Val’s Alt Care

14/07/2024

For someone with diabetes, their body can't maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. And glucose is, you guessed it, a form of sugar which is our main source of energy. For our bodies to work the way they should, glucose needs to convert into energy.

In diabetes sufferers, the problem is insulin. It's either not produced at all or there's not enough of it. Even with plates packed with breads, cereals, fruit, starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yogurt and sweets (no surprises here), none of it can be converted into energy.

Instead, that sugar remains in the blood and causes high blood glucose levels (glycaemia) - traveling through the blood like an aimless adventurer. To keep the number of 'explorers' in check, levels must be monitored and managed.

Now you realize diabetes is an issue with insulin and not necessarily the amount of sugar, you need to know there's different types. Diabetes is an umbrella term for its different forms: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝟏 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬
Type 1 is classified as an auto-immune condition. The body works against itself by destroying the cells in the pancreas - where insulin is produced. 10-15% of the people with diabetes have type 1, most commonly in 30-somethings. Watch out for these warning signs: constant thirst, excessive urination, weight loss, blurry vision, unexplainable weakness and fatigue. Sufferers carry around insulin injections which are used multiple times a day.

𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝟐 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬
Take a seat if you haven't already. Type 2 diabetes is most common, representing 85-90% of all cases. It's progressive and over time, the body loses its capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. Usually once diagnosed, a person has already lost 50-70% of the cells responsible for producing insulin. The cause is still unknown but what we do know is this: it can be managed by healthy lifestyle choices.

Type 2 is most common in adults over 45, especially in people with a family history of diabetes. Vision problems, stomach (food) ulcers and heart attacks are linked to this second, and more serious, type of diabetes.

Medication, following a healthy lifestyle will double the efficacy of the treatment - insulin injections, regular physical exercise, healthy eating and keeping an eye on weight.

𝐆𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬
This occurs only in pregnant women and usually goes away after the baby is born. Yet, out of all three types, it's the condition that's increasing quickly - affecting 12-14% of soon-to-be mothers. It happens in the second trimester, between the 24th and 28th week. During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to support the baby's growth. Good for the baby but bad for Mum, as these hormones block the action of the woman's insulin.

After the birth, the mother's blood glucose levels usually return to normal. However, there's an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future - both for the mother and the child, when he or she grows. You already know the prevention - healthy eating and regular exercise.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/blog/national-diabetes-week/
https://www.medicalert.org.au

07/07/2024

This year's theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of these amazing communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As we honor this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.

"Blak, Loud and Proud" encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowerment to stand tall in the heritage and assert a place in the modern world. This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.
Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟎 – 𝟏𝟗𝟑𝟎
Before the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups boycotted Australia Day (26 January) in protest against the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. By the 1920s, they were increasingly aware that the broader Australian public were largely ignorant of the boycotts. If the movement were to make progress, it would need to be active.
Several organizations emerged to fill this role, particularly the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association (AAPA) in 1924 and the Australian Aborigines League (AAL) in 1932. Their efforts were largely overlooked, and due to police harassment, the AAPA abandoned their work in 1927.

In 1935, William Cooper, founder of the AAL, drafted a petition to send to King George V, asking for special Aboriginal electorates in the Federal Parliament. The Australian Government believed that the petition fell outside its constitutional responsibilities.

𝟏𝟗𝟑𝟖
On Australia Day, 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney, followed by a congress attended by over a thousand people. One of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world, it was known as the Day of Mourning.

Following the congress, a deputation led by William Cooper presented Prime Minister Joseph Lyons with a proposed national policy for Aboriginal people. This was again rejected because the Government did not hold constitutional powers in relation to Aboriginal people.

After the Day of Mourning, there was a growing feeling that it should be a regular event. In 1939 William Cooper wrote to the National Missionary Council of Australia to seek their assistance in supporting and promoting an annual event.

𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟎 – 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟓
From 1940 until 1955, the Day of Mourning was held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955 Aborigines Day was shifted to the first Sunday in July after it was decided the day should become not simply a protest day but also a celebration of Aboriginal culture.

𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟔 – 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎
Major Aboriginal organizations, state and federal governments, all supported the formation of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC). At the same time, the second Sunday in July became a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.

In 1972, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was formed, as a major outcome of the 1967 referendum.

In 1974, the NADOC committee was composed entirely of Aboriginal members for the first time. The following year, it was decided that the event should cover a week, from the first to second Sunday in July.

In 1984, NADOC asked that National Aborigines Day be made a national public holiday, to help celebrate and recognise the rich cultural history that makes Australia unique. While this has not happened, other groups have echoed the call.

𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟏 – 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭
With a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture. The committee then became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). This new name has become the title for the whole week, not just the day.

