Dr Feelgood Saturday 1^st March 2003

MALE MENOPAUSE

– FACT OR FICTION ? – 

 The world population is becoming top heavy – everyone is living longer and as such aging is a growth area of research and, as some also claim, exploitation.

Menopause in women is a topic constantly hitting the headlines with breakthroughs, breakdowns good news and bad news. We know that reproductive period of a female’s life is marked by cessation of ovarian function – the process can be anything from abrupt and symptom free to protracted and debilitating. Discovery of hormone replacement therapy was touted by some as being the fountain of youth – all over the world women leaped into the fountain and onto HRT  – but the fountain became more of a cesspool after a long term study was aborted last year leaving experts squabbling about pros and cons of HRT .

 However what about the blokes ? Sometime ago someone came up with the notion of equal opportunity in relation to aging and coined a term ANDROPAUSE. Suddenly the idea of HRT seemed like a good idea for men –if it was good for the girls it was bound to be great for the guys …or at least for the guys who make the medication $$$$$$$ ……

 So IS there really a male menopause ? What about HRT for men ?  

Prof David de Kretser is the Director and a founder of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development and is a world renowned expert on male reproduction and  hormones. He joins me today to talk about the myths and realities of the aging male.

Some links worth visiting -

 Monash Institute of Reprodiction and development - http://www.monashinstitute.org

 Andrology Australia http://www.andrologyaustralia.org

 Andrology Australia's info on Male menopause - http://www.andrologyaustralia.org/androgenuse/misuse.htm

SALVATION ARMY FAMILY TRACING SERVICE

Two  weeks ago we took a call on air from Tracey Hudson. She told us about the Salvation Army’s  Family Tracing Service. The service is one of the oldest and most successful services of its kind in the world

  I asked her whether she would be able to come in and tell us more. She emailed me the following day and  – today she joins me in the studio to tell us all about the work of the Salvos in an area you may not be aware of.

 The aim of The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service is to trace "missing" members   of  families,  with  the  aim  of  re-uniting  them, reconciling differences  and  bringing  families together to live in the unity that was meant to be. The act in a strictly confidential manner .

 The service dates back to around 1885 in England and has been successful in reuniting many families who have been split for all sorts of reasons. 

 Visit the Salvation Army website  http://www.salvationarmy.org.au

WHISTLEBLOWERS 

Bob Falconer is outspoken on many issues. He speaks about issues that some steer clear of for fear they may be judged. Bob is former Chief Commissioner of West Australian Police and former Deputy Commissioner in Victoria. He also has managed Police Internal Investigations and is well known as a change advocate – favouring community based over problem oriented policing. He is passionate about ethics and honesty and his expertise is now focussing on helping individuals and organizations achieve these standards through his work in the private sector.

 Inorder to have an honest and accountable “system” in society we need transparency. The problem is that often corruption is well hidden in organizations and people fear speaking up. There is no doubt that history shows that people who choose to  speak out  corruption or improper activities within organisations  often end up victims. There have been legislative changes in some states to protect these people - often called Whistleblowers and Bob Falconer makes it his business to assist people in knowing their rights and is helping to ensure this legislation is being followed.

Visit Bob falconers Website : www.stopline.com.au

Visit Whistleblowers Australia – support group for Whistleblowers http://www.whistleblowers.org.au/

LOVE YOUR WORK

MIDWIFE

 Last week we spoke to Sheila Kitzinger world renowned expert on pregnancy and childbirth and advocate for the process to be "demedicalised".

Midwives have been around since ancient times and possibly rival some of the professions claimed as “the oldest” . But some people might say  somewhere along the line pregnancy got hijacked by my colleagues and became the realm of hospitals and clinics.

These days Midwives are staking their claim and many women are choosing to have their pregnancies managed by them.

Midwives are highly trained specialist nurses. In Australia they don’t practice as private specialists but are attached to hospitals.

Penny Buntine is a Midwife at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane and she’ll be joining us today to tell us all about midwifery .

 HEALTHY PASTIME

SQUARE DANCING

I have always been fascinated by square dance calling and especially the terminology involved  Today I am going to be able to solve something that’s ben a mystery for me – what exactly is a dosee doe and how do you do it

Nev McLoughlin is a  caller  Square Dancing Society  of Queensland and he’ll be swinging me round and round as he explains all about Squaredancing.

 For more information call 1800 643 277 or   Visit the Square Dancing Australia home page and get into it !

 http://www.squaredanceaustralia.com

DISEASE OF THE WEEK

GLAUCOMA

 Glaucoma is a serious eye condition often called the Sneak Thief of Sight.  It is usually (but not always) related to increased pressure of fluid that circulates within the eye. It can be that a person can have glaucoma but not notice any symptoms until loss of vision occurs. There is good treatment available and early diagnosis can mean early intervention and hopefully prevention of blindness.

 This is why it is important to have regular thorough eye checks.

 For a detailed explanation click here and read the Glaucoma Support Group’s fact sheet

 Dr Julian Rait is an ophthalmologist . He is the director of the Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital  

Visit the Glaucoma support group home page  http://home.vicnet.net.au/~glaucoma/

SUPPORT GROUP OF THE WEEK

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY – MARCH 2

Don’t ever listen to anyone who says one person can’t make a difference – Ian Kiernan is a perfect example. Ian is a keen yachtsman  - actually  that’s an understatement – in 1987 he sailed solo round the world in the BOC around the world solo challenge ! ). Being a yachtsman and having grown up on the harbour  he saw the result of littering that was carried by storm water drains into our waterways.

In 1989 he had a simple idea. He wanted to clean up the Harbour ……… Today his simple idea odf community involvement has lead to 6 million volunteers over 12 years working actively to vlean up their local environment..

 Tomorrow is the annual Clean up Australia Day and Ian is still as passionate!

 check out Clean Up Australia website for activities in your local area  http://www.cleanup.com.au

CELEBRITY CHECK UP

ALAN HOPGOOD

Alan Hopgood is an amazing Australian. You know Alan from his roles as  “Dr Reed” in Bellbird the 1960’s ABC serial, “Wally” in Prisoner and more recently as  “Jack Lassiter” in Neighbours.  

His stage performance as "Rumkowski" in Avraham Cykiert's mono-drama THE EMPEROR OF THE GHETTO played seasons in Melbourne and won him the Best Actor at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 1994

 But Alan has also had enormous success back stage as a playwright  from his first success in 1964 with AND THE BIG MEN FLY  to his recent magnificent production of the one man show about a man who cares for his wife with Alzheimer’s and his journey following her death :  THE CARER starring Bud Tingwell

 Alan and I have shared a stage on several occasions speaking on men’s health issues. We are like minded about the need to find ways that  men’s health issues are palatable for men. I believe Alan has a great solution.

 Alan is the author of the acclaimed book Surviving Prostate Cancer – One Man’s Journey and his play FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE  which has toured Australia really hit the mark by managing to portray the sensitive issues surrounding prostate cancer in a way men could watch, dare I suggest enjoy !  and not squirm in  their seats. In my opinion Alan’s wonderful knack of combining entertainment, sensitivity and humour makes his plays about serious human issues vital in public health education.

 These days Alan is sought after as a speaker and remains passionate about men’s health issues. I admire his methods of getting the message across !

 Please visit Alan’s home page at Bay Street Productions.   http://www.bsp.net.au/