QHS Corporate Health Articles

A Surefire Preventive Health Strategy

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:52:00 GMT

Any workplace wellness program worth its salt encourages employees to see their doctors and get regular health screenings, right?

But as far as ensuring that your employees are actually making those appointments, arranging their busy schedules to accommodate them, and following through, it’s pretty much out of your hands.

That is, unless you bring the doctor’s office to work.

You might decide to arrange a full-scale health fair, or simply to periodically bring in a health-care professional who can provide information and answer questions about a specific medical issue.

Either way, you’re sure to get positive results from employees who might otherwise put off necessary medical appointments indefinitely. (After all, they can’t cancel this one!)

Prevention of disease starts with awareness, and that’s where you can make a difference.

Armed with knowledge and options about how to best handle such problems as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol, your workers stand a much greater chance of turning things around.

For every health screening that uncovers a potential problem, there is an individual who might be inspired to make a healthy lifestyle change.

A body-fat test for someone who is obese, coupled with in-depth information about the perils of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, might just be the key to getting them to take better care of themselves.

That’s good news for them, their families, and your business.

If you’re new to the health-fair scene, consider starting small to get a feel for the interest level among your staff members. Then determine a few key health concerns that affect your workers, and focus on those.

Consider offering these basic preventive tests, and customize as needed for your unique organization:

Bone density testing
Body fat testing
Glucose screening
Blood pressure testing
Cholesterol testing
Health risk assessment

This article appeared on Corporate Wellness Advisor – visit source

Here comes Spring!!

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 06:49:00 GMT

Here comes Spring!

Bulbs, blossoms and blocked sinuses.

“Seasonal allergic rhinitis” – Hayfever.

For most this means itchy, runny noses and eyes and sneezing.

Allergens, such as dust, pollen, mould animal hair and some plant pollens cause our bodies to react and release histamine, the tissues in our nose then swell.

Preventing exposure to allergens is an important part of controlling hayfever, Pollen counts are generally higher between 6.00am and noon so try to avoid being outside for long periods during these times.

As pollen can collect in your home try to vacuum often. In your own garden try to choose plants that are pollinated by birds or insects rather than plants that release their seeds into the air.

Mould, and dust mites may also trigger hayfever so keep on top on the cleaning before you have a reaction.

Want to find out more? Our Asthma and Allergies lunch and learn program is outlined below:-

Asthma & Allergies
Covers - what is Asthma
What are the common triggers of asthma and what causes asthma.
What can we do to help prevent asthma.
Common allergies and Asthma
How do you tell if you have asthma and what treatments are available.
A hand out and guide are given to all participants. Peak Flow reading can also be incorporated, with additional time allowed.

Facts about bone health

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:03:00 GMT

National Healthy bone week is 1 – 7 August.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, or porous bone is a disease in which the amount of calcium present in the bones reduces over time and the bones loses density (causing thinning of the bones). The bones become so weak that even a slight fall can cause a fracture. While some bone thinning is normal as we get older, osteoporosis is not inevitable. A special bone density test can detect osteoporosis. People should check to see if they are at risk and talk to a doctor.

Bones mostly commonly fractured include the hip, wrist, spine and pelvis. A fracture maybe the first sign of the disease.

Risk factors

Genetic – other family members with Osteoporosis.
A thin or small build as the skeleton is smaller to start with.
European or Asian
General – Low calcium intake
Little or no weight bearing exercise such as walking
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Excessive salt intake
Excessive phosphate intake without calcium - eg. Cola based soft drinks
Excessive animal protein intake
Excessive caffeine intake

For Women early menopause, no children or prolonged breast-feeding can add to the risk.

For men low levels of the male hormone – testosterone, adds to the risk.

Preventative factors

Increase dairy intake as calcium helps slow bone loss.
Adequate Vitamin D formed in the skin from exposure to sunlight and present in milk, fish oil, yeast and cereals, can help increase calcium absorption.
Talk to your doctor about HRT as this may help reduce bone loss.
Be active at all stages of your life to build strong bones.
Take measures to prevent falls
Quit smoking.

QHS is able to offer Bone Density testing in the workplace.

Media Release

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:59:00 GMT

Get ready for BowelScreen Australia

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in Australia (after lung cancer) and kills over 70 Australians each week. While bowel cancer claims more lives each year than breast or prostate cancer, early detection through screening can vastly improve survival rates.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Bowel Cancer Australia have joined forces to develop

BowelScreen AustraliaTM, a pharmacy based bowel cancer awareness, education and screening program for the Australian community. The program uses a clinically proven, sensitive and reliable immunochemical faecal occult blood test produced by Enterix Australia*.

“We are excited to make this important preventative health program available to the Australian public via the most accessible healthcare provider, the local community pharmacist,” Kos Sclavos, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said.

Annual bowel cancer screening is recommended for Average Risk Patients. These include men and women 50 years and over; who have no symptoms; and no personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps. Patients with symptoms or a personal/family history should be referred to their GP.

“Early detection of polyps and cancer is key to improvement of survival rates as it is important to find these abnormalities when it is easier to treat and cure,” said Dr Cameron Bell,

Gastroenterologist and Director of Bowel Cancer Australia.

“A positive result from a bowel screening program such as BowelScreen Australia does not confirm the presence of bowel cancer. It indicates the presence of blood that may be invisible to the naked eye. Further investigation, such as a colonoscopy, by a medical specialist is then required,” Dr Bell said.

Patients who have received a screening kit from the Australian Government are encouraged to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This only applies to people who turn 50, 55 or 65 before 31 December 2010 and does not include provision for annual rescreening. Patients who are ineligible for the Government program may purchase a BowelScreen Australia test kit for annual screening from their local pharmacy.

BowelScreen Australia will be launched nationally in early June.

Red apple day for Bowel Cancer is 9 June.

QHS Corporate Health is able to offer you Bowel Screening clinics including the Bowel Screening test kit.