Whelehans Health News

This is a continuation of last week’s article on atherosclerosis.

Causes

As we get older our arteries naturally begin to harden and narrow leading to atherosclerosis. A number of things that accelerate this process including high-fat diets and cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, excessive Alcohol intake, family history (it tends to run in families), ethnicity (It is more common among people of African and African-Caribbean descent) and air pollution.

Treatment

Treatment for atherosclerosis aims to prevent the condition from worsening to the point that it can trigger a serious complication such as a heart attack. This can be achieved by making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet or increasing exercise. There are several medications available to treat many of the underlying causes of atherosclerosis, such as a high cholesterol level and high blood pressure. Antiplatelet medication such as aspirin thins blood so helps prevent clots. In some cases surgery may be required to widen or bypass a section of a blocked or narrowed artery. More detailed information about lifestyle factors to reduce atherosclerosis such as healthy eating, losing weight, increasing exercise, giving up smoking and more can be viewed at www.whelehans.ie.

What is our BPro Cardio Screen Service?

Whelehans now has a cardiovascular health check called BPro Cardio Screen. This test measures the stiffness of your arteries to help identify risk of blockages and your risk of cardiovascular disease and circulation problems. BPRo is placed like a watch on your wrist and is completely pain free. A pulse wave reads and calculates a wave signal that indicates the elasticity of large, small, and peripheral artery walls as well as tests for stress, central blood pressure, heart rate, and more. It is now only €35 (was €50); it only takes about 15 minutes to get checked. Our next clinic is next week (Thursday February 11^th) from 9am to 5pm. Book by calling Whelehans at 04493 34591.

Arginine or BPro Cardio Screen is not meant as a substitute for proper medical assessment with your doctor and should not replace prescription medication

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591.

Atherosclerosis is the medical term for what most of us refer to as “clogging of the arteries”, usually with fatty substances such as cholesterol. Atherosclerosis occurs when arteries become clogged up by fatty substances called plaques or atheromas. This build up of plaque is the root cause of various cardiovascular diseases such as angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.  About 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and other circulatory diseases. CVD is the most common cause of death in Ireland, accounting for 36% of all deaths. The largest number of these deaths relate to coronary heart disease, mainly heart attack, accounting for 5,000 deaths. 22% of premature deaths (under age 65) are from CVD.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause for CHD. In atherosclerosis, plaques cause affected arteries to harden and narrow which is potentially dangerous because restricted blood flow can damage organs and stop them functioning properly.

Can L’arginine benefit your heart?

As mentioned last week, L-arginine is best known for its cardiovascular benefits and can relax blood vessels. Research shows it reduces stress on the heart, improves circulation and lowers blood pressure. L’Arginine can increase blood flow without the side effects associated with some prescription vasodilators such as headaches and flushing. Reduced blood pressure may be seen within a few days of commencing L’Arginine. The benefits of l-arginine was part of the research that lead to three American scientists winning the 1998 Nobel Prize for Medicine. However, as of yet, research has not shown that L’arginine supplementation reduces the risk of heart attack. By naturally dilating blood vessels, it can also benefit many of the vascular diseases mentioned above.   

What is our BPro Cardio Screen Service?

Whelehans now has a cardiovascular health check called BPro Cardio Screen. This test measures the stiffness of your arteries to help identify risk of blockages and your risk of cardiovascular disease and circulation problems. BPRo is placed like a watch on your wrist and is completely pain free. A pulse wave reads and calculates a wave signal that indicates the elasticity of large, small, and peripheral artery walls as well as tests for stress, central blood pressure, heart rate, and more. It is now only €35 (was €50); it only takes about 15 minutes to get checked. Our next clinic is Thursday February 11^th from 9am to 5pm. Book by calling Whelehans at 04493 34591.

To be continued…next week I will discuss causes and treatment atherosclerosis

Arginine or BPro Cardio Screen is not meant as a substitute for proper medical assessment with your doctor and should not replace prescription medication

 For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591.

We often hear people say they have “poor circulation”. There are many different causes of poor circulation and many conditions that can lead to poor circulation. Symptoms of these conditions can include “cold hands”, pins and needles in hands and feet, numbness, varicose veins, leg cramps, a heavy feeling in the limbs and swollen ankles. Serious and even life threatening conditions that can occur include leg ulcers, gangrene, kidney failure and brain aneurisms. We have 100,000 miles of blood vessels in a complex network throughout our body.

Poor circulation is medically referred to as Vascular Disease. Vascular Disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system including diseases of arteries, veins and lymph vessels as well as blood disorders that affect circulation. These include Peripheral Artery Disease, Renal Artery Disease, Varicose Veins, Venous Blood Clots, Aneurysm, Raynaud’s Disease, Peripheral Venous Disease and Erectile Dysfunction. I have discussed each of these conditions in more detail in the Westmeath Topic in the past. Check www.whelehans.ie for these articles or you can ask a Whelehans member of staff for a free copy.

What is our BPro Cardio Screen Service?

Whelehans now has a cardiovascular health check called BPro Cardio Screen. This test measures the stiffness of your arteries to help identify risk of blockages and your risk of cardiovascular disease and circulation problems. BPRo is placed like a watch on your wrist and is completely pain free. A pulse wave reads and calculates a wave signal that indicates the elasticity of large, small, and peripheral artery walls as well as tests for stress, central blood pressure, heart rate, and more. It is now only €35 (was €50); it only takes about 15 minutes to get checked. Our next clinic is Thursday February 11^th from 9am to 5pm. Book by calling Whelehans at 04493 34591.

