Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose.

Hay fever is caused by the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens, dust mite, moulds and animal hair. 

Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. When symptoms occur all year round, this is known as perennial allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis is usually caused by a reaction to allergens around the home, such as dust mites, moulds, animal hair or fur, or occupational allergens.

Some of the symptoms include:

• sneezing
• a runny or stuffy nose
• itchy ears, nose and throat
• red, itchy or watery eyes
• headaches.
• In some cases, the symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell. 

Your nose acts as a filter. The tiny hairs and mucus that line the nasal passages trap dust, pollens and other microscopic particles. A person with hay fever is allergic to some of the particles that get trapped in the nose, such as pollen. 

An allergic reaction means the immune system treats a harmless substance as if it is dangerous, and launches an ‘attack’. The nasal passages become inflamed and more mucus is produced.

It is possible to suddenly develop hay fever if you haven’t suffered it before. Hay fever usually starts during childhood, but people can start to show symptoms later on in life, and there are increasing numbers of middle-aged and elderly people being affected by hay fever. Some experts think it’s from climate changes that are causing longer and more potent pollen seasons.

Managing your hay fever

Identifying the allergen/s causing the symptoms is an important part of managing hay fever. In some cases the cause may be obvious but in others your doctor will need to consider your medical history together with the results of allergy tests (skin prick tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests), which may require referral to a specialist.

Some medications may help relieve the symptoms of hay fever. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.

You may be advised to try:

intranasal corticosteroid sprays – these nasal sprays are used for people with moderate to severe symptoms and are one of the most effective treatments for allergic rhinitis. They need to be used regularly as directed to be effective 

combined intranasal corticosteroid and antihistamine sprays are also useful for people with moderate to severe symptoms and offer the combined advantages of both medications

non-sedating antihistamine medications – these may be useful to control sneezing and itching, but are not as effective as intranasal corticosteroid sprays to control a severely blocked or runny nose. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

eye drops – may relieve itchy, swollen or runny eyes. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice on choosing the correct eye drops

decongestant nasal sprays – are useful for quick relief, but should not be used for more than a few days as long-term use can damage the lining of the nose. Certain people should not use decongestants (such as those who are pregnant, or have high blood pressure). Discuss with your GP or pharmacist before using these medications

allergen immunotherapy – some people may benefit from allergen immunotherapy, which exposes a person to increasing amounts of an allergen to improve tolerance and reduce symptoms. This therapy may help hay fever and some cases of asthma. It should only be conducted under medical supervision. 

Suggestions to prevent or limit symptoms of hay fever include: 

• In your garden, choose plants that are pollinated by birds or insects, rather than plants that release their seeds into the air.
• Splash your eyes often with cold water to flush out any allergen.
• Reduce your exposure to dust and dust mites, animals and animal hair or fur (dander). 

If you are allergic to grass pollen, it can be difficult to avoid but the following advice may help: 

• when possible avoid being outdoors on high pollen days and avoid thunderstorms during grass pollen season, particularly the wind gusts that precede them 
• avoid activities known to cause exposure to pollen, such as mowing grass 
• shower after outdoor activities where exposure to pollen is high 
• use re-circulated air in the car when pollen levels are high 
• wear sunglasses (reduces amount of pollen that gets into eyes) 
• dry bedding and clothing inside or in a tumble dryer.

Chat to one of our expert pharmacists to find the solution to your hay fever problems

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All children and adults born during or after 1966 should be vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine (which protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella) if not already immune.

People born between 1966 and 1994 should not assume they have received two doses of vaccine, due to changing vaccination schedules during this period. People who are unsure if they have received two doses of a measles vaccine in the past can safely be given another measles vaccine. Measles vaccine is available for free from GPs, for people born during or after 1966 who do not have documented evidence of having received two doses.

Our doctors encourage all travellers to ensure they are fully protected against measles prior to overseas travel, as measles remains endemic in many areas including parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and outbreaks are currently occurring across Europe and parts of South America.

