The weather is getting colder, we are allowed to travel a bit further and do a few more activities and for many, the question still remains, “how can I best support my immune system to prevent infection?”.  As a Nutritionist and Pharmacist, I know that getting the balance right can be difficult, so I’ve put together some tips to help you stay well this winter:

Eat a colourful diet

(No I don’t mean artificial colours) – Did you know that different coloured fruits and vegetables contain different beneficial food chemicals? It’s important to eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables – aim for 5 serves of vegetables each day and 2 fruits. If you have kids, it can be fun to have a food colour chart on the wall and colour in the different shades of food you eat each day. It will surprise you how common it is just to eat the same foods every day, which doesn’t help give us the variety that our bodies need.

Prioritise Sleep

In a situation where our schedules have been greatly disrupted, it’s harder to stick to a routine. Sleep is vital to our immune system functioning correctly and the timing of when we sleep is important, too! Try and get to bed before 11pm each night to get the most restful sleep. Try to relax your mind before bed by putting away brightly lit computer screens. Go old school and read a book!

Plan for Exercise

If you’re anything like me, exercise doesn’t come naturally, yet I always feel better after going for a walk in the fresh air. If I don’t plan it in, it doesn’t happen. Exercise is important to help reduce stress levels and increases our happy hormones. Too much vigorous exercise, however can have the opposite effect on our immune system. Plan to have days where light exercise replaces the heavy exercise, to allow your body to rest and restore.

Devote some time each day to relaxation

Looking after your mental health is really important for your overall health and is also important in ensuring your immune system is functioning optimally. Mindfulness has become a buzzword of late, with some positive and negative connotations. I prefer to think of mindfulness as picking something that you really love doing, that doesn’t involve a computer screen and doing that every day. It could be going for a walk, drawing or listening to music.

Maintain Your Hygiene Habits

There’s a reason why we’ve been so successful in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. A lot has to do with our increased vigilance with hygiene. Now is the time to continue all the great hygiene practices we’ve gotten used to over the past few months, to keep everyone healthy. Remember to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands regularly, practice good cough etiquette and maintain safe distances. 

What about supplements?

Nutritional supplements have a place in keeping us healthy, particularly if our diet is lacking in certain nutrients, however our first port of call should be to try and rectify what is lacking in our diet and address lifestyle issues that can be impacting on our overall health. Some supplements can be harmful long-term, so it is important that you get expert advice when taking additional supplements. Many supplements also will have similar ingredients, so it is possible to get too much of different nutrients by doubling up on supplements. 

If you would like to hear more about nutrients and the immune system, check out this free webinar for more information. Alternatively, you can book a free 10 minute appointment with myself at The Clinic Hub.

The post Supporting Your Immune System appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

As Men we very rarely talk about our health problems, let alone our mental health. We are more known for bottling up our emotions and problems as it is the ‘manly’ or ‘blokey’ thing to do. However, in doing this it creates an overwhelming burden on our own shoulders. On average one in eight males will experience depression throughout their lifetime and one in five anxiety. There is also new statistics that show that men, on average, account for 75% of suicides daily, and the majority of these men don’t have a previous history of a mental health disorder.

So, what does all of this mean for us as a community and how can we change these numbers, especially while exiting a pandemic? It would be unrealistic to say all men should reach out tomorrow and ask for help. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t reach out to our friends, our neighbours and our family to check in on them. The importance of a phone call and how a simple conversation can make someone’s day, especially if that phone call is the only contact, we are having due to self-isolation. 

Other simple things that, not just men, but we can all do to aid our mental health, is to eat healthily, exercise where and if we can, and enjoy the sunshine (within reason). There are numerous other factors and conditions that can both positively and negatively impact mental health. Instead of listing them all, it may be more beneficial if you have any individual questions to reach-out to a healthcare member of the community. As a pharmacist, I am more than happy to help you from TerryWhite Chemmart Samford, or if you feel more comfortable talking to your doctor or psychologist, then please do so.

The post Men’s Mental Health appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

With Emma Walton, Pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart Samford and the Queensland Poison Information Centre

Unintentional poisonings can happen in a myriad of ways. A toddler eats some berries growing in the backyard. A nursing home resident is given the wrong medication. A cleaner splashes a bleach product into their eyes. A bush-walker is bitten by a snake.

