11% of female
Irish nurses
marry farmers
According to the Central Statistics Office, female nurses commonly marry farmers (11%), followed by other nurses (4%) and then gardaí (3%). Ninety per cent of those studying nursing in Ireland are female.
Beware of asbestos
in old buildings
Tradespeople, outdoor workers including farmers and those exposed to chemicals are most at risk of work-related cancers. Five per cent of all cancers are linked to occupation and 56 people a year get the cancer known as mesothelioma, which is related to asbestos exposure. There is no cure for this.
Singer Christie Hennessy died from this disease in December 2007, having been exposed to asbestos on building sites in his early 20s.
“Dad wanted to raise awareness of this disease in order to help others be diagnosed sooner,” his daughter Hermione says. “If you see something in your workplace that you are worried about, please don’t be afraid to draw attention to it.”
Kevin O’Hagan of the Irish Cancer Society says we need to be smart about identifying carcinogens in the workplace like asbestos and silica dust.
“I am particularly calling out those in the building trades, outdoor workers such as farmers and those that come into regular contact with many types of chemicals.”
The Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) Darren Arkins says that the HSA gets nearly 400 notifications each year from asbestos removal companies to remove high-risk asbestos materials.
“If they are correctly managed they can remain in place. However, removal of asbestos should only be carried out by trained contractors under strictly controlled conditions.”
He points out that asbestos was banned in Ireland in 1999 for use in building materials but asbestos materials are still present in many older buildings.
Have you claimed your dental entitlements?
Dental benefits for PRSI workers were extended under the Treatment Benefit Scheme in 2018 when it opened the scheme to the self-employed and retired people with the required number of PRSI contributions. Benefits include a free oral examination once a year and an annual contribution toward a scale and polish.
Dental practices in Ireland, like the Dental Care Ireland group, for example, provide an annual examination, scale and polish for €15 to those who qualify.
“Although the cost savings are quite significant many people are still unaware of their dental entitlements,” says Dr Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical adviser. “Regular check-ups minimise pain and dental costs in the long term.”
See Treatment Benefit Scheme on gov.ie for more information.
Irish women need pelvic floor exercises
Research by Always Discreet manufacturers shows that although 85% of women know that exercising their pelvic floor muscles can help prevent or improve urine leaks, just over a third (37%) say they still don’t do them. Fifty-two per cent of women aged 18-34 have experienced leaks according to their research so it is not just older women. Seventy-seven per cent of people incorrectly think that having a strong core means they will not suffer from bladder leaks. In many cases, high-intensity workouts and over-exertion can contribute to leaks.
Always Discreet has partnered with bladder leak sufferer, Ferne McCann to stress the importance of daily squeezes.
“I first noticed I was experiencing bladder leaks when I was working out,” she says. “I think of myself as being in my prime so it came as a shock when I had to avoid cardio exercise due to leaks. At times, I was even worried to leave the house. I think many women think they are taking good care of themselves but still don’t prioritise pelvic floor exercises, as part of their daily routine. I know firsthand, how a few squeezes a day can have a huge impact.”
The brand has also enlisted the help of Dr Anita Mitra, gynaecologist and author of The Gynae Geek to encourage women to get squeezing and seek professional help.
The exercises can be done when watching TV, in bed or on the move.
Gluten-free does
not equal healthy
Safefood recently analysed 67 gluten-free snack foods including nut products and savoury snacks, cereal and baked products and confectionary and found that 75% were high in fat and 69% were high in sugar.
While gluten-free foods are an absolute must for those with coeliac disease, there is no evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve your health if you aren’t sensitive to gluten, Dr Catherine Conlon of safefood says.
“There is a misconception of the health benefits of gluten-free products. In our recent survey, we saw that 92% of people buying these products don’t have a gluten-related disorder and that more than one in five considered a gluten-free diet a healthy way to lose weight, that these products were lower in fat and sugar.
“Gluten-free food is big business (this market was worth €66m in 2017) but in the case of gluten-free snacks, you could end up purchasing snack foods with lots of added fat and sugar, which are of no added benefit to your health.
