Chronic Disease Management
Have you been suffering from a chronic disease that has persisted or is likely to last for more than 6 months?
There is an abundance of government funded support such as access to Allied Health Professionals by having a Care Plan written up by your Family Doctor.
General Practice Management Plan (Care Plan)/ Team Care Arrangements (referral to Allied Health Professionals
Some examples of chronic diseases are Chronic Pain from Osteoarthritis, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Asthma, Cancer, Stroke, Osteoporosis, COPD… etc. 1 in 3 Australians has a Chronic Disease and 2 in 3 have risk factors for Heart Disease, Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease.
Because your Family Doctors are familiar with your medical history, we can determine your eligibility for a Care Plan (or General Practice Management Plan). Once you are deemed eligible, we work with you to set attainable goals and plan steps to achieve them. We know how easy it is to ‘fall off the band wagon’ when you tackle a chronic condition which takes time and commitment to see improvement.
So your Doctors and Nurses regularly review the Care Plan with you to help you stay on track. If your conditions are complex and will benefit from access to Allied Health Professionals, we will recommend a Team Care Arrangement which provides 5 Medicare subsidised visits per year to them.
"We believe that even if your risk for chronic disease is high or you already suffer from a chronic disease, it is never too late to implement strategies to maintain or improve your current health."
Diabetes
Have you been more hungry and tired than usual? Have you been passing more urine and feeling noticeably thirstier than before?
You may have Diabetes. Diabetes is a complex condition where the body is unable to convert glucose (or sugar) from food into energy, resulting in high glucose in the blood stream and causing damage to many of your organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels and nervous system.
The 3 main types of Diabetes are Type 1, Type 2 (the most common) and Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes during pregnancy).
You are at greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes if you:
- Are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle
- Have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes
- Are a smoker
- Have a history of Gestational Diabetes or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Are of ATSI, Pacific Island, Asian, African or Hispanic descent
- Have a history of high blood pressure.
"If you are at risk of developing Diabetes, you can do something about it and potentially delay or even avoid the onset of Diabetes."
Together with your Family Doctor, we can set attainable goals and plans to improve your health.
Even if you are already diagnosed with Diabetes, we will guide you on ways to control your blood sugar so you can still maintain a good quality of life and suffer no complications of diabetes.
That is why we like a partnership with our patients in focusing not just on medication treatment, but more importantly, on lifestyle measures.
We may utilise a General Practice Management Plan and a Team Care Arrangement in order to engage with different Allied Health Professionals, such as a Dietitian, an Exercise Physiologist or a Diabetic Educator, for input into your management plan.
So for you assessment of Diabetes risk factors or for a management plan, book now by clicking the BOOK NOW button or by calling us on 07 3341 7244.
Have you noticed chest pain, tightness or heaviness especially when you exert yourself?
Have you felt short of breath or unusually tired? Have you had heart palpitations (skipping beats or fluttering)?
These are some of the symptoms of Heart Disease and need to be addressed early.
"Because Heart Disease is largely preventable, it is important to address any risk factor as early as possible."
That is why we encourage you to have regular health checks in order to identify and to manage your risk for Heart Disease.
To book in for a heart risk factor assessment, please click the BOOK NOW button or call us.
Heart Disease
There are a range of conditions which are commonly referred to as Heart Disease.
Some examples include Coronary Artery Disease (diseases affecting the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart muscles), Arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorder) and Valvular diseases (defects in the heart valves).
Heart Disease is among one of the most common conditions we deal with in General Practice.
While some conditions are congenital (born with the disease) or carry a strong genetic propensity, we believe that by modifying the risk factors, it is possible to reduce the incidents of these debilitating illnesses.
The risk factors for Heart Disease include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol (especially the LDL Cholesterol)
- Overweight
- Strong Family History of Heart Disease
Osteoporosis
Are you post-menopausal and have a family history of Osteoporosis and hip fractures?
Do you have a small build and does not exercise regularly?
Are you a heavy smoker and consumes excessive amount of alcohol?
If you fall into the above categories or have medical conditions such as Thyroid Disease and Coeliac Disease, you could be at risk of Osteoporosis.
Because Osteoporosis does not produce symptoms until a fracture has occurred, if you have risk factors, it is worthwhile seeing your Family Doctor for a risk assessment.
You may be eligible for a Medicare Bulk-billed Bone Density Study to assess your bone health and implement management plans to ensure your bones stay robust.
"Osteoporosis occurs when bone loses mineral more quickly than new bone formation."
It causes the bones to be brittle and increases the risk of fracture.
If you have risk factors for Osteoporosis, we can implement measures early so you do not develop the condition later in life.
Even if you have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, with the right intervention and lifestyle changes, we can potentially see an improvement in your bone mass and effectively reduce the risk of fractures.
To book your Osteoporosis assessment, click on the BOOK NOW button or call us on 07 3341 7244 today.
"Asthma can occur at any age and you don’t have to have a history of childhood Asthma to develop it later in life."
Because Asthma can affect the quality of life and be potentially life threatening, it is important for you to see your Family Doctor regularly for assessment and review.
Asthma
Do you get shortness of breath, wheezing or chest tightness especially when you exert yourself?
Have you been avoiding physical activities because you run out of puffs quickly?
What about catching colds and flus easily?
These could all be symptoms of Asthma. Asthma is a disease of your airways. During an Asthma attack, you may wheeze and find it hard to breathe because the airways become narrow and are filled with mucous.
It is possible to achieve good control of your Asthma symptoms. Some believe that if you use Asthma puffers often, you become ‘addicted to them’.
That is a myth. Because Asthma is an inflammatory condition, we encourage the use of medication as soon as you experience symptoms, so we can reduce long-term complications of Asthma.
An up-to-date Asthma Action Plan also empowers you to take charge of your treatment regime.
It is personalised to you so you learn to take charge of your medication regime and identify an Asthma flare-up so you can control it quickly and effectively.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Do you find it hard to breathe when you exercise or seem to catch colds and flus easily?
Have you been a smoker or frequently cough up phlegm in the mornings?
You may have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
"COPD is an inflammatory condition of the lungs, causing chronic shortness of breath, cough and sputum production."
It is a progressive and debilitating illness and predisposes a sufferer to frequent chest infections and even premature death.
Early detection of the condition is essential because we can implement lifestyle measures and medications to slow the disease progression.
Because COPD is commonly associated with smoking, if you are a smoker, over 35 years old and suffer from breathlessness with mild exertion, you should see your Family Doctor promptly for an assessment.
We have effective treatment not only for COPD, but also to help you to quit smoking.
So for an assessment of your lung functions, make a booking now.
"Our aim is to restore the quality of your sleep, so you remain healthy and energetic all day to pursue the activities you love."
There are effective treatments for OSA.
The condition is firstly diagnosed by a sleep study, which can be done at home or in the sleep laboratory at most major hospitals.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Do you snore? Do you sleep but don’t feel rested?
Snoring is not just an annoyance for your family, but it can be hiding a serious medical condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
If your partner has witnessed episodes when you stop breathing during sleep, or if you experience excessive sleepiness during the day and felt like your sleep is not refreshing, you may have OSA. OSA is a very common condition and left untreated, it can lead to complications such as Cardiovascular Diseases.
It can also be dangerous when the drowsy driver falls asleep behind the wheel!
Lifestyle measures such as weight loss or sleeping on the side instead on your back can reduce symptoms.
There are several treatment options including using a CPAP machine or a referral to a dentist for a mandibular splint.