Poisonings arise in many shapes and forms, and with over 33,000 calls to the Queensland Poisons Information Centre (QPIC) each year, these situations are more common than you may think. The QPIC forms a network with other poison information centres based in WA, NSW and VIC where phone advice on poisonings and exposures is given via a national number on 13 11 26

This is the number is found on product labels in the event of an exposure or overdose; ringing this number is a service available to the general public for queries or first aid advice, but is also a service used by GP’s, hospital doctors, nurses, allied health staff, veterinary personnel, educational workers and carers.

So, what is a poison?

There are many ways in which poisonings occur, therefore there are many different agents that are potential poisons! Some examples of include the following…

• Prescription medicines
• Medicines available over the counter
• Vitamins and herbal products
• Household & industrial cleaning products
• Insect repellents and household insect sprays
• Perfumes, colognes & room deodorisers
• Hand sanitiser, antiseptics
• Essential oils and vaporiser fluids
• Tobacco, cigarettes and cigarette butts, vaping solutions, nicotine products
• Batteries, in particular button batteries
• Pesticides, insecticides, weed killers (herbicides)
• Insect sprays and baits
• Chemicals, manufacturing/building materials
• Petrol, kerosene, mineral turpentine
• Bites or stings by spiders, insects, snakes, jellyfish, ticks, or exposures to cane toads
• Indoor and outdoor plants, mushrooms

Tips to Prevent Poisonings around the Home

Follow directions and safety precautions on products

It might sound very simple, but if the product directs you to use personal protection (mask, gloves, safety glasses) while using it, this is generally because it has the potential to cause irritation or nasty injuries when exposed to skin, eyes or inhaled. Where you can, use these products in a well-ventilated area to avoid accidental inhalation exposures.

Store cleaning products and medicines out of reach of children

Storing potential poisons in high or locked cupboards greatly reduces the risk of curious little ones getting into things they shouldn’t. While child-resistant lids and containers are not 100% childproof it certainly makes products harder to access and takes longer, allowing parents to pick up on a ‘suspicious silence’.

Be aware that ‘natural’ or ‘environmentally friendly’ products aren’t necessarily safer when accessed, and while medications left on benches or bedside tables are a good visual reminder to take them, they can be easily accessed by children.

Check the battery compartments on toys & electronic devices such as remote controls to ensure that batteries are secure and can’t be easily accessed, especially in households with toddlers or where toddlers may visit. Store spare batteries in a secure location.

Be aware of taking your medicines in front of toddlers and young children

Toddlers tend to mimic parents and grandparents with their behaviour. While not a poisoning, I still have a scar under my chin from when I was toddler and tried to copy my Dad after watching him shave. Mimicking behaviour is how we learn but can cause mishaps. If we take our medication in front of a toddler, then leave the packet on a bench or bedside table they may try to repeat the behaviour.

Return unused & expired medications to the Pharmacy

Clear out your medicine cupboard regularly! If you have medication you are no longer taking stored with current medications this can lead to medication errors. Don’t store poisons like eucalyptus oil or vaporiser fluids next to medications taken orally, like cough mixtures; a short lapse in concentration, poor eye sight or a sleepless night awake with a sick child may be all it takes to cause as error.

Webster packs & sachet rolls

Medication packing is not only fantastic for convenience and simplifying medication management, but it is a great help in minimising medication errors. It can also help with the common ‘double dose’ error because you can clearly see that your medication is missing from the dosage time and already taken. Medication packing is also very helpful for family members and carers as they can clearly see whether a dose has been taken. Medication packing is a service we offer at TerryWhite Chemmart Samford.

Routine is what we’re used to 

Many poisonings occur when daily routine is disrupted, or we are distracted; moving house and unpacking cupboards, staying at a holiday house where the contents of cupboards are unknown, having visitors stay who bring medications with them. Often poisonings can happen when we are focused on looking after someone. For example, a mum is busy giving Panadol® to her youngest child with an ear infection whilst her older child finds the Panadol® bottle left out.

