Accurate, up-to-date health information for you and your family
Health Literacy Australia offers the most up-to-date health information within the pharmacy industry as a benefit to the public. Find more information on symptoms and treatments across a range of minor ailments below.
EASY CLINIC HEALTH SERVICES
EasyClinic is a health services destination that provides professional advice, facts and tips on medical conditions and treatments, to improve the health of individuals and help implement healthy living. Getting your health check at our pharmacies can help you manage and possibly prevent health conditions before they get to an unmanageable level. We offer a range of services covering the main health concerns of our local communities.
The full website can be found at www.easyclinichealth.com.au
Health Information for you and your family.
ACNE
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
Effective treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin.
ALLERGIES
Allergies
The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing and itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat. Some people also experience tiredness, puffy watery eyes, nasal congestion, or a thin watery nasal discharge. The severity of hay fever symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may impact your quality of life. Congestion of the nasal sinuses can cause pain in the forehead or cheeks that is worse when bending over.
ASTHMA
Asthma
Asthma is a medical condition that affects the airways (the breathing tubes that carry air into our lungs). From time to time, people with asthma find it harder to breathe in and out, because the airways in their lungs become narrower - like trying to breathe through a thin straw. At other times breathing is normal. Asthma is more common in families with asthma or allergies, but not everyone with asthma has allergies. It is common in children, but it can also start later. Asthma often starts as wheezing at preschool age. Not all wheezing is asthma - many preschool childrne who wheeze do not have asthma by primary school age. Adults of any age can develop asthma, even if they did not have asthma as a child.
BABY MONITORING AND ADVICE
Baby Monitoring and Advice
Our professional team can help with a range of services, products and advice for new and expectant families. From pregnancy and breastfeeding support, measure and weighing your baby, to treating minor baby conditions such as nappy rash and teething. We’re here to help you and your little one at every stage of this exciting journey.
BITES AND STINGS
Bites an Stings
Australia has a variety of tropical marine and land creatures that can cause serious bites and stings.
Although it is always best to seek medical advice where possible, it is also helpful to know some first-aid techniques that help. Bites can be from snakes, mosquitoes, midges (sandflies), spiders, ticks, or a variety of other insects. Stings can be caused by bees, wasps and marine creatures like shell or jellyfish.
BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Maintaining healthy blood pressure is important because high blood pressure is a risk factor for diseases such as heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. Keeping a close eye on your blood pressure is a good way to catch changes early and take appropriate action.
A good way to monitor your blood pressure is through in-pharmacy blood-pressure monitoring and recording. These services support patients to self-monitor blood pressure as a cardiovascular disease screening/monitoring service, often with referral to medical support when necessary.
BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING
Blood Glucose Monitoring
Blood glucose tests are also sometimes called blood sugar tests. They are usually used to monitor and assist with the management of diabetes.
People with diabetes often monitor their own blood glucose at home though a finger-prick test with a blood glucose monitor.
The standard blood glucose tests measure your blood sugar level at a particular time and can help you to see the effects of food, exercise, medication and illness on your blood glucose levels.
As blood glucose monitoring detects your blood sugar levels at a particular point in time, it is not an accurate tool to assist with the diagnosis of diabetes. Your blood glucose levels generally go up or down during the day based on food, exercise, hormonal changes, and illness.
CHILDREN'S ALLERGY RELIEF
Children's Allergy Relief
An allergy is the body’s reaction to a specific substance, or allergen. Our immune system responds to the invading allergen by releasing histamine and other chemicals that typically trigger symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, eyes, skin, or stomach lining.
Allergies may be seasonal or can strike year-round (perennial). In most cases, plant pollens are often the cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis—more commonly called hay fever. Indoor substances, such as mould, dust mites, and pet dander, may cause the perennial kind. Food allergies are also common in children.
In some children, allergies can also trigger symptoms of asthma—a disease that causes wheezing or difficulty breathing. If a child has allergies and asthma, not controlling the allergies can make asthma worse.
CHILDREN'S PAIN
Children's Pain
Every child will experience pain at one time or another, whether it is from everyday bumps and bruises, or due to more chronic conditions. One of the most frequent types of pain in children is headache., both tension and migraine. It is estimated that 20% of all pain in children is head pain, with migraine frequency increasing with age.
COMPRESSION GARMENT FITTING
Compression Garment Fitting
At Life Pharmacy Group, we stock compression garments which can offer effective and reliable support for people with vascular conditions. Our professional pharmacy team are trained to measure and fit you into medical compression stockings and garments. We can also provide advice on application, care, and product recommendations based on your needs. Whether it be tired, aching, swollen legs, varicose veins, spider veins, lymphoedema, pregnancy or you’re preparing to travel, our solutions can help reduce swelling, discomfort and offer all day strong support.
