health & Well Being

Hepatitis Can’t Wait!

“hePATITIS Can’t Wait” is the theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day, which takes place every year on the 28th of July. This day is to raise awareness of the need for testing, monitoring, treating and supporting those impacted by viral hepatitis. Worldwide one person dies every 30 seconds due to a hepatitis related illness.

It is particularly important for migrants (permanent or temporary), because the majority of people living with hepatitis B in Australia were born overseas, and 30% of people with hepatitis B don’t know they have it. Chronic Hepatitis B along with chronic hepatitis C (chronic means people having hepatitis for more than 6 months) are a major health problem in Australia and in the world, they are responsible for more than 80% of hepatitis related deaths worldwide.

Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. As most people with hepatitis B don’t show symptoms for many years, it is critical to get tested as early as possible if you don’t know your status yet. Remember, hepatitis is not included in the health examination for most visa applicants before coming to Australia, only a small group are required to have hepatitis tests including pregnant women, and people who want to work or study in a medical field to be a doctor, nurse, dentist, or paramedic.

Testing is easy and can be done by any GP – you can ask your doctor for a specific hepatitis B or C blood test.

If the test is positive, regular check-ups for chronic hepatitis B and treatment for hepatitis C and hepatitis B (if needed) can reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and help prevent hepatitis related death.

Hepatitis B and C are mainly transmitted through blood, and not transmitted through sharing food, drinks, plates, cups, shaking hands, kissing, touching etc. Social contacts do not transmit hepatitis B and C. We should treat all people living with hepatitis B and C equally.

FOR ThIS yeAR’S WORLD hePATITIS DAy heLP TO PROMOTe The FOLLOWING MeSSAGeS:

• People living with or who have never been tested (unaware of an infection) for hepatitis B and C- can’t wait • Lifesaving treatment (when recommended) for people with hepatitis B and C – can’t wait.

• Screening for hepatitis B and C (sometimes treatment – hepatitis B) for pregnant women – can’t wait. • Birth dose vaccination for hepatitis B for all babies – can’t wait (especially if the mother has hepatitis B) • Ending stigma and discrimination of people infected with hepatitis B or C – can’t wait. • (https://www. worldhepatitisday. org/#2021--theme:-hepatitiscan't-wait)

ECCQ has produced a short hepatitis information video in 13 languages and a number of translated resources which you can find at www.eccq.com.au/bbv.

To help Australia and our many communities eliminate viral hepatitis please get tested, get vaccinated, get treated – see your doctor.

For more information go to ECCQ Webpage: www.eccq. com/bbv

Email: health@eccq.com.

au

If you live in Cairns, you can also contact:

Rhondda Lewis: Viral Hepatitis Health Practitioner

Phone: 07-4226 4761 email: Rhondda.Lewis@ health.qld.gov.au

hepatitis, hIV/AIDS and Sexual health Program ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (eCCQ)

Home remedies for puffy eyes

Nimisha Modi

Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412350013

hey GIRLS, Waking up with puffy eyes can be really frustrating when you have a big day ahead. Puffy eyes are one of the most common beauty problems.This occurs when the eyes begin to swell for various reasons, including excessive crying,hours of useof technology, excessive physical stress, genetics, dermatitis, hormonal changes in the body, a change in weather, sinus problems, hangovers, bad diet, lack of sleep and some allergic reaction.

Puffy eyes can make you look tired and ill. But you can easily take care of them with some simple, natural home remedies:

RAW POTATO SLICeS

Place a slice of raw potato on your eyes

Leave it for 15-20 mins and you'll notice the size of the bags under eye will reduce

ChILLeD MILK

Dip cotton pads in chilled milk and place on your eyelids

Relax for 20-30 minutes -- this will help your eyes in water retention and cool them off

VITAMIN e OIL

Take chilled water in a bowl and add a few drops of vitamin E oil to it then mix

Dip cotton pads in this mixture and place on the eyes for 20 minutes to help in reducing the swelling around the eyes

ICeD WATeR

Chill spoons in water and then place one over each eye

Keep switching the spoons while letting the other one chill in the glass of water

Keep switching until you see improvement.

COLD SPOONS

This simple home remedy is surprisingly very effective. It will help tighten up the skin around your eyes as well as relax the blood vessels, thus offering relief to puffy and tired eyes. • Chill 5 or 6 metal spoons in your refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. • Hold the rounded portion of one of the cold spoons against your eye for a few minutes until the spoon becomes warm. • As the spoon warms, replace it with another cold one from the refrigerator.

TeA BAGS

Be it green tea bags or black tea bags, both can help soothe puffy and irritated eyes. They contain anti-irritant properties that help reduce swelling around your eyes. They can also relieve redness and inflammation. green tea bags on eyes

Green Tea Bags to Soothe Puffy and Irritated Eyes • Put 2 used tea bags in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. • Lie down and put the tea bags over your eyelids. • Leave them in place for 10 to 15 minutes. • Repeat a few times a day.

CUCUMBeRS

Chilled cucumbers make a good remedy for treating puffy eyes. The enzymes and the astringent properties in cucumbers help reduce inflammation and help tighten the skin. This remedy will also help get rid of wrinkles and dark circles around your eyes.

Cut a cucumber into thick slices.

Chill the slices in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Place the cold slices on your eyelids for about 10 minutes or until they become warm.