Accidents can easily happen when a poison is not in its usual location; leaving a product out, storing it in a place where it is not usually stored or decanting it into a different container. Never store a poison in a food or drink container as it can easily be mistaken. Simply leaving medications out on a bench or bedside table to take later is a common reason for another family member taking medication by mistake, as many medications look very similar.

The great outdoors

In Australia we are blessed with many dangerous creatures, some of which can be poisonous; snakes, spiders, marine creatures, ticks, cane toads and the list goes on.

When bushwalking, trail running, mountain biking or creek swimming always take a mobile phone (or EPIRB) with you. If you are bitten by any snake ring 000 immediately; stay as still as possible and if possible, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. Do not try to kill or catch the snake for identification; snakes are often mis-identified, and hospital management does not require identification of snake in order to treat a patient. Attempting to catch or kill a snake involves greater risk of multiple bites or multiple people being bitten.

It is good to be aware of the plants growing in your gardens and backyard; some plants can be very poisonous if ingested or can have irritant or corrosive sap. Even common indoor plants can pose a risk to pets and children. For more information on common poisonous plants you can access the Queensland Poisons Information website:

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/queensland-poisons-information-centre/plants-mushrooms/

Emma is available at TerryWhite Chemmart Samford on Wednesdays and Thursdays if you have any questions or if you would like to have a medication review.

The post Poisoning Risks at Home appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

With Jacqui Hagidimitriou, Integrative Pharmacist

I recently spent a week away on a business trip to the beautiful Western Australia. Travel, for me, is always exciting, to see different towns, landscapes and experience local cuisine. Yet, while my mind is excited, my gut is often a little nervous…..

A little voice appears from my belly:

“Will she feed me at the right time?” “Will she be able to move about normally?” “Will she even be able to access a nice toilet when necessary?”

Now, this gut sounds super fussy, but I’m sure some of you can relate!

It is a common problem for many that changes to not just the diet, but also sleep patterns and movement can cause havoc for our tantrum-my tummies! This is because digestion is as much about our nervous system and the environment surrounding our eating pattern, as it is about our food choices.

Fight or Flight vs Rest and Digest

In a previous blog post, I talked about the fight or flight mechanism of stress. Opposite to that is our ability to rest and digest. Often in our fast-paced lives we eat without thinking and quickly go to our next task. However, the food we have consumed has a much longer journey ahead. What we do throughout the day can impact on whether this food has a nice uneventful journey through our digestive tract, or whether it will cause, let’s say, some turbulence along the way.

Our body will place digestion lower on the priority list when we are under stress and this can impact on the speed and smoothness of the movement of the intestines, which slowly move food through its long tubes, to extract as much nutrients as possible. In the short term, we can survive with our digestive systems not working at their best. In the long term, it can cause much discomfort and lower our quality of life.

Road-sign, what Road-sign?

It’s no coincidence that the call to evacuate the transportation line at the end of the gut occurs more strongly after eating a meal.This is called the postprandial reflex and if obeyed, helps ensure there is enough room on board for all “passengers” as the next lot of food comes through. This signal is one that I am often teaching people to become familiar with again, especially if they are prone to constipation.

Keep in mind, it is not easy to take action on this signal if we are eating our meals in the car, or multi-tasking with the first high-pressured task of the day! Like a cheeky child, our gut may go silent for a while if its signals are ignored, but as all parents know, if there’s silence for too long, there’s trouble brewing. So, keep your gut happy, to keep you happy, by listening to its cues, even when on holiday! (Don’t ignore the signs!)

To learn more from Jacqui about digestion and stress, you can join her 7pm on the 27^th November at The Clinic Hub for a fun, interactive evening “Treat Yourself to a Stress-Less Christmas”. Phone 3289 1559 for more details! Otherwise, she is available for private consultation, in the comfort of The Clinic Hub.

The post Rest and Digest ……. Your Road-Map to a Healthier Gut appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

Think about all the professionals that form your health care team. I am sure you can name your GP, dentist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, dietitian, psychologist or any specialist you may visit once or twice a year. I am sure you go to the same practice every time because they know you and your medical history; and you know and trust them with your health. This same philosophy should apply to your pharmacist. By visiting the same pharmacy every time, you are building a valuable relationship with a trusted health professional and ensuring your health and your medical history is always in good hands.

Why did I Choose to Become a Pharmacist?

