Who can help you manage and treat your hepatitis B or hepatitis C? If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis B or hepatitis C you NEED appropriate monitoring, management and treatment to protect your health and in particular your liver health. In Australia hepatitis B or hepatitis C can be managed with the help of the following professionals: • All GPs can diagnose hepatitis B or hepatitis C through simple specific blood tests: o They can order blood tests, ultrasounds and Fibroscans and do follow up monitoring for hepatitis B if you do not have significant health problems related to the hepatitis B or if you do not have damage to the liver. o GPs can also prescribe medications to CURE hepatitis C. • Some GPs with advanced training in hepatitis B can prescribe medications for hepatitis B – but if you have damage to (cirrhosis) of the liver or a co-infection with hepatitis C or HIV, the GP will refer you to a Specialist. • Nurse Practitioners (NP) (with advanced training in viral hepatitis): either in hospitals or in
community clinics can care for and prescribe medications for you for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. But if you have damage to (cirrhosis) of the liver, or a co-infection with hepatitis C or HIV, the NP will refer you to A Specialist. • For a list of GPs or Nurse Practitioners who can prescribe medications for hepatitis B go to https://www.ashm.org.au/ PrescriberListing/ If you have significant damage to your liver such as liver cirrhosis, other
significant conditions (such as an acute hepatitis B infection, are pregnant, immunocompromised, have a liver cancer or if you have hepatitis C and have received treatment in the past, or if you have a coinfection (if you are infected with another blood borne infection) you will need to be referred to a specialist for further management and care. Once referred, it may be some time before you see the specialist. It is therefore most important
to remember that you should still see your GP for your liver health if you are awaiting an appointment to be seen. If there are any changes to your general health or if the GP is concerned about your health they will contact the Specialist to discuss appropriate management or to arrange an earlier appointment. Specialists include: o Liver specialists, infectious diseases specialists and some
gastroenterologists provide care for patients with significant illness related to their hepatitis B or hepatitis C. o These specialists can work either in Public or Private Hospitals, or Private Practices. Many specialists work across all three settings. o When the specialist is working in Private Hospitals or Private Practices there will be fees payable at each appointment. o Care provided by a Specialist in a Public Hospital is provided at no cost to you if have a Medicare Card. If you do not have a Medicare Card, there will be fees to be paid before you are seen. The most important thing to remember is to continue to see your GP
and if you become very unwell seek care as soon as possible either at your GP or the emergency department of your nearest hospital. For more information about hepatitis B or hepatitis C please visit the ECCQ webpage at www.eccq.com.au/bbv for information in your language. You can also contact ECCQ at referrals@ eccq.com.au or call (07) 38449166. If you live in Cairns, you can also contact: HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexual Health Coordinator Cairns Sexual Health Service 381 Sheridan St, Cairns North, QLD, 4870 Phone: 4226 4769
Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)
How to Prevent hair-fall during winter Nimisha Modi
Hetvi Hair & Beauty 0412350013
Hey Girls, looking for a treatment that works without the side-effects of chemicals or medications? You should try these home remedies. According to hair experts, losing 50-100 strands of hair every day is fairly normal. It is only a cause of concern when you lose more than that. But you can stop hair fall in its tracks with these simple home remedies. Coconut
This ingredient has several benefits for your hair. Not only does it promote hair growth, but also conditions it. It has essential fats, minerals and proteins which reduce hair breakage and is also rich in potassium and iron. You can use coconut oil or milk to prevent hair fall. Warm a bit of coconut oil and massage it from your hair root to tip.
Wash after one hour. Or, grate a coconut and squeeze out its milk by mixing in a little water. Apply it on the area where you notice thinning or balding. Let it stay overnight and wash off the next morning.
Apply it and leave it on for at least 2 hours. Rinse your hair gently using lukewarm water. Fenugreek seeds
Henna
It is mostly used as a natural hair colour or conditioner, but henna has properties that can strengthen your hair from the root. If you combine it with other ingredients, it makes for a better hair pack. Take 250 ml of mustard oil in a tin can and add 60g of washed and dried henna leaves. Now boil the mixture the leaves should burn and then filter the oil. Massage your scalp with it on a regular basis and store the rest in an airtight bottle. You can make another henna pack by mixing dry henna powder with curd. Apply it on scalp and hair and wash off after one hour. Hibiscus Also called shoe flower,
44 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, April, 2022
Amla or Indian gooseberry
hibiscus nourishes hair, prevents premature greying, treats dandruff and also controls hair fall. Crush a few flowers and mix sesame or coconut oil to make a thin paste. Apply on the scalp and hair and leave it on for a few hours. Rinse off with cold water using a mild shampoo.
For people suffering from hair fall, amla or the Indian gooseberry is a blessing. It is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants that can reverse hair loss if it is in its initial stage. Use either amla juice or powder and mix it with lemon juice.
Use Fenugreek - the age-old remedy for hair growth. Fenugreek has been used to treat hair fall since ages in many parts of the world. Even you can use this spice for growing hair. Soak the 2-3 tablespoons fenugreek seeds in the water for 24 hours. Strain and use the water to rinse hair. Do not immediately was hair with normal water. Let this water be there for at least 3 hours. Then, wash your hair with lukewarm water (never use hot water on your hair) Repeat this daily for at a month to see your hair gaining strength and volume. Fenugreek can also be used to make a hair mask for growing hair faster. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Hair with Apple
cider vinegar has many benefits for your hair. It stimulates the hair follicles and help them grow faster. It also cleanses scalp apart from maintaining the pH balance of hair which accelerates their growth. You just have to use this vinegar as an after-wash rinse. Add apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a final rinse for your hair each time you shampoo your hair. Although it has a mild smell that doesn’t bother anyone too much yet if you want your hair smell good even when they grow with apple cider vinegar, just add a couple of drops of some essential oil (such as lavender oil) to your mixture of water and vinegar. These are easy and effective methods to help avoid hair loss. Treat your hair well now and you hopefully won’t be bald before you reach fifty. Pick a treatment that works for your hair. Have a great day.
