Your health is our greatest concern
A HEALTHY START
A healthy childhood is vital for a chance for a long healthy life. Of course there is no guarantee; but we believe keeping tabs and tracking your child’s health and any changes to it along the way is important.
In order to ensure you have the best access to medical care for your children consultations Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm will only incur a $20 out of pocket expense after the Medicare rebate is applied. Routine fees will apply for C16U attending the clinic outside of these hours.
We offer a “Healthy Kids Check” to ensure that every four year old child in Australia has a basic health check to see if they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school. We can do full or basic health checks on children of any age.
Asthma
Parents of a child with asthma need to know about their child’s condition, symptoms and medications.
Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the airways, the small tubes which carry air in and out of the lungs. When you have asthma symptoms the muscles in the airways tighten and the lining of the airways swells and produces sticky mucus. These changes cause the airways to become narrow, so that there is less space for the air to flow into and out of your lungs.
Symptoms may include:
- Coughing
- Tight feeling in the chest
- Wheezing – whistling noise when breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Struggling to breathe
These symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning or during exercise.
Common Triggers
There are many different triggers for asthma, and these can be different for different people.
The most common ones are:
- Allergy triggers, e.g. house dust mites, pollens, pets and moulds
- Cigarette smoke
Viral infections, e.g. colds and flu - Weather, e.g. cold air, change in temperature, thunderstorms
- Work-related triggers, e.g. wood dust, chemicals, metal salts
- Some medicines.
Children may also
- Not eat or drink as much
- Cry
- Have tummy ache and vomiting
- Become tired quickly
Get more puffed out than usual when running and playing
Asthma that is triggered by exercise may be helped by medication and/or warm up exercises.
Asthma is a treatable health condition. Although at present there is no cure, with good management, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.
If your child has wheezing, coughing or problems breathing, it is important to talk to your doctor about whether it might be asthma.
What to do in an Asthma Emergency “4 Simple Steps Could Save a Life” Be parepared!
What to do in an Asthma Emergency “4 Simple Steps Could Save a Life” Be prepared!
Childhood Obesity
There are a number of factors influencing the rise in childhood obesity.
Childhood Obesity
What is promoting the rise in childhood obesity?
There are a number of factors influencing the rise in childhood obesity, such as:
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Lack of active outdoor safe play which has been traded for home computers & video games
- Due to hectic lifestyles, children are no longer required to sit at the table to eat meals; instead family meals may be consumed in front of the TV, prompting children to gulp their food and perhaps not realise when they are full.
- Children coming home to an empty house, for the most part developing undisciplined snacking routines.
- Families rushing home from work may elect the convenience of frozen foods for their young families.
- Television ads enticing young minds to desire foods that lead to obesity.
- The opportunity to ‘up size’ fast foods the ‘problem calorie trap’.
Childhood obesity is the most common health problem for small children. Obesity in children is not a selective problem, it occurs world-wide. Childhood obesity although prevalent does not mean that a child who is obese is readily accepted by his or her peers.
An overweight child may be subjected to bullying, teasing, and taunts. An obese child may suffer from low self-esteem and sometimes may even struggle with suicidal thoughts.
What can you do?
If your child is overweight consider:
- Looking at ways to increase their daily activity, i.e. encourage your child to participate in active sports
- Limit computer time
- Begin eating meals at the dinner table without the distraction of television
- Go for daily walks with your child, explore the neighbourhood
- Read food labels carefully
- When it comes to grocery shopping, plan carefully…haste makes ‘waist’
If you do have concerns about your child’s eating habits don’t hesitate to consult with our GPs who will offer the support and advice you may need.
Immunisations
Having your child immunised helps protect them against the most serious childhood infections.
Immunisations
Immunisations Explained
In the first months of life, a baby is protected from some infectious diseases by antibodies transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy. When these antibodies wear off, the baby is at risk of serious infection.
Vaccines may protect against one specific disease or provide immunity for several diseases if a combination of antigens are combined in the same vaccine. This can help reduce the number of injections your child may need to have.
Having your child immunised helps protect them against the most serious childhood infections, some of which may be life-threatening.
