Alexandra Family Medical

15/06/2026

😴 Does Magnesium Really Help You Sleep?

Magnesium has become one of the most popular supplements for sleep. Many people now start taking it after seeing recommendations online, but does it actually work?

Magnesium plays a role in several processes that are important for sleep. It helps calm the nervous system, supports the body's natural production of melatonin (the sleep hormone), and may help reduce muscle tension. Because of this, it makes sense that magnesium could help some people relax and sleep better.

The good news is that research suggests magnesium can help with sleep – but the benefits are usually modest rather than dramatic.

Studies have found that magnesium may:
✅ Help some people fall asleep a little faster
✅ Improve sleep quality and feelings of restfulness
✅ Be particularly helpful for people who already struggle with poor sleep, stress, or certain health conditions such as type 2 diabetes

Recent studies have also shown improvements in sleep quality and anxiety levels in some otherwise healthy adults who reported poor sleep.

However, magnesium is not a magic solution. The biggest improvements in sleep still come from good sleep habits, such as:
• Keeping a regular sleep schedule
• Limiting screens before bed
• Avoiding caffeine late in the day
• Managing stress and anxiety

If you're considering magnesium, magnesium glycinate and magnesium citrate are the forms most commonly used in studies. Typical doses range from 200–500 mg taken in the evening.

⚠️ Magnesium is generally safe for most people, but it may not be suitable for those with significant kidney disease. If you're unsure whether it's right for you, please discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

Bottom line: Magnesium may provide a small but meaningful improvement in sleep quality for some people, especially if stress, poor diet, or existing sleep difficulties are contributing to the problem. It's best viewed as a helpful addition to good sleep habits rather than a cure for insomnia.

07/06/2026

18/05/2026

Heart disease in women is often overlooked ❤️

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of illness in women worldwide, yet women are often diagnosed later and may receive less optimal treatment than men. Women are also more likely to experience subtle symptoms that can easily be missed.

Symptoms are not always the “classic” chest pain. Women may present with:
• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Chest discomfort
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Poor diet and inactivity

There are also important female-specific risk factors, including:
• Menopause
• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Some contraceptives and hormone treatments

Early detection matters. Regular check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol testing, and discussing symptoms early can make a significant difference.

Looking after your heart includes:
✔ Regular physical activity
✔ Healthy eating
✔ Maintaining a healthy weight
✔ Managing stress
✔ Stopping smoking
✔ Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk

If you have concerns about your heart health, or a strong family history of heart disease, please book an appointment with your GP.

Your heart health matters at every stage of life ❤️

Send a message to learn more

13/05/2026

Are you currently using weight management medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic or Mounjaro — or considering them?

WellSouth’s Pharmacy and Dietitian team have created a helpful webinar and patient resources explaining:
• How these medications work
• What to expect
• Important nutrition advice while using them
• How to reduce side effects and maintain good nutrition

These medications can be very effective, but they work best alongside healthy eating habits and ongoing support.

If you are struggling with side effects or have concerns about your nutrition while on these medications, please book an appointment with your GP or nurse to discuss support options.

At Alexandra Family Medical, we want weight management to be safe, sustainable and focused on long-term health — not just the number on the scales.

Nutrition Webinars Our primary care dietitians present webinars on various health topics providing nutritional advice.  Weight Management Medications  Weight management medications can be an option if changes to eating habits, sleep, and physical activity haven’t been enough on their own. They.....

11/05/2026

Today, on International Nurses Day, we would like to say a thank you to all nurses — and especially to our own incredible nursing team at Alexandra Family Medical.

Nursing is so much more than giving medications or taking observations. Nurses are the calm voice in difficult moments, the caring hand during vulnerable times, and often the people who keep everything running behind the scenes.

We are grateful for the compassion, skill, dedication, and work our nurses show every single day for our patients and our community.

Thank you for all that you do — today and every day. 💙

05/05/2026

Early detection makes a real difference with skin cancer — and it doesn’t need to be complicated.

At Alexandra Family Medical, we have accredited Skin Cancer Doctors (Dr Joost Breuk and Dr Elvira de Jong) and offer comprehensive full body skin checks, along with advanced Total Body Photography (mole mapping) for patients who want an extra level of reassurance.

A full body skin check is a thorough head-to-toe assessment of your skin using dermoscopy, allowing us to detect suspicious lesions early — often before they become serious.

For patients with many moles, a history of skin cancer, or those wanting a more proactive approach, Total Body Photography (TBP) provides:
- A complete photographic record of your skin
- Secure storage of images for future comparison
- The ability to detect subtle changes over time
- More accurate and earlier diagnosis

Most skin cancers can be treated effectively when found early — and in many cases, treatment is straightforward, and funded

If you’ve never had a skin check, or it’s been a while, now is a sensible time to book.

📞 Call us to book 03/9016277

04/05/2026

Maternal Mental Health Week is here 💛

This week is a reminder that caring for mothers’ mental health matters—during pregnancy, after birth, and throughout the years of raising children.

Behind the smiles, many mums are dealing with anxiety, low mood, overwhelm, or simply feeling stretched too thin. It’s common, and it’s okay to talk about it.

If this sounds like you:

You’re not alone
You’re not expected to “just cope”
Support is available

At Alexandra Family Medical, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a longer conversation, or support from our Health Improvement Practitioner, we can work with you to find what helps.

Reaching out early makes a real difference—for you and your family.

📞 Give us a call or book through the patient portal if you’d like to talk.

Let’s make space for these conversations this week 💛

04/05/2026

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Alexandra Family Medical 🎉

This month marks an important milestone for us at Alexandra Family Medical — 10 years of caring for our community.

Over the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of supporting you and your families through all stages of life. From everyday health concerns to more complex care, it’s been a journey built on trust, continuity of care, and strong relationships.

We’re proud of the practice we’ve built — a place where patients are known, not just seen — and we remain committed to providing high-quality, personalised care for many years to come.

A sincere thank you to our patients and our dedicated team for being part of this journey!