Whelehans Health Blog

This Friday October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose density causing them to become weak and more likely to fracture. About one in two women and one in five men over 50 will fracture a bone because of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can affect all age groups, but it's most common in postmenopausal women. Having osteoporosis doesn't automatically mean that your bones will fracture; it just means that it's more likely. More information on Osteoporosis can be obtained in Whelehans or www.whelehans.ie.   Self Help If you have osteoporosis you need to be careful of vigorous,...

Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie or ask our pharmacist in store This is the conclusion to last week’s article in the Westmeath Examiner. Painkillers containing codeine such as Solpadeine® or Nurofen Plus® are safe if taken at the recommended dose and for no longer than 3 days. Prolonged use of codeine can cause constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, “chronic daily headache” and addiction. Codeine is the worst culprit for “medicine overuse headaches”. Painkillers such as Solpadeine® and Nurofen Plus® which contain codeine...

Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie or ask our pharmacist in store Codeine is a painkiller that is contained in many over the counter remedies such as headache remedies and cold and flu remedies. It is available in combination with other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Painkillers containing codeine such as Solpadeine® or Nurofen Plus® are safe if taken at the recommended dose and for no longer than 3 days. Prolonged use of codeine can cause constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, “chronic...

  This is the final of three articles in the Westmeath Topic about kidney transplants and the medication used. This week I discuss preventative medication that must be taken due to the effects of anti-rejection drugs. While I specifically deal with kidney transplants, a lot of the advice given in this series of articles is true for any type of transplant (eg) Heart, lung, liver.     Benefits of Kidney Transplantation Kidney transplants are not a cure but they allow you maintain a normal standard of living. A successful kidney transplant should mean you no longer need dialysis. Energy levels...

  This is the second of three articles in the Westmeath Topic about kidney transplants and the medication used. This week I discuss the medication used to prevent your body rejecting the new kidneys. Anti-rejection medication needs to be taken long term. While I specifically deal with kidney transplants, a lot of the advice given in this series of articles is true for any type of transplant (eg) Heart, lung, liver.   Cyclosporin (Neoral®) Cyclosporin prevents the body rejecting the new kidney. It is available in 100 mg and 25 mg capsules. If you ever forget to take a dose...