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Category: Chronic Diseases

heart attacks

Heart attacks – how much do you really know about them?

30/11/2017

Heart attacks – description and causes

 

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when the heart does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. The heart is mainly a muscle, and as any muscle in the human body, it needs oxygen to function properly. The lack of blood supply containing oxygen causes the muscle to deteriorate and die.

 

The heart requires a constant supply of blood which is provided by the coronary arteries. In coronary artery disease, the arteries become narrow and blood cannot flow as well as it should, to keep with your heart’s demand. When the heart muscles become deprived of oxygen, the heart muscle cells will die, causing permanent damage. In other words a heart attack will occur.

 

Coronary artery spasms are also responsible for heart attacks. A coronary spasm is when the coronary artery spasms on and off or restrict, cutting off the blood supply to the heart muscle.

 

Detecting a heart attack

 

Heart attacks have very distinct symptoms and can be easily identified if the person is aware of the symptomatology:

 

  • Discomfort or pain in the chest area, described as heaviness or tightness
  • Discomfort in in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or back
  • Shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Cold sweat
  • A general state of unwell

 

These symptoms can appear suddenly and increase or get worse in a matter of minutes

 

Awareness is vital in detecting, treating and preventing heart attacks.

 

It is estimated that heart disease kills four times more Australian women, than breast cancer.

 

Overall, every year around 36000 men and 19000 women suffer at least one heart attack and death rates caused by those heart attacks are currently 4700 for men and 4500 for women. Lack of awareness has a strong role in those numbers, reportedly women being less likely to present non chest pain symptoms, therefore making it easier to ignore a possible heart attack. That is why, even though the male population suffers more heart attacks that the female one, almost double to be precise, the death rates from heart attacks are almost equal which is very concerning.

 

Also women are said to be less likely to survive a heart attack, compared to men.

 

There is a long list of risk factors for heart attack at which both men and women are exposed to.
Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, ageing, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, unhealthy diets that contain a lot of sugars and saturated fats.

 

Treatment and prevention

 

Early treatment for a heart attack will, in most cases prevent permanent heart damage and other complications. When symptoms of a heart attack start to manifest, it is essential to get first aid from medical professionals, so it is important to call the paramedics. Medical specialists will be able to identify the issue and offer immediate assistance to prevent other complications and even a possible cardiac arrest which may end up in the ailing person’s death.

 

After a heart attack has been diagnosed, medical treatment is prescribed and will include aspirin, oxygen therapy, nitroglycerin and pain medication. A mid to long term clot busting medication will also be recommended as well as a percutaneous coronary intervention to open blocked coronary arteries.

 

Other treatments might include: statin medicine, anticoagulants, anticlotting medicine, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors (they lower blood pressure)

 

Cardiac rehabilitation can also be recommended after a heart attack and it usually involves a set of physical exercises, carefully planned by specialists which help strengthen the muscles, improve breathing and stamina.

 

One of the best ways of preventing heart attacks is having a healthy and active lifestyle. Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and avoiding carbs, sugars and unhealthy fats will maintain a healthy body weight, normal levels of blood sugars and keep you active the whole day.

 

Doing sports and regular physical exercises will improve breathing, stamina and your overall wellbeing, keeping the risk of having a heart attack to a minimum.

alcohol-affects-pancreas

Alcohol – How it affects your pancreas

30/11/2017

The pancreas is a vital organ in charge of producing and secreting enzymes which break down food and digests it in the stomach. The pancreas also secrets insulin which controls and breaks down the blood sugar. Regular consumption of alcohol may lead to pancreatitis among other pancreas affections.

 

Up to 70% of pancreatitis cases usually involve regular heavy consumption of alcohol, the causes for the rest 30% being cases of viral or medication induced autoimmune related affections, or the causes are unknown.

 

Acute and chronic pancreatitis

 

There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic, and both are related to alcohol consumption.

