do, however, find yourself with a painful case of sunburn there are measures to relieve the symptoms and to promote healing.
The most important measures to take include:
1. Avoid further sun exposure until the redness, peeling and pain have disappeared.
2. Wear loose, soft clothing to avoid irritation of the burned skin.
3. Drink plenty of water to replenish fluid levels as dehydration is a potentially dangerous side effect of too much exposure to the sun.
4. Take cool showers, and apply cool compresses.
5. We recommend the application of a hydrogel, brand names include Solosite or Solugel, as often as possible to burnt areas. These products will dump water back into the skin and hydrate the area. If applied soon enough they will prevent the formation of blisters and peeling.
For the pain of sunburn, simple analgesics such as Panadol or Nurofen are suitable. Please check with the Pharmacist or your Doctor if these medications would be suitable for you.
Other moisturisers such as After Sun preparations and Aloe Vera gels are also fine to use to put moisture back into the skin however they will not prevent peeling. It is important to check the alcohos content of these products, particularly Aloe Vera gels and sprays as they can be particularly drying.
For servere sunburn, or if you are experiencing blistering, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chills or severe pain, you should see your doctor.
Gel Heel Device
From Orthaheel designed to fit most types of footwear. Unique shock absorbing qualities with a Foot Fresh anti-bacterial deodorizer. Soft and flexible to reduce impact and fatigue. Treats most causes of heel pain, such as, tendon strain, heel spurs, cracked and bruised heels.
$24.95 per pair
Cholesterol and Statins by Charlene Morris & Karen Sharkey
Cholesterol is a type of fat essential to the human body and is carried around our bodies by our blood. All cells in our body require cholesterol to help then function and it is also involved in the production of some hormones. Our bodies normally make all the cholesterol it needs, however, some cholesterol is also taken up from our diet. Cholesteral is found in animal fats, therefore the cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from the saturated fats found in animal product. Our bodies normally eliminate some of our dietary cholesterol via the liver, however, when we eat too much saturated fat in our diet the liver returns the cholesterol it can't use back into our bloodstream. When there is too much cholesterol circulating in our blood stream it can build up into fatty deposits and we are then at risk of developing a number of other problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Statins are a group of drugs formulated to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme that is responsible for making cholesterol. There are many different medications all known as Statins. You may know them better by their brand names; some examples include Lipitor, pravachol, Zocar and Lipex. Even if you are taking one of these medications to lower your cholesterol, it is still very important to exercise and have a healthy diet.
Some diet tips to help reduce your cholesterol include:
*Limit consumption of cholesterol-rich food; such as fatty meats, snack foods such as chips, takeaway food (especially deep fried) and cakes, biscuits and pastries.
*Include a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains in your diet.
*Choose reduced fat milk
*Choose lean meat
*Replace butter with polyunsaturated margarines
*Eat foods high in "healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, legumes and fish.
Co-enzyme Q10 is an antioxidant in our bodies that is made from the same substance that cholesterol is made from. Therefore it has been found that when people take "Statins" the medication not only decreases cholesterol levels, but also decreases levels of Co-enzyme Q10. Co-enzyme Q10 is normally present in every cell of your body and it plays a critical role in the production of energy. Therefore people taking "Statins" often find that they feel lethargic, lacking in energy and/or experience muscle aches and pains. This feeling is directly related to how their medication is working and the subsequent decrease in Co-enzyme Q10 in the body. A number of Co-enzyme Q10 supplements are available from our Pharmacy at a cost of $1 to $1.60 per day. These will especially benefit you if you are taking a "Statin" medication to decrease cholesterol. It is important to let your doctor know if you decide to take Co-enzyme Q10 especially if you are on Warfarin.
Aqium Gel
Germs hate clean hands. Aqium gel is more effective and convenient then soap and water. Carry it with you when you're camping, picnicing, at the beach, bushwalking, travelling and especially during cold and flu season and after handling animals or before food handling. Aqium Gel is a highly effective anti-bacterial alcohol based hand gel that will leave your hands refreshed, moisturised and hygienically clean.
It kills germs fast, helping to reduce infections and prevent the spread of bacteria. No washing or towelling is required as Aqium Gel air dries within seconds. It also has added moisturising agents, vitamin E and pro vitamin B5 to help prevent your skin drying out.