Measles is more than just a little rash

It’s a highly contagious virus that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, complications including pneumonia and encephalitis

Symptoms: 

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin

The post If you were born during or since 1966 you might not be protected. Measles is a serious disease that is easily spread through the air. appeared first on Autumn Place Pharmacy.

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Recently, a pharmaceutical company called Mundipharma launched a new product called Cold Defence Nasal Spray that aims to shorten the duration of a cold by up to 2 days.¹ Here is what you need to know about this product!

How does it work? 

It’s powered by Carragelose – a natural ingredient sourced from red seaweed, that’s delivered in a saline solution. When you spray this into your nose, carragelose forms a protective layer in the nasal passage, which binds/traps the viruses to hinder their spread and multiplication, and this then allows the body to eliminate it naturally through the nasal mucus. As a result of this you get:¹

• a reduction of up to 99% of cold viruses from the nasal lining within a few days
• reduce the severity of the symptoms
• reduce the duration of the symptoms

How do you use it?²

Spray 1 puff into each nostril 3 times a day. There are two versions (the adults and the kids). They both have the same concentration and the way you use it is the same for both (i.e. 1 spray tds). There’s only 2 differences. Firstly, the amount of solution that’s being released is 0.14mL/spray in the adult version, and only 0.05mL/spray in the kids version.  Secondly, the kid’s version produces a gentler mist. More importantly, unlike other nasal decongestant sprays, you can use it beyond 3-5 days. and of course, it’s always a good idea to involve your pharmacist or your doctor if symptoms persist

Safety & Precaution²

• Safe in pregnancy
• Safe in breastfeeding
• Safe to use in kids above 1 years old
• Safe to use with most of the other cold & flu preparations but we strongly advise that you check with a pharmacist first before doing so, just incase!

Features²

• Preservative free
• Steroid free
• Natural

If you have any questions about the cold or any products pertaining to the cold, leave a comment down below or speak to one of our pharmacists about it. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family members to help empower more people in the community! For ongoing health and medicine updates, follow our Facebook page and Website!

References

1. Mundipharma. Mundipharma launches mundicare cold defence nasal spray [internet]. Mundipharma [updated 2018 May 4; cited 2018 July 3]. Available from: https://www.mundipharma.com.au/mundipharma-launches-mundicare-cold-defence-nasal-spray/
2. Mundicare. Treatments [internet]. Mundicare [cited 2018 July 3]. Available from: http://mundicare.com.au/treatments/cold-defence/

Published by Nick Ng

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Bowel cancer can develop without early warning signs or symptoms and it claims the lives of 80 Australians every week. The cancer can grow inside the bowel for many years before it is detected. Often, small amounts of blood can leak from these growths and pass into bowel motions and it can be detected by a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit.¹

On the 2nd of Jan 2018, the Australian Government introduced a new FOBT kit (Eiken Kit) and associated pathology service (Sonic Healthcare Limited) into the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.²In light of that, here are some important information we would like you to know:^{2, 3}

• In 2018 Australians turning 50, 54, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 will receive a free home screening test (FOBT) in the mail
• More age groups will be added next year and by 2020, the test will be available free (once every two years) to all Australians aged 50 to 74.
• Generally, the kits will arrive within six months of your birthday
• There is no cost involved
• The test involves taking a tiny sample of faeces which is tested in a pathology laboratory. The test can detect tiny amounts of blood in faeces which may be a sign of cancer or polyps.
• If you have received your kit but unsure of what to do with it, here are some pictorial instructions 
• If your test is positive, you and your nominated doctor will be advised. Your doctor will then refer you for further investigation. Take note that most positive test results do not turn out to be cancer; however, if bowel cancer is diagnosed, it’s twice as likely to be picked up early through the screening program and be successfully treated.
• If you are not currently eligible for the program, you can still be tested. Your doctor can request an FOBT kit or it can also be obtained over the counter from some pharmacies.