 

Acute pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed but it does not last more than a few days and there isn’t usually any permanent damage. But one in 5 cases of acute pancreatitis is severe as enzymes from the pancreas can get in the blood stream and cause more serious problems like kidney failure.

Acute pancreatitis symptoms include: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain behind the ribs that spreads to the back.

 

Chronic pancreatitis is when their is an inflammation of the pancreas which usually occurs in acute pancreatitis, does not go away, thus causing the pancreas to not work properly.

Symptoms will include: weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), recurring severe pain in the abdominal and back region, producing greasy and foul smelling feces.

 

Alcohol and pancreatitis

 

In acute pancreatitis cases, specialists are not exactly sure how alcohol causes this condition and have come up with some theories, but whatever the cause, there is a clear link between drinking alcohol and acute pancreatitis. One theory is that the molecules in alcohol interfere with the cells in the pancreas, stopping them from working properly. They have also discovered that rare consumption rarely leads to acute pancreatitis but it’s best not to take risks.

For chronic pancreatitis, specialists have discovered that getting acute pancreatitis due to regular and heavy alcohol consumption will cause permanent damage to the pancreas. This gets worse if there is smoking involved.

 

Prevention and treatment

 

The best way to avoid pancreatitis is to control the amount of alcohol you ingest. If you drink occasionally small amount of alcohol, the chances of getting alcohol induced pancreatitis are very slim.

 

If diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis the first and most important thing that can be done is to stop drinking alcohol. This will reduce the symptoms and pain that comes with them. Stopping drinking will also reduce and stop any further pancreas damage. If you continue drinking, the pain will increase both in length and intensity and worse still, there’s a high chance to develop a more severe pancreas affection such as pancreatic cancer.

 

In acute pancreatitis, even though it might not be caused necessarily by alcohol, avoiding drinking completely for at least 6 months will give your pancreas time to recover.

 

Medicated treatment is usually prescribed by a medical specialist and involves pain medication, IV fluids accompanied by a strict diet.

breast-cancer-awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

22/10/2017

This October we focus on breast cancer awareness as part of a national campaign to empower women to take control of their health, know the available resources they have and acknowledge how breast cancer impacts not only the patients, but people in their lives as well.

After non melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is still one of the most common types of cancer for women in Australia.

Around 48 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia daily, according to Breast Cancer Network Australia. Surprisingly for some people, but breast cancer can also develop for men as well, however reported cases are less than 1% of all cancers in men.
Awareness is important because, if diagnosed in the early stages, the chances of survival are considerably high as treatments evolve and so much research is dedicated to continuously fight this type of cancer.

Self examination should be a routine for every woman. This involves feeling the breast for any lumps, checking any changes in skin color or size, if the nipples have any unusual discharge or develop a crust or redness. Even if breast pain commonly appears for women related to their period, abnormal breast pain shouldn’t be ignored either as a possible sign.

This self check can be done early morning in the mirror or during the shower, regularly. Doing it repeatedly makes a woman more aware of her natural breast size, shape and look so that if any changes occur they are easier to spot. Most changes aren’t necessarily a sign of breast cancer, but they sure indicate the need to visit the doctor for a safety check.

Women between 50 and 74 are invited to have a free mammogram every two years as part of the national breast cancer screening program. Women aged 40–49 and those aged over 74 can also be screened free of charge, however they are not sent invitation letters. Statistics show that more than 78% of breast cancer develops for women over the age of 50, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Considering changes of the body when women approach menopause, breast cancer symptoms can sometimes be overlooked, even more reasons to spread awareness especially in this age range.

Regular health checks with your GP are a good opportunity to talk to your doctor about breast health and monitor any changes. Awareness helps not only women diagnosed with breast cancer to understand their condition and available resources and support for treatment, but also plays a huge role in teaching women from a young age about self check and the increasing chances of getting cured when breast cancer is diagnosed early on.

job-stress-mental-health-doctors

What’s the stress level of your job?

