Ongoing Health Management

The incidence of anxiety and depression is increasing with more than 1 in 7 of us affected at some time in our lives.

The GPs at Leichhardt GP are trained and experienced in dealing with patients with these difficulties.

It is best to see a GP soon after the symptoms start. GPs at our practice know a diverse range of psychologists and psychiatrists if referral is necessary. With a mental health plan, and referral, eligible patients are able to see a psychologist with a Medicare rebate.

Asthma can range from a well controlled chronic condition to an emergency life-threatening event.

GP's at LGP can help work out the best management plan for your asthma, perform lung function testing to help diagnose asthma and treat acute asthma attacks.

If you think you are having an asthma attack or are getting worsening asthma symptoms, you should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

One of the most effective ways to manage a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer is with a team of health professionals.

At Leichhardt General Practice, one of the ways we co-ordinate a team approach for you is with a GP Management Plan.

This will keep all the members of your treating team in communication with each other and will also allow you 5 sessions each year with an allied health provider such as a dietitian, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, exercise physiologist or psychologist.​

These plans are also available for children with a chronic medical condition.

Many patients have more than one medical condition, especially when we age.

Complex medical conditions can affect one's ability to live independently.

Come to the practice and see what services we can organise for you at home.

There are a lot of community services which can be accessed as need arises. But as your care needs increase, our GPs can explain different options for residential aged care.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic health condition in Australia today.

Understanding diabetes is not only important if you are a diabetic. Nearly all of us will have a friend or family member who is a diabetic and will need support.

People with diabetes cannot properly convert sugar from food into energy as they either lack or are deficient in the enzyme, insulin; which converts sugar to energy. This is why diabetics have high blood sugar levels. Poorly controlled diabetes poses serious health risks such as kidney disease, heart disease and nerve damage. Luckily, there are plenty of lifestyle interventions and medical treatments which can help manage your blood sugar and thus reduce your overall risk of diabetes; or risk of serious health consequences from diabetes.

Osteoporosis is not just something to think about in your later years – the adage “prevention is better than cure” applies at any age!

In childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, it is particularly important to maximise peak bone density by getting the lifestyle measures right and maintaining them lifelong. This means adequate calcium in the diet, normal Vitamin D levels and plenty of weight bearing exercise. Screening for early detection of low bone density with bone mineral density testing can also be useful.

Determining when to start this depends on many factors (for example, whether you smoke, some medical conditions, or medications) – your GP can determine, at any age, when you should have a bone mineral density and/or blood test. As part of our commitment to early detection, monitoring and appropriate management of osteoporosis, we arrange for a bone density referral for our “at risk” patients.

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is very common in Australia; affecting around 1 in 3 Australians aged 30 -65 years. Have you had your blood pressure checked recently?

Hypertension does not usually cause any symptoms and so the only way to diagnose it is to have it checked regularly by a health professional. People who are particularly at risk of hypertension include those who are overweight, have a low level of physical activity, smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or have a diet high in salt.

Untreated, hypertension can have serious consequences increasing the risks of kidney disease, stroke and heart attacks. Luckily, there are plenty of lifestyle interventions and medical treatments which can help lower your blood pressure and thus risk for other serious illnesses.

Cardiovascular disease (conditions related to the heart and other blood vessels) are common in our community and largely preventable.

Help in prevention, screening, assessment and treatment of cardiovascular disease can be found at our practice.

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease are not often obvious or typical, so please seek advice from a GP if you have experienced any unexplained chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, palpitations, or changes in weight. We can offer support and advice to address common risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease including management of blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, exercise, weight loss, diabetes, depression, smoking and alcohol intake.

Common cardiovascular conditions include heart attacks, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders.

Your skin is your body's biggest organ

Skin conditions are amongst the most common problems seen in general practice.

LGP's doctors are able to diagnose and treat common skin conditions such as eczema and nappy rash in children, dermatitis and psoriasis in adults, and the different types of sun-related changes.

There is a lot more to menopause than just hormones. Some women sail through their peri-menopause (the years leading up to the last menstrual period), but for others this phase of life presents a range of physical, psychological and social challenges.

Menopause is also a good time in a woman’s life to have a general health check-up. LGP doctors can assess your family history and personal risk factors, check your weight and blood pressure and ensure you are up to date with illness prevention activities as required, including Pap smears, Mammograms, Bowel cancer screening, Cholesterol and blood sugar testing and Bone density testing.

There are many reasons why someone is overweight.

Getting back to a healthy weight can be challenging and require other professionals such as exercise physiologists or dietitians.

To assist with your diet and weight management, we have onsite dietitians at Leichhardt GP for consultation and advice to safely guide you towards your weight management goals.

There are many different types of wounds – acute, chronic and surgical, making it a complex area of medical treatment.

All wounds need to be assessed and an individual dressing and management plan devised. If a wound is not managed in the correct manner, it may become infected, chronic or fail to heal. All of these can have significant long term health implications for you.

Come and see LGP's doctors and nurses for a wound assessment and management plan today.