June – Travel Vaccines

The holiday season is upon us and along with the usual packing and preparations it is important to take time to consider any health issues you may encounter while travelling. Read more..

Do you need travel vaccinations? – whether heading off back packing for a year or travelling to Egypt for a week you need to consider if your travel vaccinations are up to date. If this is your first time bear in mind that some vaccination programmes can take up to six weeks to complete so please make your appointment plenty of time.

We offer a full range of common single dose travel vaccines such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria/Polio/Tetanus and also Hepatitis B, a series of vaccinations which may be required for longer trips.

We are also a registered Centre for Yellow Fever. Please review our Travel vaccination services for full information.

As well as vaccination during your pre-travel consultation our nurse or doctor can also advise you regarding malaria prophylaxis, water and food safety, traveller’s diarrhoea, insect bites and sun protection while you are away.

Even if staying close to home it is important to attend for a check up, particularly if you or your children require repeat prescriptions, you are pregnant, or need medical certification for insurance purposes before setting off.

You will find lots more information in the Health Promotion section of our Useful Links.

Enjoy the holiday season!

May – Hay fever

Hay fever – It’s that time of year again. Itchy eyes? Streaming nose? Hay fever season is soon upon us. Read more…

If you suffer now is a good time for a check up with your GP as the most effective hay fever treatments focus on prevention and alleviation of chronic symptoms through regular use of inflammation soothing medication. Remember that hay fever and asthma are closely linked and so it may be time for an asthma check with our nurse to insure that your treatment is optimised for the summer months. We provide access to peak flow and spirometry assessments in practice.

For further useful information please see www.asthma.ie or our Useful links.

Irish Heart foundation – Happy heart May

This month the Irish Heart Foundation holds its annual Happy Heart Day. The good news is that with better awareness and care the rate of cardiovascular (heart) disease has fallen in Ireland over the last 50 years but it remains a very common and serious condition which accounts for 40% of all deaths each year. Read more..

There are lots of simple things that you can do to lower your risk of developing heart disease in the future. Most of these relate to making small changes to your lifestyle, eating and exercise habits whichcan have health benefits for all the family.

If you or a loved one have been affected by cardiovascular (heart) disease or you think you may need advice regarding blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or weight loss now is the time to see your doctor to begin looking after your own heart health. We offer several specialised health check services to assist patients. For further details please see our Lifestyle clinic and Heart Watch programme information.

If you have questions or need more information please visit www.irishheart.ie or see your doctor today. You will find further relevant information in the Health promotion and Download sections of our Useful links.

April – Get active

The evenings are stretching out and for many training for the Women’s Mini Marathon is getting under way. If you haven’t yet dusted off your runners there is no better time to get active. Read more…

We should all get at least 30 minutes physical activity most days of the week, on top of our usual day to day chores. Walking is a great way to start, swimming provides exercise while protecting sore hips, knees or backs and heavy housework or gardening count too! Variety is the key to sustaining exercise habits so why not take up a new activity or join a yoga class today.

When overweight (BMI >25) loosing just 10% weight can have significant benefits for your health.

If you have questions or need more information please consider attending our nurse or book in for a Lifestyle Clinic assessment today. You will find further relevant information in the Health promotion and Download sections of our Useful links or take a few minutes to view this short educational animation video ’23 and 1/2 Hours’

March – Cancer Awareness

This month the National Cancer Society holds its annual Daffodil Day reminding us of the need for education about and prevention of the common causes of cancer in Ireland. It is important to be positive and pro active about your health. If you would like more information, are experiencing symptoms that worry you or have a strong family history of cancer why not visit your doctor for a check up.

More people suffering from common cancers in Ireland are now receiving earlier diagnosis and more successful treatments then ever. Screening programmes like Breast Check and Cervical Check are up and running providing reassurance to the majority of women who have normal results but also picking up disease early which results in better outcomes for those who may need treatment.

