Health Check 2010

Contents

Editor’s Note

Health Check 2010

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3 HEALTH SCREENINGAdvances in medical care mean that it is now possible to detect diseases early which leads to early treatment and successful recovery.

4 CANCER CARENuala Ryan discuses the importance of being breast aware.

6 CANCER CAREHow living a healthy life can reduce your risk of developing cancer.

7 ALLERGIESCoping with allergies in your daily life.

8 CARDIO CARECollette Devlin brings you a step-by-step guide to keeping a healthy heart and examines the advances being made in cardiology.

11 FITNESSGet fi t, stay healthy. Enjoy the benefi ts of exercise.

12 HEARINGCoping with hearing loss and common ear complaints explained.

15 EYE CAREPreventing vision problems.

15 SENIOR CARELiving life to the full in your later years.

16 MANAGE YOUR MIGRAINEMany migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. A simple testing service identifi es the trigger foods responsible.

17 BONES AND JOINTSCollette Devlin brings you the facts on Osteoporosis.

19 BONES AND JOINTSLiving with Arthritis and eating to protect your bones.

TCollette Devlin

Collette DevlinEditor

20 MENTAL HEALTHOvercoming the misconceptions associated with mental health.

22-23 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S HEALTHCollette Devlin and Nuala Ryan look into the issues affecting men’s and women’s health and wellbeing.

A BeCreative Editorial Productionwww.becreative.ie

EditorCollette [email protected] EditorNuala RyanSub-EditorBen MurnanePhotographyNic Mac [email protected] cover and inside iStockphoto.comAdvertising (01) 7055 423Neil Butler [email protected] Design StudioReproIndependent Newspapers (Ireland) LimitedPublished by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE IN LIFEAdvances in modern medicine now mean that many devastating illnesses are largely preventable

THealth Screening Development

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SCREENING AT HEALTHWATCH

Health Screening Health Check 2010

Claire Byrne and Ivan Yates from

Newstalk launching HealthWatch

ABeing breast aware is key to early detection and successful breast cancer treatment, writes Nuala Ryan

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Cancer Care

Dr George Duffy, Medical Director of the Hermitage Medical Clinic, talks about their first-class cancer care facilities

STATE-OF-THE-ART CANCER CARE AT THE HERMITAGE

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GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Treatment facilities at Hermitage Medical Clinic

Cancer Care

CWhen it comes to health, it is joked that

men are more likely to look after their cars than their own bodies

but, as Nuala Ryan explains, by keeping

up a healthy and active lifestyle men

can reduce their risk of developing cancer

KEEP YOUR ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY

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Health Check 2010

Allergies

PREPARING FOR A SUNNY DAYÁine Ní Riain talks about coping with allergies

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REDUCING RISK FACTORS Stop smoking

Know your blood pressure

Eat a balanced healthy diet

Cardio Care

LOVE YOUR HEART,

REDUCE YOUR RISK!

Collette Devlin met Ann Scanlon, Health Promotion Offi cer with the Irish Heart Foundation to fi nd out

the most common causes of heart problems and how to prevent them

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO A HEALTHY HEART

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Charlemont Cardiology has been providing a consultant-led cardiology service for the past twenty years. It specialises in assessing the risk of future heart disease, and in the assessment and management of heart and circulatory problems. There are numerous tests available to check your heart.Electrocardiograph (ECG): Each time the heart beats a small electric current is made. This is recorded on paper when an ECG is taken. The shape of the tracing can be helpful in diagnosing coronary disease and other problems.Exercise ECG: an ECG is recorded before, during and after exercise on a treadmill. This can bring out changes of early heart disease that are not detectable on an ordinary ECG.Holter Monitor: the Holter monitor records an ECG over a full 24-hour period. It is a small box about the size of a walkman that is worn. This can be useful in diagnosing heart rhythm disturbances that may only occur occasionally.

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Professor David Foley, Consultant Cardiologist at The Hermitage Medical Clinic talks about the advances in interventional (keyhole) cardiology

ADVANCES IN CARDIOLOGY

Cardio Care

HEART CHECKCollette Devlin visits Charlemont Clinic, Dublin and discovers what causes heart attacks and what tests can confi rm if your heart is healthy

24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor: some people’s blood pressure is only high when they see a doctor! A 24-hour blood pressure monitor is again a small machine that is worn for 24 hours. It records the blood pressure on a regular basis so that doctors can tell whether the blood pressure is high all of the time or only occasionally. This may help plan more effective treatment.Echocardiogram: an echocardiogram machine uses a high-frequency sound wave to make a picture of the heart. A small probe is held against the chest and this generates the picture. This is particularly useful in seeing if the heart is enlarged, how well the heart is pumping, and in looking for problems such as a leaky heart valve.

