Recent research suggests up to 20 per cent of people with glandular fever go on to develop myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Also called chronic fatigue syndrome and post-viral fatigue syndrome, this condition is now believed to be caused by an over-active immune system and/or a persistent viral infection. Dr Joe Fitzgibbon, author of Feeling Tired All The Time, will give an introductory lecture on ME at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12th in the Mount Herbert Hotel, Herbert Road, Dublin 4. Admission free.
Marital breakdown has increased by 70 per cent in the five years ending 1997, according to Ruth Barror, chief executive of the Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services. Speaking at the launch of the MRCS annual report recently, Barror stressed the importance of providing support for relationships which can be saved alongside facilitating couples to separate or divorce with the least distress for everyone, including children. MRCS noted that more than 40 per cent of its clients in 1998 were in the 30-39 age group. The most pressing problems for all clients were communication, separation and sexual problems. Significantly, 44 per cent (as compared with 29 per cent in 1997) of those attending MRCS claimed that depression was a part of their problem. The Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services can be contacted at 24 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-6799341.
Controversy continues over the establishment of a national gene database in Iceland. Legislation passed by parliament there in December provides for the creation of a national health sector database covering the entire population. Patients have until June 17th to opt out of being included in the database, which will allow a medical company to link medical records with geneological and genetic data. The Icelandic Medical Association has recently received the support of the World Medical Association in its fight against the implementation of such a database. At its council meeting in Santiago, Chile in April the World Medical Association reaffirmed its commitment to patient confidentiality and the principle of informed consent. The World Medical Association is urging all national medical associations and governments to ensure that scientific research does not breach medical ethics and patient confidentiality. Dr Tomas Zoega, chairman of the Icelandic Medical Association, said it might be difficult for many Icelandic doctors to comply with the new law. The Icelandic government has defended the development of the database on the grounds that patients' rights and confidentiality are fully protected and that rights to develop new drugs or test new candidates will not be given exclusively to one company. (British Medical Journal).
Walking is regularly cited as one of the best and easier forms of exercise to keep body and mind fit and fresh. Overseas charity walks which offer people of all ages an opportunity to trek with a group in exotic places, have become a popular source of fundraising. Potential enthusiasts can check out the following options. The National Children's Hospital has a walk in Switzerland in September (tel: 01-4142373); the Irish Heart Foundation is walking the Wall of China in late September/early October (tel: 01-6685001); the Central Remedial Clinic is running a Himalayan trek in October (tel: 01-8332206, ext 247) and Focus Ireland has a walk in Tuscany, Italy in October (tel: 01-6712555).