Simple changes to our diet, exercise, smoking and drinking habits can protect us against cancer. Awareness of safety in the sun is becoming more important in Ireland too as rates of skin cancer are on the rise . If you have questions or need more information please visit www.cancer.ie or see your doctor today. You will find further relevant information in the Health promotion and Download sections of our Useful links.

To all the men out there:  when was the last time your body had its own ‘NCT’? If you have not had a check up for some time or if you have noticed a new symptom  or if there is one which you may have decided to ignore or put to the back of your mind or if you simply want to get fitter this year, why not take the bull by its horns and start into spring with a thorough check up by your doctor?

Women in this country are still outliving their male counterparts by a whopping five years. Part of the reason for this is that they are more pro-active about visiting the doctor when they have a health worry.

Naturally some men can find attending the doctor with certain symptoms embarrassing,  such as problems with passing urine or changes in their bowel habits but these are the very things that need to been seen early so that in most cases reassurance or simple tests can be provided.

Men continue to suffer from more heart disease than women and our busy, stressful lives can often leave little time for healthy eating or exercise. There are lots of simple things that you can do to lower your risk of developing heart disease in the future. Most of these relate to making small changes to your lifestyle: controlling stress (and it is a stressful time for everyone these days), learning good healthy eating habits and adding more exercise into your day to day life: these healthier lifestyle approaches can have health benefits not only for you but for all the family. If you don’t know where to start why not see your doctor for advice.

Men can find talking about stress, personal worries, feelings of depression or loneliness difficult – however a problem shared is truly a problem halved and a visit to your GP can be the simplest starting point to redress the balance in your life and to find ways of coping with the above issues. You will find further relevant information in the Health promotion and Download sections of our Useful links.

The impact of mental health problems, in particular depression, is foremost in the minds of many people and their families in these tough times in our society.

We invite anyone experiencing difficulties  to contact our medical staff as a first point of call. You will find a great deal of information, for all ages, in our Useful links section of our website. (Please explore download information / mental health links in particular)

For a short introduction to depression, accessible to all, please view this animated link Black Dog

January – ‘Flu Vaccination reminder/New Year resolutions

If you have been thinking about being vaccinated against the influenza virus but have been putting it on the long finger, now is the time to make an appointment with the office staff to receive your vaccination. Reports from the US suggest ‘flu is reaching epidemic proportions there and hence with so many people travelling about, viruses travel easily. USA Influenza outbreak reuters

Check out the following link  for more information on Influenza…  (http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=537)

So New Year has come around again and it is perhaps a time to think about making some changes to our lifestyle. Whether this year will be the one where you decide to take more exercise, eat more nutritionally balanced meals, moderate your drinking habits and perhaps once and for all give up smoking,  the best place to start is with your doctor, who can provide the advice, education, encouragement  and support that is required to help you achieve your goals…Read More

For example, many of us don’t know our ideal weight or how to make steps towards changing our lifestyle to achieve it. Losing extra weight does not only make us look and feel healthier but it can have a great impact on our risk of developing  conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Making an appointment to see the doctor can be the first step towards a healthier you. For lots of useful tips on where to start visit… www.weigh2live.eu

If quitting smoking has become a priority for you, or if you need to learn more about the ways in which giving up may help change your life, a visit to your doctor can set you up with the advice, motivation and tools that you need for the task ahead. There are a wide range of treatments available from counselling to medication – something to suit everyone. It is never too late and even cutting back can deliver health benefits. For more information a good place to start is www.giveupsmoking.ie or book in to see your GP this week.



December

Safe food, Healthy Eating tips.

Alcohol / Family conflict & financial stress

While Christmas in general is a time for catching up with friends and family, enjoying the magic with your children and indulging in some good seasonal fare remember it can be a difficult time of year for some.  Read more…

Often throwing family together,  indoors, for long periods may trigger tensions in families. Keep the peace and enjoy each other’s company by making sure to give everyone their own space,  help out  around the house to spread the jobs so you can all enjoy the break.  Be very aware too that excessive alcohol can often prompt arguments that otherwise may not occur. Wrap up and get out for a walk; the exercise will blow any cobwebs away.
Useful information is available at www.drinkaware.ie , www.accord.ie, www.aware.ie

The financial demands on individuals at Christmas can be great and a source of added stress and worry in the family and most particularly during these recessionary times. For simple advice on finanacial and other matters, MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) have a useful leaflet available online at www.mabs.ie or see www.citizensinformation.ie for support that you may find helpful.

