by Grace | Jun 28, 2021 | Workplace Education
According to birthtrauma.org.au (2021), for some birth can be a mixed experience or even very negative, resulting in physical and/or psychological injuries (trauma) with lasting negative impacts on their lives. Help is available for women and their partners who are struggling with ongoing problems related to the birthing experience.
Birth trauma can be physical or psychological (deeply upsetting and distressing) or a combination of both. Both mother and the father/partner can be affected by birth trauma.
How do affected parents get help?
Talk about your feelings.
Birth Trauma (2021) suggests initially talking about your feelings to your partner, friends, family, mother’s group, a mento, facebook support group or any close networks you feel comfortable with.
If you need health professional support, the sooner you do so the sooner you can start your recovery and find coping tools for both at home and at work. Chat to your obstetrician or GP if you need to speak with somebody and they may then refer you onto an expert in the field.
Retrieve information that may help you understand what has happened. If you are feeling confused about your experience in hospital, it may help to obtain details of what actually happened. This may provide insight into what interventions were used and why. Whilst this may be painful to relive, you may feel a sense of relief or closure. You could do this by discussing your notes with your midwife or obstetrician – Birth Trauma (2021).
Find time for you.
Take it day by day and be gentle to yourself. Try a gentle walk, reading a book, meditating or listen to a helpful podcast (such as Beyond the Bump, The Parenthood or any others you enjoy).
by Grace | Jun 28, 2021 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
Get your eye’s tested this julEYE. 75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable if detected early enough, yet every 65 minutes an Australian loses part or all their vision.
julEYE is The Eye Foundation’s eye health awareness month that takes place during July each year. julEYE has three core aims:
- To raise community awareness of eye health issues;
- To raise funding for research projects into the causes and cures of vision impairment and blindness;
- To support international development projects whose goals are aligned with those of The Foundation:
(Source: Your Health Link, 2021).
How often should you get your eyes checked?
According to Better Health (2021) dependent on age, ophthalmologists generally recommend getting your eyes tested every 2 years and should be an essential part of your healthcare routine. You may need to get your eyes tested more regularly if you have a health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, history of a stroke, neurological conditions or if you have been diagnosed with an eye condition.
How do I protect my eyes in the workplace setting?
According to AOA (2021), the type of safety eye protection you should wear depends on the hazards in your workplace:
- If you are working in an area that has particles, flying objects or dust, you must at least wear safety glasses with side protection;
- If you are working with chemicals, you must wear goggles;
- If you are working near hazardous radiation (welding, lasers or fibre optics), you must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields or helmets designed for the task.
In addition, employers need to take steps to make the work environment as safe as possible. This includes:
- Conducting an eye hazard assessment of the workplace;
- Removing or reducing eye hazards where possible;
- Providing appropriate safety eyewear and requiring employees to wear it;
Four things you can do to protect your eyes from injury:
- Know the eye safety dangers at your work;
- Eliminate hazards before starting work by using machine guards, work screens or other engineering controls;
- Use proper eye protection;
- Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and have it replaced if it becomes damaged;
by Grace | Jun 28, 2021 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
“1.9M Australians are drinking more than 6 standard drinks per day” – Dry July, 2021.
Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages you to go alcohol-free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer. This is the perfect opportunity to sign up your workplace team and quit the drink for a month to raise funds for a worthy cause!
Where do the raised funds go towards?
The funds raised through Dry July will provide invaluable services to cancer patients, their families and carers – whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs or a bed close to treatment. (Dry July, 2021).
What are the risks of too much drinking?
Short term risks: reduced concentration, poor sleep quality, blackouts, intense moods (aggression, elation, depression), slower reflexes.
Long term risks: Irreversible liver, brain or nervous system damage, heart disease, high blood pressure, increased chance of a number of cancers, alcohol-related disease, illness and injuries.
How much alcohol is too much?
Men and women should have no more than 2 standard drinks per day (Dry July, 2021).
