Whelehans Health News

Asthma Part 1   Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause a cough, wheezing and breathlessness. The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person.   Causes                                                           With asthma, the airways become over-sensitive and react to stimuli that would normally not cause a problem, such as cold air or dust. Muscles around the wall of the airway tighten up, making it narrow and difficult for air to flow in and out. The lining of the airway’s swells, and sticky mucus is produced. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out. Tightening of muscle around...

Children Flu Vaccines   Flu vaccine for children Children are more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu. Children who are sick with flu miss days in crèche, childcare and school. They also miss out on their usual activities such as hobbies and sports. For the second year in Ireland, children aged 2 to 12 can get the nasal flu vaccine for free. The flu vaccine will help protect your child against flu and reduce the spread of flu to others. For example, their brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.   The vaccine is given as a single spray in each nostril of...

Diabetes: Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options Part 2   Foods to restrict (Continued) White rice, pasta, and bread These are one of the worst foods you can consume if you are trying to regulate blood sugar level. This group of foods are refined starches and are made with white flour. These white carbohydrates are almost pure glucose and are recognised by your body as sugar once it begins to digest them. Opt for whole grains, like brown rice and pasta, porridge, high fibre cereals, and whole grain breads.   Fatty cuts of meat – While meat will not interact with your blood...

Diabetes: Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options Part 1 Diet It is important to regularly eat three times a day.  Special diabetic foods are not needed for a healthy diet. There is strong evidence that progression from hyperglycaemia to type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least delayed by dietary effort. A diabetes prevention programme in the US gave a 58% reduction in the incidence of diabetes when participants were provided with lifestyle intervention, including diet, compared with a 31% reduction in persons treated with metformin. However, there are relatively few other studies evaluating the effect of dietary intervention in patients with type...

The single shot (Janssen) J&J vaccine against COVID-19 Part 2   Update on Vaccines for 18- to 34-year-olds Since Monday 5th July, pharmacies including Whelehans Pearse St and Clonmore Mullingar can supply the Janssen single-dose Vaccine to 18 - 34-year-olds as well as over 50’s. You do not need to register on hse.ie but you need an appointment with the pharmacy. There is currently a limited supply available. As more vaccines become available, we will be able to issue more appointments. Whelehans take bookings on the Whelehans website, but we must temporarily put bookings on hold until we get more...