I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist when I was 14 because I wanted to help people with their health. My mission is to redefine how people view their community pharmacy – we are so much more than a place to get your prescription dispensed or, as some people say, a “box with a label on it”!

First and foremost, pharmacists are ‘medicine experts’. We spend 4 years at university and a supervised intern year studying medications. Basic science says for every action there is a reaction. Every time you ingest, apply, inhale, inject, instill or insert a medication, a reaction will occur in your body. As pharmacists we love understanding these reactions, good and bad, and sharing our knowledge with you so that you are using your medications optimally and safely.

Medication Safety is Paramount.

In Australia, there are close to 250,000 hospital admissions every year are due to medication-related problems, costing our health system $1.4 billion. Your pharmacy is the central hub linking you to our broader health care team. Did you know that one of the first places called when you arrive at the emergency department is your local pharmacy so the admitting doctor can gain your recent dispensing history? If you visit numerous pharmacies it is very difficult for the doctor to gain an accurate history and to know if you started a new antibiotic or changed medications recently that may have caused your admission.

It’s futile also contacting your GP, reading your medication list in your wallet/purse or checking your My Health record , because in Australia 50% of patients with a chronic illness don’t take their medications as prescribed and 20-30% of prescriptions written never get filled. Therefore, a history from your local pharmacy is likely to give the most accurate representation of what medication you are actually taking, how compliant you are in filling your prescriptions as well as detailing any recent changes to medications from any prescriber, not just your GP.

Optimise Your Medication Routine

Many pharmacies now offer a solution to improve medication management and adherence in the form of Dose Administration Aids (DAAs). These can be presented as either Webster Packs (plastic containers that divide your pills into daily/weekly/monthly doses) or sachet rolls. You might be saying to yourself, “I haven’t lost my marbles yet so I can look after my medication myself”. However, increasingly now busy professionals and parents of young children are utilising the convenience of DAAs to free up time for things that are more important to them.

Another benefit of DAAs is they contain all your personal information, the exact details of the medication, the name of your pharmacy and they provide a visual representation of how compliant the patient has been. As a carer, this is invaluable and as a patient, particularly one prone to forgetting things, this is critical. Keep in mind also, your doctors and specialists liaise directly with your pharmacy to ensure your medications are always kept up to date.

What About Advances in Technology?

The TerryWhite Chemmart Health App is also another great tool to have in the palm of your hand when you are visiting your doctor or specialist as it shows the status of your medications -when they were last dispensed and when the next ones are due – as well as providing other health measurements such as blood pressure results you may have had taken in the pharmacy. It’s also very easy to operate and can also be shared with a carer via carer mode.

So Much More than a Pharmacy

Pharmacists are primarily known for dispensing prescriptions and a place to visit when you are sick, but more and more people are now visiting their local pharmacy to stay well, utilise health services and seek advice on minor ailments. This is why I love being a pharmacist, my day is so varied. My day can include vaccinating patients, assisting people with colds, allergies, skin problems, bowel problems, wound care, natural medicines, pain management, weight management, sleep apnoea, and diabetes management.

It is not the just the clinical aspect I love but the relationships I form with our customers. I love talking to them, listening to their stories, giving them a hug when they need it and ultimately making a difference in their lives, the lives of their families and our amazing community.

I hope you share a bond with your pharmacist like I do with my patients.

Karen

The post Do you Know YOUR Pharmacist? appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

It is estimated that 1.7 million Australians are currently living with diabetes, and it is estimated that 280 are being diagnosed every day. So what is diabetes? Diabetes or diabetes mellitus (as often referred to in medical literature), is where there is too much glucose in the blood.

Why is glucose important and is there a way we can control it?

Glucose is a simple sugar, and it is one of the body’s main forms of energy. It comes from the foods and drinks we consume. You need a steady supply of glucose to keep your body functioning. This is why we need to eat every day. Glucose in the body is controlled by Insulin – a small hormone the pancreas produces that moves glucose in the bloodstream to the cells in your body, where it can be used for energy. As opposed to popular beliefs, diabetes is not just people always eating the wrong foods. In simplified terms, diabetes is defined by the pancreas either not producing enough Insulin to match your glucose intake, or the insulin made does not work effectively. In either instance it results in a higher amount of blood glucose and hence diabetes.

