Good Health Blog

Urinary incontinence - involuntary loss of bladder control - is a common problem amongst adult women and recent research has conclusively shown that a  type of exercise called pelvic floor muscle training is effective for treating the condition.  The report also found that drug-based treatments can be effective, but the degree of benefit is low and side effects are common.

Urinary incontinence has an impact both physically, psychologically and socially.  It is extremely common in adult women, affecting approximately 25 percent of young women, up to 57 percent of middle-aged and postmenopausal women, and approximately 75 percent of older women in nursing homes. The condition can impose significant, potentially debilitating lifestyle restrictions. The cost of incontinence care in the United States averaged $19.5 billion in 2004, and by one estimate the annualized cost of women's nursing home admissions due to urinary incontinence was $3 billion. Six percent of nursing home admissions of older women are attributable to urinary incontinence.

 

 

Researchers concentrated on two kinds of incontinence: stress incontinence, or the inability to retain urine during coughing or sneezing; and urgency incontinence, which is an involuntary loss of urine associated with the sensation of a sudden, compelling urge to urinate that is difficult to defer. Both types usually occur when the urinary sphincter fails, often as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, and other pelvic organs.

Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, similar to Kegel exercises, were found to be effective in increasing women's ability to hold their urine. Pelvic floor muscle training combined with bladder training improved mixed (stress and urgency) incontinence, the report found. Estrogen treatment was found to be effective in treating stress incontinence, but with some side effects.

A good review of the problem and exercises can be found at http://tinyurl.com/83xza7o  

It can be difficult to remember to do these exercises and it is doing them daily that makes a difference. Given the statistical chance of developing incontinence I advise all my women patients to start doing pelvic floor exercises in their early 20's.  How to remember?  Go to the stationary store and buy a packet of small dot stickers.  Put one on the mobile phone, one on your steering wheel, one on the TV remote etc.  Every time you see a sticker do a few exercises.  Simple prompt, life long gain. No problems hanging on! 

 

 

Research can answer some very interesting questions.  Many international studies have shown that it is the quality of our personal relationships, not the size of our bank balance, which has the greatest effect on our state of wellbeing.

Believing that money is the key to happiness can also harm a person's wellbeing. For example, a person who chooses to work a lot of overtime misses out on time with family, friends and leisure pursuits.

The added stress of long working hours may also reduce a person's life satisfaction. Research shows that people who pursue 'extrinsic' goals like money and fame are more anxious, depressed and dissatisfied than people who value 'intrinsic' goals like close relationships with loved ones.

 

 

Wellbeing can be elusive

Wellbeing is important, but seems a little hard to come by. One American study into mental health found that, while one in four respondents was depressed, only one in five was happy – the rest fell somewhere between, neither happy nor depressed. A recent Australian consumer study into wellbeing showed that:

* 58 per cent wish they could spend more time on improving their health and wellbeing.

* 79 per cent of parents with children aged less than 18 years of age wish they could spend more time on improving their health and wellbeing.

* 83 per cent are prepared to pay more money for products or services that enhance their feelings of wellbeing.

 I guess the above statistics show an interesting trend and explain the success of the 'health supplement' industry which often promises that you will feel better/less stressed/more energy if you buy their vitamin/mineral/supplement despite many medical authorities demonstrating that nutritional deficiency is quite rare in  many countries. 

Money does not make you feel better.  Only you have the ability to make the steps to improve your feeling of wellbeing. It is not rocket science. A great start is to exercise regularly, eat and drink healthily. Spend time with family and friends. 

 

 

 

Farming can be a wonderful lifestyle but carries a higher risk of experiencing a serious injury. Farmers also have a higher incidence of cardiovascular (heart) disease, some cancers, mental illness and suicide. Some of the challenges for farm men and women are that they often live and work at the same place. This means that some of the work place risks are present every day, even when not working.

In NSW from 2000 to 2005, there were 6798 people admitted to hospital as a result of an injury on a farm. These most commonly occur through slips, trips and falls, livestock handling, machinery use and farm vehicles. Older people are at increased risk of injury through falling.

Unfortunately, farms are amongst the most dangerous workplaces in Australia. However, many farm related accidents could be prevented if proper safety procedures and safety equipment are used by all workers at all times. Organisations such as WorkCover and Farmsafe can offer valuable advice on improving health and safety at your farm.

When considering the management of your farm, consider your own preventative health care. Healthy farmer, healthy farm!

Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers. In fact, the under-15 age group is one of the most vulnerable to work-related farm accidents in Victoria. They account for one in seven farm deaths.

Common hazards include drowning in dams, tanks and creeks, injury from guns or chemicals, accidents with tractors, motorbikes or other machinery, animals and falls from heights. The main risk factors are inexperience with equipment or animals, and trying to perform a task that is beyond their abilities.

Young children in particular need a safe play area of their own where there are no major hazards, so fencing part of the yard close to the house for your child’s use is important. Older children can be taught farm safety, but still need to be supervised at all times. Most importantly, children learn by imitation. If you practise and value farm safety, so will your child.

