Whenever somebody asks me what the best thing about working as a Home Doctor, I have to stop and think. How can I explain the rewarding nature of the job? Firstly, the interesting clinical side, and the challenge of dealing with acute conditions, makes it very professionally rewarding. But more rewarding still are the patients, who are so grateful for the service we provide.

We’ve all done it. Forgotten the sunscreen at the beach. Fallen asleep in the deck chair. Walked to the shops without a hat. Getting sunburnt is unfortunately a fact of life in Australia, where the sun is particularly strong and we all like to spend time out of doors.

There are so many Apps available now to help us look after our health. Whether it’s eating well, finding the motivation to exercise, quitting smoking or keeping track of medications, there’s an App to help you do it! Here’s a list of our top ten picks for a healthy 2018.

By Dr Umberto Russo MBBS, FRACGP

During Australia’s long hot summer, our doctors visit patients suffering from the ill effects of heat waves and hot weather. Heat-related illnesses can mean mild symptoms like rash or cramps, to serious and life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke.

 

Mosquitoes (or “mozzies” as we call them in Australia) and summer go together, especially when it is hot, humid and still. Mozzies can play havoc with your sleep at night, cover the children with itchy bites, and ruin a perfectly good picnic.  Here are ten things you might not know about these blood-sucking, heat-seeking, sleep-wrecking insects.