Whelehans Health News

  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...

It is natural for an infant to have some regurgitation after feeding. The issue is whether GORD is causing a problem in your infant rather than whether GORD is occurring at all. Reflux is most common between one to four months and approximately 67% of infants have more than 1 daily episode of regurgitation at four months. By 12 months only 5% have symptoms. By 12-18 months, most cases of GORD will resolve as the sphincter (valve between oesophagus and stomach) matures, the infant adopts an upright posture and begins having a more solid diet. Symptoms of reflux in infants...

According to a report in the Irish Times in April 2012, an IPSOS/MRBI survey found 89% of Irish people do not eat enough salmon, fresh tuna, sardines or trout to ensure that they receive the required dose of Omega 3.   Which is more important: Omega 3, 6 or 9? Omega-6 and 9’s can be found abundantly in many of our common vegetable cooking oils, but not olive oil. Omega 6 and 9 are common ingredients in many of the foods we eat. Irish diets tend to be lacking in Omega 3 so it is more important to supplement with...

Acid-suppressing drugs The two groups of acid-suppressing drugs available proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers). PPIs are more effective and are used more often than H2 blockers. Proton pump inhibitors work by completely blocking the production of stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors include: omeprazole (Losec®, Romep®), lansoprazole (Zoton®, Zotrole®), pantoprazole (Protium®, Pantup®) rabeprazole (Pariet®, Razole®), and esomeprazole (Nexium®, Nexazole®). Side effects of PPIs are uncommon but may include headaches, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and constipation. There is no significant difference in efficacy between equivalent doses of proton pump inhibitors, including equivalent doses of esomeprazole (Nexium) and omeprazole....

Complications Oesophageal ulcers Continued and prolonged damage to the oesophageal lining by GORD, if left untreated, can lead to ulcers forming within the tube. These ulcers can bleed and cause pain making swallowing difficult.   Oesophageal stricture Constant exposure to acid can cause scar tissue to form the lining of the oesophagus. Again, like ulcers, if left untreated, this scar damage will build up causing the oesophagus to narrow causing poor and painful swallowing.   Barrett’s oesophagus This condition relates to a change, caused by persistent GORD, in those cells which line the oesophageal tube. About 10% of GORD sufferers...