Is all diabetes the same?

Diabetes is also broken up into 2 main categories, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where a person cannot produce their own insulin. They have to rely on Insulin injections daily to survive. Type 2 diabetes, however, is where a person produces some insulin but not enough to adequately control their blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is often treated with lifestyle measures, medicines that make insulin work better or stimulate insulin production and in some cases also insulin injections. This form of diabetes will progress with time and become more severe if lifestyle changes are not made.

Why is blood glucose at the wrong level harmful?

High blood glucose (also known as hyperglycaemia), can be damaging to the body over time by affecting the body’s nerves and vessels, in which can lead to kidney, eye and nerve damage (especially in the feet).  On the other hand low blood glucose (also known as hypoglycaemia) can also be damaging. This is because if the blood glucose gets too low a person could experience, confusion, slurred speech, light headedness and even possible loss of consciousness.

What can we do to change the risks?

As we can see it is a tight rope act, managing our blood glucose levels and is not as easily solved by people just ‘over or under eating’. Which begs the question of what we can do? Eating good foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables can help stabilise the blood glucose levels, where as processed foods such as those high in saturated fats and oils (for example potato chips and biscuits), can drastically cause the blood glucose levels to rise and fall. Exercise, even if limited, can have an incredible effect on lowering blood glucose levels. This is because exercise allows the body to process insulin better and regulate blood glucose levels. If you would like further advice it may be beneficial to see a dietitian, diabetes educator or exercise physiologist.

How do I know what my blood glucose level is?

People with diabetes can measure their Blood Glucose in two ways, via-self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) or by HbA1c testing. SBGM involves taking readings on a diabetes blood glucose meter usually before meals (fasting) or 2 hours after meals (post-prandial). This gives us a snapshot of a moment in time to what the blood glucose reading is. The HbA1c however, is the average blood glucose levels in the past 3 months. This can be measured at a GP clinic or in some pharmacies. Both are useful to help guide how effective diet, medicine and lifestyle changes are.

It can be hard to monitor your glucose levels all of the time, but there are suggested monitoring schedules that you can use, with the support of your pharmacist or doctor. There are also many new medications that can be used for Type 2 diabetes, so if you have not had a review recently, ask us for more information. We offer access to a diabetes educator at both Clinic Hub sites, as well as the option to sit down with one of our pharmacists to do a diabetes medication review.

The post Diabetes – The Good, the Bad and the Hungry? appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

One of the most common problems that I am asked to help with in my consultations, is the impact that stress has on our day to day lives. Stress can be defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Or more simply put, stress is pressure placed on us in either a physical or psychological way.

It is vital that our body and mind can adapt to stress from our environment, otherwise we will crumble under the pressure. Too often in our modern-day world, stress comes in the form of mental, rather than physical pressures.

Does this sound like you?

• Always running to appointments, not sitting back and taking your time.
• Eating on the go, opting for fast meals that keep hunger at bay, but do little to nourish your body.
• Feeling like your heart is always racing……..Knowing your mind is always racing (stopping you enjoying quiet moments – who needs that little thing called sleep, anyway??).
• Getting impatient on your drive in traffic and getting angry at little things.

These can all be signs of leading a life where stress is getting the better of you! And what does this do to our body and mind? It keeps us in a state of fight or flight. The inbuilt way that we are designed to respond to a physical threat, to get us out of danger. Picture this – a gigantic beast suddenly appears in your office, growling and bearing their teeth (and no, I’m not talking about your boss) – what will you do?

You will do one of two things. Either weigh up your options for tackling the beast and surviving, or scan the room for exits to be able to flee! You will do this automatically, by your brain switching on your sympathetic nervous system.

This nervous system is not as kind as it sounds. It doesn’t make you a cup of tea and listen to your stories, it makes you release a stress chemical, adrenaline, into your bloodstream. This causes your heart to beat harder and faster. Your pupils dilate to take in all the details of the approaching threat and your muscles and liver release sugar into your bloodstream to make sure you can run, fight and use the strength you need to escape the situation.

Sounds great, right? If you were outsmarting the office beast, then yes. But what if the threat is work deadlines, relationship strains and financial burdens. Those kind of pressures don’t just get defeated with the swipe of a mighty adrenaline fueled arm. They take time, planning and structure to defeat, reducing the pressure we feel on our body and mind.

