Previous Day
'No such thing as a safe tan'
Although people are more knowledgeable about the risk of skin cancer, cases of skin cancer are on the increase in Ireland, according to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS). p
Depression linked to heart disease
Conference: Depression and social isolation are independent risk factors for heart disease and also influence its prognosis, a major international conference has been told. p
IMB to impose controls on herbal medicines
Regulations: Controversial new controls on the sale of herbal medicines are to be implemented in Ireland by the semi-state body with responsibility for regulating medical and veterinary products, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB). p
Over-70s reap medical card benefits
Older people The granting of medical cards to all those over the age of 70, regardless of means, has resulted in improved health for many elderly people, a new study suggests. p
Other Health Stories
Galway group gives Malawi the gift of empowerment
A water pump project marks a 50-year association between a West of Ireland family and Malawi. Lorna Siggins writes pHugs and tears as O'Leary returns to base
One week after becoming the first Irish woman to climb the world's highest mountain, Dr Clare O'Leary has returned to Everest base camp to "hugs, smiles, laughs, tears" from other international expeditions. pMentally ill services 'not effective'
Community services Community-based services for the mentally ill are not treating patients effectively, according to the Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Theresa Carey. pRash causes 'rotten mother' syndrome to kick in
Susan Hayden has a tough couple of weeks as Tim gets an itchy rash and Susan gets no sleep. However, a taste of freedom is only a solo drive away. pHighfield wins quality award
Accreditation A Dublin hospital that has been run by the same family over six generations has this week gained the Healthcare Accreditation Programme (HAP) standard, writes Theresa Judge pGo online for special needs
Group Support Anne Dempsey speaks to the two founders of Ireland's first online provider of special needs education courses pLack of exercise puts teenagers at risk
Conference Some 70 per cent of Irish teenage girls are not physically active, and 58 per cent of teenage boys do not take any exercise, according to exercise physiologist Dave Egan of the University of Limerick. Patricia Weston reports pReport warns parents on children's toothpaste use
Dental survey: Many parents probably feel that with children consuming increasing amounts of sweets and cola they have enough to worry about when it comes to their teeth. But a new study suggests they need to take a closer look at their children's toothbrushing habits. pCheck-up
Vasectomy With our family now complete, we would like to consider some form of permanent contraception. pWhat to eat while weighting for your new arrival
Soundbites It takes more than 85,000 calories over the course of nine months to build a healthy baby. That's on top of your own calorie needs. It seems like a lot but regrettably it doesn't give us leeway "to eat for two", writes Paula Mee pBuying into the concept of sad and happy
Feeling down or disgusted? Wait, don't buy or sell anything. And whatever you do, stay away from eBay or other online shopping sites until you cheer up. p
Innocent lives lost over vaccination neglect
The death of an Irish baby from measles highlights a growing complacency in the Western world towards vaccination, writes Sylvia Thompson pUsing meditation to ease chronic pain
A former musician with the RTÉ symphony orchestra, Clive Shannon uses meditation to ease the pain caused by fibromyalgia and RSI. Iva Pocock writes pBeing a good egg
Extreme Cuisine The start of the weekend usually means collecting the casual suit from the dry cleaners, tomato stain hopefully removed, the anticipation of being entertained by somebody else, the sweet smile of the host, the canapés sliding across the glass top of the table, a pink mayonnaise or, perish, raw crudités. pMy Kind of Exercise
Louis Walsh tells Patricia Weston how he exercises to get away from whinging popstars. p
Why too much of a good thing is lethal
Skin Cancers Time costs lives, and nowhere is that more apparent than when it comes to skin cancers caused by unrelenting sun. Fiona Tyrrell reports pCase History: One Cork woman's story of survival
Anne Cuppage, a 50-year-old health psychologist from Monkstown, Co Cork, had a malignant melanoma removed from her back six years ago. pLong-term dangers of a quick-fix tan
A consultant dermatologist has warned against the use of sun-beds by children. Nuala Macklin reports pMelanoma: how to spot it
The following "A, B, C, D" rule is a convenient guide to the sort of moles which should be checked out by a doctor. pBacon and cabbage
Medical Matters Today about 80,000 patients will attend the 3,300 general practitioners on the island of Ireland. They will have their woes listened to, their reflexes tapped, blood pressures measured, receive down-to-earth advice, prescriptions and about 3,500 will be referred on to other specialists. Good solid bacon and cabbage medicine that is always there when needed. p
Medicine man's quiet authority
In these days of celebrity culture and status anxiety the Irish Medicines Board is an unusual creature - it is self-confident, self-financing and isn't looking for a high public profile. pLet loose on the wards
Heart Beat It was time to resume the medical pathway, having taken an intermission to undertake a B.Sc.(Med) degree - a year I thoroughly enjoyed. This brought a new class and new friends. It also brought my first real introduction to hospital life, writes Maurice Neligan. p
Help yourself to breathe easily
Breathing, so immediately essential to life, must meet certain conditions and people with asthma need to know this more than most. Michelle McDonagh reports pRunning back into an active lifestyle
Richard Moran's life has been transformed by his use of the Buteyko Breathing Method pThree steps to basic breath retraining
The following is a basic breath retraining exercise taken from Asthma Free Naturally pNew Irish website for couples hoping to start a family
A new free and confidential website aimed at prospective Irish parents aims to be the first port of call for unbiased information on fertility and pregnancy pFragility of our morality
Mind Moves Over coffee with friends recently, someone uttered the name of Ian Huntley. She lamented his behaviour towards "those two darling girls" and hoped to God she would never bump into someone like him. "To think there are people like him walking around and we might not see them for what they are." p
Miles away from the circus life
A New Life Bill Mooney is a taxi driver with more than one trick up his sleeve. Elaine Edwards reports pVisiting hours at Our Lady's
TV Scope I have to admit to having a soft spot for television programmes of a medical nature. However, they have to meet certain criteria before they can be included on my 'regulars' list. A good example would be Scrubs or ER, both of which have the required ingredients: a combination of fiction, gore and subtle humour with the bonus of a couple of good-looking docs, writes Marion Kerr. pMy Working Day
Catherine Scully: senior community physiotherapist in Co Offaly was also responsible for setting up the service pOn the Couch
Joe McDonagh Occupation: Registered psychologist and lecturer. President of the Psychological Society of Ireland, the professional body for psychologists in Ireland. pLifelines
Genetic Disorder: Haemochromatosis is a common yet under diagnosed disorder in which the body absorbs too much iron. p
