Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies are focusing on diabetes awareness during July and August. “We are trying to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes,” said Sarah Hazell, Pharmacist. “Unfortunately too many Australians are being diagnosed with diabetes too late,” said Sarah “and the delay in diagnosis is putting many people at risk of major health problems”.

Early diagnosis, treatment, ongoing support and management can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, the leading cause of kidney failure, the leading cause of preventable limb amputations and increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times.

“Around 5 percent of Australians aged 18 years or older have diabetes,” said Sarah “and the risk of diabetes increases with age, from 2.8 percent in people aged 35 to 44 to 15 percent in those aged 65 to 74”.

If you would like to know more about diabetes, please call into either Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and speak to the registered nurse or one of the pharmacists.

They can provide you with information and advice and refer you to your GP for further investigation if necessary.

A baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a swelling at the back of the knee joint. Baker’s cysts are fairly common and are associated with chronic swelling within the knee joint. They occur, most frequently, secondary to degenerative disease within the knee joint such as osteoarthritis or meniscal degeneration. The main sign that a baker’s cyst is present will be a bulge and a feeling of tightness behind the knee.

This may be tender to touch with pain and stiffness often worsening as the knee is straightened after activity or when squatting or kneeling.

Just as a door hinge requires oil to reduce friction and allow smooth movement, similarly, the cartilage and tendons in the knee joint rely on a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid circulates around the knee joint and in and out of various fluid sacs called bursae that communicate with the knee joint. Sometimes when a structure within the knee joint is damaged or inflamed too much fluid is produced. If this fluid gets trapped in the popliteal bursae it is called a baker’s cyst.

If a baker’s cyst is suspected the whole knee joint should be assessed thoroughly as treatment involves treatment of the underlying cause. Once the cause has been addressed the swelling generally settles down. Sometimes the bursae might be drained or surgically removed but if the underlying cause of the swelling is not corrected the swelling will just return.

Strengthening exercises for the lower limb can help to improve joint biomechanics and to decrease the load on the knee.

“For the fitness of you,”

Linda Reilly

Doctor’s Choice Podiatry is pleased to announce that they are now providing podiatry services in the Forbes Medical Centre.

This is in addition to the existing podiatry service provided in Flannery’s Pharmacy and Parkes Pharmacy.

Adam Debenham, originally from Forbes, and Bill Devanney are very excited about this new chapter in providing quality podiatry care to the Forbes and Parkes region.

Adam and Bill offer thorough foot assessments, both vascular and neurological, as well as general foot and nail care, paediatrics, orthotics, footwear advice, diabetic foot care, assistance with foot pain and all other areas of podiatry care.

Initially, appointments within Forbes Medical Centre will be every four weeks on a Monday. It is however anticipated that this will build rapidly to a more frequent service.

There are still a few appointments available for Monday, 16th July. The same service is available at Flannery’s Pharmacy every fourth Tuesday and Wednesday as well as in Parkes Pharmacy Monday -Friday every four weeks.

Bookings are essential, fees apply. Call 0475 074 104 for further details.

Studies have shown that one in four women over the age of 50 suffer from pain on the outside of the hip, and this is particularly true for active women. Gluteal tendinopathy or more specifically, gluteus medius tendinopathy is a common cause of lateral hip pain.

Your gluteal tendons are the tough fibres that attach your gluteal muscles to the hip bone. It is thought that gluteal tendinopathy is more common in women over 50, due to the shape of the female pelvis and hip bones, along with the hormones that influence the female body during menopause.

Tendinopathies develop when load to the tendon is increased too quickly such as an increase in exercise particularly in sports like running or hiking.

When tendons become stressed small micro tears form, which encourage inflammatory chemicals and swelling. These will quickly heal if managed appropriately.

However, if the loading continues (working through the pain), the formation of these micro tears can exceed the rate of repair. The result is a tendinopathy, causing pain and dysfunction.