d Charlemont Cardiology, Charlemont Clinic, Charlemont Mall, Dublin 2 Ph: (01) 4188420. Email: [email protected]

HEART TESTS EXPLAINED…

Become more active

Manage your weight

Drink alcohol in moderation

Control cholesterol

Manage stress

CARDIAC MRIDr Caroline Daly, Cardiologist at the Hermitage Medical Clinic speaks to Bernadette Kelly about state-of-the-art cardiac imaging technology

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Health Check 2010

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Fitness

WTOTAL OVERHAULGet the balance right with Educogym

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EXERCISE YOUR DEMONS

With so many benefi ts associated with exercise, make 2010 your year to get active

Before

After

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Hearing

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LISTENING OUT FOR A PROBLEM

Chief Audiologist, Judith Nugent, of

Diagnostic Audiology Services, Ireland speaks to Nuala Ryan about the

importance of caring for our hearing

COMMON EAR COMPLAINTSPresbyacusis (ageing)Usually noted while in groups or background noise, this is an inner ear problem with no medical intervention possible. The only way of addressing this is by wearing a hearing aid.

Noise-induced hearing lossPeople exposed to high noise levels with no ear protection can suffer from a temporary or permanent noise induced hearing loss. Sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time can damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear. The first sign of noise induced hearing loss is tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Many people experience this after being in a noisy venue.

Otitis MediaThe most common cause of conductive loss in children is otitis media fluid in the middle ear – if this does not clear or remain untreated the fluid can get very thick (glue ear). This then requires a myringotomy and possible grommets preformed by an ENT consultant. By age nine, due to the Eustachian tube elongating and narrowing, most children no longer have this problem.

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Eye Care

Senior Years

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SEEING CLEARLYMake eye care an important part of your health regime

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GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT

AThe key to leadinga full and activelife during your

senior years liesin a healthy and

balanceddiet, writes

Áine Ní Riain

EMANAGING YOUR MIGRAINE

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MigrainesHealth Check 2010

Bones & Joints

AFTER 20 years working with patients who were always asking what they could take to improve their health, one of Irelands leading osteopaths, Dr Geoff Hayhurst decided to investigate the paradox that two of the healthiest populations on earth, those of the Arctic and the Mediterranean, have diets extremely high in fat.

The result of this study is the new and unique omega fi sh oil supplement PARADOX. Now a number one seller, Paradox has literally taken Ireland by storm with people reporting increased health benefi ts for all the family.

Dr. Hayhurst’s unique formulation has

A BENEFICIAL FISH OILbeen tried and tested on his own patients in a pilot study with excellent feedback. The product, which is currently being researched at the University of Ulster may also help deliver benefi ts to arthritis suffers and heart health as well as skin disorders and general wellbeing. There is also growing evidence that omega fatty acids are essential for growth and development in children.

PARADOX is available in local pharmacies nationwide.

For further information contact: [email protected] or visit www.paradoxoil.com

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Myths and Children

YOUR LOVELY BONESOsteoporosis (brittle bones) is the leading bone disease in the world and is known as the silent disease, because people rarely have any signs or symptoms prior to breaking a bone writes Collette Devlin

Risk Assessment

Symptoms

90% of hip fractures are due to osteoporosis

20% of people aged 60+ who fracture a hip pass away within 6-12 months

Only 30% of people aged 60+ who fracture a hip regain their independence

Approximately only 15% of people with osteoporosis are diagnosed

A woman can lose up to 30% of bone in the fi rst few years of the menopause, unless preventive measures are put in place

Every 30 seconds an osteoporosis fracture occurs in the EU

300,000 people over 50 years of age in Ireland are estimated to have osteoporosis by 2031 and this fi gure is estimated to reach to 500,000

Hospital costs for treating fractures in older people are 402 million per annum and if current trends continue, it is estimated that costs will be 520- 550 million this year and 922- 1077 by 2020

(Source: Irish Osteoporosis Society)

DID YOU KNOW?

