In this video, Deb and Mike discuss a question about where a person with no photography skills can go in Kakadu to capture a stunning image.
Mike explains that the answer depends on the specific image they are after, as lighting and location play crucial roles. He emphasizes that there is no right or wrong time of day or location for photography in Kakadu.
However, Deb, having a photography background, suggests that the best time of day for photography is sunrise or sunset, during the golden hour. She recommends Ubirr Rock in the north of Kakadu as an iconic location with breathtaking sunsets over the floodplains.
Dan and Neville also discuss the same question, and Neville mentions that the choice of location depends on the person’s preferences. They discuss various options like helicopter rides, lookout points, and specific spots like Nawurlandja and Ubirr with opportunities for capturing storms, lightning, and different times of the day.
Dan even humorously suggests taking a photo of himself in front of a work vehicle.
Lastly, Leigh and Yvonne agree that Ubirr at sunset is a stunning location for photography, with its 360-degree views, vibrant colours, wetland area, and escarpment in the background. They emphasize that one doesn’t need to be an expert to capture a good photo there.
This edition – Katherine Gorge or Kakadu? Insta-worthy places in Litchfield. How long do you need in Kakadu, & more.
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This edition – Katherine Gorge or Kakadu? Insta-worthy places in Litchfield. How long do you need in Kakadu, & more.
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Furosemide: The Fluid-Breathing Breakthrough Australian Hearts and Kidneys Trust
By a practising Australian physician — written for Australians over 30 who want to breathe easier, move freely, and protect their heart and kidneys.
Attention: Is Fluid Overload Stealing Your Breath and Confidence?
If you are over 30 and have ever experienced any of the following, this article could change your life:
Swollen ankles and legs that make your shoes impossible to put on by evening
Waking up at night gasping for air or feeling like you are drowning when you lie flat
Shortness of breath when doing simple tasks like walking to the letterbox or carrying groceries
Rapid weight gain over a few days despite not eating more
Fatigue, heaviness in the chest, and the constant worry that your heart or kidneys are failing
These are not normal signs of ageing. They are often the hallmarks of fluid overload — a dangerous build-up of fluid caused by heart failure, kidney disease, liver problems, or high blood pressure. Left untreated, it can lead to hospital admissions, breathing failure, and irreversible organ damage. The good news? Doctors have a fast-acting, proven, and affordable weapon: furosemide (also spelled frusemide in some Australian brands).
Interest: How Furosemide Works Within 30–60 Minutes
Furosemide is a loop diuretic, often known by the brand names Lasix, Frumex, Uremide, or Frusemide. It works directly on the kidneys by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle — the engine room of urine production. This causes your kidneys to release excess fluid and salt quickly, reducing swelling, easing breathlessness, and lowering blood pressure.
Furosemide at a Glance
Feature
What Australian Patients Need to Know
Onset of action
Oral dose works within 30–60 minutes; intravenous dose works within 5–15 minutes
Duration
About 4–6 hours — enough to relieve daytime swelling without constant night-time bathroom trips if timed correctly
Common uses
Heart failure, pulmonary oedema, kidney disease with fluid retention, hypertension (as add-on), cirrhosis with ascites, congenital heart disease
PBS status
Listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for many indications, making it affordable for Australian patients
Desire: Why Australian Doctors Rely on Furosemide — And You Can Too
As a doctor, I have seen furosemide transform lives. A patient in their 50s with heart failure comes in unable to walk 10 metres without gasping. Within hours of receiving furosemide, litres of fluid are passed as urine, the lungs clear, and they can breathe deeply for the first time in weeks. It is not a cure for the underlying disease, but it is one of the most effective tools we have to buy time, reduce symptoms, and keep people out of hospital.
Below are answers to the clinical questions Australian patients often ask about furosemide. These are the facts every informed patient over 30 should know.
Key Clinical Questions Answered
Question
What You Should Know
What is the Australian emergency department protocol for furosemide overdose?
Furosemide overdose is rare when used as prescribed. Australian emergency departments follow supportive care protocols: stop the drug, monitor vital signs and ECG, replace lost fluids and electrolytes (especially potassium and magnesium), and observe for low blood pressure or dehydration. In severe cases, hospital admission is required. The fact that EDs have clear, effective pathways means even accidental overdose is manageable — reassuring for any patient or family member.
