Blog
June 18, 2018
World Continence Week 18-24th June 2018. What is incontinence? Incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces or wind from the bowel (faecal or bowel incontinence). Incontinence is a widespread condition that ranges in severity from ‘just a small leak’ to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. In fact, over 4.8 million Australians have bladder or bowel control problems for a variety of reasons. Incontinence can be treated and managed. In many cases it can also be cured. Who is at risk? […]
May 24, 2018
What is Palliative Care? Some people are confused about what palliative care means. The world health organisation definition is: “Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.” In general, people will get referred to palliative care when their life expectancy is 12 months or less. It does not necessarily mean that they are about to die, palliative care […]
May 7, 2018
Anaphylaxis Management This month the Panaceum have been educating you on Allergies. For patients with severe allergies – exposure to an allergen can cause life-threatening reaction known as Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis affects a person’s whole body and usually occurs within minutes of an exposure. Signs and Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Difficult/noisy breathing Swelling of tongue Swelling or tightness in throat Wheeze/persistent cough Difficulty talking Dizziness or the person may collapse Pale and floppy (if a child) If you believe that someone is experiencing anaphylaxis – Adrenaline must be given. People who have known anaphylaxis to an allergen should carry an auto-injector […]
April 30, 2018
Allergy and Asthma Allergies play a significant role in asthma. Allergies are one of the major contributing factors that are linked to the cause and persistence of asthma. Approximately 80% of people with asthma have positive results for allergy testing. People who have a diagnosis of asthma may experience a narrowing of their airways. This means that air can not flow properly in and out of their lungs. With the help of medications, and regular care from health professionals, these symptoms can be reversed. People who experience asthma may show the following symptoms: Wheezing Shortness of breath Irritable long lasting […]
April 23, 2018
Allergy Testing Allergy testing is commonly performed on patients who present with likely reactions to foods, or insects, or who are showing symptoms of their asthma being exacerbated with link to exposure to an allergen. Allergy testing can be done by blood tests and also by skin prick testing. At the Panaceum, our GPs can offer both forms of testing. We also have 3 specialised GPs who oversee the service of Skin Prick Testing to patients over the age of 5 years and specifically focus on grasses, dust mites, olives and cat hair. We perform the test by using a […]
April 6, 2018
Allergies – what are they? An allergy occurs as a result of a person’s immune system reacting to something in the environment that is usually of no harm to others. These substances are known as Allergens. Examples of allergens include dust mites, pets, insects, moulds and foods. When a person has an allergic reaction to a substance, it triggers an antibody response and our body produces histamine. When histamine is released, the body may show signs of swelling and inflammation which becomes uncomfortable. Around 1 in 3 people will develop an allergy at some point in their life. The most […]