Whelehans Health News

Life after breast cancer (Part 1)

Posted by Eamonn Brady on Sep 29, 2015

Despite the relief of cancer recovery there can be a feeling of “what now”? Especially as the previous period of your life was dominated by hospital appointments, surgery and the routine around chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Many people find they miss the security of regular hospital checks and the support from the cancer care staff.

The consultant, cancer care nurses, your GP and your pharmacist can help you with a plan for follow up care. Recommendations include regular physical examinations, blood tests and mammograms. Breast cancer can return in the breast or other parts of the body and those with previous cancer are at more risk of developing cancer. Symptoms of cancer recurrence to be vigilant for include a new lump in the breast, under the arms, or along the chest wall; bone pain, bone fractures; headaches, seizures; chronic coughing or breathing issues; severe fatigue; and nausea or vomiting. There is a lifetime risk of reoccurrence after the first episode of breast cancer. Even if the breast cancer was 20 years ago, you are still at increased risk of reoccurrence; therefore regular screenings in the years following cancer are important. Regular check-ups mean risk of cancer reoccurrence goes down.

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, click on www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591. E-mail queries to info@whelehans.ie.

Cough

Posted by Eamonn Brady on Sep 22, 2015

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

A cough is a reflex action to clear the throat of any foreign bodies or particles, such as dust. But when you get a cold, the infected mucus from your nose drips down the back of your throat in a process called post-nasal drip. This post-nasal drip causes a type of cough that is not helpful at all. Essentially there are two types of cough, a DRY or a CHESTY cough. Chesty coughs occur when mucus (also called phlegm or catarrh) builds up in the airways and the cough occurs so your body can clear the mucus.

Chesty cough mixtures such as Viscolex^® contain an expectorant which liquefy the catarrh so it can be coughed up easier. There are other chesty cough mixtures that cause drowsiness which can be used at night to help you sleep. Sugar free versions of cough mixtures such as Exputex^® are available for diabetics.

How the Migraine Association of Ireland can help you?

Posted by Eamonn Brady on Sep 01, 2015

Migraine Action Week takes place form September 12^th to 19^th. Whelehans Pharmacy in association with Migraine Association of Ireland hosted a major Migraine Information event in Mullingar in June. As a result of this event (which had over 120 people attend), we have been asked in the pharmacy many times what were the main “learning points”. Due to Migraine Action Week I decided to revisit Migraine in the Examiner with some information on the Migraine Association of Ireland and next week I will discuss some of the points we learned back in June. I discussed Migraine I more detail in the Westmeath Examiner back in June; ask in Whelehans or check www.whelehans.ie or a detailed and free information article on migraine.

What is the Migraine Association of Ireland?

Migraine Association of Ireland is a registered charity that is a membership-based organisation consisting of people living with migraine or other headache disorders and members of their family and friends.

Conditions which mimic & cause psychiatric disorders (Part 1)

Posted by Eamonn Brady on Jul 30, 2015

Over four weeks in the Topic I will discuss how physical conditions can mimic symptoms of common mental health problems like depression, insomnia, anxiety and fatigue and in many cases cause mental health problems. I will discuss the impact on our mental health of hypothyroidism, low testosterone levels, sleep apnoea, alcohol abuse, infections, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, dementia, multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, cancer, medication (both prescription and illegal drugs) amongst others. This will indicate that on certain occasions, simply getting a simple blood test and getting appropriate treatment for easily treatable conditions like low thyroid levels may relieve mood disorders such as depression. However, it must be borne in mind that many mental health problems are not caused by physical problems.

Sjögren syndrome (Part 2)

Posted by Eamonn Brady on Jul 20, 2015

A potential cause of dry mouth, dry skin and dry eyes

This is a continuation of last week’s article on Sjögren syndrome in which I discussed its causes and symptoms. Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune condition linked to other rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth and enlargement of the parotid glands (salivary gland located in the cheeks just in front of the ears). Fatigue and joint and muscle pains are other debilitating features in many who have the condition.

Upcoming talk on depression and mental health

Whelehans Pharmacy in conjunction with Aware have organised an expert panel to discuss depression and mental health on Thursday August 6th in the Greville Arms Hotel Mullingar; some leading local experts will be talking. This talk is free of charge and is open to all. Keep an eye on this column in the coming weeks for more details. To avoid disappointment, book your place in advance by calling Whelehans at 04493 34591.