Asthma affects one in seven children and one in 20 adults. Controversy rages on the topic of trigger avoidance and its importance in asthma management, with the emphasis in English-speaking countries on treatment rather than on avoiding triggers. Other European experts, however, favour trigger avoidance. These opinions will be discussed by two experts at a free public meeting organised by the Asthma Society at the Alexander Hotel, Fenian St, Dublin on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. DIABETES sufferers need not die from a related illness if they lower their blood pressure. A UK study quoted in the British Medical Journal discovered that regular monitoring of blood pressure by sufferers who are non-insulin dependent reduces the risk of death from associated ailments of diabetes by a third, and strokes by more than a third. For a diabetes information evening and lecture by Dr Tony O'Reilly, go to the Abberley Court Hotel, Belgard Road, Tallaght on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
One in eight children will experience sexual abuse, according to the most recent national statistics. Play therapy is one of the main forms of therapy used with children who have been sexually abused, to help the child make sense of his or her experiences. To assist the CARI Foundation (Children at Risk in Ireland) raise funds for their work, participate in Play a Game Week (beginning next Monday). Play any game, from football to cards, in your workplace, school or community group and donate £1. For further details, tel CARI (01) 8308529.
Hysterectomies could be a thing of the past for women suffering from dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). Forty out of the estimated 21,000 Irish women affected by DUB have undergone the new non-invasive treatment, which is now available in Ireland. The Vesta DUB treatment system requires only 24 hours in hospital, involves a shorter recovery period and eliminates the physical and psychological trauma of hysterectomies.
Worried about your cholesterol level? Visit the CyberKitchen or Virtual Fitness Room of a new cholesterol Web site, set up by the US National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Enter your cholesterol level and learn what a doctor would prescribe to lower it, or select a day's food and see a report of the amount of total saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Go to www.nhlbi.nih.gov, look under "What's New" and click on the interactive site.
