Misuse and addiction to codeine

Three days: that’s all it takes to become addicted to codeine. Codeine is an over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller. It is the most commonly consumed opiate in the world and is in the same family as heroin.

“The abuse potential for codeine is a major concern for medics, pharmacists and addiction treatment providers,” said Dr Marie Claire Van Hout, a Waterford Institute of Technology lecturer and CODEMISUSED Project Principal Investigator. “Individuals who misuse these OTC painkillers also have a pain problem that needs to be addressed separate to their addiction,” she said.

The CODEMISUSED research project aims to investigate the extent of codeine, use, misuse and dependence in Ireland.

IBTS CHANGES WAY DONORS ARE CHECKED FOR ANAEMIA

This summer, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service changed the way donors are checked for anaemia before they donate. Now there is no finger stick blood sample. Instead of taking a blood sample from the tip of the finger, white xenon light is shone through the tissue of the finger pulp, and the haemoglobin level in the donor is calculated from the absorption pattern of the red spectrum. The new system is proving quicker, cheaper and better than the old one, a spokesperson says.

FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE NOW

Get the flu vaccine if you are in an at-risk group, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar is urging.

The vaccination is free of charge to those aged 65 and over, those with chronic disease, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and healthcare workers.

This year’s vaccine is developed to protect against the three common flu virus strains that the World Health Organisation expected to be circulating this year.

“The flu vaccine is a lifesaver,” the Minister says, “because flu can be a very serious and sometimes deadly disease, with potentially 1000 flu related deaths in Ireland during a severe flu season.”

See www.immunisation.ie for more information.

Overprotecting children doesn’t help

According to author and GP Dr Harry Barry, speaking at the Console World Suicide Prevention Day Conference in Dublin recently, overprotecting children and problem solving for them could be contributing to higher suicide risks in later life. Parents have a massive role to play in this, he says.

“In later life, children who do not learn to problem solve sometimes lack the resilience to be able to find solutions to life crisis events. Research has shown that many people who take their own lives have been under stress for a considerable period of time, as evidenced by the level of stress hormones in their system. This is critical, as the more the emotional brain is swamped by trying to deal with the stressor, the higher the stress hormones climb, attacking the logical mind and its ability to solve the problem.

The key to breaking this deadly cycle of stress and suicide is the ability to adapt and problem solve. Real resilience is all about teaching people to problem solve what they can, with the help of others and to change their perspective about issues they can’t alter,” he said.

See www.console.ie The suicide helpline is 1800-247-247 (or text HELP to 51444). Dr Harry Barry’s latest book Flagging the Screenager is available in all good bookshops and online.

Pot bellies – two types

There are two types of pot belly: a soft one and the more dangerous hard one, according to Claire Jackson of Motivation Weight Management. A soft pot belly is formed from subcutaneous fat, in other words the fat lying under the skin, just above the muscle.

A hard pot belly contains visceral fat, which lies between the muscle and organs, dangerously coating organs such as the liver and intestines. The fat pushes out the muscle, making the stomach feel hard on the outside.

The good news is that visceral fat is the first to burn off if a mix of lifestyle changes are made including reducing sugar intake, opting for protein rich meals and weight training exercise. See www.motivation.ie.

New mums not looking after health and wellbeing

Only 25% of new mums have reported looking after their own health and wellbeing post-pregnancy. This is according to new research commissioned by Pregnacare New Mum, the pregnancy supplement brand. The research was launched by TV and radio personality Jennifer Maguire who gave birth to a daughter in March 2015.

In the survey, 58% of mums said they never got a full night’s sleep and 56% were concerned that they weren’t consuming the right nutrients since the birth.

Pregnacare New Mum is available from pharmacies nationwide RRP €19.49 (60 tablets)

Free counselling available from HSE

1. Free eight sessions of counselling from HSE if you have medical card

Did you know that your GP can refer you for eight weeks free counselling if you need it and have a medical card? The Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC) provides up to eight counselling sessions with an accredited therapist/counsellor and is suitable for people experiencing difficulties such as depression, anxiety, panic reactions, relationship problems, stress and loss issues. Ask your GP for more details.

2. Free counselling for adults abused in childhood

Free professional counselling/therapy is available separately for any adult who experienced neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse while they were a child. It is particularly for those who were abused while they were in an institution, community or within their families and who have not had the chance to talk about what has happened to them. Freephone Information and Referral number is 1800-235-234

3. Bereaved through accident? Free counselling available in some counties

The HSE offers a free, confidential, professional counselling service in Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan to those bereaved as a result of traumatic deaths, for instance, in accidents, by suicide or the death of a child. You can contact the service yourself or your doctor can refer you. Telephone 071-91-55108

New website for Rosacea sufferers

There is a new website for Rosacea sufferers www.rosacea.ie to provide users with information, tips and advice on controlling the condition.