Articles – Cavenagh Medical Centre

Safety Considerations When Using Complementary Medicines

Published May 15, 2023

Complementary medicines include vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal medicines, traditional remedies including Chinese, Ayurvedic and bush medicines, homeopathic preparations, and some nutritional supplements including weight loss products. Just like pharmaceutical medicines, complementary medicines can have side effects or interact with other medications or supplements you take. So if you are one of the many Australians

How Your GP Can Support You in Managing a Chronic Health Condition

Published May 1, 2023

If you have a chronic health condition, having ongoing support from your general practitioner (GP) is important. One way they can do this is by preparing a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and, where needed, Team Care Arrangements (TCAs). A GP Management Plan (GPMP) can help by providing an organised approach to your health care. It

Coeliac Disease

Published April 15, 2023

Coeliac disease is a condition where eating gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestine, damaging the intestinal wall and reducing its ability to absorb nutrients from food. According to the Coeliac Society, around 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease, but 4 out of 5 remain undiagnosed. The symptoms of coeliac disease vary

Confused About Carbs?

Published April 1, 2023

With so much conflicting information about carbs and the rising popularity of low-carb diets, you may be confused about how and where carbs should fit into your eating plan. Here is a quick overview of the role of carb-containing foods and which foods to consider including and avoiding. Carbohydrate is found in the foods we

Coffee—Friend or Foe?

Published March 15, 2023

If you are one of the many Australians who enjoys a daily coffee (or a few) you may wonder about the impact of this on your health. The good news is that for most adults, regular moderate coffee consumption has several health benefits that appear to outweigh any potential risks. Two review papers published in

Circadian Health – What It Is And Why It Matters

Published March 1, 2023

Your body clock is an internal clock which helps to regulate the timing of different processes in the body, including circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms follow a roughly 24-hour cycle and regulate things like sleep/wake cycles, body temperature, blood pressure, hormone secretion and immune function. The main factor affecting our circadian clock is light, which is

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Published February 14, 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can interfere with hormones produced in the body. Research suggests that exposure to these chemicals may contribute to a wide range of health problems, from obesity and type 2 diabetes, to reproductive and neurodevelopmental problems, to reproductive cancers. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be found in food, water and many consumer

Rheumatoid Arthritis: What It is and How to Manage It

Published February 1, 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic health condition which causes pain and swelling in your joints. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) about 456,000 Australians (around 1 in 50 people) have rheumatoid arthritis. While it is most common in those over 75 years of age, most people are first diagnosed between the

Your Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care

Published January 15, 2023

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health – if you have diabetes it is recommended that you do this review with your general practitioner (GP) each year. As part of this process, your GP may refer you to other health professionals, such as a dietitian,

Managing Metabolic Syndrome with Lifestyle Changes

Published January 1, 2023

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors which together increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when you have three or more of the following risk factors: Excess weight around the middle (a waist circumference of more than 88cm for women and more than 102cm for