Christmas can be a full of overindulgence on many fronts, so how can we keep ourselves as well as possible?
Want to help your teeth over Christmas? Cheese is a good after-dinner option over the festive season, according to Dental Care Ireland.
“Cheese helps return the mouth to its natural acid balance and reduce the chances of developing tooth decay,” a spokesperson says.
Turkey is also a wise choice for looking after your teeth. “It’s a great source of phosphorus and protein, both of which help your body fight tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy.”
Dental Care Ireland is an Irish-owned network of established dental practices nationwide.
Remember to get chimneys swept every year if you use solid fuel and to keep all flues, air vents and grilles clear and ensure rooms are well ventilated – not just because of COVID.
Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because it is colourless, odourless and poisonous. It can cause illness, loss of consciousness or even death. Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels, such as gas, coal, oil, wood, petrol and paraffin, burn without enough oxygen.
Children, students, older people, pregnant women and anyone with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects. It can also cause long-term health problems if people are exposed to low doses over a long period of time.
The symptoms can be mistaken for flu but without a raised temperature, also headaches, nausea and vomiting, exhaustion, drowsiness, light-headedness and palpitations. Anyone who suspects they may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately turn off all appliances, go out into the fresh air and seek help.
If you are in rented accommodation that incorporates gas appliances ask your landlord to provide you with an up-to-date gas safety record.This is a legal requirement and particularly important for students renting.
See www.carbonmonoxide.ie for more
A range of goat’s milk skin products have been launched in Ireland. It’s called Ziaja and manufacturers point to the moisturising and nourishing aspects of the products and their relevance for people with dry and sensitive skin types. The range includes products for face, body and hair care. They are available in Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Supervalu and pharmacies nationwide or online at originalbeauty.ie
As the pandemic continues, how do we cope with the anxiety it causes? Here is a shortened version of Mental Health First Aid Ireland’s eight tips to help us cope.
See https://www.mhfaireland.ie/images/documents/CovidAnxietyA4.pdf for the full tips.
To help improve public understanding of OAB and encourage more women and men aged 40+ to identify and control symptoms, Astellas has launched a new podcast called Control OAB.
The podcast series consists of candid conversations with healthcare professionals and OAB patients who share personal experiences and advice about the condition – see OAB.ie for more information.
A speech therapist based in Co Wicklow, mindful of the public waiting lists, has launched an online speech and language therapy service.
Kate Beckett of Optima Speech Therapy set up this web-accessed service where she tailors the programme for the child, she says, and monitors progress.
The service teaches parents to help their children at home under her support and guidance.
“The assessment process is easy,” she says. “Parents film their child having a go at the tasks I set out and send me the videos using the secure file transfer system that I provide.
“I create a programme for each child depending on their needs and monitor progress.”
"Close the toilet lid before you flush" and other unexpected COVID-19 tips