To be continued…next week I will discuss atherosclerosis in more details

Arginine or BPro Cardio Screen is not meant as a substitute for proper medical assessment with your doctor and should not replace prescription medication

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591.

Have you been inspired by RTE’s “Operation Transformation”? Committed to making a positive change in 2016? An important part of getting started on the path to real change is to understand where you are now, starting with this question….. Do you know your numbers? Knowing your own vital numbers gives you your starting point.

As part of our commitment to helping you be healthier in 2016, Whelehans have teamed up the Operation Transformation team to offer you the opportunity to have your BMI, weight and waist measurements measured at no charge by a qualified nutritionist.

On Saturday 9^th January, we host a “Do you know your numbers” weight management event with Nutritionist Aisling Murray at Whelehans Pharmacy. We will offer free BMI, weight and waist measurements for the day. Simply call Whelehans at 04493 34591 to book your free check. As an extra bonus, our Nutritionist Aisling is offering free nutrition advice on the day.

Our weight management service

Once you know your numbers you have the benchmark you need to set your own goals and targets. To help you achieve all you want to, take advantage of our nutrition service at Whelehans where can get the comprehensive support and information you need to help you reach your target weight.

 More importantly, we can help you maintain both your target weight and healthy dietary habits. Aisling, our qualified nutritionist will help you each step of the way to reach your goals through a mix of weight checks, support along with professional dietary and nutritional advice. You will be weighed on a weekly basis and we will calculate your body mass index.

 Our service is now at a special weekly rate of only €10 per week. Your private and confidential one to one appointments with Aisling are held in our purpose built consultation room within the Pharmacy.

Take the first step on the path to a new you in 2016, call 04493 34591 now for more information or to book your place. With the first installment of Operation Transformation airing on RTE on Wednesday January 6th at 8:30pm, our event will be popular and with places limited, be sure to call quickly to secure your place

Aisling Murray has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and offers a one to one specialist nutrition service as well as a weekly weight management clinic at Whelehans Pharmacy. Call Whelehans at 04493 34591 for an appointment

HEADLICE

Wetter and colder winter weather means cases of headlice increase we spend more time indoors in close proximity. Head lice (Pediculus capitis) affects only humans, and cannot be passed on to, or caught from animals. Head lice are common in schoolchildren, particularly between the ages of 4 and 11, but anyone with hair can catch them.  The lice are small wingless insects that feed on blood obtained by biting the scalp.  These bites tend to be itchy and this itchiness is caused by an allergy to the lice.  Female lice lay their eggs at the hair roots, particularly near warm areas behind the ears and at the back of neck. These eggs appear as white or white coloured grains and are best removed with a fine comb while the hair is wet. 

SYMPTOMS

Infestation often causes itching of the scalp, but may also go unnoticed.  If you suspect head lice, check the base of hairs for eggs and comb the hair over a piece of white paper and the lice will appear as pink or brown specks. Sometimes an infestation is marked by tiny red spots on the scalp.  Lice may be visible in the hair behind the ears and at the nape of the neck as these are favourite spots for infestations.   

CAUSES

Head lice are transferred by close hair-to-hair contact.  They cannot jump, fly or swim, but walk from one hair to another.  It is a misconception that head lice infestation is as a result of dirty hair and poor hygiene.  

TREATMENT

Lice can be a persistent and recurring nuisance, so it is important to treat them quickly and thoroughly. If one member of the family needs treatment it is important to check the rest of the family and treat if live lice are seen.

WET COMBING METHOD

Wet combing, is used to remove lice without using chemical treatments.  This method is helpful because head lice are growing increasingly resistant to insecticides used to remove them.  The following steps are best to follow:

• Wash the hair as normal using an ordinary shampoo.
• Apply conditioner liberally to wet hair (this causes lice to lose their grip on hair).
• Comb the hair through with a normal comb first. With a fine tooth nit comb (available in pharmacies), comb from the roots along the complete length of the hair and after each stroke check the comb for lice and wipe it clean. Work methodically over the whole head for at least 30 minutes.
• Rinse the hair as normal.
• Repeat every three days for at least two weeks.

MEDICATED LOTION OR RINSE

Only use a lotion if you find a living (moving) head louse. Apply the preparation according to the instructions, and remove the lice and eggs with a fine-toothed nit comb.  Treatment should only be done once and then repeated seven days later. There is no need to wash clothing, or bedding, if they have come into contact with head lice.  This is because head lice quickly die without a host to provide warmth and food.

There is a vast array of insect repellants available in pharmacies. In recent years easy to use treatments such as Lyclear^® Crème Rinse (contains lice comb in pack) are proving popular as they involve only a 10 minute treatment. Lyclear^® Crème Rinse can be used on children over 6 months. Lyclear has a pleasant smell and is suitable for asthmatics.

ELECTRONIC LICE COMB

RobiComb^® is an example of an electronic lice comb. It detects and kills lice without the need for chemicals. It uses an AA battery.  

PREVENTION

The best prevention is normal hair care and checking yours and your family's hair and scalp periodically.  If your child has long hair, tie it back as this helps to reduce the likelihood of contact between their hair and that of an infected child. Regular combing of hair using the “wet combing” method (see above) can help with early detection as well as treatment. Repellants (available in pharmacies) may help to prevent head lice but effectiveness is unclear.

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