Hookworms may provide a key to treating coeliac disease, according to research undertaken in Australia Persons with Coeliac disease cannot tolerate the wheat protein, gluten, in their diet. This is a challenge as they cannot eat regular bread, pasta, and even some medications. The study found that infection with a common species of hookworm (necator […]

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Patients with type 1 diabetes should ensure that their seatbacks are upright, their seatbelts fastened and their insulin pumps disconnected before takeoff, researchers say. They should also ensure their pump contains only 1.5mL of insulin before flying, remove any air bubbles before reconnecting the pump at cruising altitude, and disconnect again during emergencies. The advice […]

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Dear Readers, could you spare a minute to vote online to help one of my patients win a $5000 grant to build classrooms in a remote Nepalese village school ( I am also one of the directors of the Overseas Aid fund for the Nepal Australia Friendship Association so can vouch for the organisation NAFA) […]

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On July 18, 2010, a previously healthy little girl aged 11 years was hospitalized in Nevada, USA after 2 days of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and neck pain. During 21st June to 12th July, she had visited the Philippines with four relatives and had received numerous mosquito bites. (JE is contracted from a mosquito bite) […]

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Rates of Genital warts have dropped in both young women and and heterosexual men following widespread vaccination of girls and women aged 12-26 years with the cervical cancer vaccine. Since 2007 the vaccine against Human papilloma virus has been provided free to young women in this country. About 80% of eligible adolescent girls have received […]

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I would guess most of my readers love to travel. Now we have a medical excuse? Recently someone sent me this blog post outlining the dangers of sitting at ones desk all day!

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I have recently been asked about Melatonin for jetlag A product circadan = 2 mg slow release melatonin was approved last year in australia by The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in persons over 55 years of age http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/tga-approves-melatonin-for-adult-insomnia However the cochraine review http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001520.html …did not encourage the use of 2mg slow release melatonin […]

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I have some great news that probably wont make it to the headlines of the local papers! I have just been to a meeting in Melbourne. A new vaccine for meningitis should be available in Australia in early November. This type of vaccine has been available in the USA for some years but is only […]

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Front cover – Dr Deb in Morocco ; Aït_Benhaddou Inside back cover – add info on the app P 16 Info on vaccines and blood donation …If you wish to donate blood, it is advisable to donate prior to vaccination or to delay donation for 3 days after receiving inactivated (dead) vaccines ( eg flu) […]

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“If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” ..Department of Foreign Affairs, Australian Government Even if you have insurance, you need to be aware of loopholes. Insurers are expert at finding loopholes so they don’t have to pay your claim. Insurance companies take in a lot more money than they pay out […]

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