We all know that stopping smoking improves your physical health. Quitting smoking is also proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing: it can improve mood and help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

‪Bananas vs. Sports Drinks? Bananas Win in Study ‬

Why acupuncture for pregnancy? Acupuncture is safe and effective during your pregnancy and can help with a number of problems associated with pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, pelvic pain, stress, sciatica, back pain, anxiety, insomnia, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Often seen in clinic, especially from end of the second trimester, back pain related to pregnancy - and otherwise!- is very successfully relieved with acupuncture. ACUPUNTURE and FERTILITY TREATMENT Dr. Noreen Kelly is a qualified medical acupuncturist and offers acupuncture treatments at The Weir Family Clinic. She also treats patients who are not patients of our practice Acupuncture is increasingly gaining its place among western medical practices and recently, a number of research studies conducted have shown that acupuncture may increase chances of pregnancy combined with IVF or other ART (assisted reproductive treatment) techniques. A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008 concluded that a woman's chances of pregnancy, if having acupuncture in addition to IVF, are increased by 65%. Furthermore, studies have shown that acupuncture may regulate ovulation and improve chances of successful embryo implantation if performed before and after embryo transfer. A recent study conducted at the Homerton University Hospital in London has shown that the chances of pregnancy are doubled when acupuncture is used alongside the IVF. When working with couples trying to conceive, Dr. Kelly utilises extensive knowledge and experience from both Eastern and Western medical procedures to help you succeed in achieving a healthy pregnancy. Treatment plans are always tailor-made to suit your individual needs to ensure your care remains second to none. It is important to consider the latest research that backs up the use of complementary and conventional medical practices so that the route to parenthood is as straight-forward and to the point as possible. For an acupuncture appointment with Dr. Kelly, ring 023 8852918.

The recommendations have not changed for the MMR Vaccine - the 1st dose is due at 12 months of age from your GP, the 2nd dose is due when your child is in Junior Infants.

FUNGAL NAIL INFECTIONS Fungal nail infections are common. They're not serious but they can take a long time to treat. Fungal nail infections usually affect your toenails but you can get them on your fingernails too. If you have diabetes you should see a foot specialist because any foot injury can lead to complications. A pharmacist can help with fungal nail infections Speak to a pharmacist If the look of your nail bothers you or it's painful. They may suggest: • antifungal nail cream – it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and doesn't always work • nail-softening cream – used for 2 weeks to soften the nail so the infection can be scraped off The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base. See a GP if your fungal nail infection: • is severe and treatment hasn't worked • has spread to other nails Treatment from a GP Your GP can prescribe antifungal tablets. You'll need to take these every day for up to 6 months. Tablets can have side effects including: • headaches • itching • loss of taste • diarrhoea You can't take antifungal tablets if you're pregnant or have certain conditions. They can damage your liver. Badly infected nails sometimes need to be removed. It's a small procedure done while the area is numbed (under local anaesthetic). Preventing fungal nail infections Fungal nail infections develop when your feet are constantly warm and damp. You're more likely to get an infection if you wear trainers for a long time and have hot, sweaty feet. To prevent fungal nail infections: Do • treat athlete's foot as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to nails • keep your feet clean and dry • wear clean socks every day • wear flip flops in showers at the gym or pool • throw out old shoes Don't • wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty • share towels • wear other people's shoes • share nail clippers or scissors

And the bulk of the blame goes to the POLITCIANS! The next time you see Jim - our Junior Minister for Health in town you might remind him that he answers to US - the voters!!

INGROWN TOENAIL An ingrown toenail develops when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The nail curls and pierces the skin, which becomes red, swollen and tender. The big toe is often affected, either on one or both sides. Other possible symptoms include: • pain if pressure is placed on the toe • inflammation of the skin at the end of the toe • a build-up of fluid in the area surrounding the toe • an overgrowth of skin around the affected toe • bleeding • white or yellow pus coming from the affected area When to see your GP See your GP or podiatrist (foot care specialist) if your ingrown toenail is badly inflamed, bleeding or has pus coming from it, because it may be infected. It's also important to seek medical advice if you have diabetes and an ingrown toenail. Having diabetes could affect how your toenail heals. Causes of ingrown toenails A number of things can cause an ingrown toenail to develop, including: • badly cut toenails – cutting your toenails too short, or cutting the edges, will encourage the skin to fold over your nail and the nail to grow into the skin • wearing tight-fitting shoes, socks or tights – this places pressure on the skin around your toenail; the skin may be pierced if it's pressed on to your toenail • sweaty feet – if the skin around your toenails is soft, it's easier for your nail to pierce it and embed itself within it • injury – for example, stubbing your toe can sometimes cause an ingrown toenail to develop • natural shape of the nail – the sides of curved or fan-shaped toenails are more likely to press into the skin surrounding the nail A fungal nail infection can cause your toenail to thicken or widen. Treating ingrown toenails Without treatment, an ingrown toenail can become infected, so it’s important that you: • keep your feet clean by washing them regularly with soap and water • change your socks regularly • cut your toenails straight across to stop them digging into the surrounding skin • gently push the skin away from the nail using a cotton bud (this may be easier after using a small amount of olive oil to soften the skin) • wear comfortable shoes that fit properly Surgery may be recommended if your toenail doesn't improve. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, this may involve either: • partial nail avulsion – removing part of your toenail • total nail avulsion – removing your whole toenail Partial nail avulsion Partial nail avulsion is a very effective and commonly used operation for treating ingrown toenails. A local anaesthetic is used to numb your toe and the edges of your toenail are cut away. A chemical called phenol is applied to the affected area to prevent the nail growing back and becoming ingrown in the future. A course of antibiotics may be prescribed if your nail is infected, and any pus will be drained away. Total nail avulsion Total nail avulsion may be necessary if your nail is thick and pressing into the skin surrounding your toe. After your toenail has been removed, you’ll have an indentation where your nail used to be. However, it's perfectly safe for you not to have a toenail. After surgery After toenail surgery, your toe will be wrapped in a sterile bandage. This helps to stem any bleeding and prevent infection. Rest your foot and keep it raised for one to two days after the operation. To help reduce the pain, you may need to take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and wear soft or open-toed shoes for the first few days after surgery. Preventing ingrown toenails Taking care of your feet will help prevent foot problems such as ingrown toenails. It’s important to cut your toenails properly (straight across, not at an angle or down the edges). Wash your feet every day, dry them thoroughly and use foot moisturiser. You can also use a foot file or pumice stone to remove hard or dead skin. Wearing shoes that fit properly will help to ensure your feet remain healthy. You should also change your socks (or tights) every day. Visit your GP or a podiatrist as soon as possible if you develop problems with your feet.

