Rooms Bayside

• Just One Visit for both The Consult and The Snip.
• Let’s say that again - No separate consultation required!
• You can Drive Home.
• Return to non-physical work within 3 days.
• Post Vasectomy Sample around 4 months later.

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Varicose Veins 101
As common as varicose veins are, people still have many misconceptions about them. It’s time to separate fact from fiction! Here are the five things you need to know about varicose veins:

1. What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are swollen veins that bulge out from the surface of your skin. They can be red, blue or flesh-colored. They’re most often found on your legs. People often confuse varicose veins with spider veins; spider veins are usually much smaller and closer to the surface of the skin.

2. What Causes Varicose Veins?
Veins carry blood from all over your body back to your heart, and they have one-way valves that help keep the blood flowing in the right direction. If these valves are weak or damaged, the blood backs up and pools in your veins. This causes the veins to swell. Over time, this swelling can cause varicose veins.

3. Are You at Risk for Varicose Veins?
There are many factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

• Family history: Half of all people with varicose veins have other family members with the condition.
• Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with age. The older you are, the more likely that the valves in your veins will weaken and not work as well.
• Gender: Women get varicose veins more often than men. This is likely due to hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, or from the use of birth control pills.
• Pregnancy: Those extra pregnancy pounds can do a number on your veins. Fortunately, pregnancy-related varicose veins usually clear up within three to 12 months after delivery.
• Body weight: Being overweight or obese strains your veins.
• Leg trauma: If you’ve previously had blood clots or any kind of damage to the valves in your veins, they may not be able to move blood back to your heart very well.​​

4. What Can You Do if You Have Varicose Veins?
Varicose vein treatments have three main goals: to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and improve appearance. Most people start by making lifestyle changes:

• Reducing the amount of time that they stand or sit
• Wearing compression stockings
• Wearing low-heeled shoes to tone the calf muscles
• Losing weight if they need to
• Exercising to move blood through the veins and improve muscle tone
• Elevating your feet and legs above the heart periodically

​Simple strategies like these offer relief for many varicose vein sufferers.

Patients can develop complications from varicose veins that may include painful clots (phlebitis). Infrequently, a more severe form of venous insufficiency can lead to deep blood clots, ulcers, sores, and fluid buildup (edema).

5. What are my Other Treatment Options?
If you’ve tried lifestyle changes for varicose veins without much relief, there are several medical procedures that can help. Those available in the CVI’s Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery include:

• Sclerotherapy and Veinwave: These procedures lead to either chemical- or heat-related irritation that eventually closes off the vein, which then fades away.
• Radiofrequency ablation (Venefit): A catheter is used to apply radiofrequency energy to shrink and close the varicose vein. Most patients can resume normal activity in just one day.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy: Your doctor makes small cuts in your skin and removes the varicose veins that are closest to the skin’s surface.
• Vein stripping and ligation: Used only for the most severe cases. Your doctor makes small cuts in your skin, removes veins and ties others closed.​

No matter which medical procedure you choose, it’s a good idea to have it done at an accredited Vein Center, like the one at the CVI. When you choose an accredited vein center, you’ll have less worry about insurance coverage. Plus, you’ll know that the care you receive meets or exceeds the national standard of excellence in vein care, wound care and vascular ultrasound testing.

Above content provided by the CardioVascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The symptoms of lung disease may not be obvious at first and may be mistaken as signs of ageing or lack of fitness.  Broadly, the most common early signs of lung diease include:

 - Breathlessness / Wheeze
 - Persistent, New or changed cough
 - Fatigue
 - Chest Pain and or tightness
 - Coughing up blood, mucus or phlegm

Contact our visiting Respiratory / Thoracic Physician, Dr Allan Finnimore for an consultation.

Click for more information on Lung Diesease http://bit.ly/2AqvsS3

Article by Chelsea Clark | bodyandsoul.com.au

Dr Harriet Hiscock, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

"My top tip is to try to establish a sleep pattern early on. It's an important part of helping your baby learn to settle. If your baby seems tired, carry him to his cot and cuddle him until he is drowsy but not quite asleep. If he cries, stay with him and pat or stroke him gently until he's calm, but not totally asleep. You can leave the room once he is calm. Go back to the cot and calm your baby again if he starts crying."

Dr Scott Dunlop, Sydney Paediatrics
​
"Every baby feeds differently, there will be good days and bad, but if your baby is settling well and gaining weight, there is little cause for concern. Feeding a baby is naturally a great focus for new parents, but it can sometimes consume more time than it needs to. 

Try to back your own natural instincts and judgment, rather than going by the book. Some babies are difficult feeders, so seek help early if you have concerns."

Professor Dominic Fitzgerald, Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney

"The challenge for a new parent is to work out what their baby's cry means. Is it a hunger cry, an irritable cry of a colicky infant or the cry of an unwell baby? One of our boys was very colicky and screamed most nights between one and three months of age.