While enjoying all the traditional festive treats is part of the joys of Christmas a little forward thinking can avoid unpleasant food poisoning or the need to start the New Year with a diet.   www.weigh2live.eu, www.safefood.eu

Christmas generally is a time of indulgence, not just on the big day itself where the average person consumes up to 3 times their required daily calorie intake, but over the extended party season.

Think about your food carefully when doing Christmas shopping in the run up to the festive season. Avoid stocking up in the weeks before on high calorie snack foods, sweets and drinks. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables which will give more energy and vitamins than snacky items.

Finally please do not forget our elderly relatives, friends and neighbours who may need a visit more than ever at this time of year. For more information see our news archive.

Should any of these issues become too much to cope with please do not hesitate to contact your GP for support.

November –Alzheimers/Dementia – support for carers and sufferers

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia? The wonderful, and often unseen work of thousands of carers in Ireland allow many of those suffering with dementia to live at home for as long as possible, with dignity, in a caring and supportive environment. Read more…

However caring for a sufferer with dementia can be draining, both physically and emotionally, and carers often feel they have no one to turn themselves when things become too much to bear. If this is you please do not hesitate to see your GP should you need help and support for any of the concerns above.

Also contact your GP if you have concerns that you yourself or a loved one are  showing symptoms of forgetfulness or behaviour that is out of character.

There are many community and medical supports available which you may not know about but which can be researched and organised through your GP or Primary care team. Carers and families can access information via the Alzheimer Society of Ireland which has links to many home services, respite and local support groups at www.alzheimer.ie.

Care of the Elderly

At this time of year it is especially important to think of our elderly friends and neighbours. Winter can be long and lonely even for those with family around. Read more…

Elderly people require warmth and regular hot meals to keep safe during the colder months and may need support to get their groceries or medication when inclement weather or ice may make it difficult to brave the outdoors.

Many older people have a fear of falling if they venture out, leaving them isolated in their homes and so may miss their usual company and routine. Should you or a loved one need extra help or support from the many community services available please to not hesitate to contact your doctor or Public Health nurse for advice. Prepare well for the winter including having an early health check-up and ensure that all vaccinations including the annual influenza vaccine are up to date.

When at home keep heating on in the room you spend most time in and an ambient heat elsewhere if possible. Always wear warm layers adding extra socks and mittens when you feel chilly. Get up and walk around the house at least every hour for a few minutes to keep circulation going and muscles strong. Have regular warm drinks and meals.

The following websites have lots of helpful information and useful contacts www.ageaction.ie, www.friendsoftheelderly.ie

The HSE has issued new vaccine guidelines, including vaccination of pregnant women, to protect very young infants in the wake of the ongoing whooping cough outbreak.

Infants are routinely vaccinated against whooping cough  in their 2,4 and 6 month vaccine schedule but there have been cases of serious illness occurring in preterm infants and young babies, under 6 months who have yet to complete this vaccine schedule.

In order to protect babies all pregnant women should receive a Pertussis (whooping cough) booster between 28 – 32 weeks gestation for maximum protection of their baby. Adolescents and adults are often the source of infection for babies. The condition can be treated with antibiotics which helps limit spread to others. It is important to attend your GP if you are having persistent, severe bouts of coughing that may result in vomiting or a classic ‘whoop’.

Please see www.immunisation.ie for more details on vaccination and  download the following for more information on the symptoms and signs of whooping cough, HSE vaccination information and a discussion article from the ICGP (Irish College of GP) Forum journal publication.

Whooping cough fact sheet  from HSE : www.immunisation.ie

What is Whooping cough?

Whooping cough Forum Article