Love your lungs campaign

Pharmaceutical company Roche has launched a campaign to highlight the importance of lung health. The Love Your Lungs campaign, which features people living with asthma, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, aims to help people understand that with early diagnosis, the right treatment and small changes to lifestyle, lung disease can be managed. One in five deaths in Ireland is caused by lung disease. The new campaign centres around three videos featuring people living with lung disease and encourages people to love their lungs based on the three Ls: learn about your risks; listen for symptoms; let your doctor treat you.

New cough mixture

Now you don’t have to buy a cough mixture for a specific type of cough, manufacturers of Bronchostop say. This traditional herbal medicine, which contains thyme herb extract and marshmallow root extract will tackle any kind of cough. Read more about Bronchostop here.

Early health warnings

If you have one of the following symptoms, see your GP. Let them know what you’ve noticed, even if you are not concerned by it. Chances are it is nothing to worry about, but it is better to play safe.

1. New lumps or growths on your skin.

2. A sore or bruise that doesn’t heal.

3. A mole that changes in shape, size or colour or bleeds.

4. An ongoing cough or hoarseness for more than three weeks.

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.

6. A change in bowel or bladder habits for no good reason.

7. Shortness of breath.

8. Loss of appetite.

9. Unexplained weight loss or tiredness.

10. Blood anywhere it normally should not be – in urine, bowel motions or from spitting.

My Homecare Connect

Myhomecare.ie, the Irish-owned home care company, combines the latest technology with one-to-one personal care, the company says. Going on the philosophy that people are happier and live longer in the comfort of their own homes, myhomecare monitors health information through connected health devices, along with remotely monitoring activity to ensure that the person is safe at home. They can also set up a care network, choosing a designated person to act as first responder 24/7 if anything goes wrong, as well as smart phone reminder messages so that no appointment, medication, event or activity is forgotten. See www.myhomecare.ie

Mayo farmer heart project scoops award

A recent awareness campaign aimed at alerting farmers in Co Mayo to the signs and symptoms of a heart attack has won an Irish Times Healthcare Award. The campaign was a joint initiative between CROI, the heart and stroke charity in Galway and the HSE cardiac rehab staff at Mayo General Hospital. Farmers were educated on the signs and symptoms of heart attack – a leading cause of death in Ireland. To spread the message of heart attack awareness, see www.croi.ie/heartattack

Tax relief on health medical expenses

In 2016 be sure to keep all healthcare-related receipts as you may claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax*. Most medical expenses qualify for relief but not routine dental or ophthalmic care. The quickest and easiest way to claim a refund is via PAYE Anytime. You must register for myAccount on www.revenue.ie first. Alternatively, you can complete a Form MED 1 and send it to your Revenue office. See IT6

*You can claim tax relief at your highest rate of tax on nursing home expenses however. Don’t forget also that there is a Home Carer Tax Credit and a Dependent Relative Tax Credit that can be claimed where applicable. See leaflet IT46 and IT1 for income limits.

Instant stress relievers

Want to chillax this holiday season? Here are 10 instant stress-busters from spunout.ie, the youth info website.

1. Turn off your mobile or put it on silent.

2. Have a lost weekend where you stay away from the internet, your home phone and your mobile. Instead, sit by the fire, read, watch movies and chill out.

3. Spend time in nature – a walk will invigorate you.

4. Vent – have a regular chat with friends or family about what’s bothering you.

5. Treat yourself – to a meal, dress, massage – whatever appeals.

6. Pick up a pet – cuddle a cat or dog.

7. Have a laugh – laughter eases stress so go to an open mic comedy night or watch a funny film.

8. Surf the net.

9. Have a bath – add some aromatherapy candles and relax.

10. Sleeeeep – soothes a scrambled head.

Beacon to allow nurses to take school holidays off

Dublin’s Beacon Hospital is trialing a new policy to attract nursing staff. The term time policy will allow employees to take up to 13 weeks off per year to spend time with their families during midterm breaks, summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.