Dr Feelgood's weekly health segment 

on 

Neil Mitchell's program on 3AW 

LINKS AND FACT SHEETS 

every Thursday at 10:30 am 1278 AM Melbourne's 3AW

 (or listen on line by clicking HERE )

From time to time I will put up some links or info to accompany my segment on Neil's program 

5. VITAMIN OVERDOSE 

With the recent  recall of various medications following problems with the alleged PAN company's  production techniques people have been concerned about overdose symptoms associated with various medications. There is naturally some confusion around this topic in than some people may have an allergic reaction to drugs which is not the fault of the drug but a quirk of their immune system.

Overdose  information is usually written up in a compendium called MIMS . Your doctor and pharmacist will have a copy of this book and be able to answer your queries about overdose symptoms .

The sensible action is, of course, when a drug is recalled your should take the advice given by authorities, and discuss your own case with your doctor as to whether you should be on an alternative . 

here is an article from America that lists symptoms from overdose of vitamins 

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic638.htm

also check out the Federal Dept Health home page 

http://www.health.gov.au

and the TGA ( Therapeutic goods Administration ) home page 

http://www.health.gov.au/tga/

4. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome &  BIOTERRORISM LINKS

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_03_16/en/ - World Health Organisation Fact Sheet on SARS

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/faq.htm  -  fact sheet on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome  

http://www.cda.gov.au/cdna/press/index.htm - Media releases from Federal Dept Health on SARS 

http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/strateg/bio/index.htm - Aust Gov response strategy for bio terrorism  

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/mom/vx/VX.htm - understanding VX gas 

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/vx.html - American site which explains response to VX gas

3. Influenza Facts  (13 03 03 )

the composition of the 2003 Influenza vaccine can be found at the following site 

http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/cdi/ozflu/ozflu.htm

the NH&MRC recommendations for who should have flu vaccines can be found at the following site :- 

http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/cdi/ozflu/flunhmrc.htm

2. Medical Euphemisms, One-upmanship, Acronyms and Abbreviations (Feb 6th 2002)

Very few doctors learn Latin anymore but we persist in using Latin terms - no one really knows why. And while it can make it easier to describe things between doctors it means we have one language that doctors use to each other and another for patients - hmmmm rather smells of one-upmanship to me ! 

I have found some good sites worth looking at - some useful and serious - others silly but still worth a peek 

Click  HERE to use a searchable database of Medical Abbreviations

Click HERE to see The Redneck Dictionary of Medical Terms - THIS IS VERY, VERY FUNNY !

Click HERE to use an extensive KEYWORD translator for medical terms and other useful databases

Click HERE to use the Doctors Reference Site - comprehensive list of Australian Medical reference sites online ( needs updating as links to my site are outdated hehe)

Click HERE to use the ACRONYM FINDER easy to used

Click HERE to search the Merriam Webster online Medical Dictionary ( beware US spellings)

1. PRURITUS ANI  (Itchy Bottom)  

January 30th 2002 - A caller mentioned this problem on air and Neil couldn't change the topic quick enough . I told him it was extremely common but rather than try to talk about it while you were all doing morning tea I thought it might be easier to put up some links so you can read at your leisure in private - 

Ssince this was mentioned on Neil's program  I have received many requests for more info - it is a subject people don't discuss much - but it IS common and very annoying. There is treatment and its worth seeking help as it can become a vicious cycle. While its find to try a few simple remedies - if the problem persists it is important to get a proper diagnosis. 

Great info on this taboo subject can be found at the following sites  -  

Click HERE for the  American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons brochure on the topic 

Click HERE for   a dermatological view point 

Click HERE for the Merck Manual chapter on Pruritis Ani - this online edition is an excellent medical reference for home use

Click HERE for Prof John Murtagh's words of wisdom on the topic ( Former Chairman of the Dept Community Medicine at Monash University and Rural GP -Prof Murtagh is the GURU of General Practice !)