Children get too much protection and not enough exercise

Four factors that lessen pain There are Four lifestyle factors that can help you control your chronic pain naturally and may help to reduce your reliance on pharmaceuticals. Sleep. Most recuperation, rejuvenation and detoxification in the body is done during sleep. Poor sleep is a major contributor to chronic disease. Disordered sleep hinders daily functioning, is associated with increased risk of injury and adversely affects health (increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke). Movement. A typical day for many patients suffering from chronic pain includes hours of couch time. Physical activity hurts, but inactivity can make pain worse. Rather than telling pain patients they need to “exercise,” we encourage them to “move throughout the day.” Setting a timer for every 20 minutes as a reminder to get up and walk around the living room can seem less daunting than starting an exercise regimen. Building consistent movement into their day can aid recovery enough to help them tolerate an exercise programme later. Stress management. Stress exacerbates pain, yet it’s controllable. We encourage patients to optimize their environments, removing toxins, such as interpersonal conflict, noise and clutter. You should develop good social connections, which is important for emotional support. You should identify stress relievers that work for you — possibly exercise, meditation, prayer or mindfulness. Diet. Pain patients are often malnourished. Nutritional deficiency, usually resulting from unhealthy food choices, contributes to pain. Patients should educate themselves how sugar, processed carbohydrates and damaged fats can increase inflammation and otherwise aggravate pain - healthier diets have the opposite effect.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death both in Ireland and worldwide. CHD is sometimes called ischaemic heart disease. Symptoms of CHD The main symptoms of CHD are: • angina (chest pain) • heart attacks • heart failure However, not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may not have any before CHD is diagnosed. . Causes of coronary heart disease Coronary heart disease is the term that describes what happens when your heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. Over time, the walls of your arteries can become furred up with fatty deposits. This process is known as atherosclerosis and the fatty deposits are called atheroma. Atherosclerosis can be caused by lifestyle factors and other conditions, such as: • smoking • high cholesterol • high blood pressure (hypertension) • diabetes Diagnosing coronary heart disease If your doctor feels you're at risk of CHD, they may carry out a risk assessment. This involves asking about your medical and family history, your lifestyle and taking a blood test. Further tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis of CHD, including: • a treadmill test • a radionuclide scan • a CT scan • an MRI scan • a coronary angiography Treating coronary heart disease Coronary heart disease can't be cured but treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of problems such as heart attacks. Treatment can include: • lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and stopping smoking • medication • angioplasty - using balloons and stents to treat narrow heart arteries • surgery Recovering from the effects of CHD If you have a heart attack or have had angioplasty or heart surgery, it's possible to eventually resume a normal life. Advice and support is available to help you deal with aspects of your life that may have been affected by CHD. Preventing CHD You can reduce your risk of getting CHD by making some simple lifestyle changes. These include: • eating a healthy, balanced diet • being physically active • giving up smoking • controlling blood cholesterol and sugar levels Keeping your heart healthy will also have other health benefits, such as helping reduce your risk of stroke and dementia. The heart The heart is a muscle about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body and beats approximately 70 times a minute. After the blood leaves the right side of the heart, it goes to your lungs where it picks up oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood returns to your heart and is then pumped to the body's organs through a network of arteries. The blood returns to your heart through veins before being pumped back to your lungs again. This process is called circulation. The heart gets its own supply of blood from a network of blood vessels on the heart's surface called coronary arteries.

Sarah caught measles as a child and was left with lasting disabilities including deafness, partial sight and learning difficulties. Her mother Audrey talks about the impact this has had.

Bandon weir.

Angry water - 30DEC15