Medical Matters Skin is the largest organ in the human body and its visible appearance often reflects on our health and vitality. If eyes are the window to our souls, so too skin can mirror something deeper about our general health. We subject our skin to sun, rain, wind, deodorants and perfumes and probably…
Medical Matters Falls and fractures are common in older adults and contribute to a significant morbidity and mortality. Falls are associated with social isolation and depression due to fear of further falls and indeed recurrent falls is one of the leading reasons for nursing home admission. One third of those aged over 65 fall…
Winter is soon approaching and the time has come once again for many of us to get the flu vaccine. In fact, it may be all the more important this season as predictions suggest we may be facing one of the most significant flu outbreaks in decades. In Australia, rather strikingly there has been a…
Skin cancer is the commonest cancer worldwide accounting for about 30% of all cancer diagnoses and affecting 10,000 people in Ireland every year. The lifetime risk of developing skin cancer is about 15% in males and 10% in females, yet remains one of the most preventable cancers. The vast majority of skin cancers (90%) are…
An ageing population has led to a significant increase in the number requiring nursing home care in Ireland in recent years. While the vast majority of adults aged over 65 continue to live at home, about 5% have care needs that require placement in long-term care rising to about 20% in those aged over 80…
Decline in vision is common from our midlife onwards and may prompt us to go and get our eyes checked out. Overall, it is estimated that 70% of sight loss in older adults is due to cataracts and refractive errors can that be corrected relatively easily. Indeed, the first sign of visual change can occur…
The concept of successful or optimal ageing has become part of the lexicon of modern day geriatrics and encompasses maintaining in as far as is possible our cognitive, physical and mental health as we grow older. Despite this, cognitive function which is crucial to healthy ageing declines significantly in many older adults. Indeed, few conditions…
Prostate cancer, a once largely silent disease that was often diagnosed in its more advanced stages has become increasingly identified and treated at an earlier phase in men today. A greater awareness of disease symptoms coupled with improvements in detection and diagnosis, as well as treatment options has led to a huge benefit in survival…
As the winter sets in, we brace ourselves not just for the long dark days and cold weather but the seasonal spike in winter-related illness – the surge in colds and flu as well as several health conditions triggered or worsened by cold weather such asthma, cold sores and circulatory problems. So what if anything…
A look at how alcohol affects our health