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Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition where insulin, a hormone which converts glucose (sugar) from food into energy is no longer produced or is not produced in sufficient amounts by the body.

An estimated 275 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes every day.

It is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease, and is the sixth leading cause of death.

Especially with Childhood obesity at rise it is becoming a day to day issue in most Australian households.

To realise the seriousness of the condition this is just an example and I would regard it as a Tip of Iceberg More than 4,400 diabetes-related amputations occur annually in Australia, marking it as a major health issue. As the second highest rate in the developed world, this equals over 10,000 hospital admissions per year for foot ulcers. Diabetes causes 60% of all amputations in Australia, but up to 85% of these are considered preventable through early detection and proper management Doctors on Springvale are committed to tackle this problem first hand by empowering our patients with appropriate knowledge and guidance.

There are a range of services that we offer to diabetic patients:

Diabetes General Practitioner Management Plan (GPMP) – this care plan allows you to have up to 5 bulk billed visits to a range of allied health professionals, including: diabetic educator, podiatrist, dietician and physiotherapist. This care plan is reviewed annually.

Diabetic Check-this is an ongoing treatment program run in partnership with your regular GP and one of our experienced practice nurses. Throughout this course of treatment your practice nurse with our of team of Allied health staff and pathology services will try to monitor and provide guidance with a team approach to minimise the complication related to this condition.

For more information on diabetes and how best to manage it visit http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

If you are not diabetic but are concerned about being at risk, pop into the clinic and fill out The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool or speak to your GP. This is an especially good idea if you are over 40 years of age.

Men’s Health

General practitioners (GPs) find that while women frequently visit for routine maintenance, men are more likely to treat their bodies like a vehicle that only needs attention when it breaks down.

This “fix-it-when-it-breaks” mentality can be life-threatening because many of the most serious conditions, such as heart disease and early-stage cancer, are asymptomatic in their early phases.

Doctors ON Springvale emphasize that seeking help is a sign of proactive management, not a lack of strength. Key insights from GPs include

The “Silent” Risk: Conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes often don’t “feel” like anything until they have already caused damage.

Early Intervention Saves Lives: Most men die in greater numbers from non-sex-specific health problems than women. Doctors stress that catching a “niggling” pain early can prevent a major event like a heart attack.

Performance Beyond the Physical: GPs want men to know they are also here for “lifestyle” issues-snoring, stress, and sexual health-which are often linked to larger systemic problems like cardiovascular health.

Essential Preventative “Service” Intervals To stay ahead of the game, doctors on springvale recommend specific screenings based on your age: Under 40s: Establishing a relationship with a GP you trust is the first step. Focus on baseline blood pressure checks and mental health literacy to manage work-related stress and burnout.

45 and Over: This is the critical window for Heart Health Checks. Doctors will assess cholesterol, sugar levels, and family history to map out your long-term risk.

Asthma

In Australia, asthma remains a significant public health issue, affecting approximately 2.8 million people (around 11% of the population).

Recent data from 2024 and 2025 highlight a stubborn plateau in mortality and a disproportionate impact on specific demographic groups.

Current Mortality and Incidence (2024–2025)

Deaths in 2024: There were 478 deaths attributed to asthma in 2024, nearly identical to the 480 deaths recorded in 2023.

Gender Gap: Women continue to be significantly more affected, accounting for 67% (322 deaths) of total asthma fatalities in 2024. Women aged over 75 are particularly at risk, representing half of all asthma deaths.

Disease Burden: Asthma is the leading cause of disease burden for children aged 1–9 years and the second leading cause for those aged 10–14 Effective asthma management in general practice centres on a continuous “cycle of care” that prioritises accurate diagnosis, patient-led goal setting, and regular reviews.

The Core Cycle of Care

GPs manage asthma through a systematic process aimed at maintaining good symptom control and reducing the risk of future flare-ups

Diagnosis & Assessment: Doctors on Springvale use a combination of history, physical examination, and spirometry (referral to respiratory physician) to confirm asthma and assess its severity.

Written Asthma Action Plans: A critical tool provided by GPs, these plans offer clear instructions on daily maintenance and specific steps to take during a flare-up. (requested by schools and Child care centres)

Regular Review: Patients should ideally be reviewed every 3 to 6 months—or 2 to 4 weeks after an exacerbation—to adjust medication “steps” based on current control.

Inhaler Technique: GPs and practice nurses frequently check device technique, as incorrect use is a major cause of poor asthma control.

Vaccination recommendation especially FLU vaccination (Influenza vaccination annual), Covid Vaccination (6 monthly ), Pneumococcal vaccination, etc.

Key Educational Resources

Australian Asthma Handbook: The national authority on evidence-based guidelines for primary care health professionals.

Asthma Australia: Provides downloadable Asthma Action Plans and patient education modules.