One to remember: St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin has opened a memory clinic. Its multidisciplinary team of specialists aims to assess patients' memories over a day, to help detect signs of dementia, whose progression can be delayed by early treatment.
The multidisciplinary approach improves the accuracy of diagnosis and allows for earlier interventions. Patients will be referred to the clinic by their GPs or medical specialists. Diagnoses and management plans are discussed a week later, at individual feedback sessions with patients and their carers.
Stopping tooth decay
To help combat the fact that 45 per cent of five-year-olds suffer from tooth erosion, dentists are giving out Tommy the Tooth Club packs, in the hope of improving children's dental hygiene. Among the packs' tips are avoiding fizzy drinks and brushing first thing in the morning and last thing at night with a pea-size amount of toothpaste.
Stay safe in the water
Twenty-four fewer lives were lost to accidental drowning in 2002 than in 2001. Better awareness campaigns, improved safety standards on boats and wider use of protective clothing and life jackets were among the reasons cited by Irish Water Safety. Water Safety Awareness week begins on Sunday. See www.iws.ie for details of water safety courses this summer or contact Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway (1890-420202).
A shot in the arm
"Minor reactions to childhood vaccinations are very common and are a sign that the child's immune system is reacting positively to the vaccine," said Dr Jim Keely, a GP, at the launch of a new leaflet. A raised temperature, headache, rash, irritability and other common reactions are outlined in Tots' And Toddlers' Health, which includes a chart for parents to note any post-vaccination symptoms. You can get a free copy from your health centre.
Drier nights
Almost 50,000 Irish children regularly wet their beds. Most of us associate bed-wetting with stressful events such as starting school or family disturbances. But current medical opinion is that most bed-wetters over five produce more urine at night than their bladders can hold. Treatment includes training children to recognise their bladders are full during sleep. See also www.mynightowl.com.
Baby-soft skin
Vernix, the sticky white film on newborns, could be used as an anti-wrinkle cream. A natural moisturiser, vernix is also thought to have wound-healing and anti-infection properties. Researchers at a US hospital say that rather than washing vernix off after birth, midwives should leave it on.