Whelehans Health Blog

Hayfever- Part 1 Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen or spores. Hay fever affects the nose, sinuses, throat, and eyes. From May to July grass and flowers are in pollen, so is the most common time for hay fever. Mould and fungi also release tiny reproductive particles, called spores which also cause allergies. Grass is the most common cause of hayfever.   Hay fever is a common condition that affects around 20% of the population. Hay fever is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema. Hay fever usually begins in...

Who would you trust? Pharmacy and its role in Health in Ireland   Eamonn Brady MPSI of Whelehans Pharmacies in Mullingar discusses the role of pharmacy in Ireland and how it has changed both in the perception of the public and in service provision since the pandemic started in early 2020.   Pharmacists amongst the most trusted professions In response to the question “Who would you trust to tell you the truth?” posed in early 2021 by Ipsos MRBI as part of their annual Veracity Index survey of 1000 people representing a broad cross section of Irish society, the healthcare...

Fatigue: Causes   Fatigue negatively impacts work performance, family life, and relationships.    Possible causes of fatigue: Lifestyle related Malnutrition Unhealthy diet Smoking Alcohol consumption Drug abuse Stress Physical conditions such as: Anaemia- Low haemoglobin (red blood cells) often caused by low iron or the like of heavy periods in women Diabetes High blood pressure Obesity Heart disease Chronic fatigue syndrome   Mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD Classes of meds that cause fatigue: High blood pressure medicines such as beta blockers Statins and fibrates (for cholesterol) Proton pump inhibitors (to reduce stomach acid) Benzodiazepines (used for...

Smoking Cessation Part 3 Help to give up   I will discuss nicotine replacement therapy like nicotine patches and gum soon in this column. This week, I discuss other options.   E-cigarettes   Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) are electronic devices that mimic cigarettes and release nicotine vapour. They allow inhalation of nicotine without the negative effects of tar and carbon monoxide. There are hundreds of different types of devices and juices available. As E-cigarettes are relatively new on the market, and research is ongoing on their benefits and negative effects, the HSE still doesn’t endorse E-cigarettes as an option to help...

Smoking Cessation Part 2   Drug interactions with smoking Drug interactions between tobacco smoke and drugs are often underestimated by patients and clinicians alike. Tobacco smoke affects the absorption, distribution, metabolism (or elimination) of drugs thus potentially giving an altered response. Tobacco smoke accelerates the metabolism of certain drugs by inducing hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes (primarily CYP1A2). It is believed the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke are responsible for the induction of cytochrome P450 rather than nicotine meaning that nicotine replacement products do not have the same degree of drug interactions   The HSE’s Brief Intervention for Smoking Cessation...