24/09/2017

How many of us can say truthfully that we love our jobs? And for those of us who do, how many can state it out loud?
You wake up and go to work. And work means running your own business or being an employee or even being a stay at home mum.

Whatever you decide to do, as long as you do it consistently, it’s a job. It’s never as simple as love it or hate it. There are good days and bad days, achievements or mistakes. You’re satisfied with this month’s paycheck or strive to do more next month if you can. You get along with your coworkers or struggle in keeping fruitful relationships with your clients.

There’s always a struggle or two along the way. And if you’re having difficulties separating your personal life from your work, it’s even harder.
But try one day to put all the stress of the job in a glass jar, place a lid on it and give it a nice red bow. Than look at it, accept it’s there, and accept that the lid comes off from time to time. But try to keep it closed.

 

So many health issues are related to stress, and most people associate stress with work.

 

And not only is it more difficult when your personal issues are on top. But when work stress goes back home with you, there’s a never ending cycle right there. Depression, anxiety, intimacy issues, general health concerns even up to and including cancer. All these are risks we are taking when we do not deal with the stress at work and we let it take over our lives.

So think about it. Do you love your job? And what loving your job actually means?

In my opinion, it means giving you just the right amount of stress to push you forward without clouding your day. It means having satisfaction in what you do and looking forward to doing it again tomorrow. Or at least not dreading it.

It all comes down to being content with your days. Loving your job doesn’t have to bring you the greatest success and make you number one, it just shouldn’t make you hate it.

 

Mental health issues are strongly connected with how satisfied you are with your work.

 

And people often ignore considering the health aspects until obvious signs of trouble appear. It can start with being tired all the time, not feeling like taking time for your friends or family anymore, looking to spend over time at work rather than finding something to do.

Examine your job and think about it. Do you love it? Are you happy with it? If not, what would make you happy? Or would it be possible to love it if you had a different perspective on things?

After reading this article, 10 out of 10 people won’t be quitting their jobs. Which is absolutely normal, even if they love their jobs or not. But hopefully you will wonder, if not loving your job, what could you do to change that. And if you do appreciate your job, you will realize that loving it is a big part of you being happy on a personal level as well. Never forget you can talk to your GP about your stress level and any mental health issues that bother you because of your job.

alzheimer-queensland-dementia-general-practice

Alzheimer : every second matters!

24/09/2017

Alzheimer is a tragic occurrence and it’s becoming more frequent every day. There is no known cure and the alarming fact is that there are more than 413,106 Australians affected.

The financial implications Alzheimer has are significant in Australia, expected to grow up to  $18.7 billion by 2025. This is mostly due to the fact that people with this illness, need medical care for extended periods of time, from the moment this disease first begins to manifest until the death of the patient.

 

Mother and child: the roles reverse

 

The struggles are real and they vary, from financial difficulties to emotional and psychological torment for both the ailing person and their families. A simple thing as a walk can be fatal to a person suffering from Alzheimer. Because this illness usually sets in after the age of 65, and less frequent before that, the children become the care takes. Sons and daughters go through the painful experience of witnessing their parents which were once strong, the care givers, lose themselves, their memories and succumb to this horrible affliction.

Remembering the loved ones

Being forgotten by you mother or father is always very difficult on top of the other problem this disease causes for both the patient and their family. A lot of people that suffer from Alzheimer end up being dropped off to asylums for the sole reason that it is unbearable to see your loved one not being able to recognize their family and friends.

 

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

 

There is no official cause but there are some theories. One of them is that Alzheimer is caused by an infectious protein called TDP-43. Other infectious components have been linked to this disease, such as: viruses, fungus and bacteria.

Another theory is that Alzheimer’s is connected to insulin resistance; high blood sugar is associates with a higher risk of getting dementia.

Diabetes and heart disease also increase the chance to get this disease; both of these affections are rooted in insulin resistance.

Atherosclerosis or arterial stiffness is a buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in your brain and is also thought to somehow influence the development of Alzheimer.

