Did you know that August is all about the Tradie?

These heroes push their bodies to extremes. They do this in order to squeeze into small spaces, bend around corners and stretch to impossible heights.

All this in an attempt to deliver the product or service that we have hired them for. Plumbers, Electricians, Cabinetmakers. All making valuable and irreplaceable contributions to our lives, our standard of living and our wellbeing.

But what damage are these everyday guys doing to their bodies and how can they help reduce these injuries?

Fatigue:

A big player in any tradies life is the inability to get that work/life balance right at certain times of the year.

If you work outside there are a few windows of opportunity to rack up the hours and the money to stare away for a (literally) rainy day

Be aware of the hours that you are working and do take care to make sure you get plenty of R & R no matter how tempting to keep going. It is all well and good working 14 hours a day for four weeks straight than being laid up for a week unable to work.

Spring and Autumn are probably the most lucrative times of year for a tradie that works outside. The rain holds off and the sun isn’t too harsh. That doesn’t mean the sun can’t create problems long term. If you work outside you really should get your Skin Health Check undertaken annually. It is a quick and painless exercise which can put your mind at rest for another year!

Aches and Pains:

As bodies get older they are less resilient (as a general rule) and they struggle to repair themselves. It takes longer to get over a knock or a late night! You need to look after your body – it is the only one you get to occupy this time around!

Regular check-ups at your GP will help you identify any potential issues further down the road.

Chiropractors can offer a really valuable service and help keep your back and spine healthy. A healthy spine is really important to maintaining a healthy body.

Joint Pain:

Constant movement, squirming around and general contortionist activities are undertaken by many tradies can lead to joint pain.

One of the best ways to avoid this is a fitness regime that allows you to use your joints effectively and with as little strain as possible. Regular visits to the gym not only give you something else to think about but can really help strengthen your joints. This helps in avoiding troubles later in life.

Hearing, sight..

Health and Safety are much more aware of the damage that can be done to eyes and ears and tradies are encouraged to take the necessary precautions.

Unfortunately, not everyone does and this can lead to major issues further down the track. You should make sure you get regular checks on your ears and your eyes so that you can identify any issues early enough to do something about it!

Dust Inhalation:

Dependant on the environment in which you work this may or may not be an issue for you. There are tests that can be done that can check that your lung functions are not compromised by dust or inhalation of any kind.

Do yourself a favour an organise a full health check and give yourself peace of mind!

This year’s Diabetes Awareness Week is happening between the 9th and 16th July and we wanted to encourage you to come along and see a Doctor if you are concerned about Diabetes. Below you will find some of the facts:

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin. Type 1 diabetes is not linked to lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise etc. There is no cure and it cannot avoided.

Type 1 diabetes:

• Occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin

• Represents around 10 per cent of all cases of diabetes and is considered a chronic childhood condition

• Onset is usually abrupt and the symptoms obvious

• Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness and blurred vision

• Is managed with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump.

What happens if people with type 1 diabetes don’t receive insulin?

Without insulin the body burns its own fats as a substitute. This then releases chemical substances in the blood. Without ongoing injections of insulin, these chemical substances will accumulate and can be life threatening.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. It does have a strong family link and cannot be prevented. We also know that it has nothing to do with lifestyle, although maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important in helping to manage type 1 diabetes.

At this stage nothing can be done to prevent or cure type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms include:

• Being excessively thirsty

• Passing more urine

• Feeling tired and lethargic

• Always feeling hungry

• Having cuts that heal slowly

• Itching, skin infections

• Blurred vision

• Unexplained weight loss

• Mood swings

• Headaches

• Feeling dizzy

• Leg cramps.

These symptoms may occur with no warning. See a doctor if you are struggling with any of these symptoms. Through a simple test, a doctor can find out if they’re the result of type 1 diabetes.