Irish mother
making kids
more visible
Stacey Bellew, an Irish mother of four, has developed a range of high-visibility clothing for children to wear when out and about – be it in a busy park, playground, beach or just walking to and from school. Her range is called ViziKid.
Stacey says: “I wanted to make sure our products were comfortable for children to wear and that they really want to wear them. There is no point in having items that provide the function of high visibility but that kids won’t wear. All of our products have been tried and tested by my own kids, they love wearing them.”
ViziKid is available to buy online and in some SuperValu stores in Dublin and the midlands. For a list of stockists check out www.vizikid.ie
Free female contraception
Healthwave, the digital pharmacy service based in Dundrum, Co Dublin, has launched a new initiative in January making oral contraceptive pills available free of charge to members. Six generic versions of the most commonly prescribed pills are being offered at no cost.
Membership of Healthwave costs €25 which includes lower-priced medication and free delivery nationwide, owners say. Medication for pets is also covered. See healthwave.ie
Mental health
support initiative set up for vets
Vets are four times more likely to take their own lives than the general population so now Veterinary Ireland has launched a new Vet Support Ireland initiative to help support vets, veterinary nurses and lay staff.
The new service is manned by 11 trained supporters who provide support on a voluntary basis.
Those using the service have concerns around career choices, work-related stress, communication difficulties with clients and colleagues, relationship breakdowns at work or at home, bullying, lack of assertiveness and isolation or lack of support and direction, according to vet David McKeown who helped develop the support service.
See www.vetsupport.ie
UCC students providing
emergency response
Medical students in University College Cork (UCC) are helping to save lives by supporting paramedics in the local ambulance service. They are doing this by volunteering as community first responders.
Each weekend (from Thursday to Sunday), for 24 hours, teams of two trained student responders wait on call. After a notification text from the ambulance switchboard they will cycle to the person’s location armed with a portable automated external defibrillator.
Natural antioxidant in mushrooms may alleviate pre-eclampsia
symptoms
New research carried out by University College Cork (UCC) and the University of Liverpool have shown that a substance called L-ergothioneine, most commonly found in mushrooms, could help alleviate some features of pre-eclampsia.
There is currently no cure for the complex disorder other than delivery, so this new research opens up a new avenue for therapeutic investigation in the search for a treatment for the condition.
Researchers in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and the INFANT Research Centre at UCC as well as the University of Liverpool were involved.
Alternatives to antibiotics found in sheep manure and on human skin
Scientists at the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre have added to their arsenal of new antimicrobials with discoveries of Nisin J, a new antimicrobial produced from staphylococcal bacteria found on human skin and actifensins produced by Actinomycetes isolated from sheep faeces. The researchers, based at UCC and Teagasc, have published two papers in the well-known microbiology journal Journal of Bacteriology recently.
“The discovery of these latest antimicrobials forms part of the APC’s overall strategy to develop precision biological tools to control harmful bacteria and as such provide efficacious alternatives to antibiotics,” said Professor Paul Ross, who leads the research with Professor Colin Hill at the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre. “As such, we plan to further develop these compounds which have important implications for human and animal health as part of the APC programme ‘Microbes to Molecules’.”
This research was supported by Science Foundation Ireland through a Research Centre grant to APC Microbiome Ireland.
2020 is the year of the nurse and the midwife.Most nurses walk around four to five miles in a 12-hour shift.University College Cork has now launched a master’s degree that trains post-graduates in the fields of hearing- and balance-related difficulties.An Exercise is Medicine Ireland National Centre has been opened by the University of Limerick and the American College of Sports Medicine. It aims to make physical activity a standard part of Ireland’s disease prevention and treatment health care system.Rugby’s Rory Best presented a Specsavers audiologists’ cheque for €25,000 to the National Hearing Implant and Viani Research centre at Beaumont Hospital. There is a new website to support couples who experience early pregnancy loss. It is www.corkmiscarriage.com Read more
Quitting smoking: try and try again
Alzheimer's: 'don't forget us and don't abandon us'
11% of female
Irish nurses
marry farmers
According to the Central Statistics Office, female nurses commonly marry farmers (11%), followed by other nurses (4%) and then gardaí (3%). Ninety per cent of those studying nursing in Ireland are female.
