Tummy trouble Hypnotherapy may be an effective long-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, according to a study of more than 200 patients. Almost three-quarters of them responded well, with most still feeling the benefits up to six years later. The remainder said the effects had worn off slightly. Women were more likely to respond than men. The researchers work at the first NHS hypnotherapy unit to be established in the UK.
Protecting kids' heads
Less than 5 per cent of children's bicycle helmets are correctly fitted, according to a study of almost 500 children. While most children own helmets and "always" or "almost always" wear them when cycling, skating and skateboarding, most helmets rest too high on the forehead, moved too freely from front to back, or the straps are incorrectly positioned. Correctly fitted helmets dramatically reduce the risk of head injury.
Brushing up on sensitive teeth
One in three Irish people suffers from sensitive teeth. Gum and tooth sensitivity is most often triggered by hot and cold things. Tooth-whitening treatments may also cause temporary sensitivity. Gentle brushing with a soft-textured tooth brush will minimise damage to gums and teeth. A new leaflet, Take Complete Care of Your Teeth is available free from PO Box 9511, James Street, Dublin 8.
Yoga from Down Under
Followers of Ashtanga Yoga can get some expert instruction from New Zealand-born yoga teacher Gwendoline Hunt (72) who is in Dublin this month to help Irishman David Collins establish the Dublin School of Ashtanga Yoga. Hunt will lead a block of beginners' classes, starting next Saturday, in the Sion Hill Education Centre, off Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin. Tel: 087 2376383. See also www.ashtanga.ie
Discussing healthy foods
Functional foods are defined as foods that have a health benefit over
and above their nutritional content.
They include probiotic yogurts. Prof Ian Rowland from the Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health, University of Ulster explores the future of functional foods in Europe in a public lecture on Wednesday, November 12th at 2.15 p.m. in the Whitaker Theatre, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk. Admission free.