Call in at Healthpoint Chemist and grab either a bottle or pump pack for your peace of mind when out and about.
Should you have a Flu Shot?
The Flu, also known as influenza, is a common & highly contagious disease that affects millions of Australians each year. A typical case of flu may cause some people to feel unwell and miss days of work. However, in the elderly and people with existing health problems, it can lead to hospitalisation or even be life threatening. The Flu vaccine is now available at Healthpoint Chemist. The fluvax is recommended for everyone aged 65 years and over, children and adults with a chronic medical condition. Anyone who's immune system is not fully functioning should also consider a flu injection. Please see your doctor today to obtain a prescription.
Immune Boost By Codral
Natural supplement to support, promote and enhance the immune system. Immune boost contains Lactoferrin which is an important part of your body’s own defence system. When you are feeling sick, Immune Boost may help your body in the defence mechanisms against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Lactoferrin does not contain lactose, so it should be suitable for those people with lactose intolerance.
This winter boost your Immune system
with this natural supplement….
30 Capsules $17.95
60 Capsules $29.95
Blood Pressure Checks Free Everyday
Call in for your free blood pressure check.
Your blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the arteries as the heart pumps it around the body. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time – it changes to meet your body’s needs. If blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious problems like a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney disease.
Measuring blood pressure
Blood pressure is usually measured by an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting or lying down.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80. The larger number indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart squeezes out blood during each beat. It is called the systolic blood pressure. The lower number indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat. It is called the diastolic blood pressure.
Blood pressure varies
Blood pressure changes to meet your body’s needs. If a reading is high, your doctor will measure your blood pressure again on several separate occasions to confirm the level. Your doctor may also recommend that you measure your blood pressure at home or have a 24-hour recording with a monitor device. This can be useful if going to the clinic makes your blood pressure rise.
High blood pressure
There is no ‘ideal’ blood pressure reading. The following figures for clinic blood pressures can be used as a guide:
- Normal blood pressure: less than 120/80
- High/Normal: between 120/80 and 140/90
- High: equal to or more than 140/90
- Very high: equal to or more than 180/110
Come into Healthpoint and one of our staff will be happy to take your blood pressure or assist you in obtaining your own blood pressure machine.
Lifeline automatic digital Blood Pressure Monitors
Blood pressure measured at a clinic or doctor’s office may cause apprehension and can produce elevated readings of 10 to 30 mmHg higher than those measured at home.
This phenomenon is known as
“white coat hypertension”.
Call in and see our automatic and semi automatic blood pressure monitors.
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure are:
three times as likely to develop coronary heart disease,
six times as likely to develop congestive heart failure, and
seven times as likely to have a stroke.
The healthy alternative:
A balanced diet of fresh vegetables, potatoes, rice, wholemeal bread and fruit.
Vegetable instead of animal fats and oils.
A low salt intake but rich in potassium.
Low alcohol intake.
Regular exercise & recreation.
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Diabetes Advice
Call in to Healthpoint the Pines and see Cathy for some Diabetes handouts on all you need to know about this disease. Some of the topics covered are:
*Insulin and Diabetes
*The Facts About Sugar
*Physical Activity and Type 2 Diabetes
*Pre-Diabetes
We also have a range of Blood Glucose Monitors for you to choose from.
Optium Xceed Diabetes Monitoring System
Optium Xceed measures both blood glucose (sugar) and blood B-Ketone.
The three main type of Diabetes are:-
- Type 1 - insulin dependent Diabetes
- Type 2 - non insulin dependent Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes - a type of diabetes, or high blood sugar, that only pregnant women get
To help prevent Diabetes, try to follow the list below
Put on your walking shoes:
Regular exercise plays an important roll in controlling weight and blood pressure and maintaining good health. You should aim to exercise for 30-45 minutes per day, three times a week. This exercise can be broken into 10-15 minute segments, three time a day if you prefer.
-
Healthy Eating Habits:
A healthy and nutritious eating plan plays an important role in maintaining health and well being. This is particularly important among people with diabetes. Eat plenty of wholegrain breads, cereals, legumes, fruit and vegetables. Always eat foods that are low in fat, especially saturated fat, watch the sugar intake, choose low salt foods, read the labels before you buy.
