Deep vein thrombosis: Heparin therapy for at least five days as an inpatient, followed by long-term oral anticoagulation, has been the standard care for patients with deep vein thrombosis. An article in a recent edition of the British Medical Journal suggests that a new type of heparin given at home has been shown to be at least as effective and safe as the standard regime. Home treatment has the additional advantages of greater efficiency of healthcare delivery and improved quality of life for patients.
Osteoporosis: A study using human parathyroid hormone has found it can reduce significantly the risk of new fractures in postmenopausal women with previous osteoporotic fractures. The results published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicate the treatment was well tolerated and was associated with about a two-thirds reduction in the risk of new spinal fractures and over 50 per cent reduction in the risk of new non-spinal fractures. Patients treated with parathyroid hormone also experienced significant increases in bone mineral density.
Reduction in overdose fatalities: Legislation restricting the pack size of paracetamol in the UK has been shown to have had a substantial beneficial effect on mortality and morbidity associated with self poisoning. According to research published in the British Medical Journal, the number of deaths from self-poisoning with paracetamol alone and with salicylates aspirin alone decreased after the new legislation was introduced in the UK in September 1998. There was also a decrease in the number of liver transplants and admissions to liver units with liver damage from paracetemol/salicylate self-poisoning.
Suicide counselling: Every time someone chooses to commit suicide, 50 people are traumatised. One in four of us personally knows people who have taken their lives. Grieving is especially difficult for families, because of the shame associated with suicide. Families tend to blame themselves and are afraid to acknowledge their grief publicly. D≤chas is a new, free, voluntary listening service for families, in which people bereaved by suicide counsel others in the same situation. The idea behind it is that people need to tell their stories in order to grieve. Volunteers will visit families, no matter where in the country they come from. For information, contact 086-8569283, Monday to Friday, 10a.m.-4p.m. A drop-in service is available at Ballymun Health Centre on Mondays, 6-10p.m.
Breast cancer screenings: Women - particularly those between the ages of 50 and 64 - are invited to attend a free information day on the National Breast Screening Programme in the Central Library, the ILAC Centre, Henry St, Dublin on Saturday between 10 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Representatives from BreastCheck, the free country-wide screening programme will be available to answer questions and give information on the screening programme. Screening will go ahead in Dublin's north inner city during the summer months.
Herbal medicine: Medical herbalist Helen McCormack is beginning a series of talks on the use of herbal medicine in self-care. The first lecture goes ahead at 12 noon on Friday at 436 Howth Road, Raheny, Dublin. Admission £3. Tel: 01-8368965 for more details.
Vitamin-packed drink: Adults and children who don't eat enough fruit and vegetables can get some of their necessary vitamins from Drink 10, a multi-vitamin fruit drink. Made from a blend of 10 fruits, Drink 10 doesn't contain any preservatives or artificial colouring. It contains vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B6, folic acid and retinol.
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