CONSUMER RESOURCES

This page contains resources that may be of use to consumers. Please select an item from the above list.

MACKAY DIABETES RESOURCE

A local resource for patients with Type 2 Diabetes and pre-diabetes has been produced by the Mackay capacity for local partnerships initiative group. This resource is available online or a hard copy may also be available from your GP. For more information please contact Mandy Lavarack on 4953 4491.

Click here to visit the online Mackay Diabetes website

COMMON COLDS NEED COMMON SENSE, NOT ANTIBIOTICS

Common colds are caused by viruses and usually get better on their own in 5 – 7 days. Antibiotics work on bacteria, not the viruses which cause common colds. Antibiotics won't help a cold get better faster or stop it from getting worse, and they won't stop a cold from spreading to others. The best treatment is to rest, treat the symptoms, and see your doctor or pharmacist if it gets worse. Find out more at the National Prescribing Service 'Common Cold Need Common sense' website.

BODY MASS INDEX CALCULATOR

Required* Categories reproduced from: Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic, 2000, World Health Organisation, Geneva.

1. BMI = BODY MASS INDEX.
The formula for calculating BMI = Weight(kg)/Height(m)²

2. BSA = BODY SURFACE AREA.
The Body surface area calculation used the Mosteller formula where:
BSA= √[(weight(kg)*height(cm))/3600]

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION CALCULATOR

Use this calculator to estimate your blood alcohol concentration. The calculator will only work if all variables are entered. Please note your BAC is influenced by whether you are male or female, your body weight and how much alcohol you drink in a given amount of time.

Other factors which this calculator does not take into account such as your general health and how quickly your body breaks down alcohol will also affect your BAC. For example, if you are not in good health or your liver function is poor, your BAC may be higher than shown. Women and people of both sexes who don't weigh a lot get to higher BACs faster. This is because they have less blood volume to dilute the alcohol and a lesser capacity to break it down in the same amount of time as someone who is male or heavier.

DISCLAIMER: This tool will only produce an estimate based on the parameters entered. These are not the only variables. We strongly recommend that should you consume any alcohol DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY.

THE SAFEST BAC FOR DRIVING IS ZERO.

SMOKING COST CALCULATOR

Smoking is responsible for considerable damage to health and is becoming less socially acceptable. The following calculator can be used to calculate the financial costs of smoking.