Whelehans Health News

To measure cholesterol, a simple blood test is often carried out.

Your GP, or practice nurse, can carry out the blood test, and will take a sample either using a needle and a syringe, or by pricking your finger. We can also check total cholesterol for you in Whelehans Pharmacy.

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST   This is the final in my series on women’s health; this week I discuss osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose density causing them to become weak and more likely to fracture. About 50% of women will fracture a bone due to osteoporosis. Whilst the condition can affect any age group, it is most common in post-menopausal women. Causes of osteoporosis Up to our mid-20s our skeleton is strengthened, but from our 40s onwards our bones gradually lose their density as a natural part of ageing. The breakdown of bone is quicker in women...

This week my series on women’s health relates to Period Pain. Dysmenorrhoea (Period related pain) Dysmenorrhoea can be a debilitating problem in women of reproductive age.  The condition can be separated into Primary and Secondary Primary: no underlying condition causing symptoms. Any pain is generally related to a women’s monthly menstrual cycle and usually presents as recurring cramp like symptoms, or abdominal or pelvic pain once her flow starts. Secondary: symptoms are caused by another condition and then perhaps aggravated by menstrual activity. It more likely to occur in women over 40 and causes may include endometriosis, fibroids, endometrial polyps,...

  Over the next three weeks I discuss three common conditions in women, namely: Migraine Dysmenorrhea (Period related issues) Osteoporosis Migraine Migraine is a real condition, just like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy. Although not life threatening, it has been found to have a greater impact of quality of life than conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The World Health Organisation classifies migraine as the 12th leading cause of disability worldwide among women and the 19th overall Once into adulthood, migraine becomes three times more common in women than in men. This is due in large part to the hormonal...