MyLocalPharmacy.ie

06/05/2013

Hay Fever
06-May-2013

Part of the Health Hints series from Tierney’s Pharmacy, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.

Hay fever is an allergic condition.
The allergic reaction is to grass and tree pollens and sometimes to moulds.
Hay fever usually occurs at the same time each year.
The hay fever season in Ireland runs from early May to the end of July and sometimes into August.
The main pollen in Ireland is grass pollen.
Pollens are very small and about 10,000 would fit on the head of a needle.
High pollen counts happen on warm, dry and sunny days.
Pollen counts may be high in the morning but are highest in the late afternoon and early evening.

Symptoms of Hay Fever.

Snuffling.
Sneezing.
Sinus nasal congestion.

To continue reading visit http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Hay-Fever-a-89.html

11/04/2013

11/04/2013

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a common skin condition which affects men and women of all ages.

Symptoms

There are several different type of psoriasis. Typically, people have only one form of psoriasis at a time, although sometimes two different types can occur together. One type may change to another type, or one type may become more severe.
Psoriasis often goes through cycles. It can flare up for a few weeks or months, and then the symptoms ease or stop.

Common types of psoriasis are:
Plaque psoriasis - the most common form of psoriasis. Around 80% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. Its symptoms are dry, red skin lesions - known as plaques - that are covered in silver scales. They normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back but can appear anywhere on your body. The plaques are normally itchy, sore, or both. In severe cases the skin around your joints may crack and bleed.

Nail psoriasis - this affects your nails causing them to pit, become discoloured and grow abnormally. Often nails can become lose and separate from your nail bed. In some severe cases, your nails may crumble.

Guttate psoriasis - this normally occurs following a throat infection (streptococci) and is more common amongst children and teenagers. This causes small (less than 1 cm) water-drop shaped sores on your chest, arms, legs and scalp. There is a good chance that guttate psoriasis will disappear completely, but some young people go on to develop plaque psoriasis.

Scalp psoriasis - this normally affects the back of your head, but it can occur in other parts of your scalp, or on the whole scalp. This causes red patches of skin covered in thick silvery-white scales. Some people find scalp psoriasis, extremely itchy, while others have no discomfort. In extreme cases it can cause hair loss, but not permanent balding.

Inverse psoriasis - this affects areas of the skin that are in folds or creases, such as the armpits, groin, and the skin between the buttocks and under the breasts. This can cause large smooth red patches to occur in some or all of these areas. Inverse psoriasis is made worse by friction and sweating, so it can be particularly uncomfortable in hot weather. Inverse psoriasis is more common in overweight people.

Pustular psoriasis Von Zumbusch psoriasis - this causes pustules to appear across a wide area of your skin. The pustules develop very quickly. The pus consists of white blood cells and is not infected. The pustules dry and peel off within a couple of days, leaving the skin shiny and smooth. The pustules may reappear every few days or weeks in cycles. During the start of these cycles Von Zumbasch psoriasis can cause fever, chills, weight loss, and fatigue.
Palmaplanter pustular psoriasis - this causes pustules to appear on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Pustules may reappear every few days or weeks.

Acropustulosis - this causes pustules to appear on your fingers and toes. The pustules then burst leaving bright red areas that may ooze or become scaly. These may lead to painful nail deformities.
There are rarer types of psoriasis known as pustular psoriasis. These cause pus filled blisters (pustules) to appear on your skin. Different types of pustular psoriasis affect different parts of the body

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest form of psoriasis. This can cover your..

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http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Psoriasis-a-84.html

10/04/2013

High Blood Pressure

Causes

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. In over 95% of patients with high blood pressure (high BP), the cause is unknown. Secondary hypertension (where the cause is known) is rare. Causes include renal (kidney) disease, adrenal disease (eg) Cushing’s syndrome and medication (eg) anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and steroids.

Illegal drugs such as co***ne and amphetamines can cause a rise in blood pressure. There is a tendency for high blood pressure to run in families but this may be due to environmental reasons learned or acquired from family (eg) heavy drinking.

Diastolic Vs Systolic blood pressure

Both diastolic and systolic pressure are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Systolic pressure is now considered the better predictor of cardiovascular risk. Systolic pressure is peak pressure in the arteries as blood is pumped out of the heart. Diastolic pressure is minimum pressure in the arteries when blood returns to the heart. An example of normal blood pressure for an adult is 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic (written as 120/80 mmHg).