What are the benefits of Dry July?
According to Dry July (2021):
- Improved sleep quality;
- Increase in wakefulness;
- Enhanced work performance;
- Improved concentration;
- Lose weight;
- Decrease cholesterol;
- Lower blood glucose;
- Decrease in liver fat;
- Save money – the average household spends $34.20 on alcohol per week;
- Improve mental health – alcohol can trigger or worsen existing symptoms of anxiety;
- Cut calories – you can cut out an average of 433 calories (men) or 300 calories (women) per day;
- Healthier skin – alcohol causes dehydration, so abstaining will leave you with hydrated, healthier-looking skin;
What if I have a special event on in July?
A Golden Ticket gives a Dry July participant a night off their challenge. For a minimum cost of $25, their night off will still make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.
Sign up with your workplace and promote health and wellness, team connection and support people affected by cancer – https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/sign-up-workplace-team
by Grace | Mar 15, 2021 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
According to Safe Work Australia (2020), World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a time to think about how our actions can prevent future work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses, and a day to remember those that have died from a work-related injury or illness.
By raising awareness of work health and safety and taking action, we can help prevent further injuries and death.
The theme for 2020 is Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives.
COVID-19 has brought with it a need for Australians to adapt to rapidly changing workplace practices.
Under the model work health and safety laws, employers have a duty of care for the health and safety of their workers and others in the workplace. This duty extends to managing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Workplaces can reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by:
- ensuring good hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace
- implementing physical distancing, and
- using personal protective equipment as appropriate.
by Grace | Mar 15, 2021 | Workplace Education
What is Immunodeficiency?
According to World PI Week (2020), primary immunodeficiencies are rare diseases which occur when a person’s immune system is absent or does not function properly. When a defect in the immune system is inherited (carried through the genes), it is called primary immunodeficiency.
‘There are over 380 forms of Primary Immunodeficiency, ranging widely in severity’ – World PI Week (2020).
According to ASCIA (2020), PIDs occur when the immune system does not work normally. The most important function of the body’s immune system is to defend against infections and other invaders (such as cancer cells), whilst protecting the body’s own cells. Everyone gets infections, however infections in people with PIDs can be:
- Unusually persistent, recurrent or resistant to treatment.
- Due to unusual germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites).
- Unexpectedly severe.
Some PIDs may increase the chance of autoimmunity or cancer. Autoimmunity occurs when the body doesn’t recognise its own cells and attacks them.
Warning Signs:
- Two or more ear infections in one year;
- Two or more sinus infections in one year;
- Recurrent deep skin or organ abscesses;
- Persistent fungal infections
- Repeat viral infections (colds, warts, etc)
- Need for IV antibiotics to clear infections
- Chronic diarrhoea with weight loss;
- Family history of PID;
Diagnosis:
According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, early diagnosis can help prevent or delay some health problems caused by PI. Left untreated, some types of PI can result in serious health problems including organ damage and even death. Taking steps to prevent infection is very important however if you are concerned, speak to your local GP to discuss further.
by Grace | Mar 15, 2021 | Workplace Education
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in which abdominal pain is associated with a range of symptoms. Typically, these include intermittent abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes of both. Other symptoms may also be present (aboutibs.org.au)
According to the Gut Foundation (2021), approximately 20% of the Australia population experience IBS symptoms, with women three times more likely to experience IBS than men.
Although IBS is not associated with an increased risk for life-threatening illness, it is associated with a significant health care and economic burden.
Studies have shown that IBS patients have an increased number of outpatient health care visits, diagnostic tests, and surgeries. IBS can also severely compromise a person’s quality of life. IBS is second only to the common cold as a cause of absenteeism from work (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, 2016).
Symptoms of IBS may include:
- Cramping and pain
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
- Changes in bowel movements
- Gas and bloating
- Food intolerance
- Fatigue and difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety and depression
If you suspect you may have IBS symptoms, speak with your GP as there are ways to manage the syndrome.