- You are over 50 and have high blood pressure
- You are over 50 and are overweight
- You over 50 and one or more members of your family has diabetes
- You are over 65
- You have heart disease or have had a heart attack
- You had high blood sugar levels while you were pregnant
- You have had a borderline high blood sugar test
- You have polycystic ovary syndrome and are overweight
- You are over 35 and are a Pacific Islander, from a Chinese cultural background or are from the Indian subcontinent
Diabetes risk list
We recommend you go and see your doctor and be tested if you said yes to any of these.
From the Pharmacist..... Weight Loss
Why is weight loss important?
- Overweight people are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, heartburn or gastric reflux, and gallstones. In very obese people breathing may be very difficult, particularly at night when sleeping.
- Reducing weight to the healthy range reduces most of the above risks.
- Life expectancy is generally reduced in obese people.
- Maintaining a healthy weight also makes exercise and movement easier. Exercise is also important in maintaining a healthy body and reducing the risk of some diseases.
Non-Medicine therapy for weight loss
There is no easy way to lose weight. A gradual weight loss of 0.5 - 1kg per week is optimal weight loss. It takes a long time for weight to be put on, and the most lasting way to lose weight is to do it gradually, and let the new lifestyle become the healthy habit.
Beware of products which advertise no effort or exercise required, miracle ingredients in special supplements that speed up metabolism or burn fat, rapid, major weight loss, very restrictive or limited variety of food diets, or other fad diets.
A change in lifestyle is usually necessary to sustain weight loss - this involves increased activity and different eating habits.
Fat should not provide more than 30% of the total energy calorie intake, and generally should be less than 30g a day. It is important to reduce calories and fat intake as well as eating less food generally. Fat has 9 calories per gram while sugar or carbohydrates have only around 3 calories per gram.
The Heart Foundation of Australia has excellent leaflets showing the ideal food pyramid, indicating the importance of a variety of foods. Our main energy (calorie) intake should be from vegetables, fruit and complex carbohydrates such as cereals, breads, pasta and rice.
Exercise helps maintain body weight, reduces risk of heart disease, improves mental well-being and can provide relaxation and enjoyment.
Diet tips for Lower Cholesterol
Meat & Protein Food/
Choose
Fish & Shellfish
Chicken and turkey without skin
Lean well trimmed beef, veal, lamb and pork without crackling
Small servings of meat, seafood and poultry
Dried beans, lentils, split peas, peanut butter, tofu instead of meat
LIMIT
Large servings of prawns
Fried chicken or duck
Fatty meat
Liver and organ meats
Bacon, sausages & hight fat deli meats
Bread & Cereals - Choose:
Plain breads, English muffins, bagels
Plain pasta, rice
Hot or cold cereal with no added fat
Low fat snack foods like pretzels, air-popped corn, rice cakes, crackers, melba toast
Low fat baked goods, angel food cake, fruit cookies, gingersnaps
LIMIT
Donuts, Danish pastry, croissants
Fried rice, crispy chow mein noodles
High fat chips, cheese crackers, butter cookies
High fat cakes, cookies and pies
Milk, Cheese & Dairy Products - Choose:
Skim or 1% low fat milk only
Low fat milk, evaporated skim milk, or non fat dry milk powder in place of cream
Frozen yoghurt, sherbet or sorbet instead of ice cream
Low fat or nonfat yoghurt
Low fat cheeses - 1% cottage cheese, skim-milk ricotta, skim-milk mozzarella,
LIMIT
Any milk containing more than 1% fat
Cream
Ice-cream, whipped cream
Whole milk yoghurt, sour cream
Whole milk cheeses-cheddar, cream cheese, brie
Fruits & Vegetables - Choose:
Raw steamed, boiled, baked or stir-fried vegetables
Vegetables seasoned with herbs, lemon juice, or small amount of margarine
LIMIT
Coconut - the only fruit high in saturated fat
Deep fried vegetables
Cream sauce, cheese sauce, butter on vegetables
High Fat Foods - Choose:
Margarine or diet margarine made with corn or sunflower oil
Cooking oils high in monounsaturated fatty acids, such as olive and peanut oils
Salad dressing and diet dressings made without saturated oils
Nut snacks in moderation.
