Medical Matters   One of the most commonly prescribed medications in Ireland are proton pump inhibitors which are used in the treatment of acid reflux and peptic ulcers. In fact, up to 20% of adults suffer with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) which appears to be increasing in prevalence and is more common in those of…

Medical Matters   An ageing population has resulted in a major increase in the number of older adults who have significant cognitive impairment. While the incidence of dementia at any given age has not changed much in recent decades, the number of people affected has noticeably risen due to gains in life expectancy. Dementia incidence…

Medical Matters   Do you keep an eye on your blood pressure? High blood pressure (hypertension) is one the biggest contributors to heart and stroke disease and premature death. While having high cholesterol is often talked about, its negative effect is much less significant than hypertension. Last year saw new guidelines being introduced by several…

Medical Matters   The recent controversy regarding the Cervical Check programme in Ireland has brought into focus the importance of cancer screening programmes. But in particular, it has also emphasised the limitations with interpretation of screening tests and the need for ongoing quality assurance. The Pap smear test was introduced in the 1940’s and is…

Medical Matters   An outbreak of measles earlier this year has highlighted the importance of children getting immunisation with the MMR vaccine. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that gives rise to cold like symptoms, a fever and a rash, and usually affects children but can occur at any age. While in most cases…

Ear, nose and throat complaints can be a source of much discomfort and are frequent accounting for a significant proportion of GP visits. One of the most common symptoms is a sore throat that in the majority of cases is caused by viral infections and doesn’t generally require treatment with antibiotics. Gargling with salty water…

Medical Matters   What is the secret to longevity or healthy ageing? For centuries, scientists have searched for a so-called ‘elixir of life’ that could maintain our youth and halt the ageing process. The complexity of ageing and its genetic and biological determinants are being increasingly explored in population studies, though finding magic bullets to…

Medical Matters   Cancer is estimated to affect up to one in two people in their lifetime in Ireland, where it currently accounts for about 30% of all deaths. Indeed, the number of new cases of cancer is steadily rising on the back of an ageing population with about 40,000 diagnoses being made last year.…

Medical Matters   Coffee is one of the most widely drank beverages in the world and indeed in Ireland is consumed by about 75% of the population. While many of us are familiar with the caffeine boost we get from coffee, it is actually only one of up to 1000 bioactive compounds it contains that…