A round-up of other health stories in brief.
SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFITS: Defying years of conventional medical wisdom, researchers have found that calcium and vitamin D pills regularly consumed by millions of women provide limited protection from broken bones.
The supplements seemed to reduce the risk of hip fractures in women over 60 who faithfully took them. But the pills did not reduce spine or wrist fractures, and increased the risk of kidney stones, researchers said.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, raised questions about the benefits of taking supplements to prevent osteoporosis, a condition marked by weakened bones and a heightened risk of fractures that commonly afflicts women after menopause. Despite the study's weak support for calcium supplements, most researchers continued to endorse taking them if needed to meet guidelines for calcium and vitamin D.
COPD CAMPAIGN: A campaign to raise awareness of COPD, a complex respiratory disease, and encourage people to stop smoking was launched yesterday. COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, covers a group of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The campaign, backed by respiratory consultants and supported by Boehiringer Ingelheim and Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, stresses the importance of getting one's lungs tested. The test, called spirometry, can be carried out by GPs and assesses lung functions.
Dr Charles Gallagher, president of the Irish Thoracic Society, welcomed the campaign and said there was excessive and "often inappropriate" use of over-the- counter medications with people with respiratory symptoms. He said his society strongly recommended that people with respiratory problems be assessed by their GP.
RCSI APPOINTMENT: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has appointed Prof Arnold Hill as professor of surgery and chairman of the Department of Surgery at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. A graduate of University College Dublin, Prof Hill joins the RCSI from St Vincent's University Hospital where he was lead surgeon to BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme. Prior to this he did a fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: Comprehensive treatment approaches to chronic fatigue syndrome will be the theme of Dr Patrick McGovern's public talk on Saturday at 3pm in the Mont Clare Hotel, Clare St, Dublin.
Dr McGovern will address controversies in diagnosis including unrecognised thyroid problems and persistent gut infections. This event is organised by the Irish ME Support Group. See www.integrativemedonline.com
CHILDREN'S DIETS: Nutritionally rich foods are being displaced by nutritionally poor foods, according to safefood, the Food Safety Promotion Board. In an attempt to encourage parents to rebalance their children's eating by replacing treat foods with healthy foods, safefood has developed a web section with tips and advice on checking nutritional labels and creating balanced lunches. Call 1850 404567 or see www.safefoodonline.com
CARDIAC CT SCANNER: The Blackrock Clinic in Dublin is using a new cardiac CT scanner that can detect the very early signs of heart disease. The €1 million machine, produced by GE healthcare, can produce detailed three-
dimensional images of the heart. A spokeswoman said the scans, not covered as yet by private health insurers, cost €550 each.
GRADUATE FUNDING: Two graduates of the Human Nutrition and Dietetics Bachelor of Science at Dublin Institute of Technology/
Trinity College Dublin have been awarded €4,000 each to pursue their studies at postgraduate level.
Physical activity levels in Irish and Swedish adults was the theme of the undergraduate thesis of Kiera Higgins from Cootehill, Co Cavan. For her thesis, Anna Louise O'Connor from Rathfarnham, Dublin carried out a molecular study of fatty acid amides, a group of molecules involved in sleep, energy and pain levels.