I would rest our son with his tummy pressed against my forearm, which settled him and he'd fall asleep. Alternatively, I remember walking the floor through the night with him resting against my shoulder until we both fell asleep in front of the TV. The first months of baby's life are exciting for parents. Engage with them at every opportunity."

Charlotte Middleton, (above) St George Private Hospital, Sydney

"When trying to establish a routine for my two children as newborns, I used some ideas from Gina Ford's book The New Contented Little Baby Book (Ebury Press). I think it helped both children, with them needing just one feed overnight, and my three-year-old sleeping through by four months old. I'm yet to see if this will happen with my second! I also like planning our days knowing loosely what the routine is. No routine should be too set in stone, though; it only leads to frustration and guilt when things go awry.

"Dads can often feel left out in those early days, especially if mum is breastfeeding, but there are lots of ways they can help out that will also enhance bonding with their baby and give mum some much-needed rest. Ask dad to pick up the baby when crying, give him the task of changing a few nappies and settling the baby after a feed.

"Don't feel bad about accepting help when it's offered. And always ask for help when you need it. There are lots of community supports you can utilise, like the the national breastfeeding helpline, parenting helplines, Karitane and Tresillian [NSW], early childhood centres, and not to mention your doctor, midwives and paediatrician."

"When you first get home, try to limit visitors - it will give you time to rest and the baby won't be over-handled. Plan only one outing a day, such as grocery shopping or catching up with friends. This doesn't include a walk, which I'd recommend."

Do you need to make an appointment with an Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Click <here> to read more about our visiting specialists. 

Article Publised by Annabel Vennin | bodyandsoul.com.au

Our bones change as we age, as do their maintenance needs.

Diet and lifestyle in childhood can affect bone health in later life, determining the risk of developing joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, while regular exercise is crucial in our later years.  

Here, a spinal surgeon, a dietitian and a rheumatologist from the Bone Health Centre at The Princess Grace Hospital in London give you the guidance you need, whatever your age.

Under 10 years
Bones provide body structure, protect organs, anchor muscles and store calcium, which aids the function of the nerves, muscles, kidneys and heart.  Childhood is a crucial time for skeletal health as bones are growing at their fastest.
"The body absorbs older bone and generates new bone to keep our skeleton strong, but this process is most active in children and adolescents," says Peter Hamlyn, consultant spinal surgeon.
"Calcium obtained from the diet – mainly dairy foods, but also wholegrains and dark green leafy vegetables – is needed to make bones hard."
Children aged between one and three need 360 milligrams of calcium per day. Between the ages of four and 10 they need 520 to 800 milligrams. A medium yoghurt provides 400 milligrams and an average slice of bread 30 milligrams.
Up to the age of five, children should eat full-fat dairy products because they contain higher levels of fat for energy and fat-soluble vitamins D and E.
Vitamin D, most plentifully produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight, aids calcium absorption.
"Without adequate levels of sunlight, bones will not absorb enough calcium no matter how much is eaten," dietitian Sarah Wilson says.
Rheumatologist Dr Gerard Hall says: "Fear of exposing children to sunshine has led to a surge in rickets, the bone-softening disease. Once children can run around, they need 20 minutes of daily exposure to UV light."

Teens
Bones stop growing at the age of about 20, so it is essential to provide adequate nutrition to support new tissue formation during adolescence.
"Extreme dieting, a common problem among teenage girls – and some boys – puts bones at greater risk of osteoporosis in later life," Wilson says.
Both boys and girls need 1000 milligrams of calcium daily – the equivalent of 600 millilitres skim milk, an egg and two sardines.
Protein is another major component of bone and is essential for growth. Teenagers need two or three moderate serves a day.

The 20s
Final bone density is determined in this decade of life, but newfound independence (for example, leaving home) means this is an age of excess for many young people, which may take a toll on skeletal health.
Young adults need 840 milligrams of calcium a day. This requirement remains the same until women are in their 50s and men are in their 70s.
"Avoid salty convenience foods and too many fizzy drinks as they leach calcium from bones," Wilson says.
"Two portions of oily fish a week or an omega-3 fish oil supplement tops up vitamin D levels."
Too little sleep has also been shown to affect bone density, experts say. Those getting less than six hours each night are more likely to develop osteoporosis in later life.
This is because without sufficient sleep, the body is not given adequate time to reduce the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream, which promotes bone breakdown.

The 30s
The breakdown of bone tissue overtakes growth in the 30s, leading to a steady loss of bone density from this decade onwards. High stress levels and inactivity can exacerbate the deterioration.
Dr Hall says: "Jogging is renowned for its stress-busting effects, aiding bone-density retention."
Diet plays a vital part too, Wilson says. "A lunch that includes a tinned-salmon sandwich and a yoghurt provides energy and contributes towards adequate levels of bone-densifying minerals."
Wilson also advises caffeine lovers to drink coffee in moderation. "Caffeine intake has been shown to compromise bone density. Have no more than five cups of coffee a day."
Pregnant women should ask their GP about supplements containing vitamins D and C and folic acid, which prevents spina bifida, a malformation of the foetal spine.
"Many pregnant women do not get enough calcium, which leads to the baby drawing what it needs from its mother, leaving her supplies depleted," Wilson says.

