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Hand offering ziplock bag filled with white powder
Dr Julaine Allan
Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Fentanyl now appearing on Sydney streets

On February 21 NSW Health issued a warning about methamphetamine and cocaine being contaminated with the dangerous opioid fentanyl. Several people who had taken these illicit stimulant drugs presented to Sydney hospitals with symptoms of opioid overdose, raising the alarm. Drug tests found fentanyl and acetyl-fentanyl had caused the overdoses.

Expert/s: Dr Julaine Allan
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Prof Sam Janes
Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Quitting smoking regrows protective lung cells

We know that quitting smoking is an excellent way to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer. But until now, experts weren’t quite sure why this was the case. Our latest research has uncovered that in people who quit smoking, the body actually replenishes the airways with normal, non-cancerous cells that help protect the lungs, in turn reducing their risk of getting cancer.

Expert/s: Prof Sam Janes, Dr Peter Campbell
Human BPA levels may have been underestimated
Dr Catharine Paddock
Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Human BPA levels may have been underestimated

Exposure to common industrial chemical and endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to a range of health impacts, from reproductive disorders to heart disease. Although widespread, the level of exposure of most people to BPA was thought to be low enough that the potential for harm was minimal, but new research has indicated that the method of measuring exposure used thus far may be seriously flawed.As they relate in their report in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, when researchers compared the indirect method of measuring BPA exposure with a newer, direct method, they found that the indirect method consistently returned an inaccurately low reading. The direct measurement found levels of BPS as much as “44-times higher than the latest geometric mean for adults in the USA reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES),” note the authors.

Expert/s: Dr Catharine Paddock
‘Safety signals’ may help slow down anxiety
Yale University
Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

‘Safety signals’ may help slow down anxiety

A novel form of treatment has been identified for one of the most common mental health issues globally, anxiety.Roughly one in three people will suffer from the condition at some point in their lives, experiencing irrational fear brought on by stressors ranging from spiders to public speaking.Current treatment options are limited. Some medications provide relief, but can also cause side effects. Cognitive behavioural therapy can also be used, typically exposure-based therapies that allow patients to gradually face and overcome their fears. But for a substantial proportion of sufferers, these options are not effective.

Expert/s: Yale University

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Upcoming Healthed Webcast

Eczema Practical Updates for General Practice

Tuesday 12th May, 7pm - 9pm AEST

Speaker

A/Prof Li-Chuen Wong

Consultant Dermatologist; Senior Specialist Visiting Medical Officer, Head, Dermatology Department, Children's Hospital at Westmead

In this talk, Associate Professor Li-Chuen Wong will outline a practical, structured approach to managing these patients. We invite you to join the next Healthed webcast.

Register for webcast