Repeat the process several times a day.

POTATOeS

Just like cucumbers, potatoes are also effective in getting rid of puffy eyes. The starch present in potatoes has antiinflammatory properties that help reduce undereye bags. This remedy is also helpful for fading dark circles under eyes.

• Peel, wash and dry a medium-size potato. • Grate the potato and put the shavings in a clean cloth and tie it up. • Place this cloth over your eyelids for several minutes. • Repeat the process several times until the puffiness subsides.

ChAMOMILe TeA BAGS

Chamomile is effective for reducing puffiness caused by allergies. While it can help with inflammation in general, when it comes to your eyes, it’s really the properties that soothe itchy and irritated skin that make the difference with any swelling. It also works wonders when it comes to tired or strained eyes. Resting the tea bags directly over your eyes can help reduce discomfort and the appearance of irritation/ swelling. • You will need 2 chamomile tea bags, • Approximately ½ cup of fresh water & A place to lie down • Boil the water and then soak the tea bags for about 5 minutes. • After removing the bags let them cool off, and then squeeze out any excess liquid. • Lie down and place them over your eyes for at least 10 minutes twice a day.

eAT LeSS SODIUM

Ingesting too much sodium is a common cause of water retention, even if you don’t have a pre-existing condition that would make you prone to it. Because of the imbalance of salt and water, water gets drawn out of your cells and puffs up your tissues. The resulting bloating can affect even your eyes, filling out the tissues around the eye cavity, and causing puffy eyes.

Less salt = less puffiness

WATeR

The easiest way to get rid of puffy eyes is to drink water. When the body is well hydrated, there is less chance of water retention that can cause your under-eye area and other parts of your body to swell. Water also helps flush toxins out of the body.

To stay well hydrated, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. In addition to this, you must reduce the amount of salt you eat to reduce water retention in the body. Also, avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages that can be dehydrating.

FiCQ rAises FunDs For theviCtiMs oF CoVID 19

BRISBANe, the world is in turmoil due to pandemic COVID 19, especially in India the situation is heartbreaking, over a year now still this pandemic is hovering over our head. Across the world, the Indian diaspora and organizations are deeply concerned with the situation in India and standing firmly with India during this difficult time.

The Federation of Indian Communities in Queensland Inc (FICQ), with the support of its member organization, started a fundraising drive and collected the sum of $18,000.00. FICQ would like to thank all the member organizations and individuals for their support of this great cause.

On the 11th of June, the President of FICQ, Mr. Shyam Das, handed over a cheque of $18,000.00 to the Red Cross in the presence of its executive members, advisors, and the representatives of the member organizations to buy oxygen concentrators, PPE, and other necessities for the victims of COVID 19 in India.

Mr. Shyam Das, on behalf of FICQ and its members, expressed his appreciation for the Red

Cross and thanked them for their work in India and other parts of the world. Mr. Collin

Sivalingum, the Manager of the Red Cross, assured every cent would be used for the victims of COVID 19 in India. Shyam Das, president of FICQ said “Let us all pray for the victims of COVID 19 across the world and stand firmly with them. Hopefully, soon the world will be free from this pandemic”.

MuMs uniteD SEWA ProJECT

AUSTRALIA homelessness in Australia has increased 13.7% in last 5 years. In Queensland 21,671 people are homeless, 14% worse since 2011. Nearly 50% are women and an increase of 28% in people aged 55 plus are experiencing homelessness. Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health and welfare issue. It occurs across all ages, and all socioeconomic and demographic groups, but predominantly affects women and children. One in 6 Australian women and 1 in 16 men have been subjected, since the age of 15, to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner. United Mums Sewa Project is a volunteer groups of mums who are passionate about humanity. We extend our hands in friendship to bring smiles to the needy, vulnerable on the streets and anyone facing Domestic Violence. We provide non-perishables food items, blankets, socks and hot meal with lots of love and compassion. United Mums Sewa Project is prepared to deliver home cooked meals to DV victims and families. We are willing to extend our hands towards domestic duties, child minding, yoga therapy, emotional, phycological and meeting for fun activities in parks. United Mums Sewa Project is self-funded through kind donations from our local community. Any donation is most welcome. Our Mantra is any size of generosity makes a huge difference to our friends on the street and in difficult situations.

“UNITy IN hUANITy” IS OUR VISION. Sharing friendship creates belonging and cared for.

AAP KI SEHAT (Your Health) July episode on Australian Indian radio

BRISBANe, in the July segment of Aap ke sheath on Australian Indian Radio, we had the pleasure of talking to and listening to Dr. Sumer Phutela, a well-experienced General Practitioner and fellow of RACGPs on Australian Indian Radio’s popular segment "Aap Ki Sehat”, meaning Your HEALTH Program, initiated by Indian Medical Association of QLD.

Dr. Phutela was interviewed by Dr Cyril Fernandez, secretary General of IMAQ Brisbane. They discussed how a GP plays an important role in the healthcare system. GPs are the gatekeepers of primary care and are a significant person in preventive medicine and health. They also mentioned GPs have various area of interest in the different field like men's health, women's Health, mental Health, diabetes, osteoporosis, and anaemia and so on.

Australian Indian Radio brings you up to date with information on various health topics via this program. You can view “Aap Ki Sehat” on the first Saturday of every Month via Facebook live and YouTube

Dr sumer Phutela