Measuring blood pressure

Blood pressure (BP) was traditionally measured with a sphygmomanometer, which historically used the height of a column of mercury to reflect the circulating pressure. Today BP values are still reported in

To continue reading please visit

http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/High-Blood-Pressure-a-58.html

09/04/2013

Constipation

Symptoms, causes & complications

Constipation describes infrequent bowel movement, often with hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass. It may be associated with bloating, straining and pain. It is caused by inadequate muscle contraction or over absorption of water. Constipation is thought to affect approximately 20 per cent of the population. It can be a symptom of many serious illnesses; although once these are ruled out its management can be quite straightforward, involving both dietary interventions and laxatives. Constipation increases with age and females are twice as likely to suffer from constipation as males.

Symptoms

Though there is huge variance in frequency of bowel movement between individuals. Less than three bowel movements per week is generally defined as constipation. Other symptoms of constipation can include straining on passing stools, lumpy or hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation and a feeling of a blockage.
Most common patient profile
Self-reported constipation in the United States and the United Kingdom is more prevalent in women, nonwhites, and those over age 60. It is more common in individuals with little daily physical activity, low income, and poor education.

Causes

Medical Conditions

The causes of constipation are often unknown, but it may also be due to a medical condition or a side effect of medication. Diseases and conditions associated with constipation include endocrine disorders such as...

To continue reading visit http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Constipation-a-60.html

08/04/2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis
08-Jan-2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Up to 500,000 people in Ireland suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a general term used for the condition; however there are over 100 types of arthritis. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the most debilitating forms of the condition. For the purpose of this article, I will refer to rheumatoid arthritis as RA for short.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs as a result of the body’s immune system attacking the joints and causing inflammation of the lining of a joint and the tissues surrounding it. About 1% of the population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and 80% of sufferers develop it between the ages of 35 and 50. About 1 in 20 of affected people has a severe form of it with many joints affected. Up to half of all people are unable to work within 10 years of diagnosis.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is

To continue reading visit http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-a-56.html

05/04/2013

05/04/2013

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the fasted growing diseases in Ireland. This article is about Symptoms and Causes of diabetes, the risks, complications of diabetes and myths about diabetes. The final section deals with the treatment options for diabetes.
The Diabetic Federation of Ireland estimate there are over 200,000 diabetics in Ireland and that over half of these have no idea they have diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It is now reaching epidemic proportions mainly due to our increasing sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. According to the World Health Organisation, there were 30 million diabetics in the world in 1985, today there are approximately 230 million diabetics and this figure is expected to rise to 330 million in 20 years time if we do not take action.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition that occurs when the body can't use glucose normally. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells.

Types

There are two types of Diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin.

To continue reading visit http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Diabetes-a-76.html

05/04/2013

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene

Vitamin A helps you see in the dark. In particular, it helps your eyes adjust to darkness after being exposed to bright light, like the headlights of an oncoming car at night. You can also thank vitamin A for healthy skin, strong bones, and a sound immune system. The vitamin itself shows up primarily in organ meats, but many fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene and other carotenoids that are converted to vitamin A in the intestine. Eating foods rich in these substances may protect you against heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

What foods are the best sources of vitamin A?

Orange, red, and dark green vegetables and fruits are particularly rich in beta-carotene and the 50 other carotenoids that the body converts to vitamin A. Just one red pepper or half a cup of spinach contains enough to meet your daily requirement for A. But the more carotenoids you get, the better, so don't be afraid to load up on foods with vitamin A! Liver is by far the richest source of vitamin A -- so rich that you probably shouldn't eat it more than once a week. Fish and egg yolks are also packed with it, and some brands of milk are fortified with A, to help your bones absorb calcium.

Should I take a supplement?

No. You're not likely to be deficient in the vitamin, and vitamin A supplements can easily give you a toxic dose, and while beta-carotene supplements are probably not.......

To continue reading please visit http://www.mylocalpharmacy.ie/articles/Vitamins-and-Minerals-a-63.html

04/12/2012

Morning Facebookers! It's Reward Time at Sam McCauley Chemists ................... FREE €10 Gift Voucher with every €50 spent!!! T&C's apply.

29/11/2012

The Irish Times Recognises the development of Pharmacist Ciaran O'Connor's App.
Easy & simple to use, it's the next technological step for ordering prescriptions & keeping up to date with your pharmaceutical needs.

To Sign up drop in-store or download for free.