Routine childhood immunisations protect your child against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- Polio
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
- Rotavirus
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal
- Meningococcal C
- Chickenpox
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles)
Victorian Childhood Immunisation Schedule
The Victorian childhood immunisation schedule outlines the vaccines that are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian children under the National Immunisation Program and the age at which each should be given. Click here to view the schedule >>
Immunisation is the still the safest and most effective way to protect our children from harmful infectious diseases.
Diabetes In Teenagers
Children and teenagers can manage their diabetes well and live happy, normal lives.
Diabetes In Teenagers
Children and teenagers can manage their diabetes well and live happy, normal lives
Until recently almost all children and teenagers with diabetes had type 1, but now younger people are getting type 2 diabetes due to increasing overweight and obesity.
Children or teenagers who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes may struggle with their emotional reactions to their condition and the reactions of others, and have concerns about going back to school. Teenagers with diabetes may also worry about things like negotiating sex, drinking alcohol, smoking and illicit drugs.
A child and their family will need a period of adjustment after diabetes is diagnosed. They must establish a routine for blood glucose monitoring and injecting, learn how to count carbohydrates, see diabetes health professionals regularly and cope with fluctuating blood glucose levels. New challenges may arise as a child moves through different life stages.
Many parents are understandably concerned when their child starts or returns to school after being diagnosed with diabetes. However, schools are responsible for children’s safety while at school, and will ensure that teachers understand diabetes and its potential harms. Parents must make sure that the school is given the information and resources they need to support their child’s management of diabetes during school hours.
Speak to your child’s GP about a diabetes management plan
Diabetes Awareness 2
Ref: Better Health Channel & Diabetes Australia
Teenage Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is widely used by young people. ‘Binge drinking’, drink driving and unsafe sex can all result from the misuse of alcohol.
Teenage Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is widely used by young people. ‘Binge drinking’, drink driving and unsafe sex can all result from the misuse of alcohol.
Alcohol is tolerated as a socially acceptable drug, yet it is responsible for most drug-related deaths in the teenage population. It’s difficult to prevent teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but parents can encourage sensible drinking habits.
Parents believe alcohol is less dangerous than other drugs
Adolescence is typically a time of experimentation. This reflects Australia’s tolerant approach to alcohol use. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in Australia. Estimates suggest that around half of the population over the age of 14 years drinks alcohol at least weekly.
Alcohol – the risks
Irresponsible use of alcohol can lead to:
-
-
- ‘Binge drinking’ or drinking too much on a single occasion
- Drink driving
- Unsafe sex
- Impaired brain development
- Injury or death
-
Binge drinking
‘Binge drinking’ is the term commonly used to describe drinking heavily over a short period of time with the intention of becoming intoxicated. This can be very harmful to a person’s health and well-being. As well as increasing the risk of health problems, this can lead young people to take risks and put themselves in dangerous situations.
Common effects of ‘binge’ episodes include:
- Hangovers
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shakiness
‘Binge drinking’ means different things to different people.
Drinking too much ‘on a single occasion of drinking’ means drinking significantly more than the recommended level of four standard drinks on any one occasion. Just over 10 per cent of Australian teenagers drink more than this every week.
Parents can’t prevent their teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but they encourage sensible drinking habits.
Things to remember
- Around 90 per cent of Australian teenagers over the age of 14 years have tried alcohol at least once.
- Alcohol is responsible for most drug-related deaths in the teenage population
- Parents can’t prevent their teenager from experimenting with alcohol, but they can encourage sensible drinking habits
‘Murdoch Children’s Research revealed: ‘ Generations of young Australians are drinking themselves into oblivion. With more than a quarter of 15 year olds binging until they black out, the point at which brain damage is likely to occur’.
Kid’s Health Check
Is your child healthy, fit and ready to start school? Book in a Kid’s Health Check and be confident.
Kid's Health Check
What is it?
The aim of the Health Check is to ensure every child in Australia has a basic health check to see if they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school.
We provide this valuable check for children aged 4,5,6,or 7 years of age generally before they starts school, however this check can be performed at any stage.
The Healthy Kids Check will:
- Promote early detection of lifestyle risk factors
- Delayed development and illness, and
- Introduce guidance for healthy lifestyles and early intervention strategies
The Health Check includes information collection of family and environmental factors, medical and social history, and lifestyle risk factors.
Where appropriate, arrangements will be put into place for referrals and follow-ups of any problems identified