Long Term Stress

The problem occurs when this stress response is almost unrelenting and continuous. When our body thinks these threats are the same as the physical threat and causes the same changes in our body chemistry as if we needed to run for our lives, it can cause us health problems in the long term. This stress response is supposed to be short-lived – to get us out of immediate danger.

However, we are living lives that are filled with continual stress triggers. We need to find a way to slow our sympathetic nervous system down, so that our body and mind can have times where we are feeling safe, out of danger and relaxed. This is when we can repair and restore our body and mind and is crucial for our health and wellbeing.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks in the coming weeks that can help us adapt to our busy lifestyles and if you feel like you need some help navigating this stressful world, feel free to book in a complimentary 15 minute Integrative Medicine appointment.

The post Stress in the 21st Century – What is it and Why is it Important to Address?? appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

So, what do you give them?

It depends on how little they are as to what sort of foods you give a baby. It is best to start out with texture-appropriate foods for safety reasons. First foods (given around 6 months of age and not before 4 months) should be high in iron and as minimally processed as possible. Fresh fruit, veggies, meat/legumes and iron-fortified baby cereals are great to start with. At the start, your baby only needs small amounts as breast milk and/or formula is the main source of nutrition. Generally, we progress from pureed, to soft, to mashed, to minced and then finally offer the way you offer the rest of your family.

What not to give a baby:

• Soft drinks/fruit juices
• Coffee and tea
• Milk alternatives such as rice or almond milk
• Honey
• Raw eggs
• Hard foods like carrots and nuts (to prevent choking)

Needs over the years

As they grow, their needs change with them. At around 2 years they should be having:

• 2 ½ serves of vegetables
  • An example of 1 serve is:
    • ½ cup cooked veggies
    • ½ cooked legumes
    • 1 cup leafy greens
• 1 serve of fruit
  • An example of 1 serve is:
    • 1 banana/apple/orange
    • 1 cup diced fruit salad
    • 2 small fruits e.g. kiwi, plum, apricot
• 4 serves of cereals/grains
  • An example of 1 serve is:
    • 1 slice bread
    • ½ bread roll
    • ½ cup cooked pasta, rice, noodles
    • ½ cup cooked porridge
• 1 serve of lean meat and alternatives
  • An example of 1 serve is:
    • 65g cooked red meat
    • 80g cooked chicken
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 cup cooked legumes
• 1 ½ serves dairy
  • An example of 1 serve is:
    • 1 cup milk (after 2 years reduced fat milk is appropriate)
    • 2 slices of cheese
    • ¾ cup yogurt

As you can imagine, as little ones get bigger, their needs increase too!

Skipping ahead a few years… by the age of 10, they should be having:

• 5 serves vegetables
• 2 serves fruit
• 4-5 serves cereals/grains
• 2 ½ serves of lean meat and alternatives, and
• 2 ½ – 3 serves dairy

Want to know about another age group? Send us a message!

But what about chips, chocolates, lollies, take away, biscuits, cakes, desserts?

We call these foods occasional foods. Occasional foods are those foods we know aren’t the best to have every day, because they are highly processed and might have lots of added “bad” fats, salt and sugars. However, too often we see parents giving their little ones these foods regularly, because they won’t eat anything else, or they really love it! Grandparents are often big culprits in this department as they want to shower them in love and give them everything they want! But we have to think… is this really what is best for them? Yes, they love the food and are eating, but we might be doing more harm than good.

How to increase variety into a child’s diet?

You might not know, but it can take about 20 times for a child to decide if they really like the food or not. So, don’t get disheartened and keep giving them opportunities to taste as they get older. A little tip… if they screw their face up after you give them something new, just ignore it – they want a reaction!

