Whelehans Health News

Iron deficiency Anaemia Part 1 We need iron for many body functions, the most important is the manufacture of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in our blood. Iron is absorbed from food and drink. It's carried by our blood to your bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. Our bone marrow combines iron with proteins to make haemoglobin. Any spare iron is stored in our liver. Men on average need 8.7mg of iron a day and while women need 14.8mg a day. Most get enough iron in the diet; however, some people suffer from anaemia, which means low iron levels. Small...

Stoma care A stoma is the result of an operation to remove disease such as cancer, Crohn's disease or diverticulitis or from a bowel obstruction or injury to the digestive or urinary system. It is an artificial opening that allows faeces or urine either from the intestine or from the urinary tract to pass. There are three main types of stoma related to the digestive and urinary system - these are: colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy. Colostomy In a colostomy operation, part of your colon is brought to the surface of your abdomen to form the stoma. A colostomy is usually created on...

Buccal Midazolam Directions (Quick-Guide) For Epileptic Seizures (Part 2)   This is a continuation of last week’s article on Buccal Midazolam which is prescribed to treat some epileptics who have a history of longer seizures known as Status epilepticus. As discussed last week, for this indication the midazolam solution is administered against the sides of the gums and cheek so that the medicine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This is known as the buccal or oromucosal route.   When to administer? The instructions I have below for when to administer the first and second dose is the general guidance;...

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST? Buccal Midazolam Directions (Quick-Guide) For Epileptic Seizures (Part 1) Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacies, Pearse St and Clonmore, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie   What is midazolam? Midazolam is a sedative belonging to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Midazolam can be used to treat a number of different conditions, including seizures. It is prescribed for some but not all epileptics (eg) if a person has a history of longer seizures (also known as fits). If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, it...

“Acne or Rosacea?”   Acne is a disorder of skin glands that produce a natural oil (Sebum). The face, neck, shoulders, upper chest and back are most frequently affected. It affects more than one in two young adults at some stage, usually beginning at puberty and clearing completely before the mid-twenties. However, in many adolescents, acne clears within a year or two. The characteristic white-heads and black-heads are caused by over-production of sebum, leading to a blockage of skin pores with a mixture of dead skin cells and oil. Bacteria on the skin surface intensify the problem by producing chemicals...