Tag Archives: Wellcare Medical Centre

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Preparing for Flu Season in Australia

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Winter is coming – and that means flu season is about to arrive on our coasts. If you’re like most Australians, you might be more focused on bundling up against the upcoming cold; however, it’s more important than ever to get your flu shots in preparation for those long winter months.

Flu shots offer serious protection against a potentially deadly illness, especially in young children and the elderly. It’s estimated that influenza causes about 3,500 deaths, yet only 42 percent of “at risk” groups are vaccinated annually. This is alarming, considering that the flu shot is the single greatest defense against the influenza virus.

Even if you’re not in the “at risk” group of children and elderly, getting a flu shot can be critical for staying happy and healthy this winter. It’s estimated that over 10 percent of workplace absenteeism is associated with the flu; additionally, about 18,000 percent of hospitalisations and 300,000 GP consultations are made each year because of the flu.

That’s a lot of time lost to GP appointments and sick days!

To prepare for the flu season in Australia this year, consider using the following techniques:

• Wash your hands: You know that hand washing is great for preventing germs – and that rule still applies during flu season. Teach your children to wash their hands throughout the day to stop flu germs from spreading.

• Disinfect heavily touched items: Doorknobs, handles, kitchen tables, counters, and other popular areas should be disinfected on a regular basis.

• Focus on a healthy diet: Your immune system needs vitamins and minerals to properly function – give it what it needs by eating a healthy diet filled with veggies, greens, and fruits.

• Get some sleep: Feeling tired and run down makes you especially susceptible to the influenza virus. Get your seven to eight hours per night to give your body the energy it needs to fight off the flu.

• Get your flu shot: The flu shot is the single best line of defense against the flu this winter season. Make sure you get it as soon as those temperatures start dropping!

At Wellcentre Medical Centre in Kingston, we do more than specialize in skin cancer and melanoma detection; we also provide GP services, including administration of the new quadriple vaccine ($15). Don’t let influenza invade your home this upcoming winter – schedule a consultation with a GP at Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston today.

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Safeguard Your Health As You Near Menopause

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If menopause is on your horizon, you may already be anticipating the arrival of hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and the disappearance of your menstrual cycle. However, there are several other side effectives to your health as you near menopause – many of which may make you more susceptible to osteoporosis, heart disease, and even cancer.

How Menopause Impacts Your Health

When a woman reaches menopause, her estrogen levels respond by dropping. Unfortunately, this sudden drop in the protective hormone also happens when the body is aging (the average woman achieves menopause at 51). This means that without proper safeguards, your body is suddenly more vulnerable to various diseases and conditions that could impair your quality of life.

Estrogen is vital for many activities within a woman’s body; yet one of the most surprising functions is that the hormone helps keep blood vessel walls flexible. As estrogen levels drop, those vessel walls begin stiffer, making it difficult for blood to freely flow. This diminished function can put women at risk for weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a host of other health problems.

Safeguard Your Health During Menopause

Fortunately, there are many steps women can take to safeguard their health as they approach menopause, including:

• Following a healthy diet: Make sure your plate is filled with plenty of greens, lean proteins, whole grains, and delicious fruits – all those vitamins and minerals are essential for keeping your body fit and healthy.

• Lose extra weight: If you’re overweight, try dropping a few pounds; studies have shown that weight loss can give your heart health a boost.

• Exercise on a regular basis: Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. A brisk walk, jog, or even a bike ride can help get your blood pumping.

• Talk to an experienced doctor: A doctor who understands women’s health and preventative medicine can help you set up the following strategies to cover common health issues:

o Cardiovascular risk assessment and assessing your risk for heart attack and stroke;
o Common cancer screenings, including breast, bowel, skin, and cervical cancer;
o Assessment of memory and emotional well-being, as depression is common in this age;
o Regular monitoring of vision to diagnose macular degeneration as early as possible; and
o Assessment for incontinence and patient education about pelvic floor exercise

At Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston, our experienced team of doctors and nurses, including female doctors, will address all aspects of your health. Wellcare Medical Centre is home to the following clinicians:

• Expert male and female doctors
• Expert dermatology trained doctor
• Doctors with extensive experience dealing with aging populations
• Experienced nurses who specialize in chronic disease management
• Onsite dietician, exercise physiologist, and physiotherapist

Enjoy your optimal health during menopause – schedule a consultation with a women’s health GP at Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston today. Call Us Today 07 3133 4483!