Management, care and treatment

Type 1 diabetes is controlled with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump. While your lifestyle choices didn’t cause type 1 diabetes, the choices you make from here on in can reduce the impact of diabetes-related complications. These include kidney disease, limb amputation and blindness.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. We do not know what causes type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors. Type 2 diabetes also has strong genetic and family related risk factors.

Type 2 diabetes:

• Is diagnosed when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (reduced insulin production) and/or the insulin does not work effectively and/or the cells of the body do not respond to insulin effectively (known as insulin resistance)

• Represents 85–90 per cent of all cases of diabetes

• Usually develops in adults over the age of 45 years but is increasingly occurring in younger age groups including children, adolescents and young adults

• Is more likely in people with a family history of type 2 diabetes or from particular ethnic backgrounds

• For some the first sign may be a complication of diabetes such as a heart attack, vision problems or a foot ulcer

• Is managed with a combination of regular physical activity, healthy eating and weight reduction. As type 2 diabetes is often progressive, most people will need oral medications and/or insulin injections in addition to lifestyle changes over time.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes runs in the family. If you have a family member with diabetes, you have a genetic disposition to the condition.

While people may have a strong genetic disposition towards type 2 diabetes, the risk is greatly increased if people display a number of modifiable lifestyle factors. These include high blood pressure and being overweight or obese. Insufficient physical activity, poor diet and the classic ‘apple shape’ body where extra weight is carried around the waist are also indicators.

People are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes if they:

• have a family history of diabetes

• are older (over 55 years of age ) – the risk increases as we age

• are over 45 years of age and are overweight

• are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure

• are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background

• are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background

• are a woman who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Symptoms

Many people with type 2 diabetes display no symptoms. As type 2 diabetes is commonly (but not always) diagnosed at a later age, sometimes signs are dismissed as a part of ‘getting older’. By the time type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the complications of diabetes may already be present.

Symptoms include:

• Being overly thirsty

• Passing more urine

• Feeling tired and lethargic

• Always feeling hungry

• Having cuts that heal slowly

• Itching, skin infections

• Blurred vision

• Gradually putting on weight

• Mood swings

• Headaches

• Feeling dizzy

• Leg cramps

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

There is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes. The condition can be managed through lifestyle modifications and medication however. Type 2 diabetes is progressive and must be managed effectively to prevent complications.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (sometimes referred to as GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy only. Most women will no longer have diabetes after the baby is born. However, some women will continue to have high blood glucose levels after delivery. It is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels first appear during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia. It affects thousands of pregnant women. Between 12% and 14% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes and this usually occurs around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. All pregnant women should be tested for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy (except those women who already have diabetes). Women who have risk factors for gestational diabetes should be tested earlier in their pregnancy.

Who is at increased risk of gestational diabetes?

Women at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes include those who:

• Are aged 40 years or over

• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes or a first-degree relative (mother or sister) who has had gestational diabetes

• Are above the healthy weight range

• Have had elevated blood glucose levels in the past

• Are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

• Are from a Melanesian, Polynesian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern or Indian background

• Have had gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies

• Have previously had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Have previously given birth to a large baby (weighing more than 4.5kg)

• Are taking some types of anti-psychotic or steroid medications

• Have gained weight too rapidly in the first half of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can also occur in women with no known risk factors.

What to do after being diagnosed?

For many women, being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can be distressing. It is important to remember that the majority of women with gestational diabetes have a healthy pregnancy. They will usually go on to have a normal delivery and a healthy baby. The treatment is a healthy eating plan, regular physical activity and monitoring and maintaining blood glucose levels in the target range.

Risks of developing type 2 diabetes

While maternal blood glucose levels usually return to normal after birth, there is an increased risk of the woman developing type 2 diabetes in the future. The baby may also be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Depending on your risk factors, you will also need to be tested for type 2 diabetes again every one to three years. Ask your doctor for more information.

If you are concerned or are showing any of the symptoms of Diabetes then go along and visit your doctor. Better safe than sorry!

August – It’s All About The Tradie!