 During the next month the influenza vaccine will become available.  Influenza can be quite a serious disease, particularly if you have underlying medical conditions. Anyone with chronic heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes etc is susceptible to the complications of influenza, and therefore anyone with any of these underlying conditions should be immunized every year.

In Australia the Flu Vaccine is available free to everyone over 65 years of age.

Are there any side effects?

All that can happen is that you get a slightly sore arm and you might have a touch of fever, but you really can’t catch influenza. One of the big myths about this whole thing is that people say you can catch influenza from having the vaccine but that’s not the case.

After any vaccine, it takes a couple of weeks for antibodies to develop so during that period you’re still at risk.  The flu vaccine does not stop you catching the common cold and when people catch this is it common to hear them say ‘oh well the vaccine didn’t work, did it’. But that’s not the case. Colds are usually shorter in nature and much less severe that the flu.

Should well people consider the flu vaccine?

Immunization is also recommended (but not necessarily free) for people who can put vulnerable people at risk of infection. People who work with or live in close contact with people who have an underlying medical condition or reduced immunity are also recommended to be vaccinated to avoid spreading the virus and to protect themselves and their family. They include:

* Public and private hospital staff who provide direct care to patients
* Staff in long-term care facilities or nursing homes
* People who live with, or care for someone who has a chronic illness or is aged
* Carers of homeless people
* Workers, particularly those in workplaces that provide essential services
* People who work with children
* People involved in the commercial poultry and pig industry
* Workers in other ‘high risk’ industries
* Anyone traveling as part of a group 

I am pregnant - does this matter?

Influenza vaccine is recommended for women planning a pregnancy and for pregnant women at anytime during the pregnancy.

 So as the flu season approaches seriously consider immunization.

 

Varicose veins are superficial veins swollen by ‘back pressure’ . The valves that stops this back pressure have failed and the cause can be genetic or acquired. Here are a few tips to help prevent them causing a problem or worsening.

 

If you are standing still, flex your calf muscles
Think of your calf muscles as the "heart" of your venous circulation. If you point and flex your foot enough to strongly contract the calf muscle, you will move one cup of blood out of the leg. You can also squeeze your feet together in your shoes, or go up and down on your toes. Shaking your leg is not very effective. You need to make your muscles work.
Avoid binding clothing, on a day to day basis
Tight girdles, knee-high nylons or socks can block the movement of blood up the leg. The vein wall has to expand to get around this barrier. As a result, the valves lose their tight fit and can start to fail, allowing blood to pool - the beginning of varicose veins.
Control your weight
Most, though not all, studies report obesity as a factor in the development of varicose and spider veins. Weight loss should be considered if overweight. Weight loss results from reduced calories and an exercise program.

 

Fluctuating hormones during the menstrual cycle can affect veins

Changing hormone levels, both pre-menstrual and mid-cycle (at ovulation), allow the vein wall to relax. In this relaxed state, the vein holds more blood, which puts pressure on the valves. So if you think that sometimes your veins look worse than other times, they do. For some patients, being on the pill or taking estrogen replacement hormone will have this same effect on their veins. In these situations, support hose, exercise, and weight control can all help in keeping the vein walls fit.
Pregnancy can expand veins
Pregnancy also causes an elevation of many hormones. Estrogen relaxes the smooth muscle and collagen fibres in general, which may contribute to the vein wall expanding. In addition, the amount of blood in the systems increases by up to 40%. When patients report the sudden development of varicose or spider veins, one of the first questions is, "Are you pregnant?" Veins can change rapidly when a woman is only 5 weeks pregnant and is still unaware of her pregnancy.
About 70% of women who become pregnant and who have inherited a family gene for varicose and spider veins will develop these veins. The good news is many of these veins will disappear 4 to 6 weeks after finishing breast-feeding. For many women, it is usually the third pregnancy when these varicose and or spider veins remain and require treatment. Again, support hose, exercise, and weight control are helpful.
Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes every day
High heels are not fashionable for your veins. If you wear a heel that is more than 1.5 inches high every day, your calf muscle will not be effectively pumping blood out of the leg. You can try this at home. Feel how the calf contracts when you walk in lower heels and then switch to high heels. The foot simply moves forward in high heels, and you won't feel your calf contracting as you walk.
Exercise with care
A well-toned leg muscle will pump out much more blood than a weak muscle as you walk or move - and the more venous blood you move out of the leg, the less chance the vein has to expand and cause valve damage.
You should be careful with strenuous exercise, however. Abdominal pressure can block the flow of blood back to the heart. For example, when lifting heavy weights, make sure that you blow out. Otherwise, you increase your abdominal pressure and the veins have to expand to get around this block.
Wear graduated support hose
Many pharmacies carry special knee-high socks, nylons, pantyhose, and tights that are good for your legs and come in a variety of very fashionable colours. These stockings apply a gentle, graduated pressure to the leg, from the foot upward, which helps to decrease the expansion of the vein wall.

Consider doing a health check on your children. A good preventative health plan starts while the mother is pregnant!

