Issuu

MAY 2018 |

UTHS CLINIC 

Dr. Judy McDonald - General Physician



Dr. Jodie Whillas - General Physician



Dr. Katherine Drinkwater - General Physician Registrar



Dr. Dr Jennifer Schlager - General Physician Dr. John Guy - General Physician

UTHSAC NEWSLETTER |

ISSUE 20

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE Symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days, but some people may experience symptoms anywhere from a few days to 4 or more weeks. In some cases, it may take several months before bowel habits (for example, how often someone passes stool and the consistency of their stool) are entirely normal.

When to Contact Your Doctor People with diarrhoea should contact their healthcare provider if they have any of these symptoms: Fever , Bloody diarrhoea, Severe stomach cramping or tenderness , Dehydrated & Feel very sick. People who are in poor health or who have immune systems weakened from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or chemotherapy for cancer, are more likely to get sick for a longer period of time if they have shigellosis. They should contact their healthcare provider if they think they have shigellosis to determine the best course of treatment.

Treatment Most people will recover from shigellosis without treatment in 5 to 7 days. People who have shigellosis should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Contact your healthcare provider if you, or one of your family members, have a fever, bloody diarrhoea, severe stomach cramping or tenderness, are dehydrated, or feel very sick. People who are in poor health or who have weakened immune systems, such as from HIV/AIDS or

Symptoms People who are sick from Shigella infection usually start experiencing symptoms 1 to 2 days after contact with the germ. Symptoms of shigellosis include: Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody) Fever Stomach pain

chemotherapy treatment for cancer, also should contact their healthcare provider because they are more likely to get sick for a longer period of time.

People who have shigellosis should follow their healthcare providerâ€™s advice. If your healthcare provider prescribes antibiotics, let them know if you do not get better within a couple of days after starting the medication. They can do more tests to learn whether your type of Shigella bacteria can be treated effectively with the antibiotic you are taking. If not, your doctor may prescribe another type of antibiotic.

Feeling the need to pass stool [poop] even when the bowels are empty Some people with shigellosis will not have any symptoms.

If you have these symptoms please give us a call on (08) 8672 5255

MEN’S GYM SESSION “ Opportunities doesn’t happens. You need to create them”

IMPORTANT TIPS TO HAVE A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

Sleeping problems can be identified as one of the leading factors to chronic and health conditions. Sleeping difficulties can be challenging and yet has become a common issue. There are many reasons why we have trouble sleeping. It could be family issues, grief and loss, health conditions, Alcohol and other drug use and there are other unhealthy habits that we continue during sleep time such as using mobile phones, watching Television and etc. Continuing such habits will affect our health and wellbeing.

You can dramatically improve your sleep quality by making a few minor alterations to your lifestyle and assertiveness.

Restricting your daytime naps to no more than 30 minutes. Having a short nap can help to improve mood, alertness and performance.

Cut down or avoid stimulants such as Nicotine, Marijuana, Caffeine, and Alcohol. As we all know alcohol help you to fall asleep faster. On the other hand, too much alcohol can disturb your sleep and block your dream sleep.

Engage in activities which improve quality sleep such as going out for a walk or cycling. Suitability of these activities will be varies to person to person.

Ensuring adequate exposure to natural light. It is important to limit the usage of mobile phones and other devices during sleep time as it disrupts quality sleep. Using LED lights screen devices at night also decreases the melatonin supplement and disrupt sleep. Always sleep in cool dark environment as it improve quality sleep.

If you experience any difficulty to return to sleep after waking up in the middle of the

night. Avoid spending time in bed, go to another room read a book, relaxing music or do meditation but avoid watching TV or playing games and then only when you feel sleepy you can return to bed. Establishing a regular relaxing bedtime routine assists your body and mind recognize

that it is bedtime. If you have difficulty having a good sleep please don’t hesitate to speak to your GP or health professionals

OODNADATTA SCHOOL PROGRAM Smoking prevention cessation targeting youth in Oodnadatta with Dr. Katherine Drinkwater

BREAKFAST PROGRAM IS BACK AT DRUG & ALCOHOL CENTRE Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it helps to refuel our body, gives energy and itâ€™s great opportunity start the daily activities with a boost of nutrients. Having a healthy breakfast is important. Health meals available daily at DAS from 8.30am to 10.00am in the morning. Hygiene is a very important for any of us therefore all the clients must have a shower before coming to breakfast program at activity room. Once the clients come in there will health check done by aboriginal health workers which also a compulsory activity in breakfast program. It allow us to monitor your health daily, It is vital to do health checks daily basis and it will help us to identify any health issues as soon as possible.

