January 26, 2017

Self-medicating may be harmful to your health. Is it right for us to be doing so and when do we know we have gone overboard? Most people who are on Medical Aid schemes have resorted to self-medication to save on their day- to-day benefits. This is done to cut out the consultation fee, which usually adds up to a lot of money and contributes to depleting the members’ day-to-day benefits. Those who do not have medical aid or cannot afford it, consult with pharmacists and also cut out the consultation with an attempt to cut on costs. The question is, who is diagnosing us and is the diagnosis correct? We are diagnosing ourselves and this undermines the role of our doctors. Self-diagnosing could worsen our conditions and also lead to complications. Although symptoms are vital in identifying an illness, you... Read More

Most of us in the working world sit at our desks for most of the day. It’s time to take advantage of the warmer weather and attempt to be more physically active – even at work. Use your lunch break or even your tea break to move around and get your heart pumping. There are many advantages to being physically active. When you can’t get away from your desk, stand, stretch and do some desk exercises. Being active can assist you with avoiding conditions such as breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer. You will reduce your body fat and avoid having issues with your blood pressure and glucose levels. In an era where most people suffer from psychological problems, it is good to know that physical activity can assist in managing conditions such as anxiety, depression and mood disorders. The... Read More

I am sure that all of us have experienced a cold and ‘flu at some point in our lives. The question is, do we know the difference? To know the difference means that you know how to treat it, otherwise you could be treating your symptoms the wrong way. Influenza commonly known as ‘flu’ is dangerous as it can kill you if not treated properly. Although the symptoms are similar, there is a difference between the common cold and flu. When you have a cold, your symptoms would be: Sneezing Runny or blocked nose Sore throat Mild cough that could get worse at night or in the morning The symptoms usually last about 4 days A fever is rare in adults, but it does occur when you have the flu. Your symptoms usually are: Fever Chills Headache Sneezing Blocked or... Read More

We never think it will happen to us… Ever thought of what you would do, if you found yourself in an emergency situation? It is imperative to always know what to do in such cases, as this could be the difference between life and death. It is important that you communicate the emergency numbers of your medical aid scheme to your family, including your children. Most people have cell phones and can store the numbers so that when they are at work or school they can call for help quickly. Educate your family on what to do should a medical emergency happen to them or someone around them. Medical aid cards and stickers for your car are also very important to have, as they assist in the case of an emergency. If something were to happen to you while driving,... Read More