Getting support for loss and grief
An eight-week online support group will begin later this month to assist people dealing with loss.
Coping with the loss of someone or something is challenging. Grieving can be associated with the death of a loved one—which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief.
In response to HSE’s suggestions to engage in social distancing to limit the spreading of Covid-19, the organiser, Open Doors Counselling Services, is moving to online meetings. They can use either videoconferencing or if the group agrees they can meet outdoors.
The group is run by a qualified counsellor and costs €70. Those interested are asked to make contact for more details before deciding to purchase a ticket. Contact details: Monika 0857542579 or monika.hubczuk@gmail.com
Their website is: www.opendoorscounselling.com/
Kidney transplants costs less than alternatives
New research led by Queen’s University Belfast has found that kidney transplantation is the optimum treatment for people with chronic kidney disease, improving both their quality of life and long-term survival, whilst also costing less than alternative treatments.
The research, conducted in partnership with nephrologists from the National University of Ireland Galway, University Hospitals Birmingham and The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Based on the study findings, the researchers conclude that transplantation is not only life changing for patients with chronic kidney disease, improving both quality of life and long-term survival, but is also beneficial for wider society as it is associated with lower costs than dialysis.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition that affects over 10% of the global population and is predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world by 2040.
Lockdown increases obesity in kids
Lockdowns implemented due to the coronavirus have negatively impacted diet, sleep and physical activity among children with obesity across the world, according to University at Buffalo research.
The study examined 41 overweight children throughout March and April in Verona, Italy.
Compared to behaviours recorded a year prior, the children ate an additional meal per day; slept an extra half hour per day; added nearly five hours per day in front of phone, computer and television screens; and dramatically increased their consumption of red meat, sugary drinks and junk foods.
Physical activity, on the other hand, decreased by more than two hours per week, and the amount of vegetables consumed remained unchanged.
“The tragic Covid-19 pandemic has collateral effects extending beyond direct viral infection,” says Myles Faith, PhD, UB childhood obesity expert and co-author on the study. “Children and teens struggling with obesity are placed in an unfortunate position of isolation that appears to create an unfavourable environment for maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours.”