SMOKING & PREGNANCY Information for Women Article from www.quitnow.gov.au

Smoke-free pregnancy – The benefits Quitting smoking before or during pregnancy is the single most effective means of protecting your baby and yourself from the development of serious complications during pregnancy.

By quitting smoking before or during pregnancy you are:  more likely to conceive naturally and without delay  less likely to suffer a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy less likely to deliver your baby prematurely By quitting smoking before or during pregnancy your baby is:  less likely to die at or shortly after birth from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)  more likely to be born a healthy weight  likely to be more settled and feed better more likely to be discharged home from hospital with you and need less care in hospital. A baby exposed to tobacco smoke in-utero and through second-hand smoke as an infant is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and be obese as an adult. This risk is increased even if they are non-smokers throughout their lives.

What can I do? The good news is that by stopping smoking you and your baby benefit straight away. It’s never too late to quit smoking and gain health benefits for you and your baby. Think about quitting smoking, for yourself and for your baby. There is always a good time to stop smoking before, during or after the baby is born the earlier the better. Ask your health professional for specialised advice to help pregnant women and their partners quit smoking, or call the Quitline on 13 78 48. It is advised that pregnant and breastfeeding women consult their medical professional prior to commencing Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

Second-hand smoke: Information for partners Partners who smoke We all know that it’s dangerous for a woman to smoke when she’s pregnant. But it’s also dangerous if a pregnant woman who doesn’t smoke has a partner who does because she will be breathing in tobacco smoke. The chemicals from cigarettes are passed on to the baby via second-hand smoke and carry the same risks to the mother and baby as if it were the mother smoking. By quitting smoking or not smoking near your pregnant partner your baby is:  less likely to die from SIDS or cot death  less likely to suffer middle ear infections or have permanent hearing impairment  less likely to develop breathing problems like asthma and pneumonia likely to be more settled and feed better.

What can I do? Think about quitting smoking, for yourself and for your baby. There is always a good time to stop smoking before, during or after the baby is born the earlier the better. In the meantime:  make your home and car smoke-free zones  avoid smoking around your partner and other pregnant women and encourage your friends and family to do the same avoid smoking around children. After the birth, do not smoke near your baby. If your partner smokes, support and encourage her to quit smoking.

Smoking and reproductive health Smoking and female fertility Smoking can cause problems for virtually all aspects of the reproductive system. Women who smoke are more likely to have difficulty conceiving, may not respond as well to treatment for infertility, experience earlier menopause and have an increased risk of cervical and vulval cancer. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of infertility, for both women attempting to become pregnant for the first time and women who have previously been pregnant. Women who smoke also have a poorer response to in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Smokers have an increased risk for ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilised eggs implants and begins to grow outside the uterus. The embryo needs to be surgically removed and the damaged tube needs to be repaired or removed.

Smoking and male fertility Research has shown that male smokers have lower sperm quality and count than non-smokers. Smoking can also lead to male erectile dysfunction. Two of the main chemicals in cigarettes are nicotine and carbon monoxide, which narrow the arteries and reduce the blood flow through the body, affecting the blood flow to the penis. By quitting smoking you:  reduce the risk of impotence and improve your sperm quality are less likely to have delays in falling pregnant or infertility.

Smoking and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Smoking by the mother is considered to be one of the major risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or cot death). It is not known exactly what causes a baby to die from SIDS but recent research has indicated that SIDS has been found to be at least twice as likely among infants of women who smoke during pregnancy than among infants of women who do not smoke during pregnancy. (P.T.O)

SOCCER GAME BETWEEN COOBER PEDY VS ROXBY DOWNS

First game between Adults on 07th April 2018 Coober Pedy Desert Dragoons Won the game by 13: 5

There were three soccer games organised between Coober Pedy Desert Dragoons foot ball club and Roxby Downs Soccer Club. Two games between school boys and one adult game. The program were organised with Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Main Sponsor) and Complete Personnel (Co-sponsor). We are glad to announce that Coober Pedy Desert Dragoons won all the 3 games.