DIABETES MANAGEMENT
Diabetes Management
Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.
There are different types of diabetes, all types are complex and serious.
The three main types of diabetes are:
- Type 1;
- Type 2; and
- Gestastional Diabetes
DOSE ADMINISTRATION AIDS (DAA)
Dose Administration Aids (DAA)
A DAA is a device or packaging system for organising doses of medicines according to the time of administration. Different types of DAAs include blister or bubble packs, compartmentalised boxes, and compliance packs such as those provided by automated medication dispensing systems. A DAA is a tool to be used in a coordinated approach to medication management.
ECZEMA AND DRY SKIN
Eczema and Dry Skin
Eczema causes the skin to become inflamed and itchy, and is also known as atopic dermatitis. It can occur at any age, but is most common among children, although most grow out of it by their teenage years.
People with eczema have dry, sensitive, sensitive skin that becomes red, swollen and extremely itchy. There is often a rash on the forehead, cheeks and scalp, and it can spread to the trunk (torso), creases of the elbows, knees and wrists. Scrtaching can make the rash irritated, crusted and weepy. The itchiness can interrupt sleep.
EVERYDAY PAIN
Everyday Pain
Everyday or chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than three months, or in many cases, beyond normal healing time. Chronic pain can be anything from mild to severe and be due to chronic illnesses like migraine, osteoporosis, arthritis and other muscuoloskeletal ailments, or after an injury or surgery. It is different to acute pain, such as pain from an injury which happens quickly and doesn't usually last for long.
HEAD LICE
Head Lice
Head lice are tiny wingless insects that live and feed on the scalp. They are about the size of a sesame seed and can be clear, reddish-brown or dark. They cling to the hair shaft with the hook-like claws on their legs.
'Nits' are the eggs of the head lice. They are small, whitish specks about the size of a pinhead firmly glued to the base of the hair shaft, and are found particularly behind the ears and nape of the neck. Unlike dandruff, they cannot be brushed off the hair strand. Lice hatch from the nits in 7-10 days, and mature into adult lice within 18 days and begin breeding.
Nits are often easier to identify than live lice. After hatching, the nit 'shells' are white or clear, but still firmly attached to the hair shaft.
The symptoms of lice infestation include:
- a very itchy scalp
- live visibly crawling on the scalp and hair
- nits which are attached to the hair shaft
- sores on the scalp due to constant scratching
- a fine black powder (lice feaces) or pale grey lice skins on the pillow
HEARTBURN
Heartburn
Heartburn is the common name for the symptoms of indigestion and gastroesophagael reflux disease (GORD)> Reflux is a symptm that occurs when difgestive juices (which contain stomach acids) spill back into the oesophagus or mouth and cause a "burning" feeling. This can happen when teh muscles at the lower end of teh oesophagus (food pipe), relax too much and allow acid to rise.
HEART HEALTH
Heart Health
Coronoary heart disease affects many people. It's a chronic condition, that means it is long term. Coronary heart disease happens when fatty material builds up in your arteries. This makes them narrower. The fatty material is called 'plaque'. Plaque builds up slowly, slowly, and this process is called atherosclerosis. It can start when you are young and be well advanced by middle age.
IMMUNISATION FOR TRAVELLERS
Immunisation for Travellers
If you travel outside Australia, you may get sick from a number of diseases that are preventable by vaccination. Different vaccines are needed for certain countries. You should consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you travel.
Potential diseases to be vaccination against before travelling include:
- Influenze
- Cholera
- Hepatitis A
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Meningococcal
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
INDIGESTION & REFLUX
Indigestion & Reflux
Heartburn is the common name for the symptoms of indigestion and gastroesophagael relfux disease (GORD). Reflux is a symptom that occurs when digestive juices (which contain stomach acids) spill back into the oesophagus or mouth and cause a "burning" feeling. This can happen when the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus (food pipe), relax too much and allow acid to rise.