The National NAIDOC Committee respectfully acknowledges the now defunct and inaccurate term 'Aborigines', whilst retaining the term in title due to historic use by the Elders in establishing this week of commemoration in 1938. As at 1967 the ongoing registered title of the Committee became the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
https://www.naidoc.org.au/

28/06/2024

At Fight NQ Fight Night we proudly witness some epic skills on display demonstrated by our our very own Cairns Swordcraft Group. If you missed out this time, don't worry, there's definitely more action to come so keep an eye out for their adventure has only just started.

As well as a shoutout to the amazing fighters who absolutely killed it at the Fight NQ Fight Night!

28/06/2024

Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue condition. It is generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic conditions.

One of the common symptoms is the thickening or hardening of the skin. It comes from the Greek: sclero = hard, derma = skin.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚?
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease. It's a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your body, your immune system attacks healthy tissues and this causes your body to make too much collagen, making your skin and connective tissues hard and tight. It's not clear what causes the immune system to malfunction, but it may be a combination of genes and environmental factors. Females are affected more than males, and most people are diagnosed between the ages of 25 to 55 years.

What are the different types of scleroderma?
Scleroderma varies widely in different patients, with some having only very minor problems, while others can have a very serious illness. The majority of patients have milder conditions.

There are two types of scleroderma – limited and diffuse. The extent of skin involvement is used to divide patients into these two groups.

𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚
Limited scleroderma usually causes Raynaud’s phenomena and hardening of the skin in the hands. Other internal organ involvement can occur, usually over a period of many years with the condition. About 70% of people with systemic scleroderma have limited scleroderma.

𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚
Diffuse scleroderma can affect the skin on the hands, forearms, trunk, upper arms and thighs. Patients with this condition often have a more systemic condition affecting other organs and tissues. They can require more intensive treatment. Approximately 30% of patients have the more diffuse form.

Although most patients can be classified as having either limited or diffuse scleroderma, different people may have different symptoms or combinations of symptoms.

How is scleroderma treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for scleroderma. But there are treatments available.

Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and which organs are affected.

In general, treatment for scleroderma aims to:
• Manage your symptoms
• Minimize damage to your body
• Maintain your functioning

Treatment may involve several different healthcare professionals — you may need to see a:
• Rheumatologist
• Dermatologist
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational therapist

Treatments for Raynaud phenomenon can help with your symptoms and help prevent complications. These include self-care treatments (see below) and medicines. Self-care measures and medicines can also help treat reflux.

Medicines that suppress your immune system can help some people with scleroderma. Regular testing for complications and follow-up with your doctor are also needed.

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚
Many people with scleroderma can help manage their condition with self-care and lifestyle measures.

Self-care measures may make it easier to live with scleroderma.

• Avoid getting cold and wear gloves and socks to keep your hands and feet warm, to prevent Raynaud phenomenon.
• Keep your skin moisturized and clean to prevent dryness and infection.
• Look after your hands, feet and nails.
• Do a regular range of motion exercises, especially for your hands and face, to help keep your skin and joints flexible.

Lifestyle adjustments can also help.
• Quit smoking (or va**ng) and avoid exposure to smoke.
• Avoid air pollution as much as possible.
• Do some aerobic exercise, which can help improve lung function.
• Rest when you need to.
• Try to avoid stress and do relaxation exercises.

You can also talk to your doctor or an occupational therapist about aids and equipment that can make it easier to manga day to day.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/scleroderma

21/06/2024

Join us tonight to witness an exhilarating Muay Thai showdown featuring some of our top fighters! Don't miss the action-packed event and be ready for an unforgettable experience!

10/06/2024

10/06/2024

Additional photos~

10/06/2024

Get your fists ready, because we're bringing you the best of Muay Thai action at Fight NQ! It's going to be an adrenaline-pumping night filled with high-energy fights and jaw-dropping techniques. So gather your friends and get ready to witness some mind-blowing skills and fierce competition

See you all at Fight NQ Fight Night Saturday 22nd of June! Let's show our support and make some noise for these warriors!

Show starts at 2pm and is $5 entry at the door. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the night. Cash only!

10/06/2024

A successful and wonderful time at Townsville Pop Fest 2024 from the combined effort of both Swordcraft Cairns and Townsville.

So mark your calendars and keep an eye out for us next year. Trust me, you don't want to miss this!!

03/06/2024

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is characterized by the formation of abnormal protein clumps and tangled fibers in the brain, which lead to the degeneration and eventual loss of brain cells. Common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and problem-solving, and changes in mood and behavior. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience challenges in performing daily activities and require increasing support and care.

