health
While the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions slowly roll back in Hong Kong , it is clear they are going to have a lasting impact on our health . It is rare to find someone who has not been significantly impacted by COVID-19 , says Dr Dianna Cooke .
The disruption of home schooling , gym closures , working from home , social isolation , and job instability , have had a significant impact on all facets of our health .
The combination of these stress factors and the understandable desire to isolate as much as possible , means many people have pushed their preventative health care to the side . Childhood vaccinations have been delayed , routine women ’ s health checks like pap smears and breast screening are being put off and testing for blood pressure , cholesterol and diabetes are being sidelined .
However , the reality is that your health and that of your family can not and should not wait . So here are some tips to help you get back on track .
Kids Vaccinations A lot of parents have been worried about bringing their young children into clinics and have delayed routine childhood vaccinations . The worry with this is that we risk seeing the reemergence of preventable diseases like Pertussis ( Whooping Cough ) over the coming months . If you have ongoing concerns about bringing your baby in to see your doctor , speak with your clinic . You may be able to arrange to come at a quieter time , attend a separate area of the clinic , or even arrange a home visit .
Check in on Your Mental Health Nearly every patient that I am currently seeing is struggling to some extent . With entire families schooling and working from home , isolation from family and friends abroad , worry about the pandemic , financial and career instability , increased alcohol intake , decreased exercise , COVID-19 has provided us with an abundance of mental health challenges .
Take some time to really check in with yourself , your family and friends . Ask yourself what you can bring back into your life that helps keep you balanced ? Perhaps some time with nature , exercise , mindfulness , hobbies or social time .
When you ’ re struggling , talking to a doctor about your mental health can seem daunting , but nearly everyone finds that talking with their doctor , creating a management plan and getting the support that they need makes an amazing difference in their lives .
Preventative Health Screens While the rest of our lives have been on hold , unfortunately the risk of contracting a preventable disease is always there . It is essential that screening for preventable cancers with pap smears and breast checks do not get unnecessarily delayed . Common lifestyle changes we are seeing with COVID-19 , like increased food and alcohol intake and decreased exercise can also significantly impact blood pressure , cholesterol and blood sugar levels among other things .
Much of the risk associated with these conditions can be mitigated if addressed with appropriate lifestyle changes , monitoring and medications . Be proactive – do not wait until you feel sick to see your GP and start addressing your health .
Get the Flu Vaccination Given the crossover of symptoms between Covid-19 and Influenza , more than ever before , it is important to have a flu vaccination . As well as the serious health impacts of contracting Influenza , this year , contracting Influenza can lead to the unnecessary anxiety and inconvenience of confusing flu symptoms with those of COVID-19 .
Although there have been some challenges with the availability of the vaccine in Hong Kong this year , additional supply will arrive over the coming months . Keep checking in for availability with your Doctor . The flu vaccine can be given to children as young as 6 months old .
Prioritise Your Health In these challenging times it is more important than ever that you take care of your health and that of your family . Unfortunately , COVID-19 will likely be around for some time to come and you cannot neglect your health indefinitely . Your doctor will be well placed to help you mitigate the risks and guide you through this difficult period .
Dr Dianna Cooke is an Australian trained General Practitioner at Central Health Medical Practice .
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