Health tips
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So you have tested positive for COVID-19 - what now?
Posted on March 12, 2022
The majority of patients, about 90%, will be able to self-manage their illness in the community. You will be informed and asked to complete a questionnaire to determine if you need and how often you will get support phone calls and follow up from the telehealth team at Medplus. Those needing more intensive monitoring will be given regular phone calls and potentially provided with a pulse oximeter to monitor their heart rate and oxygen saturations. In the event of deteriorating illness, a transfer to hospital will be arranged.
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RAT Testing and the process if you test positive
Posted on March 1, 2022
Please read below if you need a test or have tested positive.
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Updates on COVID 19 in Phase 2.
Posted on Feb. 20, 2022
Testing, isolation, close contact, management of cases. All you need to know about the changes in Phase 2. Our Medplus team, led by Nurse Practitioner Gemma Haefele, is now managing our more severe cases of COVID 19. This is done by phone.
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Preparing for COVID
Posted on Feb. 19, 2022
Every household needs to make a plan for how they can best prepare for Omicron in our community. Here is the advice you need.
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Using a pulse oximeter at home
Posted on Feb. 19, 2022
If you contract COVID-19 and are considered high risk of getting more unwell with it you may be given a pulse oximeter to use at home. Others may have access to one already. Here are instructions for use and an indication of what the results mean.
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Caffeine and Sleep Deprivation
Posted on Feb. 19, 2022
Caffeine can delay the timing of the body clock, which can reduce the total sleep time. Sleep deprivation includes the risk of limited concentration, impaired memory, abnormal blood glucose, and, most importantly, a weakened immunity.
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What are the symptoms of Omicron?
Posted on Jan. 24, 2022
Read this article from The Conversation, looking at the UK (noting differences in testing regimens available there) to discover how omicron may present. In the study the prevalence of symptoms was as follows: Runny nose 73%, headache 67%, fatigue 63%, sneezing 60%, sore throat 60%, cough 40%, hoarse voice 35%, fevers 30%, alteration of smell 23%. So if you or a family member are feeling unwell, there’s a good chance that it could be COVID, especially if you’re snuffling and sneezing a lot. You should stay home and get tested to be sure.
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Caring for yourself and others who have, or may have, COVID 19 at home
Posted on Oct. 28, 2021
As increasing numbers of people get COVID 19, spaces in isolation centres have become limited and now some people are being asked to self isolate at home. For the vast majority of people, especially those who have had their 2nd vaccination at least 2 weeks ago, COVID will be a minor illness similar to a cold or flu.
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Face Masks - help and advice
Posted on Aug. 29, 2021
Help, tips and tricks for wearing a mask effectively.
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In support of your local pharmacy and what it can do for you
Posted on Aug. 15, 2021
Our friendly pharmacist, Anne Marie Ready, has written this piece for our newsletter. Our team greatly appreciates the support of our local pharmacists, who frequently communicate with our medical team to ensure our patients get the best results. They are a backstop who check we prescribe optimally, support patients, provide information to us about patient medication usage (or misuse) and we believe their input is essential to safe patient care. We do not get this service from the big new pharmacy supercentres that are beginning to take over. Please support your local community pharmacy.
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Fit bit Friyay - come along and join the fun
Posted on May 27, 2021
Gentle exercise at your pace. Restorative breathing. Stretching. Supported socialisation. Fridays 1pm at Medplus Hauraki weather permitting. Bring walking shoes.
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Introduction to yoga
Posted on May 27, 2021
Complimentary 6 sessions of yoga for Medplus patients.
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Fit-Bit-Fryay!
Posted on April 8, 2021
Meet at Medplus Hauraki every Friday at 1 pm (weather permitting) for an hour of fitness with your Health Coach and HIP.
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Coeliac Disease Guide
Posted on Feb. 2, 2021
Unfortunately, there is a lot of eye-rolling when people announce they are on a gluten-free diet, probably because there is an awful lot of confusion and misunderstanding between coeliac disease, food allergies, intolerances, and those on low carb diets by choice. With coeliac disease affecting about 70, 000 Kiwis, (1/80 are affected here, more than the 1/100 in other Western countries) it is important to understand it to support those around you who must live with this disorder lifelong.
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Mask up if you are visiting Medplus
Posted on Aug. 27, 2020
We are asking everyone who has to visit Medplus for healthcare to wear a face covering please. This helps protect you and it helps protect us.
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Our Next Normal.
Posted on June 18, 2020
Our resident psychologist, Frank Hayes, discusses challenges as we co-create the "Next Normal" and move forward post-Covid.
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Managing anxiety in times of uncertainty
Posted on May 13, 2020
Tiare Tolks is a local clinical psychologist who provides advice on how to manage anxiety in times of uncertainty.
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Psychologist tips for a balanced life in times of stress
Posted on April 22, 2020
Today my tip is about the importance of maintaining a balanced life, every day. We need balance in our lives if we are to sustain our energy, mental well being and resilience to deal with daily challenges. To keep your tank full on a daily basis I encourage you to live by the rule of BACE!
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What immunisations have I had? I can't remember.
Posted on Oct. 16, 2019
Every immunisation given at Medplus is recorded on the Health 365 Patient Portal so you can review your history whenever you need to and share it with schools or your workplace if required.
