Lifestyle choices - Independent medicine & health information for consumers & professionals Lifestyle choices

Tips to help you tackle your depression by making lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, healthy eating, & avoiding drugs & alcohol.

Type 2 diabetes is best managed & treated with the help of a team of health professionals with varied expertise. Find out how health professionals, from your GP to dietitian, can help you manage your type 2 diabetes.

Hypoglycaemia (hypos) is when your blood glucose levels drop too low. This can be caused by too much medication, eating too little, a missed or late meal, too much exercise, or drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Read more.

A healthy diet is important for anyone with type 2 diabetes, whether or not you are taking medicines. Learn to manage your glucose intake & blood glucose levels by eating whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish & lean meat.

The combination of smoking & diabetes increases the risk of heart disease & other complications. Quitting smoking will improve your health & reduce the risk of other illnesses.

Reviews need to assess cardiovascular risk even in uncomplicated hypetension. Importance of using lifestyle change. Some cases may only need 1 medicine.

Emily (28-years-old) was diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 months ago. She was prescribed an antipsychotic (risperidone) and in the last 6 months her dose has been stable.

How are you managing your patients who require antipsychotics? Review 10 patients

Lists recommended monitoring intervals and what you need to check for in patients taking antipsychotic medicines long term. Print (2 pages) and add this the patient's notes.

This NPS News discusses ways to achieve the most favourable balance of clinical benefits and adverse effects for people with a psychotic illness or behavioural symptoms of dementia.

People with type 1 diabetes are often at greater risk of developing complications such as blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Find out about the medicines available for these conditions and the lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise that can help.

The combination of smoking & diabetes increases the risk of heart disease & other complications. Quitting smoking will improve your health & reduce the risk of other illnesses.

Hypoglycaemia (hypos) is when your blood glucose levels drop too low. This can be caused by too much medication, eating too little, a missed or late meal, too much exercise, or drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Read more.

Physical activity is important in managing type 1 diabetes. Moderate exercise reduces blood glucose levels as the cells take up glucose from the blood during activity. Read more & watch a video on managing your health through lifestyle changes.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, so a healthy lifestyle is vital in managing your diabetes. Follow a healthy diet, be physically active, check glucose levels regularly, avoid alcohol & quit smoking.

The glycaemic index (GI) rates foods according to how quickly the glucose they contain is digested & released into the blood stream. Discover which foods are low GI & the high GI foods you should avoid.

Patient presents to discuss her risk of osteoporosis. Her mother has just been diagnosed osteoporosis following a fractured neck of femur.

Male presents with three month history of intermittent non-specific epigastric discomfort after eating. He has not previously taken any medication for the discomfort.

Patient presents for review of his blood pressure which has remained high despite following diet and exercise recommendations. Decision to treat the hypertension is made.

Patient requests help to reduce his alcohol intake which is beginning to affect his work. He is overweight and takes atenolol to treat his hypertension.

Patient recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes represents after trial of lifestyle measures. He has lost 2kg but his random blood glucose is 11.5 mmol/l.

Patient presents to discuss her risk of osteoporosis. Her mother has just been diagnosed osteoporosis following a fractured neck of femur.

Male presents with three month history of intermittent non-specific epigastric discomfort after eating. He has not previously taken any medication for the discomfort.

Patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus has a myocardial infarction and makes lifestyle changes. Examines optimal prescriptions when hyperglycaemia is persistent.

Patient requests help to reduce his alcohol intake which is beginning to affect his work. He is overweight and takes atenolol to treat his hypertension.

Patient recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes represents after trial of lifestyle measures. He has lost 2kg but his random blood glucose is 11.5 mmol/l.

Patient presents with hot flushes and wishes to discuss the benefits and risks of HRT for prevention about which she has heard conflicting reports.

An information leaflet answering important questions that patients may have on lifestyle changes that help with the management of type 2 diabetes.

A patient information leaflet that can be used by doctors to reinforce verbal instructions given on how to reduce doses of sleeping tablets and sedatives.

Quick guide to lifestyle interventions for preventing osteoporosis and reducing fracture risk.

Reviews management of GORD, including lifestyle and medications, and non-ulcer dyspepsia looking at Helicobacter pylori infection treatment.

Information on managing dyslipidaemia, including who should be treated with lipid-modifying therapy (i.e. lifestyle and/or drug therapy). Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided.

Changes in practice in the discharge management of patients with a discharge diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) after a targeted intervention. Wai A, Mulligan K, Robertson M, Pulver L, Taylor D, Maxwell D, Oliver K, Loh S, Nash R, Thompson A. National Medicine Symposium, 26-28 May 2010, Melbourne, Australia

MedicinesTalk Summer 2009 has articles on medicines for high blood pressure, vaccinations, help for people with chronic illness and home medicines reviews.

Learn about lifestyle measures for dealing with sleep problems, to avoid the use of sleeping tablets. Tips include keeping a regular routine throughout the day and relaxing in the evening.

Undiagnosed or poorly treated diabetes, is significant for those at risk, particularly people over 50 years of age.

Educates adult ESL patients suffering from stress and anxiety on how to approach their doctor for help and on how to care for themselves.

During Healthy Bone Week (August 1 – 7), NPS MedicineWise is urging Australians to minimise their risk of osteoporosis from an early age through diet and lifestyle changes. This follows a nationwide program working with doctors to improve detection, diagnosis and management of the condition