First game between school boys on 06th April 2018 Coober Pedy Desert Dragoons Won the game by 7: Nil

Second game between school boys on 07th April 2018 Coober Pedy Desert Dragoons Won the game by 6: 1

The chemicals and nicotine in cigarettes result in a reduced blood flow through the blood vessels of the placenta. The decreased blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen the growing baby receives and it is thought that the long periods of reduced oxygen flow affects the normal development of the baby’s central nervous system, which controls a baby’s breathing. Current studies link SIDS deaths with both exposure of tobacco smoke to the unborn baby as well as through passive smoking in infants. Small children have very sensitive lungs and breathe at a faster rate than adults and their exposure to the chemicals in cigarettes is much higher than in adults. One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of a SIDS death is to quit smoking during pregnancy and to ensure the home is a smoke-free zone when there are infants and children living there. For advice and support with quitting smoking call 13 78 48 or speak with your health professional.

Second-hand smoke: Effects on children Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of environmental tobacco smoke or second hand smoke. They breathe faster than adults do and therefore inhale more chemicals. Young children whose parents smoke are nearly twice more likely to be admitted to hospital with serious lower respiratory tract infections than children who are not exposed.

What are the risks of second-hand smoke to children? Asthma – a major cause of chronic illness in children. Second-hand smoke increases the symptoms of asthma and there is strong evidence that it causes the development of asthma Middle ear disease – exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood causes acute and chronic middle ear disease. Ear infections can cause temporary hearing impairment and in chronic cases of ear infections, hearing may be permanently damaged Poor lung development – the lungs complete their development during childhood. Second-hand smoke inhibits this development by raising inhaled carbon monoxide to unsafe levels. This aggravates allergies and increases the risk of respiratory illness. Respiratory illness – increased risk of bronchitis, croup, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, the most common causes of childhood morbidity worldwide, affecting a third of all infants in their first year of life. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – the risk of SIDS is doubled in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. More likely to become smokers – children who live with smokers are more likely to start to smoking than those who live with non-smokers, putting them at high risk of immediate and long term health problems.

MEN’S QUIT SMOKING PROGRAM – WITH CANCER COUNCIL SA

DIABETES MELLITUS (DM) Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia mainly due to absolute (Type 1 DM) or relative (Type 2 DM) deficiency of insulin hormone. World Health Organization estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have DM. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without any intervention. The needs of diabetic patients are not only limited to adequate glycaemic control but also correspond with preventing complications; disability limitation and rehabilitation. There are seven essential self-care behaviours in people with diabetes which predict good outcomes namely 

Healthy eating,



Being physically active,



Monitoring of blood sugar,



Compliant with medications,



Good problem-solving skills,



Healthy coping skills and



Risk-reduction behaviours.

OUTBACK SCHOOL GIRLS PROGRAM This program was organised by TIS Officer (UTHSAC) with Red Cross, AHCSA and other agencies for school girls as a educational program to provide simple advice and strategies to reduce exposure to SMOKING / Second hand Smoke . It is ideal to prevent smoking rather than we wait people to smoke then asking them to quit.

“prevention is better than cure”

All these seven behaviours have been found to be positively correlated with good glycaemic control, reduction of complications and improvement in quality of life. Individuals with diabetes have been shown to make a dramatic impact on the progression and development of their disease by participating in their own care. Despite this fact, compliance or adherence to these activities has been found to be low, especially when looking at long-term changes. Though multiple demographic, socio-economic and social support factors can be considered as positive contributors in facilitating self-care activities in diabetic patients, role of clinicians in promoting self-care is vital and has to be emphasized. Realizing the multi-faceted nature of the problem, a systematic, multi-pronged and an integrated approach is required for promoting self-care practices among diabetic patients to avert any long-term complications.

7 tips to help reduce your risk: 

Lose excess body fat. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes



Follow a plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables a dietary pattern studies show reduces diabetes risk



Drink water



Move your body



Stress less



Sleep well



Keep medical appointments.

KUNGKAS QUIT SMOKING PROGRAM – WITH AHCSA

THIS IS HER SUCCESS STORY! Judy Quinn given in her own words... “I am from Alice Springs and I have been here almost a year now. I came here without an aim or a hope in life until I met the Umoona staff. Getting involved in the SEWB programs helped me overcome my fears, anger and my anxiety. I have gone through a lot of phases in life to come to where I am today. I have come to learn and find myself through these programs. I have developed a

skill of painting only which I realised after been involved in the Art and Craft program. I have never been able complete anything in my life, but here I am after 40 years finished several paintings on my own. I feel accomplished and happy about myself. I have succeeded and done well, and feel proud of myself. It’s never too late to do what you need to do and make yourself happy and proud”. “I was also introduced to the quite smoking coordinator. He is currently helping me in cutting down smoking by replacing a cigarette with a paint brush” “I’m grateful to all the people involved in getting me where I am today”. So that’s how she shared her feedback and experience of our services. This is just one of the many success stories of UTHS Drug and Alcohol Services. We invite the community who wants to get involved in our services/programs to come and visit us at the Drug and Alcohol Centre.