Skin Cancer and Your Occupation Understand Your Risks

Skin Cancer and Your Occupation: Understand Your Risks

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If you have a job that requires you to work outside, there’s no denying it comes with tons of benefits. Whilst your friends and family members are stuck at office cubicles, you’re soaking up the sunshine. When colleagues comment on how they feel like they never see the sun during the winter, you just smile to yourself, knowing that you’ll never feel like you’re chained to a desk, staring at the clock.

Whilst working outside can have its benefits, there are also some downsides you need to stay on top of. If your work involves a decent amount of sun exposure, you’ll need to be vigilant about reducing your risks for skin cancer.

How to Protect Yourself

If you spend more than twenty minutes outside, you’re putting yourself at risk for skin cancer. Use the following steps to stay protected, no matter where your occupation may take you:

• Understand Your Genetic Risk: Some individuals have greater risk for skin cancer than others. Look back at your family history to see what your risk might be. If you’ve had family members who’ve suffered from skin cancer, you must be vigilant about protecting yourself.

• Sunscreen Is Your Friend: Always be generous when applying sunscreen to every area that’s exposed to the sun. You should even apply sunscreen underneath your clothing, as the sun’s UV rays can penetrate thin cloth.

• Minimize Exposure to Chemicals: Certain chemicals can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Be sure to understand your occupational risks by researching the chemicals you work with, and how they contribute to skin cancer risks.

If your occupation comes with skin cancer risks, stay vigilant about your health at Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston. We specialize in early skin cancer and melanoma detection, making treatment much more likely to be successful. Our skin cancer management services include:

• Comprehensive head-to-toe skin examination
• Record of all skin lesions
• Sequential monitoring of moles over time
• Surgical excision of skin cancer

Wellcare Medical Centre even provides corporate skin check events for employees, making it easier for you to stay on top of your skin cancer risks.

Contact Wellcare Medical Centre Today

Don’t let your career become a risk to your health. Start down the path toward healthier, happier skin by contacting Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston today to schedule your skin cancer management consultation.

Why You Need to Give Yourself Skin Cancer Self Examinations Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston AU

Why You Need to Give Yourself Skin Cancer Self-Examinations

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Skin cancer is on the rise all around the world; in fact, a recent study by an American non-profit showed that cases of melanoma have risen over 800 percent in women ages 18 to 39, while rates for men are at 400 percent. To help combat the rising tides of melanoma, it’s more important than ever for people to examine their skin for signs of skin cancer.

How to Perform a Skin Examination

Early detection is key, especially in Australia, where 30 people are diagnosed with melanoma each day. When caught early, melanoma and other forms of skin cancer can be treated as quickly as possible, leading to higher survival rates.

To perform a skin examination, perform the following steps on a month-to-month basis:

• Examine your nude body from head to toe in front of a mirror; note where you see any moles and skin lesions

• Bend elbows to examine their creases

• Look at the backs of your legs and soles of your feet, as well as in between your toes

• Using a hand mirror, examine the back of your neck and your scalp.

• Finish the exam by using the hand mirror to check your back and buttocks

You may want to take pictures of any moles or skin lesions that look new or have changed shape. Compare these notes during your next self-exam to see if the moles changed shape or color. If you see anything that looks concerning or different, contact Wellcare Medical Centre for a skin cancer check-up right away.

Wellcare Medical Centre: Fighting Back Against Skin Cancer

At Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston, we specialize in skin cancer and melanoma detection. We use state-of-the-art technology to help diagnose and catch melanoma at its earliest stages. This equipment can be crucial to detecting skin cancer as early as possible, making treatment much more likely to be successful. Our skin cancer management services include:

• Comprehensive head-to-toe skin examination
• Record of all skin lesions
• Sequential monitoring of moles over time
• Surgical excision of skin cancer

Wellcare Medical Centre even provides corporate skin check events for employees.

Contact Wellcare Medical Centre Today

Empower yourself to take a stand against skin cancer. Learn more about early detection for skin cancer by contacting Wellcare Medical Centre in Kingston today. Call Us Today 07 3133 4483 to learn more.