Whelehans Health Blog

  This is the first of three articles in the Westmeath Topic on anorexia nervosa, better known simply as anorexia. The most shocking fact about anorexia is that it has the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder. This does not even take into account the short and long term health problems experienced by the people who survive the condition. Anorexia nervosa has a prevalence of 0.3% in women. This may seem low, but this actually means that approximately 7000 women in the Irish Republic and about 150 women in Westmeath alone are currently battling this condition. Bulimia nervosa is five...

This is the final of a 3-part series. Causes The exact cause is not known, there may be a genetic link. Somatoform disorders represent the major form of psychosomatic illness. Somatoform disorders may be a coping strategy related to a previous life experience or trauma such as abuse or loss. It may be a learned behaviour, or the result of a personality characteristic. Research also indicates possible comorbidities with other mental health disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, and psychotic disorders. Irrespective of causes, the symptoms are real to the person experiencing them, not imagined...

This is a continuation of last weeks article in the Examiner  Symptoms Somatoform disorders are the major forms of psychosomatic illness. Physical symptoms of these disorders are real and may appear to be those of medical conditions. However, they are psychological in nature rather than physical. Medical testing and evaluation may sometimes be required to establish that the symptoms are in fact, by elimination, psychosomatic.   Common symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder Those with body dysmorphic disorder become fixated with physical appearance. The person sees minor flaws as a major issue or indeed, may see flaws where none exist. Common...

Psychosomatic means mind (psyche) and body (soma) and can have both mental and physical aspects.   Psychosomatic related conditions can be separated into three classes. Class1: those with both a mental and medical illness. Both illnesses complicate the symptoms and management of each other.   Class 2: those with a mental issue as a direct result of a medical illness or its treatment, i.e. depression brought on by having cancer and subsequent treatment.   Class 3, the most prevalent type of psychosomatic related condition is somatoform disorders. These are a group of mental or psychiatric disorders manifested as physical problems...

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 Strategies to improve nutrition in the elderly  Alleviate Dry Mouth     Avoid caffeine; alcohol; tobacco; and dry, bulky, spicy, salty, or highly acidic foods. If patient does not have dementia or swallowing difficulties, offer sugarless hard candy or chewing gum to stimulate saliva. Bioxtra® gels, mouthwashes and chewing gum are particularly effective at treating dry mouth. Keep lips moist with petroleum jelly (e.g.) Vaseline®. Encourage frequent sips of water.         Improve oral intake Aim to give the patient...