Whelehans Health Blog

First new Osteoporosis Drug in over 10 years Waiting approval to come to the market in Ireland   Osteoporosis is also known as brittle bone disease. I previously discussed the most common medicines used to treat osteoporosis including bisphosphonates. Today I discuss a new medication for severe osteoporosis.   Romosozumab Romosozumab (Evenity® 105mg Subcutaneous Injection) is a new monoclonal antibody treatment for severe osteoporosis and is the first new osteoporosis drug in over 10 years.   Romosozumab (Evenity®) received EU authorization by the European Medicines Agency in 2019. Romosozumab is not yet available in Ireland and is currently undergoing a cost...

Holiday Tips Part 2 Jet Lag Our bodies adjust to a natural rhythm that promotes sleeping at night and being active and alert during daylight hours. When we travel across different ‘time zones’ our normal rhythm is altered. This can cause sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate and irritability which is more commonly known as ‘jet lag’.   To prevent jet lag, get a good night sleep before the journey. Some people find that changing their watch to the destination time helps. On arrival at your destination, you should get active as soon as possible and adjust your meals and activities...

Holiday Tips Part 1 Several diseases travelers should be aware of include hepatitis A, typhoid and malaria. Hepatitis A: a liver viral infection contracted from contaminated food or water or from close contact with an infected person.  Practicing good hygiene will protect against catching the hepatitis A.  A vaccine is also available. Typhoid is contracted in the same way as hepatitis A but is caused by a bacterium instead of a virus.  The bacterium, called Salmonella typhi, enters the intestines and can spread to the bloodstream. Antibiotics are used to treat typhoid. It is recommended to get vaccinated against the...

Atrial fibrillation  Part 3   Symptoms   The patient may be symptomless but if symptoms occur, they range from mild to severe and can include: Breathlessness Tiredness Palpitations: the patient may feel the sensation the heart beating fast or irregularly Light headedness or dizziness Chest pain or tightness.   Diagnosis   Echocardiogram An electrocardiogram (ECG) checks the heart's rhythm and electrical activity and confirms atrial fibrillation by recording the heart’s electrical signals. If the ECG is normal, but the clinician still suspects bouts of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), then a record of the heart rhythm over 24 hours will...

Atrial fibrillation  Part 2   Instead of steady and regular electrical impulses, with AF, electrical impulses fire irregularly and randomly. These disorganized impulses cause the atria to quiver or twitch (fibrillate) instead of a steady smooth beat. This means the atria cannot efficiently pump blood into the ventricles.   Causes of AF Hypertension Myocardial infarction Damaged heart muscle Heart valve disease Congenital heart disease Pericarditis Cardiomyopathy Heart or other major surgery   Certain activities or lifestyle can trigger atrial fibrillation including binging on alcohol, physical or mental stress, obesity, excessive caffeine, smoking and illegal drugs. AF can be associated with other conditions...