MEDICATION REVIEWS
Medication Reviews
A medication review is an in-pharmacy review of patient's medications, with the aim of optimising medication use to improve health outcomes and minimise medication misadventure. Pharmacistis sit with patient and discuss their medication which also includes education, self-management, compliance and importantly an opportunity to discuss and identify any potential adverse effects, concerns and issues the patien is experiencing.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Mental Health First Aid
The friendly team at Life Pharmacy Forbes are always here for your health and wellbeing. Our pharmacy is a safe space to talk about mental health and you’re always welcome to chat to us. Our pharmacists are trained in Mental Health First Aid and have learnt the skills to recognise, assess and respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis. They can assist you or a loved one if you need help or connect you to further resources and support locally. If medication forms a part of your mental wellbeing journey, our pharmacists can help support you along the way. We offer a range of services and advice including delivery options, medication packs and medication reminder apps and we can help answer any questions you may have about your medicines or side effects. Ask our pharmacists today.
MOTION SICKNESS
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness also known as travel sickness, airsickness, carsickness or seasickness may occur in response to certain types of movement, whether it is the person or what they are looking at (for example, a movie screen) that is moving. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 years are particularly prone to motion sickness.
MEN'S HEALTH
Men's Health
Men’s Health Down Under (MHDU) was developed by our very own LPG pharmacists Brad and Tim, who are passionate about providing solutions on a range of men’s health issues, including rehabilitation post-prostatectomy, peyronie’s disease, prostate issues, continence and erectile health. The team are equipped with expert knowledge, experience and training in Men’s Urological Health, and we have clinic rooms for private consultations with our MHDU pharmacists. At MHDU no request for assistance is too big or small, and every question has been asked before – chat to our friendly team in store today.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy
Planning for a pregnancy is an exciting time. To improve your chances of success, both partners need to look after their health and live a healthy lifestyle. This includes quitting smoking, exercising regularly, ceasing or reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight and eating plenty of fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, salads, fish and lean meat. When both partners follo w a healthy lifestyle, you increase your chance of fertility. Once you are pregnant it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat well.
QUIT SMOKING
Quit Smoking
When you smoke cigarettes there are two groups of chemicals that negatively affect your health. The smoke that is inhaled from cigarettes contains thousands of toxic substances that can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. The nictoine in cigarettes is addictive, making it very hard to quit smoking, but it is never too early , or too late, to quit smoking and improve your health.
SCABIES
Scabies
Scabies are tiny mites which burrow under the skin and cause an allergic reaction that results in a rash with raised bumps and intense itching, particularly:
- where there are skin folds such as in armpits and under breasts
- on the inside of elbows and wrists
- on the inside of elbows and wrists
- on the genitals and groin area; in addition
- in very yoiung children and babies who can have a rash on their face, scalp and palms.
Itching is worse when the skin is warm, such as at night while sleeping under blankets, or after a warm shower or exercise.
SORE THROAT
Sore Throat
A sore throat can be caused by a virus or a bacterial infection. It is also called pharyngitis, which means inflammation o fthe pharynx (the back of the throat). The most common cause of a sore throat is a virus like a cold, the flu or glandular fever. Some sore throats are caused by the bacteria Strotococcus Pyogenes. This is sometimes called a 'strep' throat. If bacteria are the cause, you tend to become very unwell and your infections seems to get much worse. Sometimes a sore throat can also be caused by tonsillitis or mouth ulcers.
SUNCARE
Suncare
The sun is vital for life, and provides an opportunity for fun and outdoor leaisure activities. Australians are lucky to enjoy sunshine most of the year, and long hours of sunshine in summer. Too much exposure to the sun however, can cause severe skin damage. The sun's rays contain ultraviolet (UV) A rays that are linked to skin ageing and the formation of wrinkles. UV B rays in sunlight are linked to skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
SPORTS RELATED INJURIES
Sports Related Injuries
Sports injuries can damage the ligaments, tendons or muscles that help our bodies move. Ligaments join bones together and tendons join muscle to bones. They both stabilise the joints in our bodies
Acute sports injuries include sprains or strains, cuts, bruises and grazes. Chronic sports injuries result from the repeated use of a joint or ligament, and can be related to imperfect movement technique, or structural problems of the skeleton.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations
Life Pharmacy Group pharmacies are approved vaccination providers for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. We are happy to help provide COVID-19 immunisation for our local area and wider community.
The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for children 12 months of age and older, and adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 who have not received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine.
Whooping Cough routine vaccination is recommended for infants, children and adolescents. Routine booster is recommended for adults, including those in special risk groups or in contact with people in a special risk group such as those who are expecting a new baby in the family.
VOMITTING & DIARRHOEA
Vomiting & Diarrhoea
Vomiting and diarrhoea cause the loss of body fluids and can result in dehydration. There are many causes, for example, microbes in the stomach can cause gastroenteritis, which has the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea; these symptoms can also be caused by a reaction to particular medicines or medical conditions.