Doctors have overall concluded that lifestyle choices and insulin resistance will increase one’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Preventing Alzheimer

 

At the moment there are no known prevention methods but doctors say that you can control the risk factors to minimize your chances of getting this disease.

Vitamin D insufficiency will increase the chance of getting dementia by 125%. Dementia is thought to be an Alzheimer trigger. Keeping vitamin D levels normal will not only keep your body healthy but also prevent brain disease.

Exercising can also help prevent this disease as well as make treatment more efficient for patients who suffer from Alzheimer. A study shows that patients with moderate to mild Alzheimer had fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, after participating in a four month supervised exercise program compared to the patients that did not exercise.

 

Risk lowering lifestyle strategies

 

Until a cure is discovered, preventing this disease stays crucial. Staying away as much as possible from carbs and sugars is a very good start. add to that a good intake of healthy fat will not only help in preventing Alzheimer’s but will also help with heart disease.

Below are 14 suggestions that can help in minimizing your chances of getting Alzheimer’s:

1. Eat real natural foods instead of processed foods. Most processed foods contain genetically enhanced grains which in turn contain glyphosate, an herbicide said to be worse than DDT.

2. Stay away from refined fructose and sugar. As mentioned before, Alzheimer’s is somehow connected to insulin resistance. So staying away from sugar excess will help. Make sure daily sugar and fructose intake does not exceed 25 grams, and in case of insulin or leptin resistance, it should not be over 15 grams per day.

3. Healthy fats ratio optimization. Your brain needs healthy fats to function properly, so make sure you eat plenty of foods that contain those fats. Omega 3 fats are known to prevent cell damage caused by Alzheimer’s slowing down the progress of this illness. Other healthy fats can be found in: egg yolks, meat, coconut oil, olives and olive oil, avocado, nuts and butter. Make sure all these foods are natural and organic. You should stay away from industrial omega 6 oils such as sunflower and safflower oils as well as soy and corn oils.

4. Keep away from gluten and casein. Gluten makes your gut more permeable and allows proteins to get into your blood stream. That will sensitize your immune system and lead to inflammation and autoimmunity which are known to play a role in developing Alzheimer’s. Casein is found in pasteurized dairy so consume full fat, raw dairy products. The cream is the most important component of raw milk because it contains all the energy needed to digest casein and it is also responsible for regulating sugar absorption in your blood minimizing the likelihood of insulin spikes.

5. Eat organic grass-fed meats. Most of the meat served in restaurants or sold in storesare not. Look for the products that are labeled organic or grass fed.

6. Optimize your gastrointestinal flora. Eat fermented foods such as yogurt or take pro-biotic supplements.

7. Reduce the number of calories you consume and fast intermittently. Replacing carbs with healthy fats and fasting intermittently (avoiding foods at certain times during the day) will help burn fat and repair insulin/leptin resistance.

8. Optimize your magnesium levels. Magnesium is known to decrease Alzheimer’s symptoms.

9. Increase folate intake. Folate is found in fresh vegetables, making it very accessible. Avoid folic acid supplements which is the synthetic version of folate.

10. Exercise regularly. As mentioned in this article, people with Alzheimer’s that exercise feel and are much better than those who don’t. Exercising also increases the levels of a protein called PGC-1alpha which is found smaller quantity in Alzheimer patients.

11. Eliminate aluminum and mercury from your body. Dental amalgam fillings have mercury in them and are one for the major sources of heavy metal toxicity. Following a mercury detox protocol before removing your amalgams is essential. Aluminum can be found in antiperspirants, non-stick cooking pots and aluminum beverage cans. Avoiding all of these is not only simple but good for your health.

12. Avoid statin drugs and anticholinergics. The chance of getting dementia increases if you take drugs that block acetylcholine. Anticholinergics can be found in pain relievers, sleep aids and antidepressants. Statin drugs deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10 as well as the well needed fats that make your brain function well.

