Iluka Medical Centre

30/07/2026

🦠 H5 Bird Flu Update for Our Iluka Community

As of 30 July 2026, there have been 28 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild seabirds across Australia — including 10 here in Western Australia. The good news? There are no detections in poultry or agriculture, and the risk to human health remains low.

Here's what you need to know:
✅ Do not touch sick or dead birds or animals
✅ Keep your pets away
✅ Take photos & record your location
✅ Report immediately to 📞 1800 675 888 (24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline)

Most strains don't spread easily from animals to humans, and there is no evidence this strain spreads between people. Australia is well prepared to respond quickly.
If you have backyard poultry, keep their area clean and prevent contact with wild birds.

Concerned about symptoms or exposure? Our FRACGP-qualified doctors at Iluka Medical Centre are here to help. Book online or call us — we're open 7 days a week.

📍 98 O'Mara Boulevard, Iluka WA 6028
🌐 https://www.ilukamedical.com.au/

📖 Sources: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
🔗 https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu
🔗 https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/avian-influenza/about

21/07/2026

☀️ Sunny WA but still feeling flat, tired & achy?

Even here in WA, 1 in 5 Aussies are vitamin D deficient — 1 in 3 have low levels. Many have no symptoms, but it can show up as fatigue, bone & muscle aches, and muscle weakness.

Winter & spring is when we see it most. Talk to your GP about whether testing is right for you.

Book at Iluka Medical Centre 👉 ilukamedical.com.au

Info only, not medical advice.

15/07/2026

🧠 45% of dementia cases could be PREVENTED or DELAYED...
But most of us still believe these myths.

Let's bust them. 👇

At Iluka Medical Centre, we see how much confusion there is around dementia. So here's what the science ACTUALLY says [Lancet Commission 2024]:

❌ MYTH 1: Dementia is just normal ageing
✅ FACT: It's caused by specific diseases that damage the brain. Many people live into their 90s with sharp memory.

❌ MYTH 2: Nothing can be done to prevent it
✅ FACT: Up to 45% of cases are linked to 14 modifiable factors you CAN influence - from hearing loss and blood pressure to sleep and social connection.

❌ MYTH 3: It only affects memory
✅ FACT: It also affects judgment, language, mood, behaviour & daily tasks.

❌ MYTH 4: If it's in my family, I will definitely get it
✅ FACT: Genes like APOE e4 raise risk, but don't seal your fate. One major study found a healthy lifestyle cut risk by ~32% even in high-risk people.

❌ MYTH 5: There's already a cure
✅ FACT: There is no cure that reverses it yet. That's why reducing risk EARLY matters so much. Brain changes can start 15-20 years before symptoms.

💡 The biggest takeaway? What's good for your HEART is good for your BRAIN.

Heart = Brain 🫀 = 🧠



---
General info only, not personal medical advice. If you're worried about memory or thinking, please speak with your GP.

08/07/2026

📱 Kids and screen time: myth vs reality

Parents often hear two extremes:

❌ “All screen time is bad.”
❌ “Educational apps are always good.”

The more useful answer is balanced.

For children, screen time depends on age, content quality, parent involvement, and whether screens are replacing sleep, physical activity, reading, play, schoolwork or family connection.

Australian movement guidelines recommend:

👶 Under 2 years: no sedentary screen time, except video chatting with family
🧒 2–5 years: no more than 1 hour per day of screen time, less is better
👦 5–17 years: no more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time, not including schoolwork

A simple Family Media Plan can help:

✅ Choose age-appropriate, high-quality content
✅ Watch together when possible and talk about what your child is seeing
✅ Keep screens away from the dinner table
✅ Keep screens out of bedrooms
✅ Protect sleep, movement, reading, play and family time
✅ Review the plan as your child grows

The goal is not guilt. The goal is structure.

Healthy screen habits are about quality, context, limits and balance, not just the clock.

General health information from Iluka Medical Centre, Iluka WA.

Supporting families in Iluka, Burns Beach, Currambine, Kinross, Ocean Reef and Perth’s northern suburbs.

This post is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you are concerned about your child’s sleep, behaviour, learning, mood or development, please speak with your GP or child health professional.

05/07/2026

🩺 Living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes?

A GP Diabetes Care Plan can help bring your GP, practice nurse and allied health team together, so your care stays organised and important checks are not missed.

A GP Chronic Condition Management Plan can help with:

✅ Setting personal glucose, blood pressure and foot-care goals
✅ Keeping yearly eye, foot, kidney and heart checks on schedule
✅ Supporting you to work toward your diabetes targets
✅ Connecting you with dietitians, podiatrists and diabetes educators
✅ Accessing up to 5 Medicare-rebated allied health visits each year, where eligible

At Iluka Medical Centre, once your plan is in place, we bulk bill three-monthly diabetes reviews where clinically appropriate, so your regular diabetes check is covered.

📌 Diabetes care works best when it is regular, structured and proactive.

⚠️ This post provides general health information only. Please consult your GP for personalised advice.

📍 Iluka Medical Centre
Iluka WA 6028
📞 (08) 6119 4700

27/06/2026

Trained GPs who insert IUDs can be surprisingly hard to find. At Iluka Medical Centre, you've got one close to home.

Dr Saweela Sarwar performs IUD insertions on-site, with a special interest in women's health. She takes the time to talk through your options so you feel informed before any decision is made.

Over 99% effective, long-acting and reversible
Hormonal (Mirena®, Kyleena®) and copper options explained
Pain-relief options discussed upfront; fees and rebates too
The Australian Government estimates the November 2025 Medicare changes save many women up to $400 a year in out-of-pocket costs for long-acting contraception. Book online or call (08) 6119 4700.

General health information only. IUD suitability is assessed individually; IUDs don't protect against STIs. Medicare saving is a Government estimate; individual costs vary. Consult your GP. Iluka Medical Centre, Iluka WA 6028.

MIXED BILLING CLINIC MONDAY TO FRIDAY
PRIVATE BILLING SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

31/03/2026

💡 Menopause Myths — Busted.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about menopause, and it can stop women from getting the support they deserve.

Dr Saweela Sarwar at Iluka Medical Centre addresses six of the most common menopause myths:

❌ Myth: Menopause happens suddenly.
✅ Perimenopause is a gradual transition that can begin in the mid-to-late 40s and last for years.

❌ Myth: All women experience severe symptoms.
✅ Symptom experience varies widely — from significant to none at all.

❌ Myth: Hormone therapy (MHT) is too dangerous.
✅ Current Australian guidelines (RACGP & Menopause Australia) indicate MHT is appropriate and generally safe for eligible women. It remains the most effective treatment for hot flushes and night sweats.

❌ Myth: Menopause inevitably causes weight gain.
✅ Lifestyle, activity levels, and diet are the primary drivers — not menopause alone.

If you're experiencing symptoms — or simply want to understand this stage better — a GP consultation is the right first step.

📞 (08) 6119 4700
🔗 Full article: https://www.ilukamedical.com.au/menopause-myths-vs-reality/

—
This post is for general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your GP regarding your individual circumstances. MHT suitability is determined on an individual clinical basis.

24/12/2025