DR
FEELGOOD Sunday 9th February 2003
Support group of the Week
I have received several emails from people wanting more information about SLE ( Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) or Lupus . Like many of the conditions we talk about on this program it is not well understood and so often not talked about .Diagnosis can take a long time due to the variation in presenting features and people with it often feel isolated.
It is interesting to note the different names it has - this seems to be a feature of these conditions which are ill understood. Appendicitis only has one name !
Lupus is
a condition perfectly placed for a support group and the Lupus support
groups are very active round Australia.
Dr Jeanette Kavanagh is the President, Lupus Australia Foundation she will be joining me in the studio today
click
HERE to visit LUPUS Support group -
they have a wonderful information page on the condition and links
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
LUPUS is a connective tissue disorder which was first described in the the 19th century by doctors who treated skin diseases. It was characterised by them because of the butterfly shaped rash people presented with across their nose. However confusion set in when people started presenting with other symptoms like arthritis and kidney problems .
it is estimated that Lupus affects around s 40 to 50 people per 100,000 and more than 85% are women
It
is known to be an autoimmune condition where antibodies usually meant to attack
invaders turn on certain body tissues. Treatment needs to be individualised and
depends on the clinical situation. it varies as to whether the condition is
active or dormant but patients need to be monitored for flare ups.
Dr Russell Buchanan is the Director of the Lupus Clinic at the Austin & Repat Hospital - He will join me to explain this interesting and misunderstood condition
click HERE to read the American College of Rheumatologists fact sheet in Lupus
Sure Fire Valentine's gifts
The
irrepressibly wonderful Ann-Maree Biggar from Good Morning Australia has been
doing what girls do best - SHOPPING - This coming Friday is Valentines Day
and despite what your partner says about it being commercial rubbish and a waste
of time - they will be bitterly disappointed if you dont acknowledge the event
so Ann-Maree is here to help . She's checked out what's about ands has some
innovative suggestions for Valentine's gifts
Drugs and Sport
You often read about elite sport and issues around performance enhancing drugs - about testing issues and champions being dethroned. What is the truth about performance enhancing drugs - is it a widespread problem. Is it about cheating or about health or both ?
Dr Peter Larkins is well known in media for his expertise in sports medicine. he is a sportsman himself and has competed at international competition level. He works with athletes and sports enthusiasts and he is outspoken in his views on performance enhancing drugs . He'll be joining me for a discussion on Drugs and sport
Click HERE to visit the Australian Sports Drug Agencyy
HEALTHY PASTIMES
Australia International Air
Show
ITS ON THIS WEEK - the Australian International Air Show at AVALON in Victoria - everything from bi planes to the latest sleek war birds - Tom Bennet joins us to tell us what to expect
click
HERE to visit the Australian International
Air Show
LOVE
YOUR WORK
RESCUE
PILOT & TRAINING OFFICER
Sunshine
Coast Helicopter Rescue Service
Creagh Mecham is a Rescue Pilot and Training Officer, with the Energex Rescue Helicopter (Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service). He's the guy you want around when you are in serious problems
click
HERE to see the work of the
Sunshine Coast Helicopter rescue Service
PROCEDURE OF THE WEEK
AUSTRALIAN BOWEL CANCER SCREENING PILOT STUDY
Bowel cancer affects 1 in 25 people in Australia and if you have a close family member with the condition you are possible more at risk . We know that most bowel cancers develop from polyps that exist for many years even decades before turning cancerous.
Screening is a contentious topic resulting in frequent heated debate amongst clinicians and health economists. Clinicians argue that this is the only cancer we can prevent if we can catch the polyps early enough . The most accurate way of screening is by colonoscopy where the bowel is visualised. However this procedure is not only expensive but also carries some risk . I recommend my patients with a first degree relative ( parent or sibling) who has bowel cancer to have a colonoscopy at 40 or at an age equivalent to 20 years before the relatives cancer onset.
There has been much discussion about the use of testing for faecal occult blood ( hidden blood in bowel action) for many years. Some argue the test has many false positives - it will pick up any blood - including from haemorrhoids or broken skin. The only way to prove it is a FALSE positive is to perform a colonoscopy ( although now there are some newer high tech tests on the way involving tiny cameras that are swallowed and caught at the other end ! )
Health economists would argue that mass screening may lead to MORE unnecessary colonoscopies ....but it is such a common condition .........
The
Federal Department of Health is doing a pilot in several areas of Australia to
evaluate the merit of screening ofr bowel cancer one such pilot starts this
month
Prof. Richard Smallwood is the Chief Medical Officer for Australia he will explain this bowel cancer screening initiative
click HERE
to visit the Federal Department of Health bowel cancer screening pilot
program
THE
ART OF TEA
Barbara Harper from the Tea Corporation returns to talk TEA mmmmmmmm
click
HERE to visit the
TEA Corporation
CELEBRITY
CHECK UP
DORINDA HAFNER
Is there anything this woman cant do ?
You know her as the bright and bubbly celebrity Chef on Good Morning Australia - but she's so much more -
You problably arent aware just HOW well known Dorinda is - She's not only famous here but she's a star in England with her own hit TV program
Just
to top it off Donrinda is also a trained nurse AND a dispensing optician.
And NOW she's turned her hand to music and even released her own CD !
Dorinda is my celebrity Check up today !
Click
HERE to visit Dorinda's HOme Page