Affinity Family Medical

Affinity Family Medical Highly skilled & compassionate doctors delivering safe, high quality health care to the Whitsundays.

We all look forward to a good night's rest to recharge, yet our appreciation for sleep can go beyond how we feel in the ...
25/08/2026

We all look forward to a good night's rest to recharge, yet our appreciation for sleep can go beyond how we feel in the morning.

Sleep is tied to our mental and physical health and can impact our ability to cope with stress in our personal and professional lives.

It restores brain and body function for the day ahead, helping to regulate emotions, control behaviours and enhance concentration.

Tiredness may also influence our enthusiasm and consistency in managing our diet, exercising and lifestyle factors, including our use of alcohol and caffeine.

To set us up for success, we can try to maintain a sleep schedule where we go to bed and rise at the same time every day, preferably being in sunlight within an hour of waking.

By early afternoon, we can stop caffeine, do the same for alcohol and large meals at least a few hours before and switch off screens an hour beforehand.

In the hour before bed, quiet activity can help prepare us for sleep, as can dampening noise and blocking light out of the bedroom.

If sleep problems or stress-related conditions persist or affect our lives, we can discuss concerns with our GP.

The doctors of Affinity Family Medical can assess your health and discuss a path forward within the context of your current medical needs.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Including strength training and weight-bearing exercises in our weekly exercise regimen may offer more than just muscle....
18/08/2026

Including strength training and weight-bearing exercises in our weekly exercise regimen may offer more than just muscle.

Strength training exposes muscles to a load through resistance, using our body weight or an external resistance.

Also known as resistance training, this mechanical loading from resistance exercise can stimulate adaptations in bone as well as muscle.

Weight-bearing exercise can also stimulate bone adaptation, helping to maintain or improve bone density and strength.

A combination of weight-bearing activities and strength training of key muscle groups may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Appreciating the potential of these types of exercise may help motivate us to try them or add to our exercise routine.

Strength training can consist of squats and lunges using body weight or external weights such as free weights, machines or elastic resistance bands.

Weight-bearing exercise can range from gentle aerobic exercises like walking, stair climbing and jogging to high-impact load activities like running, skipping and racket sports.

Depending on the type, intensity, and duration of activity, they may also contribute to our mobility and stability, while potentially reducing the risk of injury and falls.

The doctors of Affinity Family Medical can complement your efforts by offering general health checks, discussing your risk of osteoporosis and, where appropriate, reviewing your vitamin D levels.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Current temperatures in the mid-twenties, lower humidity and calmer weather make for perfect conditions to explore the g...
11/08/2026

Current temperatures in the mid-twenties, lower humidity and calmer weather make for perfect conditions to explore the great outdoors.

This weather also requires protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, as over winter in this region of Australia, UV levels generally reach 3 or above between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Cancer Council Australia recommends sun protection in this range as overexposure to UV radiation accounts for 95% of melanomas.

Applying SPF50+ sunscreen and covering up during this time with clothes, a hat and sunglasses is wise, especially if outdoors for 30 minutes or more.

We should also seek shade where possible, especially during solar noon, when the sun is directly overhead, and UV rays travel the shortest path through the atmosphere.

To complement these efforts, the doctors of Affinity Family Medical can provide professional skin checks and, when required, arrange minor medical procedures for removal and analysis.

They can also discuss your personal risk factors for skin cancer, any areas of concern and assess your risk of developing skin cancer based on family history and your previous UV exposure.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Early treatment of a stroke may greatly improve our chances of survival and potentially reduce long-term disability.The ...
04/08/2026

Early treatment of a stroke may greatly improve our chances of survival and potentially reduce long-term disability.

The current National Stroke Week encourages us to become ‘F.A.S.T. heroes’ by learning to recognise and act quickly on signs of a stroke:

🔸 Face – Is there numbness or drooping on one side of the face? When smiling, does one side of the mouth droop?

🔹 Arms – Is there numbness or weakness in one arm? When raising both arms, does one arm drift downward?

🔸 Speech – Is speech slurred or hard to understand? When asked a simple question, is there trouble communicating?

🔹 Time – Time is critical. If you notice any of these signs, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Beyond looking for these signals, we can seek ways to reduce the risk factors associated with stroke by motivating ourselves and those under our care to eat well, avoid alcohol, stay active and smoke-free.

Regular health checks are another way to proactively manage specific risk factors of stroke, potentially highlighting the need to improve cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

A health check may also identify conditions associated with an increased risk of stroke, such as the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation that causes a chaotic, irregular heartbeat.

The doctors of Affinity Family Medical can use the results of tests and screenings to review your current health and guide primary healthcare management, including ways to reduce risk factors for chronic disease.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Although some of us are yet to play a round of golf, there is an action we can take from the game to help our backs.As w...
30/07/2026

Although some of us are yet to play a round of golf, there is an action we can take from the game to help our backs.

As we lose the flexibility in our knees and ankles to squat and pick things up from the floor, we may opt to use the ‘golf pickup’.

The ‘golf pickup’ is suitable for picking up small items with one hand, such as car keys.