If you have any questions about bowel cancer or the screening test kit, leave a comment or speak to one of our pharmacists about it. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family members to help empower more people in the community! For ongoing health and medicine updates, follow our Facebook page and Website!

References

1. Cancer Council Australia. Understanding Your FOBT [Internet]. Cancer Council Australia [updated 2017 Nov 17; cited 2018 May 22]. Available from: https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/early-detection/early-detection-factsheets/understanding-your-fobt.html
2. Australian Government Department of Health. New National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Test Kit. Australian Government Department of Health [updated 2018 Jan 17; cited 2018 May 22]. Available from: http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/NBCSP-test-kit
3. Cancer Council Victoria. National Bowel Cancer Screening Program [Internet]. Cancer Council Victoria [cited 2018 May 22]. Available from: http://www.cancervic.org.au/bowel/bowel-cancer-screening-program

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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). It ranges in severity and over 4.8 million Australians have bladder or bowel control problems for a variety of reasons.¹

Strong pelvic floor muscles gives us control over the internal organs that it supports i.e. the bladder, bowel, and uterus in women. This will ensure that you have better control of the release of urine, faeces or wind.¹Here are a couple of myths about pelvic floor muscles:²

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are easy to do

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are not always easy to do because they’re a set of complicated muscles that are difficult to isolate

You can learn pelvic floor muscle exercises from a pamphlet

Pelvic floor muscle exercises can be learned from a pamphlet by some people, but more often than not, people get the technique wrong and this can make the problem worse. To learn about how to train pelvic floor muscles, watch this video

Pelvic floor muscle exercises don’t work

There is evidence to show that pelvic floor exercises are effective for certain types of incontinence, such as stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and also faecal incontinence. There is ample evidence to show that pelvic floor muscle exercises are effective when the exercises are done correctly and when taught and supervised by a professional, for example, a physiotherapist.

I’m too old for pelvic floor muscle exercises

Age is no barrier to the benefits of pelvic floor muscle exercises. Older people are just as likely as younger people to benefit from pelvic floor exercises

I’ve had a baby, the damage is done

There is evidence to show that postnatal pelvic floor muscle exercises are able to assist in the recovery of pelvic floor muscle function and to reduce or cure the likelihood of urinary incontinence in women who have had instrumental births or big babies

If you have any questions about incontinence or pelvic floor exercises, leave a comment or speak to one of our pharmacists about it. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family members to help empower more people in the community! For ongoing health and medicine updates, follow our Facebook page and Website!

References

1. Continence Foundation of Australia. Pelvic Floor Muscles [Internet]. Continence Foundation of Australia [cited 2018 May 22]. Available from: https://www.continence.org.au/pages/how-do-pelvic-floor-muscles-help.html
2. Continence Foundation of Australia. Common Myths [Internet]. Continence Foundation of Australia [cited 2018 May 22]. Available from: https://www.continence.org.au/pages/common-myths-about-your-pelvic-floor.html

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As part of Haemochromatosis awareness week, we would like to take this opportunity to share with you a little bit about this condition to help develop a better understanding of the most common genetic disorder here in Australia.¹

Haemochromatosis is a condition whereby your digestive tract absorbs too much iron from your diet, which leads to an excess amount of iron being stored in your body. If undetected and untreated, the excess iron can cause organ or tissue damage and can potentially result in premature death; however if it’s discovered before damage occurs (usually through a blood test), it can be easily treated.¹

Symptoms take a while to develop and varies across individuals. At the time of diagnosis:^{1, 2}

• 75% of patients have weakness and lethargy
• 70% of patients have darkening of their skin
• 44% of patients have joint pain

Treatment involves phlebotomy i.e. the removal of blood by venesection (similar to donating blood). A certain amount of blood is removed from your body at regular intervals until the desired iron levels in your blood is achieved and the entire process can take up to 18 months. Once optimum levels are achieved, the frequency of phlebotomy will be less to help maintain it throughout your lifetime.¹

In conclusion, excess iron can lead to damage of certain body parts and early detection is crucial. If you notice any unusual symptoms, the best thing to do is to seek medical advice earlier rather than later. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family members to help create awareness of haemochromatosis and empower more people in the community! For ongoing health and medicine updates, follow our Facebook page and Website!

References

1. Haemochromatosis Australia. Haemochromatosis – inherited iron overload disorder [Internet]. Haemochromatosis Australia [updated 2017 Feb 1; cited 2018 May 21]. Available from: https://haemochromatosis.org.au/explanation/
2. Haemochromatosis Australia. The symptoms of haemochromatosis [Internet]. Haemochromatosis Australia [updated 2017 Feb 1; cited 2018 May 21]. Available from: https://haemochromatosis.org.au/symptoms/
3. Bruce R Bacon, Stanley L Schrier. Patient education: Hemochromatosis (hereditary iron overload) (Beyond the Basics) [Internet]. UpToDate [updated 2017 Mar 13; cited 2018 May 21]. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hemochromatosis-hereditary-iron-overload-beyond-the-basics

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Since the days of codeine products are long gone, there has been a search for alternative over the counter treatments for pain management. A product called Maxigesic has been increasingly popular amongst patients lately and I hope to deliver some quick key messages in this article to ensure the safe and effective use of this medicine.

Key Pointers¹

• This medicine is a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen
• It provides stronger pain relief than any of the individual ingredients by itself
• Take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours when required for pain
• The maximum dose for this medicine is 8 tablets daily

Safety Precautions¹

• Not recommended in children below 12 years old
• May worsen asthma
• May aggravate stomach ulcers or stomach disorders
• Not suitable for people with allergies to anti-inflammatory medicines
• Not suitable in pregnancy

In summary, those are some of the key messages that you should be aware of before taking this medicine. Learn more about us and stay updated with the latest health topics by following our website and Facebook page!

References

1. Maxigesic. Frequently Asked Questions [Internet]. Maxigesic [cited 2018 Apr 5]. Available from: http://www.maxigesic.com.au/faqs.html

The post The Codeine Replacement! A Superior Alternative? appeared first on Autumn Place Pharmacy.

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A highly resistant strain of gonorrhoea was contracted by a UK man after a sexual encounter with a woman in south-east Asia. After several failed attempts, the infection has now been successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics. This is concerning because two similar cases have just been reported in Australia and we except to see more cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future.¹

In light of that, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the dangers of gonorrhoea and the common symptoms to lookout for this infection. Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium that can infect both males and females. The reason why it’s so dangerous is because in many cases, there is an absence of symptoms, which ultimately delays treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, such as²:

• infertility
• spreading of the infection to other areas of your body
• increased risk of contracting HIV
• complications in babies

Symptoms in Males²

• Painful urination
• Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain or swelling in one testicle

Symptoms in Females²

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
• Painful intercourse
• Abdominal or pelvic pain

If you’re unsure of your symptoms and whether you should see a doctor, speak to one of our pharmacists for further clarification. It is advisable to take action sooner rather than later. For ongoing health information and updates, follow our Facebook page and our Website!

Published by Nick Ng

References

1. Brinkwire. Warning over new powerful strain of gonorrhoea which man picked up having sex abroad [Internet]. Brinkwire [updated 2018 Apr 22; cited 2018 Apr 24]. Available from:
   http://en.brinkwire.com/279719/warning-over-new-powerful-strain-of-gonorrhoea-which-man-picked-up-having-sex-abroad/
2. Mayo Clinic. Gonorrhoea [Internet]. Mayo Clinic [updated 2018 Feb 6; cited 2018 Apr 24]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Gonorrhea&utm_campaign=Knowledge-panel

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Moisturisers: Creams vs Ointments vs Lotions

Australia’s dry weather may dehydrate your skin leading to mild discomfort and potentially other complications. Healthy skin acts as a natural barrier and having dry skin can compromise that barrier, thus offering less protection. As a result, it may lead to skin infections or even activation of your eczema if you’re prone to develop this condition.¹ The use of moisturisers will assist in retaining the water in your skin and preventing further loss of moisture; thereby maintaining the integrity of your skin. Moisturisers normally comes in either the form of a cream, ointment or a lotion and each form of moisturiser has its place in therapy.