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FLU VACCINATION YET?

BRINGING THEM HOME PROGRAM Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Bring Them Home Program is funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. We provide family tracing, reunion and counselling services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families who have been separated under the past policies and practices of the Australian Government. Assistance is also provided to people who have been adopted, fostered or raised in institutions. Link-Up provides: 

       

Client contact and assessment Client and family support Research of client files and other relevant information Counselling support Financially contributing to reunions according to need Initial family contact and/or approach Ongoing support for clients and family following reunion Public awareness Privacy, trust and confidentiality

Bringing Them Home is the title of the Australian "Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families". The report marked a pivotal moment in the controversy that has come to be known as the Stolen Generations.

The enquiry was established by the federal Attorney-General, Michael Lavarch, on 11 May 1995, in response to efforts made by key Indigenous agencies and communities concerned that the general public's ignorance of the history of forcible removal was hindering the recognition of the needs of its victims and their families and the provision of services. The 700 page report was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997.

The flu vaccine your best shot at stopping the flu 

Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the spread of influenza (commonly known as ‘flu’) in the community.



To protect yourself from the flu, you should get vaccinated every year. The flu virus is always changing so the flu vaccine changes too.



Flu vaccines are available for eligible people for free under the National Immunisation Program from April 2018.



Getting the vaccine from April will protect you before the peak flu period, from around June to September.



Children can receive the flu vaccine from six months of age.



Let your doctor know your age or the age of your child before getting the flu shot. The brand of flu vaccine you should get depends on your age.



This year, there are new vaccines available to provide better protection for older people aged 65 years and over.



The flu vaccine does not contain any live virus, so you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.

What is the flu? Influenza (or ‘flu’) is caused by a virus that can infect your nose, throat and sometimes lungs. It spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing and close contact, such as kissing and sharing food and drink. Flu symptoms can start suddenly like fever, headache, tiredness and muscle aches. Elderly people might also experience confusion and children might get an upset stomach and muscle aches. Symptoms can last for a week or more. When severe, complications such as pneumonia and worsening of existing medical conditions can lead to hospitalisation and sometimes death.

Why should I get the flu shot? Vaccination experts recommend that everyone over six months of age get vaccinated to reduce their chance of getting the flu. Every year the flu vaccine changes to match the flu virus that is most likely to be around during the flu season. Getting vaccinated every year is the best way of preventing the flu and any associated illness. There is emerging evidence that the flu vaccine gives the most protection within the first three to four months after it is given. It’s important to make sure you are protected in time for when the flu is most common, from around June to September. For More Information Please Visit Department of Health\Flu-vaccination

Flu Vaccination is now available at UTHS Clinic.

UPCOMING DOCTORS & SPECIALIST August 2018

June 2018 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI 1 GP

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

1 GP

9AM-4.30PM 3

4 GP

5 GP &

6 GP &

7 GP

8 GP

9AM-4.30PM

Endocrinologist

9AM-4.30PM

11 Clinic 12 GP Closed (Public 9AM-4.30PM Holiday)

13 GP

14 GP

15 GP

9AM-4.30PM

18 GP &

19 GP &

20 GP &

21 GP &

22 GP &

DENTIST

25 GP

26 GP

27 GP

28 GP

29 GP

9AM-4.30PM

WED

THU 2 GP

FRI 3 GP

SAT 4

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9

6 GP

7 GP

8 GP

9 GP

10 GP

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 16

13 GP & DEN- 14 GP & DEN- 15 GP & DEN- 16 GP & DEN- 17GP & DEN- 18 TIST TIST TIST TIST TIST

20 GP

21 GP

22 GP

23 GP

24 GP

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 30

27 GP

28 GP

29GP

30 GP

31 GP

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

July 2018 SUN 1

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

2 GP &

3 GP &

4 GP &

5 GP &

6 GP &

DENTIST

9 GP

10 GP

11 GP

12 GP

13 GP

9AM-4.30PM

16 GP

17 GP

18 GP

19 GP

20 GP

9AM-4.30PM

23 GP

24 GP

25 GP

26 GP

27 GP

9AM-4.30PM

30 GP

31 GP

9AM-4.30PM

SAT 7

All the consultations are done by appointments, it can be made by contacting our reception on 08 8672 5255

between 8.30 am to 4.30pm 21

Monday to Friday For more information visit our website www.uths.com.au or follow us on Facebook for weekly updates!