Unfortunately, many gluteal tendinopathies are misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated as a bursitis with corticosteroid injections. Whilst this may provide some temporary pain relief, it is only useful if the pain free time is used to exercise and strengthen the tendon appropriately. If injections are not combined with strengthening exercises for the gluteal muscles the tendinosis is likely to continue with return to activity.

A gradual loading programme aimed at strengthening the gluteal muscles and improving the biomechanics of the female hip is the most effective treatment for long term relief of lateral hip pain.

For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

The head cold, also known as the common cold, is usually a mild illness but it can impact your daily life. In addition to sneezes, sniffles, coughs and a sore throat, a head cold can leave you feeling tired, rundown, and generally unwell for several days.

Sarah Hazell, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy shared some self help tips to relieve the symptoms of the common cold.

“It’s important to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, keep warm and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and veggies,” said Sarah.

“It’s also vital to avoid cigarette smoke as this will exacerbate the symptoms,” said Sarah.

Many people benefit from boosting their immunity to prevent the common cold.

“Taking immune booster products can help with general immunity and can also help reduce the severity and length of colds,” said Sarah.

Colds and flu can make other conditions worse, such as asthma or diabetes. You should see your doctor if you:

• Have symptoms lasting longer than 10 days;

• Can’t or won’t drink fluids;

• Vomit frequently;

• Experience intense headache;

• Experience chest pain;

• Have breathing difficulties and

• Have a rash with a fever

There is a large range of over the counter medications which can help relieve the symptoms of the common cold including throat lozenges, gargles and sprays for sore throats, cough mixtures/tablets to alleviate dry or chesty coughs and medications to help with blocked or runny noses and headaches. “It’s best to visit the Pharmacy to discuss your symptoms and seek professional information and advice,” said Sarah.

Injuries to the lower back are one of the most common golf related problems. The incidence of lower back pain in the male golfer is between 25% to 36% and between 22% to 27 % in females. It has been reported to account for up to 52% of all injuries in recreational golfers and 24% of injuries in professional golfers. The injury mechanism of nearly half of all lower back injuries in golf is due to the swing.

The modern golf swing has been shown to produce large forces on the lower back, which change directions rapidly during the swing. Because golf is played in a slightly forward flexed position, along with the asymmetrical, rotational nature of the swing, the forces the joints in the lower back are subject to are quite high. The compression force on the spine during the swing has been shown to be up to eight times body weight.

How to prevent getting back pain. Maintenance of good mobility in the hips and thoracic and lumbar spine is important. This may require a regular exercise programme at home along with a good warm up before you play, whilst using proper technique when lifting your bag and bending through the knees when retrieving the ball.

If you already have lower back pain consider slowing your back swing down. Make sure your weight properly shifts to your back foot and your hips rotate during the back swing. Also, avoid placing your feet too far apart during the address phase as this limits hip rotation later in the swing and increases stresses on the lower back.

For the fitness of you

Linda Reilly

Many people experience a painless cracking, grating or popping sensation when bending the knee. The medical term for this is crepitus. A study by McCoy et al looked at 250 normal knees and found that 99% had patellofemoral crepitus. One must then ask: “What causes joint crepitus and does it really matter?”

Whilst knee crepitus is often a symptom of patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, no research to date has shown a causal link between the crepitation noise and actual joint pathology.

Most people experience one of four types of crepitus. The first occurs when a tendon snaps over a bone. It can be palpated and is often described as a hollow clunk.

The second occurs inside the joint when the two joint surfaces separate. A vacuum is created forming gas bubbles in the joint fluid. When these pop a loud “crack” is often heard. One study showed no signs of joint arthritis after years of habitual knuckle cracking.

The third cause is when patellofemoral movement is not smooth. This can cause a fine crunching noise and can be measured with vibration arthrography. Vibrations are decreased or lost in joints with osteoarthritis probably due to decreased joint lubrication.

The fourth occurs when joint fluid is pushed behind a slightly rough patella surface as the knee bends.