Beware of asbestos
in old buildings
Tradespeople, outdoor workers including farmers and those exposed to chemicals are most at risk of work-related cancers. Five per cent of all cancers are linked to occupation and 56 people a year get the cancer known as mesothelioma, which is related to asbestos exposure. There is no cure for this.
Singer Christie Hennessy died from this disease in December 2007, having been exposed to asbestos on building sites in his early 20s.
“Dad wanted to raise awareness of this disease in order to help others be diagnosed sooner,” his daughter Hermione says. “If you see something in your workplace that you are worried about, please don’t be afraid to draw attention to it.”
Kevin O’Hagan of the Irish Cancer Society says we need to be smart about identifying carcinogens in the workplace like asbestos and silica dust.
“I am particularly calling out those in the building trades, outdoor workers such as farmers and those that come into regular contact with many types of chemicals.”
The Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) Darren Arkins says that the HSA gets nearly 400 notifications each year from asbestos removal companies to remove high-risk asbestos materials.
“If they are correctly managed they can remain in place. However, removal of asbestos should only be carried out by trained contractors under strictly controlled conditions.”
He points out that asbestos was banned in Ireland in 1999 for use in building materials but asbestos materials are still present in many older buildings.
Have you claimed your dental entitlements?
Dental benefits for PRSI workers were extended under the Treatment Benefit Scheme in 2018 when it opened the scheme to the self-employed and retired people with the required number of PRSI contributions. Benefits include a free oral examination once a year and an annual contribution toward a scale and polish.
Dental practices in Ireland, like the Dental Care Ireland group, for example, provide an annual examination, scale and polish for €15 to those who qualify.
“Although the cost savings are quite significant many people are still unaware of their dental entitlements,” says Dr Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical adviser. “Regular check-ups minimise pain and dental costs in the long term.”
See Treatment Benefit Scheme on gov.ie for more information.
Irish women need pelvic floor exercises
Research by Always Discreet manufacturers shows that although 85% of women know that exercising their pelvic floor muscles can help prevent or improve urine leaks, just over a third (37%) say they still don’t do them. Fifty-two per cent of women aged 18-34 have experienced leaks according to their research so it is not just older women. Seventy-seven per cent of people incorrectly think that having a strong core means they will not suffer from bladder leaks. In many cases, high-intensity workouts and over-exertion can contribute to leaks.
Always Discreet has partnered with bladder leak sufferer, Ferne McCann to stress the importance of daily squeezes.
“I first noticed I was experiencing bladder leaks when I was working out,” she says. “I think of myself as being in my prime so it came as a shock when I had to avoid cardio exercise due to leaks. At times, I was even worried to leave the house. I think many women think they are taking good care of themselves but still don’t prioritise pelvic floor exercises, as part of their daily routine. I know firsthand, how a few squeezes a day can have a huge impact.”
The brand has also enlisted the help of Dr Anita Mitra, gynaecologist and author of The Gynae Geek to encourage women to get squeezing and seek professional help.
The exercises can be done when watching TV, in bed or on the move.
Gluten-free does
not equal healthy
Safefood recently analysed 67 gluten-free snack foods including nut products and savoury snacks, cereal and baked products and confectionary and found that 75% were high in fat and 69% were high in sugar.
While gluten-free foods are an absolute must for those with coeliac disease, there is no evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve your health if you aren’t sensitive to gluten, Dr Catherine Conlon of safefood says.
“There is a misconception of the health benefits of gluten-free products. In our recent survey, we saw that 92% of people buying these products don’t have a gluten-related disorder and that more than one in five considered a gluten-free diet a healthy way to lose weight, that these products were lower in fat and sugar.
“Gluten-free food is big business (this market was worth €66m in 2017) but in the case of gluten-free snacks, you could end up purchasing snack foods with lots of added fat and sugar, which are of no added benefit to your health.
