Heart to heart: Some 75 per cent of cardiac arrests happen in the home and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), if started within four minutes of collapse, can keep a person alive until an ambulance and medical treatment is available.
Courses in CPR will be funded by this year's Happy Heart Weekend, organised by the Irish Heart Foundation, May 16th-18th. See www.irishheart.ie or tel: 01-6685001.
Food for thought: Nutritional approaches to degenerative diseases (e.g. cancer, arthritis, diabetes, MS), such as the method developed in the US by Max Gerson, continue to gain support. Gerson's daughter, Charlotte, visits Ireland this week to lecture on the Gerson Therapy, the basic premise of which is to re-activate a depleted immune system through optimum nutrition.
Gerson will speak in Belfast on May 17th (tel: 048-91463011); in Dublin on May 18th (tel: 01-2353094); in Sligo on May 20th (tel: 071-66399); Cork on May 22nd and in Galway on May 25th (for both venues, tel: 091-533932).
Eating disorders: Psychotherapist and addiction expert, Maura Russell will discuss various perspectives on eating disorders on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. in the Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin. The public talk is organised by Bodywhys, a support group for those with eating disorders. Admission €5. More details on: 01-2834963.
Totally hip: The first total hip replacement in Ireland took place in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin in September 1969. The hospital is organising a conference, which will examine the past, present and future of hip replacement, on May 24th and 25th. Inquires to Monica Kelly, projects co-ordinator, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital. E-mail: cnoh@eircom.net
Lifelines is compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie