by Grace | Mar 1, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
‘50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it’ – www.glaucoma.org.au (2022).
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases where vision is lost due to damage to the optic nerve. This damage causes irreversible vision loss. The loss of sight is usually gradual and a considerable amount of peripheral (side) vision may be lost before there is any awareness of a problem.
‘2 in 100 Australians will develop glaucoma in their lifetime’ – www.glaucoma.org.au (2022).
What causes glaucoma?
- An increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve;
- Damage to the area where fluid is drained out of the eye;
Risk factors of glaucoma:
- A family history of glaucoma;
- High eye pressure;
- Aged over 50;
- Are of African or Asian descent;
- Diabetes;
- Short or long sighted;
- Have been on a prolonged course of steroid medication;
- A history of migraines;
- Have had an eye operation or eye injury;
- Sleep apnea;
How can you look after your eyes?
- Regular eye checks;
- Use eye drops when prescribed;
- Know your family’s health history;
- Wear eye protection;
- If you have eye pain, blurred vision and a severe headache, promptly seek professional advice;
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
February is ovarian cancer awareness month.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is held each year in Australia to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, to share the stories of real women affected by the disease, to highlight the risk factors for ovarian cancer and educate Australians on ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. To find out how your workplace can participate, click here – https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/69/get-involved
Signs and Symptoms:
According to Ovarian Cancer Australia (2022), there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, so all women need to be aware of the symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms include:
- Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating;
- Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain;
- Feeling full after eating a small amount;
- Needing to urinate often and urgently;
Other symptoms include:
- Changes in bowel habits;
- Unexplained weight gain or loss;
- Excessive fatigue;
- Lower back pain;
- Indigestion or nausea;
- Bleeding after menopause or inbetween periods;
- Pain during intercourse or bleeding afterwards;
It is important to note that symptoms mentioned can be caused by other, less serious medical conditions, however if you are experiencing any of these symptoms which are persistent or troublesome, you should always seek medical advice.
Real Stories – https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/90/woman-with-ovarian-cancer
Risk Factors:
As per www.cancer.org (2022) – a risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Factors that increase your risk of ovarian cancer include:
- Getting older – most develop after menopause;
- Being overweight or obese;
- Having children later or never having a full-term pregnancy;
- Taking hormone therapy after menopause;
- Having a family histipry of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer;
- Endometriosis;
- Having had breast cancer;
- Smoking;
Diagnosis:
According to The Cancer Council (2022), there is currently no effective screening test for ovarian cancer.
You should always consult with your GP if you are concerned about your body. If your doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, you may have various tests to determine.
Treatment:
This will depend on the type of ovarian cancer you have, the stage of cancer, your general health and fitness, your doctor’s recommendations and whether you wish to have children.
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
‘Heart disease is Australia’s leading cause of death affecting families and communities around the country.’ – Heart Research Australia, 2021.
Heart Research Australia encourages your workplace to wear red and donate to help raise awareness of the prevalence of heart disease and the devastation it causes. Donations will go towards life-saving break throughs to help us keep families together for longer.
What is heart disease?
According to Heart Research Australia, heart disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect your heart which may include:
- Coronary Heart Disease;
- Heart Attack;
- Heart Failure;
- Stroke;
- Arrythmias (abnormal heart beats);
- Aneurysm (a bulge, caused by weakening of the heart muscle or artery);
- Septal Defect (an abnormal opening between the left and right sides of the heart);
- Peripheral Vascular Disease;
- Congenital Heart Disease (malformations in the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth);
What are the risk factors of heart disease?
- Smoking;
- Stress;
- Anger;
- Depression;
- High cholesterol;
- High blood pressure;
- Being inactive;
- Diabetes;
- Being overweight;
- An unhealthy diet;
- Increase in age;
- Men are a higher risk than women;
- Ethnic background;
- Family history;
How can you prevent heart disease?
‘Prevention is the best medicine. 8 in 10 cases of premature heart disease & stroke are preventable through healthy lifestyle factors’ – Cardiologist, Dr Edward Barin.
- Exercise (aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day);
- Eat well;
- Keep track of your health measurements – including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight, sugar levels, waist circumference and exercise capacity);
- Stay optimistic – many studies show a state of mind can protect, as well as damage heart health;
If you would like to raise awareness and donate to Heart Research Australia, click the following link – https://www.heartresearch.com.au/event/redfeb/
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
What is epilepsy?
According to Epilepsy Action Australia (2021), epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has a tendency to have recurrent seizures.
Epilepsy in the workplace:
Many people with epilepsy can be gainfully employed, while others find it difficult to get a job.
Epilepsy is often well controlled, however if it is not controlled, then finding a job may be difficult particularly if there are safety issues concerned.
Disclosing to your Employer:
Legally in Australia, you are under no obligation to disclose your condition unless it affects your ability to meet the inherent requirements of your job. The worry about discrimination at work is a genuine concern when disclosing epilepsy to an employer.
If you decide to, you should discuss with your employer any requirements you need for the job, the workplace environment (for safety issues), whether you work alone or in a group and whether you would need any specific accommodations made for your epilepsy.
For an employer to be able to fulfill their obligations under the WH&S Act, they need to be aware of any condition that may require them to change working practices or environment to improve safety. Disclosing can also allow the employer to make reasonable adjustments if you need any.
Maintaining Employment
According to Epilepsy Action Australia (2021), if seizures are likely to hinder your performance at work, an employer is expected where possible to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace. This can include things like changing work hours or changing your role within the organisation until your seizures are controlled.
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
According to the National Institute of Deafness (2017), Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. Roughly 10% of the adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the last year.
According to NID (2017) people who work in noisy environments—such as factory or construction workers, road crews, or even musicians—can develop tinnitus over time…This is called noise-induced hearing loss.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom when something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, auditory nerve and parts of the brain that process sound (NID, 2017). Some examples that may cause tinnitus include:
- Earwax blocking the ear canal;
- Noise-induced hearing loss;
- Hormonal changes in women;
- Thyroid abnormalities;
- More health conditions diagnosed by your GP;
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria offer hearing testing – this is generally used as a pre-employment check or a workplace yearly health check up as a workplace benefit. This entails employees sitting in a booth, putting on earmuffs and performing a test, where we record results and handover to a GP, who will discuss further with the employee.
If you experience tinnitus, always visit your GP where further assessments can take place.
If an employee is exposed to loud noises at work, the correct hearing protection needs to be supplied and workplaces need to train their employees when and how to correctly use this equipment – https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/hearing-protection
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
This month, why not give up alcohol, sugar or another vice of your choice to support disadvantaged youth in Australia?
When you ‘pause for a cause’ this month, not only will you raise funds for those in need, but you will experience multiple benefits of eliminating alcohol or sugar for the month, including:
- Workplace morale;
- Feel healthier;
- Improved sleep;
- Saved money;
- Increased energy;
- Improved concentration;
To register and donate, follow the link – https://febfast.org.au/