Irish mother
making kids
more visible
Stacey Bellew, an Irish mother of four, has developed a range of high-visibility clothing for children to wear when out and about – be it in a busy park, playground, beach or just walking to and from school. Her range is called ViziKid.
Stacey says: “I wanted to make sure our products were comfortable for children to wear and that they really want to wear them. There is no point in having items that provide the function of high visibility but that kids won’t wear. All of our products have been tried and tested by my own kids, they love wearing them.”
ViziKid is available to buy online and in some SuperValu stores in Dublin and the midlands. For a list of stockists check out www.vizikid.ie
Free female contraception
Healthwave, the digital pharmacy service based in Dundrum, Co Dublin, has launched a new initiative in January making oral contraceptive pills available free of charge to members. Six generic versions of the most commonly prescribed pills are being offered at no cost.
Membership of Healthwave costs €25 which includes lower-priced medication and free delivery nationwide, owners say. Medication for pets is also covered. See healthwave.ie
Mental health
support initiative set up for vets
Vets are four times more likely to take their own lives than the general population so now Veterinary Ireland has launched a new Vet Support Ireland initiative to help support vets, veterinary nurses and lay staff.
The new service is manned by 11 trained supporters who provide support on a voluntary basis.
Those using the service have concerns around career choices, work-related stress, communication difficulties with clients and colleagues, relationship breakdowns at work or at home, bullying, lack of assertiveness and isolation or lack of support and direction, according to vet David McKeown who helped develop the support service.
See www.vetsupport.ie
UCC students providing
emergency response
Medical students in University College Cork (UCC) are helping to save lives by supporting paramedics in the local ambulance service. They are doing this by volunteering as community first responders.
Each weekend (from Thursday to Sunday), for 24 hours, teams of two trained student responders wait on call. After a notification text from the ambulance switchboard they will cycle to the person’s location armed with a portable automated external defibrillator.
Natural antioxidant in mushrooms may alleviate pre-eclampsia
symptoms
New research carried out by University College Cork (UCC) and the University of Liverpool have shown that a substance called L-ergothioneine, most commonly found in mushrooms, could help alleviate some features of pre-eclampsia.
There is currently no cure for the complex disorder other than delivery, so this new research opens up a new avenue for therapeutic investigation in the search for a treatment for the condition.
Researchers in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and the INFANT Research Centre at UCC as well as the University of Liverpool were involved.
Alternatives to antibiotics found in sheep manure and on human skin
Scientists at the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre have added to their arsenal of new antimicrobials with discoveries of Nisin J, a new antimicrobial produced from staphylococcal bacteria found on human skin and actifensins produced by Actinomycetes isolated from sheep faeces. The researchers, based at UCC and Teagasc, have published two papers in the well-known microbiology journal Journal of Bacteriology recently.
“The discovery of these latest antimicrobials forms part of the APC’s overall strategy to develop precision biological tools to control harmful bacteria and as such provide efficacious alternatives to antibiotics,” said Professor Paul Ross, who leads the research with Professor Colin Hill at the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre. “As such, we plan to further develop these compounds which have important implications for human and animal health as part of the APC programme ‘Microbes to Molecules’.”
This research was supported by Science Foundation Ireland through a Research Centre grant to APC Microbiome Ireland.
2020 is the year of the nurse and the midwife.Most nurses walk around four to five miles in a 12-hour shift.University College Cork has now launched a master’s degree that trains post-graduates in the fields of hearing- and balance-related difficulties.An Exercise is Medicine Ireland National Centre has been opened by the University of Limerick and the American College of Sports Medicine. It aims to make physical activity a standard part of Ireland’s disease prevention and treatment health care system.Rugby’s Rory Best presented a Specsavers audiologists’ cheque for €25,000 to the National Hearing Implant and Viani Research centre at Beaumont Hospital. There is a new website to support couples who experience early pregnancy loss. It is www.corkmiscarriage.com Read more
Quitting smoking: try and try again
Alzheimer's: 'don't forget us and don't abandon us'
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