Clocktower Medical Centre

19/03/2026

March 21 is World Syndrome Day which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome around the world.

17/03/2026

20 March is National Ride2School Day

Ride2School is a nationwide program that encourages students to get physically active by walking, riding or skating to school.

The number of children who are physically active everyday has significantly dropped over the past 40 years, according to Ride2School's data. Just two out of 10 students walk or ride to school today, as opposed to eight out of 10 students in the 1970s.

"Learning to ride a bike safely encourages and empowers children to become physically active and Ride2School lays the foundation for lifelong healthy habits," says Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack.

"Riding to school helps children get their recommended daily physical activity needs and multiple studies have shown riding to school leads to better attendance, grades, cognitive performance and classroom behaviour

15/03/2026

Swallowing Awareness Day held on Wednesday 18 March, is an important national campaign led by Speech Pathology Australia aimed at educating the community about dysphagia.

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to safely swallow food and liquids. It can impact individuals of any age, from infants through to older adults, and may result from various conditions, including stroke, neurological disorders, cancers, dementia, and even natural aging processes.

Signs and symptoms of dysphagia include:

Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
Recurrent chest infections
Difficulty initiating a swallow
A sensation of food being stuck in the throat
Unexplained weight loss or dehydration.

Why is Swallowing Awareness Day important?

Swallowing Awareness Day provides an opportunity to highlight the significance of early recognition and management of dysphagia. Prompt diagnosis and intervention by a speech and language pathologist can significantly improve a person’s quality of life, preventing complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.

How speech and language pathologists can help

Speech and language pathologists play a critical role in the assessment and management of dysphagia. They provide tailored interventions and strategies to help individuals swallow safely, maintain adequate nutrition, and enhance their quality of life. Treatment approaches can include dietary modifications, exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles, and techniques to improve swallowing safety.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding any swallowing issues contact the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling 03 5144 4788 or go online here: www.clockmed.com.au to schedule an appointment.

11/03/2026

CTMC
March 13 - 20 is Coeliac Awareness Month.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body reacts negatively to the protein in gluten. Gluten could well cause an immune response, which will damage the intestinal lining if exposed for an extended period. Take advantage of the awareness week to study coeliac disease, the potential causes, symptoms, and available treatment.

Coeliac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with coeliac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30% are properly diagnosed.

Symptoms
The symptoms of coeliac disease can vary greatly. They also may be different in children and adults. Digestive symptoms for adults include:
Diarrhea.
Fatigue.
Weight loss.
Bloating and gas.
Belly pain.
Nausea and vomiting.
Constipation.

However, more than half the adults with coeliac disease have symptoms that are not related to the digestive system, including:

Anemia, usually from iron deficiency due to decreased iron absorption.
Loss of bone density, called osteoporosis, or softening of bones, called osteomalacia.
Itchy, blistery skin rash, called dermatitis herpetiformis.
Mouth ulcers.
Headaches and fatigue.
Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment.
Joint pain.
Reduced functioning of the spleen, known as hyposplenism.
Elevated liver enzymes.

Children with coeliac disease are more likely than adults to have digestive problems, including:
Nausea and vomiting.
Chronic diarrhea.
Swollen belly.
Constipation.
Gas.
Pale, foul-smelling stools.
Not being able to absorb nutrients may cause:
Failure to thrive for infants.
Damage to tooth enamel.
Weight loss.
Anemia.
Irritability.
Short stature.
Delayed puberty.
Neurological symptoms, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, headaches, lack of muscle coordination and seizures.

Currently, the only treatment for coeliac disease is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. People living gluten-free must avoid foods with wheat, rye, and barley, such as bread and beer.

Ingesting small amounts of gluten, like crumbs from a cutting board or toaster, can trigger small intestine damage.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding Coeliac disease or any of the mentioned symptoms contact the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling 03 5144 4788 or go online here: www.clockmed.com.au to schedule an appointment.

Be sure to consult your healthcare team before trying a gluten-free diet. If you stop or even reduce the amount of gluten you eat before you're tested for coeliac disease, you can change the test results.

https:celiac.org

05/03/2026

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. Symptoms of endometriosis can vary from person to person, yet common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Pain with bowel movements
- Pain that stops you on or around your period
- Pain on or around ovulation
- Pain during or after s*x
- Pain when you urinate
- Pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs
- Having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go frequently
- Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding

If you are experiencing these symptoms, the next step is to speak to your doctor. Contact the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling 03 5144 4788 or go online: www.clockmed.com.au to schedule an appointment

05/03/2026

04/03/2026

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02/03/2026

March is Epilepsy awareness month, In Australia, around 1 in every 150 people are currently diagnosed with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, MS and Muscular Dystrophy combined, but it is still widely misunderstood. For example, many people think seizures are convulsive, but epilepsy can take many forms and affect people differently.

Although some lifestyle changes are necessary, many people with epilepsy are able to lead full and productive lives.

Epilepsy – A Snapshot

What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is disease of the brain characterised by the tendency to have recurrent seizures. It is the fourth most common brain disorder after migraine, stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Who does it affect? Epilepsy is more likely to be diagnosed in childhood or senior years, but can be diagnosed at any age. It can affect anyone.

What causes epilepsy? Epilepsy can sometimes be caused by head trauma, stroke, infections in the brain, or abnormalities of the brain from birth. Genetics also play a role in some people.

About half of the people with epilepsy never know the cause of their epilepsy.

What is a seizure? A seizure is a temporary disruption of the electrical activity in the brain. There are many different types of seizures that present in many ways including changes to sensation, awareness, behaviour or movement.

Not all seizures involve convulsions and not all seizures are diagnosed as epilepsy.
How is epilepsy treated?: Usually the first choice of treatment is medication. Other treatment options include surgery, diet, and more recently Deep Brain Stimulation (not yet in Australia). Education and lifestyle changes are also important.

Can certain triggers set off a seizure?: Sometimes specific circumstances can increase the risk of having a seizure.

Recognising these triggers can help to reduce or even avoid seizures. Some common triggers people report include lack of sleep, missed medication, fatigue, physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes and illness.

What’s the best way to help someone having a tonic clonic (convulsive) seizure?
1. Stay with the person
2. Time the seizure
3. Keep them safe. Protect from injury, especially the head
4. Roll them into the recovery position after the seizure stops (immediately if food/fluid/vomit is in mouth)
5. Observe and monitor their breathing
6. Gently reassure until recovered
7. Call an ambulance: if there is an injury; if the seizure lasts for longer than five minutes; or if after the seizure ends the person is having breathing difficulties or is non-responsive

If you have any concerns or questions regarding epilepsy or any of the mentioned symptoms contact the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling 03 5144 4788 or go online here: www.clockmed.com.au to schedule an appointment.

27/02/2026

Zero Discrimination Day is observed in Australia on March 1st each year to promote equality, inclusion, and dignity for all, regardless of background, gender, or health status.

26/02/2026

Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families

The date is chosen because in leap years it is February 29, the rarest date.

The European Organisation for Rare Diseases established the day in 2008 to raise awareness for unknown or overlooked illnesses.

According to that organization, treatment for many rare diseases is insufficient, as are the social networks to support individuals with rare diseases and their families; furthermore, while there were already numerous days dedicated to individuals with specific diseases (such as AIDS, cancer, etc.), there had previously not been a day for representing those affected by rare diseases.

In 2009, Rare Disease Day went global as the National Organization for Rare Disorders mobilized 200 rare disease patient advocacy organizations in the United States while organizations in China, Australia, Taiwan, and Latin America also lead efforts in their respective countries to coordinate activities and promote the day.[