13. Mental stimulation. Make sure you challenge your brain daily. Try to learn something new. Constant building up your brain makes it less susceptible to lesions which are suspected to be linked with Alzheimer’s disease.

obesity-weight-loss-doctor-wamuran

What’s the best way to handle obesity?

24/09/2017

The way general practitioners address obesity in patients has been heavily discussed at the last National Obesity Forum in Sydney this year. Although the Department of Health doesn’t directly classify it as a chronic disease, obesity ticks all the boxes to be treated under a GP management plan for a chronic disease : it affects most patients for more than six months, it can lead to disabilities and even death, it impacts the patient’s life and the community.
While obesity is diagnosed for a BMI of 30 or more, not all patients with high BMIs are unhealthy, but we can easily appreciate these are rare cases. Obesity can be one of the causes or can be directly associated with risks of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, cardiac problems, osteoarthritis and other major health concerns.

 

Obesity management plan under medical supervision

 

WHEN STRUGGLING WITH BEING OVERWEIGHT, A GP WILL FIRST ADDRESS YOUR LIFESTYLE, ESPECIALLY DIET AND EXERCISE.

 

This is the first line where changes can be made, even though it can be difficult to change habits or develop new ones. Balanced and healthy meals and an exercise routine will be most effective long term if you enjoy them. Those are the weight management plans that work best, so consider being honest and communicating with your GP what you like, don’t like or aren’t comfortable with. This way, the GP’s approach will be tailored keeping both medical recommendations and personal preferences in mind.

 

MEDICATION IS AN OPTION YOUR GP WILL DISCUSS IF A LIFESTYLE CHANGE ON ITS OWN ISN’T ENOUGH.

 

The TGA approved medication for weight loss will be prescribed by your GP after discussing you medical history and other medication to avoid contraindications or side effects. What is most important to understand is that weight loss expectations should be realistic and achievable, as many people think weight loss pills should make them slim and fit overnight. The danger with medication is that, after you end taking it, you can gain weight again if the lifestyle isn’t adjusted to the healthy diet and exercise routines we were mentioning.

 

BARIATRIC SURGERY

 

Although bariatric surgery is recommended in people with a BMI of 40 or over, the high costs (even with medical insurance coverage) and going through surgery stop many people from taking this route. The surgery is very effective, but a healthy lifestyle and special care are still required to keep obesity in check.

prostate-cancer-risks

Prostate cancer – who is at risk?

31/08/2017

Prostate cancer

 

Prostate cancer claims the lives of about 3300 Australian men every year* (*Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia)

Recent studies have shown that cancer has a fractal developing pattern. Like many other forms of cancer, it can easily spread to other organs. However, its spreading is slower than in other organs and, if it’s found in the early stages, it has a slower growth.

Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells start to grow in the gland’s tissues. Their Brownian movement and multiplication usually lead to affectation of other organs.

Anatomically, the prostate is a tiny gland found below the urinary bladder, in front of the rectum, in the male organism. This gland surrounds the urethra, where the seminal liquid and urine flow and its size is the equivalent of a walnut.

Being a component of the masculine reproductive system, its function is to produce a liquid that enriches the sperm.

Because of prostate’s continuous growth, older men can find a difficulty in urinating, a problem that is not always associated with cancer.

 

Who is at risk of developing prostate cancer?

 

Many factors, external and internal, can lead to a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. In the early stages, symptoms might be absent. In the more advanced stages, men start having difficulties urinating, pain issues and discovering blood in semen or urine. The following factors that influence the development of prostate cancer are the most crucial:

 

Age

Being an age-dependent illness, the prostate cancer tends to appear with the years.

Studies have shown that 1 in 7 men over 75 suffers from this, while 1 in 5 men over 85 does.

Genetics

Recent studies have shown that cancer is a matter of genetic bad luck.

Prostate cancer is not written in the DNA, but one can inherit the genes that have a higher developing risk.

Family history

Genetically speaking, again, prostate cancer risk can be inherited either if one of your first degree relatives has the disease or one of your relatives discovered it at a young age.