 

 To give you an example lets find out about a  10 year old boy whose grandparent had diabetes. The edoc recommendations include:

Dental Check-up
Most children and adults should see their dentist for a regular cleaning and check up every six to 12 months. People at a greater risk for oral diseases should have dental check ups more than twice a year. Tobacco and alcohol use, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions are some of the many factors that your dentist takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning and check up.


Diabetes  Screening
Young people who are at risk for developing diabetes should be tested every two years. Risks include being overweight, inactive and a family history of diabetes.
Most people do not have any symptoms when they develop type 2 diabetes. However, when the levels of glucose in the blood are particularly high (this is common in type 1 diabetes), symptoms can include weight loss, tiredness and lack of energy, excessive thirst, blurred vision, increased infections and frequent urination.
Occasionally, the onset of diabetes can be abrupt. This is particularly the case with type 1 diabetes. The symptoms include: Loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, excessive passing of urine, atered consciousness and coma.
Seek immediate medical advice if these symptoms occur.


Eye examination
A routine eye examination should be done every two years to detect early changes that you may not notice now but might lead later to vision loss.
Your best defense is to have regular checkups, because eye diseases do not always have symptoms. See an eye care professional right away if you have a sudden change in vision or everything looks dim or if you see flashes of light. Other symptoms that need quick attention are pain, double vision, fluid coming from the eye and inflammation.


Weight screening
Know your childs weight and height and check it annualy to ensure theyremain in a healthy range over the years.   A healthy weight reflects a a healthy diet and exercise level.

A recent published study analyzing 100,000 people from 2007 has demonstrated that regular visits to the dentist for tooth cleaning may provide more than just a brighter smile. According to the study people who had their teeth professionally scraped and cleaned at least once a year had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke compared with those who had never had a dental cleaning.

 

The theory is that professional tooth cleaning appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacteria that can lead to heart disease.

 So if you have your teeth professionally scraped and cleaned one a year you have lots of reasons to smile!

 

If you were to keep one New Years resolution the one to carry into the year is to act on health issues.  Knowledge is power. There are no prizes for wandering through each year hoping you will not develop an illness and ignoring the possibility of having a health  risk factor that is already doing damage.

 The knowledge is out there.  Actually it is right here.  eDoc welcomes our subscribers and members back for another 'health cycle'.

As the New Year clicks over there are always health issues to consider. This might be the year you should have that skin check or your family history might mean it is time to arrange a colonoscopy or check your cholesterol.  You should know your ideal weight range .  If you do not know how much exercise per day/week is 'minimal' for heart health then you should! 

Update your eDoc preventative health recommendations and follow them through.  There is no better time than now. 

To all our subscribers and members from the team at eDoc we wish the very best in health and happiness for 2012. Thank you for your feedback and support in 2011. It was rewarding to hear the positive stories and outcomes from early intervention. Our goal is to make a difference, one person at a time.  Make that person you!

Christmas comes with it's own health risks so a bit of foresight is forewarned!

Emergency rooms and after hours clinics are often busy on boxing day.  Try not to become a statistic...

 

                                              

The reasons are usually one of the following! 

-  Overeating. Eating too much, too fast can cause indigestion or diarrhea. It can also trigger heart and blood problems.

  - Overdrinking. Too much alcohol can stress your liver. It also makes you lose control over your actions and speech, causing you to harm others physically (or emotionally). Accidents caused by drunk driving are common around the Christmas holidays

-  Food poisoning. This happens a lot because platters are usually left exposed on the table until the next day. Remember to refrigerate!

-  Negligence. We tend to let our guards down during the holidays because we’re too busy and stressed out. We overlook important details like giving maintenance meds to elders or keeping away knives and scissors from kids.

Christmas is something to value and enjoy with your loved ones. So don’t let health troubles get in your way. Have a healthy Christmas!

  

The message might be boring but the outcome is not!

 

Ultraviolet radiation - Sun -  damage is cumulative. The more you get the more damage is likely to occur. There is significant damage done after a day at the beach and a bad sunburn  - in fact statistics show that one bad sunburn doubles your life risk of melanoma. We often forget that problems also arise with regular small amounts of exposure.

One of the common areas I remove skin cancers from is the back of hands and the right side of the face.

"But I never go in the Sun Doctor!" I am often emphatically told.

"Did you drive here?" I would ask.  "Have you driven to work each day for the past 20 years?"  There was usually a nod of the head in acknowledgment

"Well the sun shines on your hands and the window side of your face. Those areas have had a lot more exposure and are paying the price."

Regular sun exposure to one area leads to local areas of premature ageing, wrinkles, redness, scaling and often skin cancers.

When I first came to this now obvious realisation I decided to put sunblock on myself before driving into the office each day.   Many days I would forget and remember as I looked at the back of my hands on the steering wheel.

So I decided to work out a way not to forget. I taped the sunblock and the toothpaste tube together. My teeth never got missed so putting on the sunblock on my hands followed naturally.

And for the trip home I have a second tube of sunblock under the dash in the car!

I would be interested to hear how others have solved the memory dillema and manage to block out when needed. Summer is here. Time to get sun smart.