Can furosemide cause leukopenia?
Yes, but it is rare. Leukopenia is a drop in white blood cells, which can make you more prone to infections. Symptoms to watch for include fever, sore throat, or mouth ulcers. Doctors monitor full blood counts if you have recurrent infections. This is not a common side effect and should not stop you from using furosemide if it is genuinely needed.
Can furosemide be used in patients with renal artery stenosis?
Furosemide must be used with caution in renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the kidney arteries). Because it reduces blood flow to the kidneys, it can worsen kidney function, especially if both arteries are severely narrowed. Your doctor will check kidney function before and during treatment. In a fluid overload emergency, it may still be used under specialist supervision, but it is not a routine choice for this condition.
What is the role of furosemide in the treatment of congenital heart disease?
Furosemide is a cornerstone in managing fluid build-up caused by congenital heart disease — both in children and in adults living with repaired or unrepaired defects. It reduces pulmonary congestion, eases breathlessness, and decreases the workload on an abnormal heart. Doses are carefully adjusted by paediatric and adult cardiologists.
What is the role of furosemide in acute mountain sickness?
Furosemide is not recommended for routine prevention or treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS). In fact, it can worsen dehydration and AMS symptoms. The standard preventive medicine is acetazolamide. For high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), furosemide may occasionally be used in a hospital setting as an adjunct, but descent, oxygen, and nifedipine are the primary treatments.
Can furosemide be used in patients with pulmonary hypertension?
Yes. Many patients with pulmonary hypertension develop right-sided heart failure and fluid retention. Furosemide helps remove that excess fluid, reducing ankle swelling, abdominal bloating, and breathlessness. The dose is carefully balanced to avoid removing too much fluid, which could reduce heart filling and lower blood pressure.
Does furosemide cause a change in serum creatinine?
It can. A rise in serum creatinine may occur if furosemide removes too much fluid too quickly, temporarily reducing blood flow to the kidneys. This is usually reversible with dose adjustment. In heart failure, the right dose can actually improve kidney function by relieving kidney congestion. Regular blood tests help your doctor find the sweet spot.
What is the effect of furosemide on the immune system?
Furosemide is not an immunosuppressant. It does not weaken your immune system like steroids or chemotherapy. Rarely, it can affect blood cell counts (including leukopenia), but this is not the same as chronic immune suppression. If you have a known sulfonamide allergy, tell your doctor, as cross-reactivity is possible but uncommon.
Desire: The Benefits That Matter to You
Why Patients Over 30 Choose Furosemide (With Their Doctor's Guidance)
Benefit
Real-Life Impact
Fast symptom relief
Feel less breathless and see swelling decrease within hours — not weeks
Reduced hospital admissions
Studies in heart failure show diuretics like furosemide help keep patients out of hospital
Flexible dosing
Can be taken daily or only on “fluid overload” days, depending on your doctor’s plan
Affordable
PBS-subsidised for many Australians, costing just a few dollars per script
Well understood safety profile
Used for over 50 years with clear monitoring and management pathways
Action: Take Control of Your Fluid Health Today
If you are over 30 and recognise the signs of fluid overload — swollen ankles, breathlessness, night-time waking, fatigue — do not wait for a crisis. Furosemide could be the medication that helps you breathe freely again, sleep lying flat without fear, and move through life without the heavy burden of excess fluid.
Here is what to do next:
Book an appointment with your GP or cardiologist. Describe your symptoms and ask whether furosemide is appropriate for your condition.
Get your blood tests done. Your doctor will check kidney function, potassium, and other electrolytes to prescribe the safest dose.
Fill your prescription at any Australian pharmacy. Furosemide is available with a prescription, often on the PBS, making it both accessible and affordable.
Monitor your weight daily. A sudden gain of 1–2 kg over two days can signal fluid build-up — your doctor may adjust your furosemide dose accordingly.
Important: Furosemide is a prescription medicine. Do not self-medicate or purchase it without a doctor’s supervision, because the dose must be tailored to your heart, kidney function, and electrolyte levels. But when used correctly, it is one of the most effective, life-changing fluids management medicines available to Australian patients today.
Talk to your doctor about furosemide — and take the first step towards lighter legs, clearer lungs, and a more active life.