Creams have cooling and lubricating effects; and are designed for moist or dry skin. This is often preferred by patients because its washable and non-greasy; however the preservatives may lead to skin irritation.²

Ointments are occlusive and lubricating; which helps in patients with dry or scaly skin. It is extremely moisturising; however it’s greasy and difficult to wash off.²

Lotions are mildly moisturising and have a cooling effect. This form of moisturiser is normally used in hair bearing areas of the body for ease of application or if the patient chooses to have a lightly moisturising sensation on the skin.²

In summary, lotions and creams are used for mild to moderate dry skin; whereas ointments are usually introduced when the skin is extremely dry or scaly. In saying that, patient preferences ld also be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate form of moisturiser.

Learn more about us and stay updated by following our Website and Facebook Page!

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Dry Skin [Internet]. Mayo Clinic [updated 2016 Oct 27; cited 2018 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885

2. Australian Medicines Handbook. Comparison of Vehicles [Internet]. Australian Medicines Handbook [updated 2018 Jan; cited 2018 Mar 23]. Available from: https://amhonline.amh.net.au/chapters/dermatological-drugs/tables/vehicles-table

Published by Nick Ng

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About a week or two ago in the news, an Australian mum almost bled to death after having a contraceptive coil (intrauterine device) fitted in her uterus. In sight of that, I would like to take this opportunity to empower our readers about the advantages and disadvantages of using an intrauterine device (IUD) as a contraceptive method; and also some of the precautions that you should be mindful of before having it inserted into your uterus.

Advantages¹

• Lighter & less painful periods
• Effectiveness of the device is not affected by other medicines
• No daily tablet taking
• Provides long term contraception (5 years)

Disadvantages¹

• Requires a doctor to insert & remove
• May completely stop your period or lead to irregular bleeding
• After insertion, the risk of a pelvic infection is increased for the first 3 weeks

Precautions (Considerations before IUD Insertion)²

• Genital Tract Infections: An IUD should not be inserted when there is an active infection
• Pregnancy: If a pregnancy occurs while the IUD is inside the uterus, there is a risk of miscarriage, premature birth and also infection
• Breastfeeding: It is safe to be inserted in lactating mothers but there is a slightly increased risk of puncture to the uterus
• Abnormal PAP smear: Investigate before inserting IUD
• Abnormal uterus: IUD should not be used because correct placement may not be possible
• Cancer(Uterus/Cervix): IUD should not be used because there is an increased risk of infection and bleeding
• Nulliparity(Never having given birth): Insertion may be more difficult and risk of IUD expulsion is higher
• After childbirth: Wait 6 weeks before inserting IUD, otherwise there is an increased risk of puncture to the uterus

In summary, IUDs definitely have a place in therapy but like any other devices/medicines, the risk versus benefits should always be considered before a decision is made and this is best done with your healthcare professional. For ongoing health and medicine updates, follow our Facebook page and Website!

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook. Comparison of Contraceptive Methods [Internet]. Australian Medicines Handbook [updated 2018 Jan; cited 2018 Apr 10]. Available from: https://amhonline.amh.net.au/chapters/obstetric-gynaecological-drugs/tables/contraceptives-table?menu=vertical
2. Australian Medicines Handbook. Levonorgestrel [Internet]. Australian Medicines Handbook [updated 2018 Jan; cited 2018 Apr 10]. Available from: https://amhonline.amh.net.au/chapters/obstetric-gynaecological-drugs/drugs-contraception/progestogens/levonorgestrel-iud

Published by Nick Ng

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