Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a well-known risk factor for several fatal diseases, including strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease, blindness, erectile dysfunction, and leg ulcers. There are some known causes of high blood pressure, including lack of physical exercise, smoking habit, diet, and high salt intake. At Unanderra Family Doctors, we will help you evaluate the causes, determine the necessary treatment, and plan a healthy lifestyle.
Heart Checks
We use electrocardiogram (ECG) test to spot any cardiac abnormality in your body. Our advanced ECG device will also help us check the following conditions of your heart:
- Heart enlargement
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Heart inflammation
- Congenital defects
- Cardiac arrest
- Any abnormality of electrical system in your heart
Eye Health
Naturally, our eyes worsen as we age. However, other conditions may contribute to this condition. We offer early detection to assess the risk, find the cause, and provide the right treatment you need.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a term of certain condition when your optic nerve gets irreversible damage, which causes partial or complete blindness. The damage itself came from poor blood supply or our eye’s inability to drain excess aqueous humour, which causes high pressure inside the organ. It is highly possible to cure glaucoma. The faster you spot the disease, the higher the chance of healing this disease.
Macular Degeneration
When your retina suffers from loss of central vision, you are likely suffering from a group of degenerative disease of retina, which we commonly call as macular degeneration. These diseases affect not only your vision, but also your ability to do daily activities, such as walking. Even though we still do not have the cure, there are some nerve treatments, which can help us slow the degenerative process.
Cataracts
Cataract occurs when your eyes lens cannot accommodate properly and become opaque. As the result, people with cataract will experience difference visions as if they are looking through fog. There are certain risk factors for cataracts, but steroids, smoking habit, wrong medications, genetic, and poor diet have become the most common causes.
Malnutrition
As we get older, our body works slower than normal and even loses some of its functions. It begins when we found it difficult to swallow and chew foods we used to like when we are young. Without proper actions, this may lead to malnutrition. Our general practitioner can help you evaluating your diet and find the perfect nutrient combination for your healthy life.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when our bones lose its mass, resulting in inability to support our whole body mass. Unlike men and youth, women age 50 years or older are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis since they have entered their menopause. Weight bearing, resistance training, and strict diet will help you to slow this degenerative process.
Falls and Balancing
Falls become the major cause our elders being hospital residents every year. While age becomes the primary reason, wrong medications, lack of exercise, and blood pressure disorders may also cause falls. Our GP can assess your health conditions, including risk of falls then provide helpful advice to reduce the risk.
Menopause
When a woman reaches 45 years, she entered her menopause period where her body no longer produces ovum for reproduction. Due to the drastic hormonal change, the body will also suffer from mood changes, irregular periods, night sweats, itchy skin, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, osteoporosis, insomnia, and headaches. Take your time to consult with your Unanderra Doctor to investigate your final period and determine the best treatment for your need.
Prostate Cancer Testing
Prostate cancer has become a growing threat in our community, affecting mostly older men. Prostate cancer is certain medical situation when a man’s semen-secreting cells mutated to cancerous cells. Without proper treatment, these cells may spread and damage the whole body. At Unanderra Family Doctors, we provide two tests to help us recognize risk of prostate cancer: digital rectal exam and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
Erectile Dysfunction
When a man gets older, he will slowly lose his sexual ability. One of them is the ability to maintain or acquire an erection during sexual activity. While this might be the very common condition due to the aging process, erectile dysfunction may become a lead to more serious illnesses. Therefore, it is important to bring this matter with your doctor. If it needs treatment, your Unanderra Doctor should have some options available for you.
Cognitive Function
Our body degenerates, as it grows older. Mild impairment, Alzheimer, and severe dementia should name the risks we should deal as we slowly lose our cognitive function. Our GP can help monitor your condition and even refer to specialist for further treatment.
COPD
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disease we commonly associated with smoking tobacco. This disease is quite famous for causing cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult with your Unanderra Doctor who will give you symptomatic treatment.
Depression
As a mental illness, depression may drastically change to serious illness in the elderly without proper treatment. Some studies even associate depression in elders with medical problems, increased isolation, and retirement. The best treatment would be the combination of both counselling and medical treatments.
Bladder Control Problems
There have been cases where incontinences become a concerning issue among older people. Depression, stress, and social isolation name only few of the effects we should concern. Understanding the risk factor is crucial before proceeding to the curative treatment. Some risk factors include weak pelvic floor muscles, diabetes, dementia, stroke, certain prescription medications, and Parkinson’s disease.
One of our friendly customer care representatives should be able to assist you to get further information. Please make an appointment today and come into our Unanderra Doctor mixed billing General Medical Practice and Surgery to discuss how we can help.
