Treating hypertension: GPs should not make decisions about treating patients with hypertension based on high readings of blood pressure taken by doctors, a new study has found.
Researchers assessed various methods of measuring blood pressure, by either a nurse, doctor, home measurement or ambulatory monitoring. The researchers found readings made by the doctors were high in comparison to those taken by the nurse or measured by the patients at home. They concluded: "The 'white coat' effect is important in diagnosing and assessing control of hypertension in primary care. If ambulatory or home measurements are not available, repeated measurements by a nurse or the patient should result in less unnecessary monitoring, initiation and changing of treatment."
Research into stuttering: Persistent developmental stuttering affects 1 per cent of people beyond puberty and has a genetic basis but, despite decades of research, the origin of the disorder was unknown. German researchers assessed brain tissue structure in 15 people with stuttering and a control group of 15 people with normal speech and found that the tissue structure of a region in the left hemisphere of the brain in stuttering patients was significantly different to that in controls. Fibre tracts in this region connect brain structures involved in the articulation and planning of speech, which could explain how disturbed signal transmission in this area prevents fluid speech production.
Health and Safety Awards: The deadline for entry to the National Awards for Innovation in Occupational Safety and Health has been extended to August 30th.
"Reducing the risk of accidents at work is one of the principal factors in improving the quality of working life . . . It is also about good business as the most successful companies usually have the best accident prevention records," says the Minister for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey. The competition is open to companies of any size from any sector. For details telephone 01 614 7095 or see http://ie.osha.eu.int
Fly with your solemate: Frequent flyers may be interested in the latest in-flight comfort assessory. The reflexlogy flight slipper produced by Irish company Solemates, promises to protect the wearer against the blood clots associated with deep vein thrombosis. This is done by stimulating reflex points on the sole of the foot which correspond to the heart, lungs and lower body.
The slippers cost €14.99 and are available from www.solemates.ie
• Lifelines is compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie