Donvale Rehabilitation
Hospital Blog

What is Aphasia (a-faze-yuh)?

June is Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia (sometimes called dysphasia) is a language difficulty.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

<strong>What is it?</strong>
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. According to Diabetes Australia, GDM is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia, affecting between 12% and 14% of pregnant women.

Stroke and the Guidelines – What we All Should Know

<strong>How Common is Stroke? </strong>
In Australia, stroke is the third leading cause of death, with 10,869 fatalities due to stroke in 2015 (ABS). In the western world it is one of the largest causes of disability, and its healthcare burden is projected to triple by 2030 (Rajsic et al., 2019). Over the past two decades, rates of stroke events have reduced by 27%, and disability resulting from stroke has reduced from 45% - 39%. However in 2013, stroke rates were almost 100 per day (Australia&rsquo;s health: Stroke, 2016).

Is running bad for your joints?

<strong>What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?</strong>
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, commonly associated with pain and reduced function which can greatly affect quality of life. Presentation of osteoarthritis typically includes reduced joint space and reduced cartilage.

GLA:D – The Osteoarthritis Program Everyone is Talking About

<strong>What is GLA:D? </strong>
“GLA:D” is a program specifically designed for people experiencing symptoms of knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA). Developed by researchers in Denmark, the program incorporates exercises and education to conservatively improve symptoms and improve function and quality of life for people experiencing hip and knee joint degeneration.

Early Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Showing Promise

<strong>What is Parkinson’s Disease</strong>
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that can lead to high levels of disability. Common symptoms include slowness of movements, muscular rigidity, and tremor. This can increase risk of falls, and subsequent further injury such as fractures.

Exercise and Cancer – What is the Evidence Telling Us?

In Australia, 33% of men and 25% of women will experience cancer before age 75. It is projected that in 2020 there will be 150,000 people diagnosed with cancer (Cancer Council Australia, 2020).

High Intensity Interval Training - is it Safe for the Elderly?

It is recommended that adults over the age of sixty participate in a minimum of thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day or twenty minutes of vigorous exercise per day to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and injury. Unfortunately, many Australians do not participate in regular physical activity, with a common barrier being time pressures.

Plant Fascia Management – What are the treatment options?

<strong>What is it?</strong>
Plantar heel pain is commonly caused by plantar fasciitis a condition linked with tissue degeneration, leading to non-healing micro-tears and subsequent inflammation (1).

The dizzy patient – Managing patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

“I’m so dizzy, my head is spinning….” Whilst a catchy song by Tommy Roe in the 1960’s, being dizzy is not an enjoyable experience and can be difficult for patients to cope with, let alone for clinicians to manage. One cause of dizziness can be due to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.