Alzheimer's has no cure, but two treatments — aducanumab and lecanemab — demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s. (Aducanumab will be discontinued on Nov. 1, 2024) Other treatments can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort underway to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset and prevent it from developing.

10 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S

It’s possible for individuals to experience one or more of these signs in varying degrees. It is not necessary to experience every sign in order to raise concern.

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar task
• Confusion with time or places
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing items and listing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

12/05/2024

International Nurses' Day 2024 under the theme: 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲.

May 12th has marked International Nurses Day every year since it was first celebrated back in 1965. The date was chosen as it’s the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The founder of modern nursing and healthcare legend changed the way we care for patients, revolutionized hospital hygiene and turned nursing into the respected profession it is today.

As well as being a fantastic opportunity to recognise the contributions Florence Nightingale made to medicine, International Nurses Day allows us to show our appreciation for the entire nursing profession. From nurses working in war zones and developing countries to those caring for the frail and vulnerable in local family clinics, nurses do invaluable work in healthcare settings around the world. If you’re a nurse, or just want to support those working in the vocation, celebrating this important day is a fantastic way to show you care.

Although they play an incredibly important role in health systems around the world, nurses are often under appreciated. International Nurses Day gives us all an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the hard work, sacrifice and dedication nurses put into caring for their patients as it acts as a platform to discuss the challenges facing the profession, including workforce shortages, the need for improved compensation and working conditions, and the importance of professional development and education. The themes chosen for IND each year reflect current global health priorities and the critical role of nursing in addressing these issues, advocating for policies that support and empower nurses.

Lastly, International Nurses Day encourages a broader understanding and appreciation of the value of nursing in society. It brings to the forefront the economic and societal benefits of investing in nursing and highlights the need for a shift in perspective that sees nurses not just as caregivers but as essential components of healthcare leadership, policy-making, and management. Celebrating IND helps to elevate the status of nursing, encouraging more people to join the profession, and supporting the advancement of nursing science and practice.

10/05/2024

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of the body, including the heart, kidney, lungs, blood, joints and skin.

With lupus, the immune system produces an excess of proteins called antibodies that attach themselves to various structures in the body. While anyone can develop lupus, 90% of people with the disease are women. It has no known causes or cure, and can be disabling and potentially fatal.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀
Despite many years of research, the cause of lupus is still not known. Scientists believe there are several things that may trigger the formation of the antibodies, including genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Some of the possible triggers include:

• Hormones (females between the age of 15 and 45 are most commonly affected)
• Certain medications
• Dietary factors
• Viruses and bacteria
• Stress
• Genetics
• Pregnancy
• Exposure to UV light

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗹𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀?
Although lupus can affect anybody, 90% of lupus patients are women. Of these, 90% develop the condition during their reproductive years.

Lupus affects people the world over, although there is a higher incidence in certain regions of the world and in certain ethnic groups. For example, in the United States, African Americans, Latinos and Asians are more commonly affected than Caucasians. Lupus is more common in the Philippines and China than in Japan.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻
Although lupus is most common in young women, it is not unheard of in children. Most children are diagnosed around puberty, although there are rare cases in children younger than 5 years. Symptoms in childhood lupus are very similar to adult lupus although they are usually more serious. For this reason, children are generally given more aggressive treatment that aims to control the disease before it involves major organs.

𝗠𝗲𝗻
Lupus is much more rare in men than women (occurring at a rate of approximately one man for every nine women) but does occur. Unlike women, who tend to develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 45 years, there is no distinct “risk period” where men are more likely to present with lupus. Men tend to experience slightly different symptoms that are often more severe than in women.

𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀
Few people develop lupus in old age and it is generally a much milder

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀
Lupus was first described way back in the time of Hippocrates in Ancient Greece. The word “Lupus” means “wolf” in Latin. There are at least two explanations why the word “lupus” was chosen to describe the disease we now know formally as systemic lupus erythematosus.

One explanation is that lupus was so named because the common butterfly rash seen on the cheeks and nose of many lupus patients is similar to the facial markings of a wolf. An alternative explanation relates to the early use of the word “lupus” to describe skin ulcers. In the sixteenth century, certain skin ulcers were compared to a hungry wolf eating the sufferer’s flesh.

In the 1800s doctors named another disease involving skin lesions “lupus erythematosus”. These lesions were not ulcers but rather were red regions where the skin was thinner than normal.

When doctors discovered that a bacterium was responsible for many of the skin ulcers that were called lupus and that these ulcers cleared up with antibiotic treatment, they realized that lupus erythematosus was a separate condition. It was not until 1872 that doctors realized lupus erythematosus affected parts of the body other than the skin. The condition was given the name lupus erythematosus disseminatus, and the first of the symptoms were documented.