Nutrition

High-fat food, like processed meat, can increase the risk.

Environment

A stressful environment and lifestyle can also increase risks.

Hormonal imbalance

A higher level of testosterone can have an important influence in many medical conditions for men.

Obesity

The negative impact of being over-weight reflects poorly in many health issues.

How can it be detected?

 

There is a specific blood test that indicates if a specific protein has a higher level. This test is called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). However, an increase in that protein’s level does not necessarily mean cancer, because other diseases can indicate the same increase.

Another way to determine if something abnormal develops is DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). To examine the prostate’s dimensions and shape, the doctor uses a lubricated glove, inserts his finger into the patient’s rectum and checks for abnormalities. However, even if everything seems normal, there are still other examinations to be done.

A biopsy is the clearest way to determine whether you have prostate cancer or not. Through this procedure, a tiny piece of glandular tissue is being cut and sent to further investigations.

 

Reducing the risks

 
Even though there are not enough studies that show the effectiveness of prevention methods, they shouldn’t be disregarded. A healthy diet improve the functions of the organism, while physical activities done for at least 30 minutes per day can be a protective factor against cancer.

Men over 50 and men over 40 with a family history should ask their doctor to have the PSA test as part of their regular health check-up.

The actions taken to manage prostate cancer when already diagnosed can be guided by a GP through a GP Management Plan for Chronic Diseases.

diabetes-type-2-risk-factors

Top 5 causes for developing Type 2 Diabetes

13/08/2017

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness that appears when the body is not able anymore to keep the levels of glucose in the blood. This level is kept under control due to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreatic islets.
If the pancreas cannot produce this hormone, Type 1 Diabetes occurs.
Type 2 Diabetes materializes in two different situations: if the human organism has a lack of insulin or if the hormone is not properly used.

What is the pancreas?

A glandular organ situated in the left side of the abdominal cavity, behind the stomach. Besides of the digestive function, it has an endocrine role. It produces hormones, including insulin, which transfer glucose into the cells, which use it for energy.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a progressive condition, whose causes are still unknown, which is the case of Type 1 Diabetes, too. The cells’ improper response to insulin causes glucose to remain in the blood, resulting in a higher level of glucose in the organism.

How do I know I have Type 2 Diabetes?

If you are more lethargic than usually, extremely thirsty or hungry and eliminate a large amount of urine, you might want to have a blood test to determine the sanguine glucose level. If the diabetes has already developed, you can also acknowledge the fact that your vision is getting blurred, wounds don’t heal fast enough or your skin becomes itchy and infected.

Diabetes risk factors

Even though Type 2 Diabetes doesn’t have a determined cause and it isn’t linked to our eating habits, some people have a predisposition to develop this illness. The most important risk factors are:

Ageing

Ageing is probably one of the major risk factors. Most of our bodies’ functions slow down as we get older, including the insulin’s production.

Genes

Scientists determined the fact that if one person has had cases of Type 2 Diabetes in his/her family, there is a bigger chance for that person to develop the illness.

Weight

Overweight people tend to develop a large series of illnesses, including heart diseases, kidney failures and, nevertheless, diabetes.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

This disease is a hormonal one, which makes it harder for women to get pregnant. One of the complications that appear if PCOS is not treated is diabetes.

Low level of physical exercise

Exercising speed-up processes in our bodies. Not paying enough attention to physical activities can lead to slowing functions, including the insulin production.

Prevention

If you have some of the risks listed above, you can do a few things to minimize their effects:

Z

Keep a healthy weight

Z

Exercise on a daily basis, at least 30 minutes

Z

Keep a healthy diet, based on fruits and vegetables

Z

Reduce the alcohol consumption

 

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

By following a strict schedule for physical activity and eating healthy, you can manage to keep the blood sugar level at control. However, if that doesn’t work, you can be prescribed medicines. The actions taken to manage diabetes when already diagnosed can be guided by a GP through a GP Management Plan for Chronic Diseases.