At Alpha Medical Clinic we truly believe in empowering our patients. We take every opportunity to educate you about your health so you can actively participate in managing you and your family’s health.

Skin Cancer

What to look for? A new spot, freckle or mole that has changed colour, size or shape recently. A persistent small lump that is red, pale or pearly in colour. Crusty non-healing sores or ‘sunspots’. An individual with fair complexion living in Australia is more likely that somebody with a dark complexion to have sun damages skin and be afflicted with skin cancer. Importantly, whatever your skin type you can still develop skin cancer. Please remember to avoid direct sunlight during the middle of the day, use a high SPF sunscreen, wear broad brim hats and protective clothing and do not forget your children’s skin.

The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule (Adapted from The Australian Immunization Handbook 8th Ed. 2003)

Age / School year Disease
2 Months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B,
poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
4 Months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B,
poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
6 Months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B,
poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
12 Months Measles, mumps, rubella
Haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcal C
18 Months Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox
4 Years Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio
Measles, mumps, rubella
12 – 13 Years Hepatitis B
12-13 years or
Year 7
Secondary school		 Chickenpox
Human papillomavirus
14-15 years or
Year 9
Secondary school		 Human papillomavirus
15-16 years or
Year 10
Secondary school		 Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander people
From 15 years
From 50 years		 Influenza
Pneumococcal
50–59 years Diphtheria, tetanus
From 65 years Influenza
Pneumococca

Influenza (annual) vaccine is available to all ages and free to over 65 year olds. All of the above vaccines are available at the practice (excluding the Varicella and 23-Valent

Nutrition – Positive steps to good health start with good nutrition.
1) Aim for two pieces of fruit and three cups of vegetables or salad per day.
2) Keep saturated fat intake to a minimum; choose only low fat dairy foods and lean cuts of meat.
3) Replace processed biscuits, snack bars and chocolates with nuts for Walnuts or fresh fruit for snack foods.
4) Choose Low Glycaemic index foods (eg:- Wholemeal Grains, Yogurt).
5) Avoid Palm Oil.

TRAVEL HEALTH

The most common disease affecting travelers to South-East Asia is diarrhea. It is most commonly acquired by consuming contaminated food or water. It is important to take precautions to prevent this disease. Before leaving Australia get a Typhoid vaccine and once at your destination drink clean water (bottled or carbonated fizzy drinks) and ensure your food is prepared hygienically. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. Wash your hands with soap often. Do not forget the non-medical ways to avoid malaria; if a mosquito does not bite you then you won’t get malaria.
Recommended vaccinations for South- East Asia include: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Polio, ADT and Malaria prophylaxis.

ASTHMA

Do you know the ASTHMA FIRST AID PLAN?
In case of severe attack here’s what to do:
STEP 1.
Sit person up and give the reassurance, don’t leave them alone.
STEP 2.
Without delay give four separate puffs of a reliever (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl or Ventolin). The medication is best given one puff at a time via a spacer device. Ask the person to take four breaths from the spacer after each puff of the medication. Just use the puffer if no spacer is available.
STEP 3.
Wait four minutes.
STEP 4.
If there is little or no improvement, call an ambulance immediately- DIAL 000. Continuously repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance. Even if the patient recovers seek medical advice.
(Courtesy of the Asthma Foundation of Australia)