It is good to distinguish what type of cracking your knee makes. If it is not painful and falls into one of the above categories we should see crepitus not as a sign of joint pathology, but as a sign that our joints are mobile and well lubricated.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

Just because you’re at your desk all day, doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze a little more movement into your day.

With around one-third of an adult’s life spent at work, there’s plenty of time to incorporate health and wellness into your day – you just need to think outside the square.

Here are a few tips:

Change It Up: Round up your co-workers and suggest an office wellness conversion. You could transform an unused area into a mini-workout zone for quick stretch sessions, introduce a stairs-only policy or encourage regular breaks.

The University of New South Wales recommends short, frequent breaks during periods of intensive repetitive work, for example two to three minutes every 20 to 30 minutes. The breaks should involve whole body movement to restore circulation and relieve muscle fatigue.

Healthy Choice: Plan ahead and set aside time on a Sunday to prepare healthy lunches. At work, choose snacks wisely (keep some nutritious goodies in your drawer) and drink plenty of water. A drink bottle is convenient but getting up and refilling your glass will keep you moving.

Keep It Fresh: Escape that mountain of work on your desk and venture outdoors at lunch to clear your mind. Sign up for an express fitness class in the park or take a walk.

Self Help: Keep calm and focused with some easy breathing exercises. Depending on whether you prefer a quiet space away from co-workers or are happy to zone out at your desk, beyondblue has a range of technique guidelines on its website.

You can also ask your physiotherapist or masseuse for some self-massage techniques and stretches you can do at
the office. It’s a good idea to talk to your workplace health and safety officer about assessing your desk set-up.

By Jenna Meade

 

 

 

 

Last year Australians suffered the worst flu outbreak on record. The pharmacists at Flannery’s Pharmacy are urging people with asthma to not let colds and the flu inflame their symptoms this winter.

“Getting the flu can increase the symptoms of asthma including wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in the chest. If not treated properly, these symptoms can cause complications and even hospitalisation,” said Tracey Edwards, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

Around 40,000 Australians are hospitalised and 400 die each year from asthma, with a spike in hospital admissions during winter for people of all ages – from preschoolers through to the elderly.

Tracey recommends having an asthma action plan and taking asthma medications as prescribed by your GP. “Getting a flu vaccination is very important as it reduces the risk of influenza,” said Tracey.

Winter asthma checklist:
• Get your lungs checked — see your doctor for an asthma check-up;
• Follow your asthma action plan;
• Keep warm and dry, if cold air triggers your asthma;
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick and control germs by washing your hands regularly;
• Have a flu vaccination at the pharmacy or see your GP and
• Use a spacer in conjunction with your asthma medication. A spacer ensures you get more medication into your lungs, making your medication much more effective.

For more information about asthma medication, asthma devices and flu vaccinations, please call into Flannery’s Pharmacy and see our registered nurse, Rach Hayes or one of our pharmacists.

With pre-season training for winter sports commencing, it is a relevant time to discuss sports related head injuries and consider what can be done to prevent or minimise the impact a concussion injury has on an athlete.

In the medical world, a concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions occur not only from direct contact of the head with a solid object but also when indirect forces cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, such as a fall on the buttocks or a whiplash injury. Contrary to popular belief, you can sustain a concussion without losing consciousness.

Common symptoms of concussion include headaches, memory and concentration difficulty, decreased balance and coordination, drowsiness, vomiting and light or sound sensitivity. The ability to perform normal activities with the same speed, reaction time and precision as prior to the injury is often significantly altered.

When managed appropriately, most signs and symptoms are temporary and resolve within 7 to 10 days; however complications can occur, including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. There is also growing concern about the potential long term consequences of multiple concussions.

The brain needs time to heal and rest after a concussion. This includes rest from both physical activity and cognitive loads. Return to sport too early increases the chances of another concussion.

It is worth considering performing baseline testing such as a SCAT-3 or King Devick Test in the pre-season to establish a benchmark offering comparison when an athlete has sustained a concussion. This helps determine when they are ready to return to sport.

“For the fitness of you.”

Linda Reilly.