LIMIT
Butter or margarine made with partially hydrogenated oil
Lard, meat fat, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated solid vegetabe shortening products made with coconut or palm oil
Salad dressings made with sour cream or cheese
Chocolate high in saturated fat
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A thrombosis is a blood clot. The clot may block a blood vessel, causing potentially serious health effects. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg. A deep vein thrombosis in the thigh carries a risk of pulmonary embolism. This occurs when the clot, or thrombus, loses its attachment to the inside of the vein, leaves the leg and lodges in the pulmonary artery, the main blood vessel to the lungs. If the clot is large enough, it can completely block the artery and cause death.
Blood flow through the leg veins generally requires some mechanical help, since it ‘flows’ up instead of down. Working calf muscles act as a pump. The contracting muscles compress the veins and force the blood in these veins upwards to the heart. This process is aided by valves in the veins, which direct the flow of blood and counteract the effects of gravity.
Sitting still for long periods of time allows blood to pool in the veins.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of a DVT may include:
- Pain and tenderness in the leg
- Pain on extending the foot
- Swelling of the lower leg, ankle and foot
- The skin is red and warm
RISK FACTORS
Some of the risk factors that may contribute to the formation of a blood clot include:
- Coronary heart disease
- Being overweight or obese
- Cigarette smoking
- Pregnancy
- Oral contraceptive pill
- Family history of DVT
- Recent surgery or injury
- Previous thrombosis
COMPLICATIONS OF DVT
If the DVT remains in the leg vein, it can cause a number of complications, including inflammation (phlebitis) and leg ulcers. However, the real danger occurs if the clot leaves the vein and travels through the circulatory system. A pulmonary embolism means the clot has blocked off the main artery to the lungs or one of its major branches. It is estimated that 80% of cases are linked to DVT.
ECONOMY CLASS SYNDROME
International flights are suspected of contributing to the formation of Deep Vein Thrombosis in susceptible people. Some airlines err on the side of caution and offer suggestions to passengers to reduce the risk of DVT.
- Wear graduated support stockings
- Wear loose clothes
- Avoid alcohol
- Drink plenty of water
- Move about cabin whenever possible
- Don’t sit with legs crossed
- Perform leg and foot stretches and exercises when seated
- Consult with your Doctor before leaving
DIAGNOSIS METHODS
A DVT can easily be mistaken for other disorders, including lymphoedema and chronic venous disease. The diagnosis of a DVT is confirmed using a number of tests such as:
- Venous ultrasound
- Contrast venography – a dye is injected into the foot and x-rays are taken of the leg veins.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment for DVT includes:
- Hospitalisation
- Intravenous drugs to dissolve the clot
- Long term treatment with anticoagulant drugs, such as Warfarin, to prevent further clotting
- Blood tests to monitor the clotting rate of the blood
- Reducing risk factors such as quitting smoking, losing weight and switching to a low fat diet.
Ask us at Healthpoint Chemist about TRAVERNO compression stockings.
Available in black and beige for men and women.
We also stock a large range of Jobst Compression Stockings
Footcare
Foot problems include - smelly feet, athlete’s foot, verrucae, corns and infected toenails. Smelly feet are usually caused by excessive perspiration and an over-growth of fungi or bacteria. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection also called tinea pedis. It is contagious via direct contact, wet floors and shared footwear. Verrucae are flat warts in the sole of the foot. They are forced under the skin and may occur in clusters. The surface is grayish and crumbly, and they may contain small black points that are swollen blood vessels. Verrucae are contagious via wet floors. Like warts, varrucae will disappear on their own, but this may take up to two years.
Treatment options
New Product at Healthpoint for verrucae or warts is called Freeze, by Scholl
Terbinafine (Lamisil) fungicidal antifungals kill fungi rather than just halting growth, making shorter treatment courses possible, for example, a one to two weeks treatment for athlete’s foot.
Imidazole antifungals Clotrimazole (Canesten, Clonea, Tinaderm Extra)
These medicines halt the growth of the fungi and yeast but do not kill it. They must be used until the skin sheds naturally, and should be applied for one to two weeks after infection has cleared.
Other antifungals (Tinaderm, mycil healthy feet) dusting powders may be useful in shoes and socks to prevent re-infection.
Advice for customers - wash feet twice daily and dry thoroughly, particularly between the toes. Use a clean towel. Change socks daily and wear cotton not synthetic socks. Wash socks and towels at high temperature. Leather allows feet to breathe. Synthetic shoes tend to increase the amount of perspiration. Open shoes or sandals allow air to circulate freely. Bleach the shower/bath area.
