Alexandra Family Medical

01/09/2026

💉 Flu is still circulating — and it’s not too late to get protected.

Flu season is in full swing and is expected to continue, with particularly high rates of illness being seen in young children this season.

👶 There’s now extra protection for our littlest ones:
From today, all children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday can get a FREE flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine also remains FREE for many other people with eligible medical conditions.

Not eligible for a free vaccine? Getting vaccinated can still be a worthwhile investment — and costs less than taking days off work or school with the flu.

📞 Book your flu vaccine with our reception team: 03 901 6277

27/08/2026

Another potential benefit from shingles vaccination?

Interesting new research suggests that the Shingrix shingles vaccine may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

The study found around a 12% reduction in cardiovascular events during the first 3½ years after vaccination. This is observational research, so it doesn’t yet prove that the vaccine itself causes the reduction — but it’s an interesting finding and further clinical trials are underway.

Shingrix is primarily given to prevent shingles and its complications, but research into its wider health benefits is continuing.

Interestingly, this isn’t the only potential additional benefit being investigated. Several recent studies have also found that shingles vaccination is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.

Shingrix is primarily given to prevent shingles and its complications, and we can’t yet say that it prevents heart disease or dementia. But the growing evidence of possible additional benefits makes shingles vaccination an increasingly interesting area of preventive medicine.

Read more in The Guardian 👇

Researchers say benefits of two-dose Shingrix vaccine could be comparable to taking daily blood pressure medication

20/08/2026

🍎 How healthy are your eating habits?

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean following a perfect diet or changing everything at once. Often, a few small choices can make a meaningful difference.

Healthify has put together this quick Healthy Eating Quiz to help you see what you’re already doing well and where you might make some simple improvements.

Have a go — you might be doing better than you think! 😊👇

19/08/2026

10/08/2026

🏃‍♀️🌿 We’re a parkrun practice! 🌿🏃‍♂️

Alexandra Family Medical is proud to support parkrun — a great way to get moving, connect with others and support your overall wellbeing.

And you definitely don’t need to be a runner!

Every week you can:
👟 Walk, jog or run 5 km
🙌 Volunteer
👋 Meet people in your community
😊 Get outside and feel good

📍 Otago Central Rail Trail parkrun
🗓 Every Saturday
⏰ 9:00 am

parkrun is free, friendly and for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re already active or just thinking about getting started, everyone is welcome.

We might even see you there! 🏃‍♀️☕🌿

Alexandra Family Medical

05/08/2026

Gout: Let's clear up some common myths

Many people think gout is caused by eating the wrong foods or drinking too much alcohol. The truth is, gout is not your fault.

Gout happens when there is too much uric acid in your body. Over time, the uric acid forms tiny crystals in your joints, leading to sudden, very painful gout attacks.

Here are some important facts:
✅ About 90% of your uric acid level is determined by your genes and how well your kidneys remove uric acid. Food and drink account for only about 10%.
✅ Many Māori and Pacific peoples have inherited genes that make it harder for their kidneys to remove uric acid, which means they are more likely to develop gout.
✅ The only way to remove the crystals is to lower your uric acid with daily preventative medication. Pain relief alone won't get rid of the crystals.
✅ Without treatment, gout can lead to permanent joint damage and can also affect your kidneys.

The good news? Gout is very treatable. With the right medication, gout attacks can be prevented and long-term damage can be avoided.

If you've had gout attacks or think you might have gout, talk to your GP. We'd be happy to help you get it under control.

20/07/2026

📞 Meet Olivia – our new virtual receptionist!

We’re excited to introduce Olivia, our new AI receptionist, who is joining the Alexandra Family Medical team to help make it easier to get in touch with us.

When our phone lines are especially busy, you’ll now have the option to speak with Olivia instead of waiting on hold. She can answer common questions and help guide you to the right information, of get someone from or team to phone you back.

Even better, in the near future Olivia will also be able to book appointments, making it quicker to get the help you need.

💙 Prefer to speak with a person? No problem at all! Our friendly reception team is still here and always happy to help. Choosing Olivia is completely optional.

By adding Olivia to our team, we hope to reduce waiting times on the phone while keeping the personal, friendly service that Alexandra Family Medical is known for.

We’d love to hear what you think once you’ve had a chance to try her!

Welcome to the team, Olivia! 👋

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.