Some tips and tricks for trying new foods and having fun when eating:

1. Get them involved in the kitchen and shopping (they might want to pick something new to try! – within reason of course!)
2. Make the plate interesting, cute little faces with food, chop it up and make it into a snail, mix things that don’t normally go together and see if they like it! Pinterest has a mountain of awesome ideas – maybe you pick some out with your little one and have an afternoon making some fun foods to try
3. Serve family-style dinner and let them serve themselves (If they can) – all food in the middle and let them put it all together on their plate
4. Talk about the food – how does it taste? What does it smell like? What else is orange?
5. Buy them a special plate – kids portion plates are fantastic and are really affordable! $4 from Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

Danielle Savic, Dietitian

If your little one is still not responding to trying new foods or is still quite limited with their food choices, make sure you book in and see Danielle! She practices from The Clinic Hub on Wednesdays.

The post Dietitian Feeding Tips for Baby and Early Childhood appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

Dry skin (Xerosis) affects us all at some time but is often worse during the cooler months. This can be due to low humidity and the skin being further dried out by factors such as air-conditioning, electric blankets and heaters. Then add in a nice long hot shower or bath that are so enjoyable on a cold day and voila … dry itchy skin.

Dry skin can range from a mild condition to a more severe condition that persists and worsens. When the surface of the skin loses moisture, fine cracks appear in the skin – these cracks, if left untreated, can form deep fissures and bleed. Dry skin also causes itching, which may be severe and lead to scratching and picking at the skin which may result in infection of the skin. Some factors, for example increasing age, zinc deficiency, diabetic neuropathy and underactive thyroid, increase the risk of dry skin, as do some medications.

How can dry skin be prevented or managed?

The first very important piece of advice we give to people is to avoid soap and soap products (eg shower gels) for washing – these strip the skin of its natural protective oils and leave it prone to drying out. Instead, use a soap free wash – there are many different options available in many different forms (bars, washes, bath soaks) – ask our pharmacist for the most suitable product for your skin.

Next, we recommend a suitable emollient or moisturiser. An emollient prevents the movement of water out of the skin by placing a barrier between the skin and the environment – these act to soften the skin, restore the impaired barrier function of the skin, and reduce the itch of dry skin. Emollients are available in a range of formulations – creams, ointments, lotions, soap substitutes including shampoos and gels, and bath oils. Moisturisers are a combination of emollients with humectants. Humectants work to increase the hydration and elasticity of the skin and include agents such as lactic acid, urea and glycerine. Ask our pharmacist for the best choice of product for your skin.

Applying Moisturisers

• Apply liberally and frequently, every four hours or at least 2-4 times a day
• Use during and after bathing to help retain the moisture in the skin: use when washing (eg soap substitute), then dry the skin gently, leaving it slightly moist before applying the leave-on emollient (eg cream, ointment, oil)
• Smooth gently onto the skin – do not rub vigorously as rubbing will stimulate circulation, generate heat and make the skin feel itchier

And one last piece of advice – as lovely as long, hot showers and baths are – please turn down the temperature a bit, to give your skin a little extra TLC !

Suzanne Kosh

Suzanne is our Professional Care Pharmacist, with special interest in skin conditions and respiratory disease. She is heading up our therapeutic skin clinic in September – for more details, please visit our Facebook Page.

The post Pharmacist Tips: Remedy Your Dry Skin appeared first on The Clinic Hub.

Causes of Migraine

Migraines can be triggered by many factors in the environment, diet and lifestyle. Each individual may have different triggers that can be difficult to pinpoint. Migraines are more common in females, in the menstrual years, as oestrogen fluctuations can trigger symptoms. Your genes can also play a role in how likely you are to suffer from migraines.  DNA testing is a new way to assess nutritional contributors to migraine based on your genes. Migraines occur more often in people with elevated levels of a naturally occurring substance called homocysteine, which is often linked to genes.

Homocysteine and DNA

DNA testing helps assess the function of enzymes involved in pathways which metabolise homocysteine, folic acid and B12. This can be a valuable tool for frequent migraine sufferers to assess whether any dietary and supplemental changes may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Migraine sufferers carry an increased risk of stroke and potentially homocysteine can be responsible for this link, as high homocysteine levels are also found in stroke victims.

Supplements and Migraines

There are some supplements that can be beneficial for reducing migraine frequency. These include some of the B vitamins, magnesium and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is important to note that adequate doses would need to be trialed to judge any success. Choosing the most effective supplement can be easier in conjunction with DNA profiling and dietary changes.

If you are interested in DNA testing or would like to book a natural medicine consultation, please call 3289 1559.

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