The 40s
The amount of energy our bodies burn while resting drops by seven per cent, and by the same amount with every subsequent decade. Osteoarthritis – wear and tear of the joints – typically starts at this age, but can be prevented by making the right lifestyle choices.
"Maintaining a healthy weight will also prevent future problems," Hall says. "A five-kilogram weight gain can increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 40 per cent"
Wilson says: "If you are starting to suffer from joint pains, it is even more important you take an omega-3 supplement to dampen inflammation in the joints. Other nutritional supplements, including glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin, may give some pain relief."

The 50s
At this age, women need to up their calcium intake to at least 1100 milligrams a day.
They experience the menopause at this age, leading to a drop in the female hormone oestrogen, which is essential for bone retention.
"Women should consider hormone replacement therapy, although a chemical that mimics oestrogen found in pulses and soy products may protect against joint and back pains," Wilson says.
Dr Hall warns: "Drinking more than three units of alcohol a day – two small glasses of wine – can cause low bone density as the toxins in alcohol upset oestrogen and cortisol levels."

Over 60s
The body’s ability to absorb minerals deteriorates by up to 25 per cent after the age of 60. By their 70s, men and women need at least 1100 milligrams of calcium a days.
"Eating enough protein is vital, especially for those recovering from joint replacement surgery, because it helps tissue grow and repair," Wilson says. "It’s important to maintain a healthy weight, and that includes not losing too much as this will lead to low bone density and osteoporosis."
Dr Hamlyn says: "Keep using your muscles and bones to maintain them. Walking or gardening helps you retain mobility. Anyone with a family history of osteoporosis, or who breaks a bone, should have a bone-density scan after 60."

The symptoms of lung disease may not be obvious at first and may be mistaken as signs of ageing or lack of fitness. Broadly, the most common early signs of lung diease include:
​
 - Breathlessness / Wheeze
 - Persistent, New or Changed cough
 - Fatigue
 - Chest Pain and or tightness
 - Coughing up blood, mucus or phlegm

If you need to see a Respiratory/Thoracic Physician, Dr Allan Finnimore visits Capalaba every Friday. 

Click the link for more information: http://bit.ly/2AqvsS3

LASER RETINOPEXY
This is a very common treatment needed for a variety of retinal disorders, including acute retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions.
The laser treatment is done in the consulting rooms and most often the eye is numbed with local anaesthetic drops and then a contact lens applied that focuses the laser on the appropriate area of the retina that needs treatment. During the treatment there are a series of flashing lights, which are bursts of laser, and these are delivered by the Surgeon to the troubled area. The number of shots of laser depends on the condition being treated.
One of the most common reasons for retinal laser is an acute retinal tear caused by the vitreous starting to move in the eye from the aging process. This can lead to a retinal tear and a retinal detachment. It is important to treat the retinal tear early, before it progresses to retinal detachment and the appropriate treatment for the tear is retinal laser to “spot weld” the area.
There can be some discomfort from the retinal laser, as it does generate heat in the eye and this discomfort will be managed by the Surgeon appropriately. The area that is lasered scars over 1-2 weeks after the laser, but this is a painless process.



SLT LASER
SLT laser, or selective laser trabeculoplasty, is a type of laser treatment that decreases the intraocular pressure in patients who have glaucoma. It is generally used in people who are not getting adequate decreased pressure in their eye from drops alone.
The laser stimulates the part of the eye (trabecular meshwork) through which the ocular fluid drains out of the eye. This results in better drainage and decreased intraocular pressure in the eye.
The laser is done in the consulting rooms under local anaesthetic drops. A contact lens is applied to the eye and this contact lens allows focusing of the laser on the appropriate area that needs treatment. The treatment is painless. The patient does not notice any change in their eye, but over time the treatment should bring down the intraocular pressure when it is measured.
The treatment does often need to be repeated, as it does wear off over months.



YAG CAPSULOTOMY
Cataract surgery is a very common procedure. At the time the cataract is removed, an intraocular lens is placed in the bag that surrounds the cataract. Over time this bag, that is a naturally occurring part of the eye, can become cloudy and it can feel to the patient like the cataract is growing back. Although cataracts never grow back, this blurring of vision from the clouding of the bag can occur over time after cataract surgery and is very effectively treated with a YAG laser capsulotomy.
The procedure is done in the rooms with local anaesthetic eye drops to numb the surface of the eye and a contact lens is applied to the eye in order to focus the laser on the bag capsule which is cloudy. The laser clears away the bag cloudiness and this allows the light to pass through the clear intraocular lens unimpeded again.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a painless procedure and is only necessary in some patients after they have had cataract surgery, as the bag cloudiness does not occur in everyone.