Although standing on one leg requires more stability and flexibility, it can help keep our backs straight and save on the effort of a squat or lunge.

Whether using this movement, squats, or lunges to pick up items, we can practice them without load to refine technique for when we need them most.

Using these or other correct lifting postures is an investment in protecting our back and, by extension, our mobility.

A back injury can evolve from a series of smaller events over time, or as a sudden, large force as a one-off traumatic event.

Seeking professional medical care earlier can avoid re-injury and the potential delay in getting back to what we love most.

The doctors of Affinity Family Medical can manage a range of minor injuries as part of your primary healthcare, working with allied health professionals and specialists as required.

They also provide medical assessments for pre-employment, obtaining a commercial driving licence and AMSA Certificates of Medical Fitness for coxswains and seafarers.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Today was chosen to celebrate International Self-Care Day, as the 24/7 of 24th of July sums up the around-the-clock appr...
24/07/2026

Today was chosen to celebrate International Self-Care Day, as the 24/7 of 24th of July sums up the around-the-clock approach we can take in looking after our health.

Our self-care can start with quick, achievable daily habits we can adapt to our routines and those around us, such as a short rest, enjoying music, admiring nature outdoors or looking through photo memories.

These activities can quiet the mind and help us focus in the moment to manage stress and, in turn, support our physical, mental, and emotional health.

Scheduling daily time-out activities like reading, writing or a walk outdoors is just as crucial to self-care as learning to say ‘no’ and asking for help when needed.

Adding minor self-care moments into our daily routine may also encourage a solid sleep routine, healthier weight or even ensure we make time to enjoy what we love doing most.

Affinity Family Medical can support efforts to improve long-term health by providing preventive health checks, screenings, vaccinations and chronic disease management for you and those under your care.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 45 years but is increasingly occurring in younger age groups....
17/07/2026

Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 45 years but is increasingly occurring in younger age groups.

The recent emergence of this condition in younger people is a notable statistical shift from a baseline of virtually zero.

This increase is closely tied to rising rates of childhood obesity and the way it alters how the body processes energy.

The current National Diabetes Week highlights the disease and its impact across all ages, body types, and backgrounds.

It also encourages those living with the condition in our community to speak out about what they wish they knew before diabetes to encourage everyone to seek health checks and earlier diagnosis.

Your GP can discuss your risk factors for diabetes, such as family history, as this is a high risk for developing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

To help offset the risk of developing diabetes, the doctors at Affinity Family Medical can also discuss your nutrition, exercise and lifestyle in the context of your current medical needs.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

As our body's primary source of energy, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose for immediate use or stored for later...
09/07/2026

As our body's primary source of energy, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose for immediate use or stored for later use.

Rather than avoiding carbohydrates completely, spreading carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day may help moderate post-meal rises in blood glucose and the body's insulin response.

By moderating post-meal blood glucose responses, we may help support steadier energy levels and appetite regulation.

Carbohydrates fall into three categories: sugars, starches, and fibre, with each affecting digestion, blood glucose and insulin responses differently.

Keeping sugar to a minimum is wise, especially when added to foods and when consuming juices which lack the fibre of whole fruit.

For starches, we can seek out the complex, low-GI varieties found in sourdough, rolled oats, sweet potatoes, quinoa and some grain or seeded breads.

Fibre is especially helpful for moderating post-meal blood glucose responses, specifically the soluble fibre found in oats, vegetables, fruit, seeds, beans and lentils.

Soluble fibre dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance, slowing down digestion and glucose absorption.

A widely circulated strategy for moderating post-meal blood glucose responses is to pair sugars and starches with healthy fibre, protein and fats.

The doctors at Affinity Family Medical can assess risk factors for chronic conditions and discuss optimising well-being in line with your current medical needs and goals.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

Dry weather and calm waters over winter are perfect for boating and sailing activities in the Whitsundays, which also me...
03/07/2026

Dry weather and calm waters over winter are perfect for boating and sailing activities in the Whitsundays, which also means a focus on water safety.

A start is to stay vigilant when watching children and those under our care when in and around water.

If boating or sailing, we can check life jackets and other flotation devices for damage and to ensure they still fit properly, especially for children.

Other preparation can include checking water conditions in advance, telling others our plans before we head out and leaving alcohol behind.

Beyond building swimming ability, confidence with the basic skills of floating on our back and treading water is essential for everyone.

These skills may provide space to restore composure when having difficulty in the water and increase the time available for others to offer assistance.

The doctors of Affinity Family Medical provide a general health check and, based on your current medical condition, advise on the suitability of water activities.

Appointments are available through the website or with our friendly reception staff by calling (07) 4804 5680.

It’s been a year Jo, and we continue to miss you dearly.For someone who thought so much of others, today especially, we ...
28/06/2026

It’s been a year Jo,
and we continue to miss you dearly.

For someone who thought so much of others,
today especially, we are thinking of you.

Love from us always,
Your “Affinity Family”
###

Address

Suite 20 Whitsunday Business Centre, 230 Shute Harbour Road
Cannonvale, QLD
4802

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+61748045680

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Affinity Family Medical posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Affinity Family Medical:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category