September 2019 News A warm welcome to the Millhouse Community and to other readers. In the August 2019 newsletter I expressed concern about the measles epidemic, which has reached a new high with 1348 notified occurrences, as at 20 September, of the disease this year. South Auckland has the highest number of cases in New Zealand, predominantly affecting Pacifica and Maori, but East Auckland has not been exempt from the disease. The Ministry of Health's priority is to have all children vaccinated on schedule, especially those under four, but also young people between 15-29 years, who have been most affected during the measles outbreak. MILLHOUSE NEWS - please vaccinate to avoid serious illness Last Saturday I attended the East Health PHO symposium for primary healthcare at the Waipuna Conference Centre. I listened intently as midwife Linda Williams told how Alijah, their youngest unvaccinated son, was taken to Starship Hospital in 2012 suffering convulsive spasms every few minutes, arching his back, and biting his bleeding tongue with face muscles contracted and his jaw tightly closed. He was suffering from lockjaw, which we know as tetanus, caused by the bacteria clostridium tetani. He was admitted to intensive care, placed on life support and over many months finally recovered. In the last two decades there have been more than 30 cases of tetanus in New Zealand. Two elderly people died. Tetanus is a condition prevented by vaccination. MANAGEMYHEALTH PATIENT PORTAL BLOOD RESULTS .....................................................................
While on holiday, Dr Ric read about the "Silent Epidemic" of sleep deprivation. Last newsletter he introduced some of the science of human sleep and the daily rhythms our bodies need to function. This month he offers advice for maintaining healthy sleep. Sleep is essential for health and lacking sleep is like an accumulating debt which has ongoing adverse mental and physical effects on health increasing the risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Insomnia can be triggered by emotional factors, medical issues and environmental influences, which include bright lights, raised room temperature, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. However psychological distress is the main culprit.....pills can help, but Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia, using a mobile app, seems the better option. Want to read the full newsletter? Download it here....
Want to read other articles by Dr Ric and the team? Explore the Fact Sheets.......
Yours in good health Dr Ric Coleman and the Millhouse Team
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