A BENEFICIAL FISH OIL

Risk Assessment

Symptoms

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Normal bone

Osteoporotic bone

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Health Check 2010Bones & Joints

ACollette Devlin discovers that by giving people with arthritis the knowledge and practical skills, they can live their life to the best possible standard

WORKING WITH ARTHRITIS

Arthritis Ireland can help you stay informed with a range of self-management programmes. For more information or to find out which course is for you, call 01 661 8188 log onto www.arthritisireland.ie

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

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Mental Health

MIND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH What do you think of when you hear the words ‘mental health’? Often reactions can be negative, uninformed and disinterested, writes Collette Devlin

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FEELING – depressed, sad, anxious or bored

ENERGY – tired, fatigued, everything an effort, slowed movements

SLEEP – waking during the night or too early in the morning, oversleeping or trouble getting to sleep

THINKING – slow thinking, poor concentration, forgetful or indecisive

INTEREST – loss of interest in food, work, sex and life seems dull

VALUE – reduced sense of self-worth, low self esteem or guilt

ACHES – headaches, chest or other pains without a physical basis

LIVE – not wanting to live, suicidal thoughts or thinking of death

HOW TO RECOGNISE DEPRESSION

www.yourmentalhealth.iewww.aware.iewww.mentalhealthireland.iewww.dublinsamaritans.ie

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

DEPRESSION

HELP AND SUPPORT

Advertisement

Women’s Health

Sexual Health

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Cervical cancer is the second most common female

cancer in Europe, affecting women aged

between 15 and 44 years. The death

of Jade Goody last year has perhaps

heightened awareness of this cancer

CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE

GETS THE GO AHEAD H

Treatment

Relief

The menopause is not an illness but a major event and a natural part of every woman’s life cycle, writes Collette Devlin

THE CHANGE OF LIFE

GOOD sexual health is all about acting responsibly so as you protect your own health and the health of others so don’t be too embarrassed to look after it. This means getting regular check-ups, knowing and making informed sexual choices, which in turn will help prevent STIs. STIs can infect anyone and are all very treatable, but if you leave them they can cause long-term problems. So if in doubt, get it checked out! Here are a few of the most common STIs.Genital warts (Human Papilloma Virus, HPV) Some types of this virus are associated with cervical cancer in women. So if you are being treated for

YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH

genital warts, you should follow up with your doctor for a smear test. Of the population that have this STI, 57 per cent are young males aged between 20 and 29. Genital Warts are passed on by direct skin-to-skin contact. Two out of three people who have unprotected sex with a partner with genital warts will develop this disease (HPSC, 2008). Watch out for fleshy growths or lumps in the genital area. You could have one or many painless growths of different shapes and sizes. And be aware that even if you don’t have visible warts (this virus can be in your system for eight months, maybe longer, before you show any symptoms),

Men’s Health Health Check 2010

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AN APPLE A DAYSince the first life table was compiled in 1926,

the life expectancy of men in Ireland has

increased by 20 years. Today, Nuala Ryan

writes, men in Ireland have a life expectancy

of 77 years and although women

are still expected to live longer, this is a

positive step forward

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you can still pass this virus on to your sexual partner. There are prescribed creams and it is possible to freeze the warts, but this virus won’t leave your system so the warts may come back.Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection. As up to 86 per cent of women and 55 per cent of males experience no symptoms, the numbers affected by this STI are probably underestimated. Left untreated, this infection can be passed to your sexual partner(s), and may lead to problems in pregnancy and birth. It is passed on through intimate genital contact, unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral) and from infected fingers to eyes.

It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth. Some women experience no symptoms, some report abnormal vaginal or anal discharge, pain during or after sex, a burning or stinging sensation when they pass urine and sometimes bleeding between periods. Some men experience abnormal discharge from the penis, or a burning or stinging sensation when they pass urine. Gonorrhoea is a curable STI, and is treated with antibiotics for you and your partner.Chlamydia symptoms will appear in 7 to 21 days – that is if at all! 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men don’t

even know they’ve got it because they have absolutely no symptoms with many women only finding out they’ve got it when their partner is found to be infected. Symptoms if you get them include; abnormal vaginal discharge, stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine, bleeding between periods or heavy periods and pain or bleeding during or after sex. In men symptoms include discharge from the penis or a stinging or burning sensation when they pass urine. It can be treated with Antibiotics.Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by intimate genital contact, unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or kissing an

infected person. It is very treatable if diagnosed early and it is extremely important to treat all sexual contacts of diagnosed patients. Most of the time there will be no symptoms. Initially though, between three weeks to 90 days after infection, you’ll notice sores or open, wet ulcers on your genitals, mouth or anus. These may come and go for anything up to two years! You may get rashes on your hands and feet, headaches, sore throat, swollen glands, tiredness, weight and hair loss and muscle pains. One third of people who don’t get it treated experience damage to the heart, brain, nerves or other organs.

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