Newsletter Easter 2007
23 April, 2007
GAYHURST MEDICAL CENTRE
142 Gayhurst Rd, Dallington
Telephone 385 3114 Fax 385 3113 Website www.gayhurstmedical.co.nz
Receptionists Lorraine O’Malley, Jan Silcock, Sharyn Cameron.
Doctors Nurses
Jan Whyte Bernice Hey
Niall Holland Alison Thompson
Catherine Cooper Karen Mason
Susan Tarnay
Practice Administrator Liz Perston
Physiotherapist: Nu Wright. Appointments here-Mon, Wed and Fri midday till 3.00pm. Her rooms are at 49 Aylesford Street where alternative times are available
Midwife: Ann Corkin Counsellors: Terri Walters, Amanda Wilde
Podiatrist: Charlotte Russell
After Hours
24 hour Surgery: cnr. Bealey Ave and Colombo St. Ph 3853114 or 3657777
Emergency dial 111
Practice Newsletter March 2007
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Easter Greetings
Flu Time Again
Some facts about the influenza vaccine
- The influenza vaccine can never give you the flu
- Immunisation helps improve your body’s immunity to influenza
- Being fit and healthy will not protect you from contracting influenza
- Influenza is not the same as having a bad cold. It can kill
- Influenza vaccine is FREE for many people until the end of June
News
Flu Vaccines It is that time of year again. The flu vaccine is now available and those of you over 65 should have received a letter recently. We will also put a notice in the waiting room. For those of you younger than 65 remember that flu vaccines are free if you have an ongoing medical problem such as Diabetes, Asthma, Heart problems, Arthritis etc. Please ask if you are eligible for this.
Podiatry We have success! Charlotte Russell form Feet First podiatry has commenced work on Tuesday afternoons. Charlotte has extensive experience and worked in the Diabetic centre for some years so some of you may have already met her there. Her base fee is $45.00 for a 20 minute consultation. She is able to make orthotics to measure here at the surgery.
Answer Phone The nurses now have an answer phone where you can leave your name, phone number, and a brief message outlining the reason for your call. This means they are then able to have an answer for you before calling back. Prescription requests are given to the doctors every day between 1pm and 2pm, so they will not usually call until after that time if you are requesting a repeat prescription.
Repeat Prescriptions Generally patients need to see their doctor every 3 months for medication review and repeat prescriptions. In some cases though, your doctor may agree to see you every 6 months with a phone repeat between visits. We need at least 2 days notice for such requests to allow for processing and signing of scripts, normally done by the doctor concerned between 1pm and 2pm daily. However, some days this is just not possible due to time pressures, hence the need for 2 days notice. They are then ready for collection after 3pm.
Phone Advice Should you want results or phone advice that are not urgent please contact the nurses between midday and 2pm as they do not have booked appointments at that time and it is easier for them to take the call directly.
Nurse appointments The nurses are now able to see you for various problems without the need to see a doctor. This can include uncomplicated bladder infections and contraceptive advice. If you think the nurse may be able to help check with the receptionist when asking for an appointment. A nurse fee will apply.
Travel Vaccinations These are available from the surgery. Karen one of the nurses has specific training in this area and is available to provide advice and vaccinations. Please book an appointment with her for this. Prices are available on request.
Exercise
The Benefits of regular physical activity
Exercise is good for you. By introducing a moderate amount of exercise into your daily life, you can significantly improve your overall health, well-being and quality of life. And the health benefits of exercise can be achieved by virtually everyone, regardless of age, sex, race or physical ability. Need more convincing? Take a look at six ways exercise can have a positive impact on your health.
1. Strengthen your cardiovascular and respiratory systems
The term "cardiovascular system" refers to the circulation of your blood through your heart and blood vessels. Blood pressure — the force that's exerted on your artery walls as blood passes through — helps keep the blood flowing smoothly. A buildup of plaques in your arteries, caused by cholesterol and other products in your bloodstream, can interrupt your blood flow and cause life-threatening damage to your cardiovascular system. When you exercise regularly, your entire cardiovascular system benefits because exercise:
- Lowers the buildup of plaques in arteries by increasing the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol — and decreasing the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — in your blood
- Helps prevent the onset of high blood pressure if you're at increased risk of developing it
- Lowers your blood pressure if you already have high blood pressure
Regular exercise also benefits your respiratory system by promoting rhythmic, deep breathing. Your lungs actually develop greater capacity,so you're better able to take in oxygen to nourish your cells.
2. Keep bones and muscles strong
Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to prevent the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis. Strength training exercises — such as lifting weights or working with resistance tubes — are particularly helpful. Also important are exercises that bear your body's weight, such as walking and jogging. By strengthening your muscles and bones, you can also improve your balance and coordination, reducing your risk of falls.
3. Prevent and manage diabetes
Regular exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, is an important way to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes which is a condition that affects the way your body uses blood sugar. As your muscles contract during exercise, they use sugar for energy. To meet this energy need, sugar is removed from your blood during and after exercise, which lowers your blood sugar level. Exercise also reduces blood sugar by increasing your sensitivity to insulin — allowing your body to use available insulin more efficiently to bring sugar into your cells.
4. Manage your weight Exercise helps you achieve or maintain a healthy weight by burning calories. Your body requires a certain amount of energy to continue the functions you need to sustain life. And if you exercise, your body works harder and needs more fuel (calories). Even after you stop exercising, your body continues to burn calories at a modestly increased rate for a few hours. By burning more calories than you take in, you can reduce body fat, giving you a healthier body composition which can make you look and feel better and can reduce your risk of obesity. Maintaining a healthy body weight eases pressure on your bones and joints, which can help prevent conditions such as arthritis.
5. Ease depression and manage pain and stress
Exercise fights depression by activating the neurotransmitters — chemicals used by your nerve cells to communicate with one another — associated with avoiding depression. The levels of those neurotransmitters and their balance with each other play a role in how you react to daily events. When you experience depression, the level of serotonin, norepinephrine or both may be out of sync. Exercise may help synchronize those brain chemicals.
Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins — other neurotransmitters that produce feelings of well-being, provide for "natural" pain relief, and help you relax.
6. Reduce your risk of certain types of cancer
Regular exercise helps lower the risk of cancers. Although it hasn't been proved, researchers think that exercise helps combat colon cancer by helping digested food move through the colon more quickly. Exercise lowers the risk of breast and uterine cancers by reducing body fat and decreasing estrogen production. Estrogen, in turn, has been shown to support the growth of some female cancers, including breast and endometrial cancers.
What happens when Drs write up notes in a hurry!
- Patient has two teenage children but no other abnormalities
- I saw your patient today, who is still under our Car for physical treatment.