Routine tests

A big part of keeping healthy is making sure you’re both physically and mentally well. Our experts give advice on what you should be getting routinely checked.

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Healthy Life

Essential health screening tests for every life stage

Your annual health check means getting your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked. Additional age-appropriate screening tests can mean early detection of any health problems.

Healthy Life

Why you should see your GP – even when you’re healthy

Yes! It is a good idea to visit a doctor regularly, even when you aren’t sick. Here are six reasons to see your GP – even when you’re healthy.

Healthy Life

Can you ditch bad habits?

Seemingly small, everyday habits can have a major effect on your health. Get a head start on making manageable changes – and reap the benefits.

Cancer

Under your skin: How melanoma grows

Melanoma is the most common malignancy in the world, affecting men and women of every skin colour. Here’s how it develops.

Diabetes

The warning signs of diabetes {infographic}

The warning signs for Type 2 diabetes can be so mild that you don’t notice them. People with Type 2 diabetes have raised blood glucose levels, but sometimes these levels are not high enough to cause any symptoms. You might not even know you have Type 2 diabetes until you start suffering from other long-term complications.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Our hospitals are designed to minimise ambient noise to promote sleeping and the healing process.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Most nursing units have windows overlooking gardens to promote healing.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We use the internationally recognised Oxford Vermont Network to keep our neonatal critical care units at the forefront of paediatric medicine.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our world-class neonatal units feature high frequency oscillatory ventilators to minimise lung trauma in premature babies.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Some of our hospitals have operating tables that can support patients of up to 370kg in weight and 2.2m in height.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Scrub areas in theatre are a minimum of 2.1m wide to accommodate at least two people at a time.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our corridors are 2.3m wide allowing two beds to pass one another without any interference.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We place oxygen-releasing, toxin-absorbing plants, like Sanseviera Trifasciata, around our hospitals.
    #MediclinicFacts
Diabetes

Diabetes: at a glance {Infographic}

Almost 4 million people in SA live with diabetes. Another 5 million are estimated to be prediabetic. Who is at risk? Why? What can be done? In a series of statistics and myth-busting facts, we present the true picture of diabetes in South Africa.

Diabetes

Understanding your diabetes diagnosis: What are your treatment options?

Dr Elmo Pretorius, a specialist physician and endocrinologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, explains different management options for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Nurses can observe patients at all times as critical care units are designed like a beehive with the nurses’ station in the middle.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Trauma patients with a critically low temperature will often be wrapped in a space blanket to reduce heat loss.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our world-class neonatal units feature high frequency oscillatory ventilators to minimise lung trauma in premature babies.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our expert breastfeeding advice is based on the principles of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organisation.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We install alcohol rub dispensers at our facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals have been awarded international accreditation for best practice in the management of environmental systems and practices.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • A baby has a 70% better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident if in a secure car seat and properly restrained.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We found a practical solution to a shortage of theatre nurses by becoming a registered teaching institution.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
    #MediclinicFacts
Diabetes

5 things an endocrinologist wishes you knew about diabetes

Dr Elmo Pretorius, a specialist physician and endocrinologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, breaks down a few common myths about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes

How, when and why to check your sugar level {Infographic}

Diabetics may need to check their blood sugar level several times a day – before meals or exercise, at bedtime, before driving. But everyone is different: there are many numbers to look for and many ways to do it.

Children (1 to 12 years)

A diagnosis for the whole family: living with someone with diabetes

If you’ve had a child diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll know: this is a life-changing illness, and not just for them. Here we look at how the whole family can help someone manage the condition.

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