Colour blind:
The issue of colour blindness being part of routine check-ups has been highlighted by a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Ten colour blind volunteers were found to be less likely to spot blood in photographs of sputum, urine and stools. In theory, the authors suggest that this could delay the diagnosis of a dangerous cancer in people with colour blindness.
Overdue:
A new method of inducing labour in pregnant women at or beyond term is being researched. Using a drug called misoprostol, it is administered either orally or vaginally. Research has shown that the vaginal method does seem to have the advantage over the oral method, with women who received it this way delivering up to eight hours sooner, and requiring less oxytocin (an intravenous chemical) than those who took it in tablet form. However, further investigation will be needed on this drug as the trial hints at worse foetal outcomes with the vaginal method. -British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Work stress:
A study which reviewed all research evaluating workplace counselling published over the past 50 years, and included over 80 studies, has shown that counselling can achieve a reduction in work related stress in more than 50 per cent of people. Levels of sickness and absence also fell by 25 to 50 per cent. Levels of work related symptoms and stress returned to the normal range for more than half of those in two thirds of the studies. The author concludes that there are now several plausible studies that show that short term counselling brings at least half of employees back into the normal range of functioning. -BMJ
Bereavement:
A bereavement programme for friends and relatives of those who died in Beaumount Hospital begins on Wednesday at 7 p.m. with a talk by Sister Kathleen Maguire on "what happens when you are grieving". The new programme consists of three subsequent talks on consecutive Wednesdays. The themes to be discussed are how death affects the family, sudden & traumatic death and coping with bereavement. Each takes place in the RCSI/ Smurfit building at Beaumount Hospital. Contact Siobhan O'Driscoll, bereavement counsellor for more details on Tel: 01 8093290/8092589.
Smoking:
Journalist and author Joe Armstrong has just set up an online quit smoking programme. Run as either a six or 12-week programme, Armstrong offers personal support and direction via email. The weekly cost is £14.49 (VAT inclusive) - which Armstrong reckons is about half the amount many smokers spend on cigarettes per week. Armstrong also offers the course in workplace settings. Details on quitforgood@eircom.net
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