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Menopause - The Lowdown on Bioidentical Hormones
Posted on Oct. 14, 2019
Now that we are promoting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women who are suffering from the symptoms of menopause as a safe and effective way to manage them there are questions about alternative therapies. Some women are asking about Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT) and the topic has caused much debate. So what are they and are they safe?
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Hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms
Posted on Aug. 21, 2019
The benefits of HRT outweigh the risks and can greatly improve the quality of life for many menopausal women.
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JUST COOK for healthy ageing
Posted on Aug. 1, 2019
A FREE 4 week programme for older people with limited cooking skills or who have lost confidence and motivation to cook
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Intermittent Fasting could help tackle diabetes
Posted on March 10, 2019
Intermittent fasting is currently all the rage. But don't be fooled: it's much more than just the latest fad. Recent studies of this kind of fasting – with restricted eating part of the time, but not all of the time – have produced a number of successes, but the latest involving diabetes might be the most impressive yet.
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Skipping breakfast may help you lose weight - what hunter gatherers can teach us
Posted on March 10, 2019
There is now considerable evidence from these studies that skipping breakfast can be an effective way to reduce weight for some people. So why has the field got it so wrong in the past?
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Eat your vegetables – studies show plant-based diets are good for immunity
Posted on March 10, 2019
While not all vegetarians are necessarily following a healthy diet, research shows vegetarianism can have many benefits for health
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Verrucae and Warts – a stubborn problem
Posted on Aug. 24, 2018
Verrucae and warts on the feet have traditionally been difficult and stubborn to resolve, with remedies varying from natural treatments such as tea tree oil or banana skins, through a range of topical acids, to cryotherapy (with liquid nitrogen) and even surgery. But there is now a new option, with the development of microwave technology
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Free National Bowel Screening Programme
Posted on July 4, 2018
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world and it is the second highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand. If you are aged between 60 to 74 you can have a free bowel screening test. If you have any changes to your bowel habit please come in to see your Medplus doctor.
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A gift to yourself and your family. Living for today, planning for tomorrow.
Posted on April 3, 2018
Advance care planning is the process of thinking about, talking about and planning for future health care and end of life care
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Plantar Fasciitis – heel pain
Posted on April 3, 2018
Typically, those suffering present with foot pain that is agonising when they take their first steps in the morning. They describe it as a 'stone bruise' under their heel, and it makes them limp and hobble around for a few minutes until it eases off.
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Swimmer's Ear – the infection of a good Kiwi summer
Posted on March 12, 2018
In balmy summer weather many of us will be found in or near the water, jumping off the wharf, surfing or just splashing around in the sea. Whilst this is part of the Kiwi dream of an idyllic summer, it can lead to a painful and common ear infection, swimmer's ear or otitis externa.
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Varicose veins
Posted on Dec. 3, 2017
Everyone will be familiar with varicose veins – the tortuous and distended blue blood vessels that creep over up to 25% of adults' legs.
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Bowel Screening in New Zealand
Posted on June 7, 2017
This month is bowel cancer awareness month. New Zealand has one of the highest bowel cancer death rates in the Western world and it is the second most common cancer diagnosed here
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Difficulty sleeping? Try our tips
Posted on March 24, 2017
Just as brushing (and flossing!) teeth is a fundamental part of good teeth hygiene, there are certain things you can do to maintain good sleep habits
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Student Check List
Posted on Feb. 3, 2017
Is there a young person in your house off to university shortly?
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Antibacterial soap – not as clean as it should be
Posted on Dec. 21, 2016
Over the last few years there have been reports that antibacterial soap is superfluous. Washing our hands with any type of soap reduces infection, and using an antibacterial soap gives little if any additional benefit.
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Gut Microbes keep you healthy
Posted on June 22, 2016
We are just beginning to understand the importance of these tiny, single cell organisms, which play an essential role breaking down and processing food, producing chemicals that keep us healthy and fit.
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Spot Check
Posted on March 23, 2016
Do you have a mole or spot that you are worried about? In New Zealand we have a high rate of skin cancers, including melanomas. You should check your skin every few months for any new moles that develop
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Vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin
Posted on Feb. 11, 2016
There are imminent changes regarding dispensing of Cal. D. Forte, a commonly prescribed Vitamin D supplement. The product can still be prescribed but there may be reduced subsidy and supplies may become limited.
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Diabetes Awareness Month
Posted on Nov. 15, 2015
Prediabetes, have you been checked? It’s Diabetes Awareness Month.
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Are smartphones good for your health
Posted on Dec. 4, 2013
Smart phones have invaded our consultation rooms and we are better off for it. Innovative patients take photos of their rashes (so we can see they looked at their peak), record their husbands snoring (to try and help us with the diagnosis of sleep apnoea) ...
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Myfitnesspal
Posted on Dec. 4, 2013
This free app not only easily tracks your calorie intake but it breaks it down into sugars, fat and protein and tells you where you are going wrong. It also moni-tors your weight, your waist and hip measurements. It also records your exercise and how ...
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I.C.E.
Posted on Dec. 3, 2013
In case of emergency apps can provide essential health information about you when you are too unwell to give the information yourself. The better versions appear on your home screen, so are accessible before passwords have to be entered. These are useful for people with ...
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