Approximately half a million Australians are blind or vision impaired. Some 80% of vision loss is caused by just five conditions: age-related macular degeneration, cataract, refractive error, diabetes related retinopathy and glaucoma. Glaucoma is sometimes referred to as the “sneak thief” of sight because it gradually and permanently destroys side vision, often without being noticed. There...
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The word “phonograph” was the trade name applied to the device invented by Thomas Edison some 130 years ago for transmitting the spoken world by way of a needle scratching around the surface of a cylinder. It spawned the record player, itself long since superseded by the miniaturised music machines of today. Edison is also...
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We expect our teeth to last a lifetime; however, it seems the standard of oral health care in Australia – especially in regional areas of Australia – leaves quite a bit to be desired. Recent studies indicate that Australians have lower standards of oral health than almost any other developed country. In part, this problem is...
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Prevention of osteoporosis through attention to diet and exercise has once again been the focus of National Healthy Bones Week (2-8 August). Osteoporosis is the name given to the condition which can be quite simply described as brittle bones (literally the word osteoporosis means porous bones) – bones that break and crack more easily. All...
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‘Continence is everybody’s business’ is one of the main messages to come from Continence Awareness Week (CAW) 2009 (2-8 August). Incontinence is the term given to the loss of voluntary control over bladder or bowel function, and it’s one of the biggest health issues in the Australian community – affecting nearly four million people. It...
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This month we’ve been reflecting on the exploits of three American astronauts 40 years ago; but it’s also interesting to consider what happened much closer to home nearly 240 years ago. Just like the moon watchers of 1969, Captain James Cook was looking skyward when not quite by accident, but certainly secondary to his main...
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National Diabetes Week has again focused our attention on the fastest growing non-infectious disease in the world. And this year there is special emphasis on the association between diabetes and high blood pressure. Uncontrolled diabetes poses a serious risk to our health. Complications can include blindness, kidney failure and increased risk of heart disease and...
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